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Title: Semiportable load-cell-based weighing system prototype of 18. 14-metric-ton (20-ton) capacity for UF/sub 6/ cylinder weight verifications: description and testing procedure

Abstract

The 18.14-metric-ton-capacity (20-ton) Load-Cell-Based Weighing System (LCBWS) prototype tested at the Oak Ridge (Tennessee) Gaseous Diffusion Plant March 20-30, 1984, is semiportable and has the potential for being highly accurate. Designed by Brookhaven National Laboratory, it can be moved to cylinders for weighing as opposed to the widely used operating philosophy of most enrichment facilities of moving cylinders to stationary accountability scales. Composed mainly of commercially available, off-the-shelf hardware, the system's principal elements are two load cells that sense the weight (i.e., force) of a uranium hexafluoride (UF/sub 6/) cylinder suspended from the LCBWS while the cylinder is in the process of being weighed. Portability is achieved by its attachment to a double-hook, overhead-bridge crane. The LCBWS prototype is designed to weigh 9.07- and 12.70-metric ton (10- and 14-ton) UF/sub 6/ cylinders. A detailed description of the LCBWS is given, design information and criteria are supplied, a testing procedure is outlined, and initial test results are reported. A major objective of the testing is to determine the reliability and accuracy of the system. Other testing objectives include the identification of (1) potential areas for system improvements and (2) procedural modifications that will reflect an improved and more efficient system. Themore » testing procedure described includes, but is not limited to, methods that account for temperature sensitivity of the instrumentation, the local variation in the acceleration due to gravity, and buoyance effects. Operational and safety considerations are noted. A preliminary evaluation of the March test data indicates that the LCBWS prototype has the potential to have an accuracy in the vicinity of 1 kg.« less

Authors:
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant, TN (USA)
OSTI Identifier:
6925912
Report Number(s):
K/OA-5643; CONF-8404153-2
ON: DE84012853
DOE Contract Number:  
AC05-84OT21400
Resource Type:
Conference
Resource Relation:
Conference: 11. annual meeting of the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers, Houston, TX, USA, 25 Apr 1984; Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION; 11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS; CYLINDERS; WEIGHT MEASUREMENT; URANIUM HEXAFLUORIDE; PORTABLE EQUIPMENT; ACCURACY; CENTRIFUGE ENRICHMENT PLANTS; RELIABILITY; ACTINIDE COMPOUNDS; EQUIPMENT; FLUORIDES; FLUORINE COMPOUNDS; HALIDES; HALOGEN COMPOUNDS; INDUSTRIAL PLANTS; ISOTOPE SEPARATION PLANTS; NUCLEAR FACILITIES; URANIUM COMPOUNDS; URANIUM FLUORIDES; 055001* - Nuclear Fuels- Safeguards, Inspection, & Accountability- Technical Aspects; 050502 - Nuclear Fuels- Uranium Enrichment- Centrifugation- (-1989)

Citation Formats

McAuley, W A. Semiportable load-cell-based weighing system prototype of 18. 14-metric-ton (20-ton) capacity for UF/sub 6/ cylinder weight verifications: description and testing procedure. United States: N. p., 1984. Web.
McAuley, W A. Semiportable load-cell-based weighing system prototype of 18. 14-metric-ton (20-ton) capacity for UF/sub 6/ cylinder weight verifications: description and testing procedure. United States.
McAuley, W A. 1984. "Semiportable load-cell-based weighing system prototype of 18. 14-metric-ton (20-ton) capacity for UF/sub 6/ cylinder weight verifications: description and testing procedure". United States.
@article{osti_6925912,
title = {Semiportable load-cell-based weighing system prototype of 18. 14-metric-ton (20-ton) capacity for UF/sub 6/ cylinder weight verifications: description and testing procedure},
author = {McAuley, W A},
abstractNote = {The 18.14-metric-ton-capacity (20-ton) Load-Cell-Based Weighing System (LCBWS) prototype tested at the Oak Ridge (Tennessee) Gaseous Diffusion Plant March 20-30, 1984, is semiportable and has the potential for being highly accurate. Designed by Brookhaven National Laboratory, it can be moved to cylinders for weighing as opposed to the widely used operating philosophy of most enrichment facilities of moving cylinders to stationary accountability scales. Composed mainly of commercially available, off-the-shelf hardware, the system's principal elements are two load cells that sense the weight (i.e., force) of a uranium hexafluoride (UF/sub 6/) cylinder suspended from the LCBWS while the cylinder is in the process of being weighed. Portability is achieved by its attachment to a double-hook, overhead-bridge crane. The LCBWS prototype is designed to weigh 9.07- and 12.70-metric ton (10- and 14-ton) UF/sub 6/ cylinders. A detailed description of the LCBWS is given, design information and criteria are supplied, a testing procedure is outlined, and initial test results are reported. A major objective of the testing is to determine the reliability and accuracy of the system. Other testing objectives include the identification of (1) potential areas for system improvements and (2) procedural modifications that will reflect an improved and more efficient system. The testing procedure described includes, but is not limited to, methods that account for temperature sensitivity of the instrumentation, the local variation in the acceleration due to gravity, and buoyance effects. Operational and safety considerations are noted. A preliminary evaluation of the March test data indicates that the LCBWS prototype has the potential to have an accuracy in the vicinity of 1 kg.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6925912}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue May 29 00:00:00 EDT 1984},
month = {Tue May 29 00:00:00 EDT 1984}
}

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