Characterization of an enriched uranyl fluoride deposit in a valve and pipe intersection using time-of-flight transmission measurements with {sup 252}Cf
- Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States). Dept. of Nuclear Engineering
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
- East Tennessee Technology Park, Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
A method was developed and successfully applied to characterize large uranyl fluoride (UO{sub 2}F{sub 2}) deposits at the former Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant. These deposits were formed by a wet air in-leakage into the UF{sub 6} process gas lines over a period of years. The resulting UO{sub 2}F{sub 2} is hygroscopic, readily absorbing moisture from the air to form hydrates as UO{sub 2}F{sub 2}-nH{sub 2}O. The ratio of hydrogen to uranium can vary from 0--16, and has significant nuclear criticality safety impacts for large deposits. In order to properly formulate the required course of action, a non-intrusive characterization of the distribution of the fissile material within the pipe, its total mass, and amount of hydration was necessary. The Nuclear Weapons Identification System (NWIS) previously developed at the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant for identification of uranium weapons components in storage containers was used to successfully characterize these deposits.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-96OR22464
- OSTI ID:
- 661435
- Report Number(s):
- ORNL/CP-97759; CONF-980733-; ON: DE98003518; TRN: 98:006969
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 39. Institute of Nuclear Materials Management (INMM) annual meeting, Naples, FL (United States), 26-30 Jul 1998; Other Information: PBD: [1998]
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
{sup 252}Cf-source-correlated transmission measurements for uranyl fluoride deposit in a 24-in.-OD process pipe
Fissible Deposit Characterization at the Former Oak Ridge K-25 Gaseous Diffusion Plant by {sup 252}CF-Source-Driven Measurements