Reprocessing plant input accountability measurements - a new and simplified spiking technique

Conference · Wed Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (USA)

OSTI ID:6926895

Kuno, Y; Takeda, S; Sato, S; Akiyama, T; Tsutaki, Y; Suzuki, T; Kuhn, E; Deron, S; Sirisena, K

Isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) is the most widely applied analytical technique for input accountability measurements in reprocessing plants. The procedure usually involves lengthy sample preparation-subsampling an aliquot of the concentrated sample, accurately diluting with nitric acid, and spiking of diluted aliquots with tracer materials, such as {sup 233}U and {sup 242}Pu or {sup 244}Pu. The many steps involved are not only time-consuming but can also be sources of significant errors. De Biever et al. have reported results for a procedure that uses well-defined solid spikes of {sup 235}U/{sup 239}Pu or {sup 235}U/{sup 242}Pu. Metallic spikes were prepared from certified metallic source materials by a high-frequency levitation technique. The technique appeals to safeguards authorities and plant operators because of the relative simplicity of sample preparation. Its routine use was never promoted, however, because of unresolved questions concerning the spikes' homogeneity, cost, and long-term supply. A large size dry (LSD) spike has been proposed as an alternative to the metal spike and subjected to an experiment at the Tokai Reprocessing Plant. Participating in the experiment were the plant operator, the national safeguards authority, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

• OSTI ID: 6926895
• Report Number(s): CONF-891103--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (USA) Journal Volume: 60
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

050800 -- Nuclear Fuels-- Spent Fuels Reprocessing
055001* -- Nuclear Fuels-- Safeguards
Inspection
& Accountability-- Technical Aspects
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
ACCOUNTING
ACCURACY
ACTINIDE ISOTOPES
ACTINIDE NUCLEI
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
ERRORS
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
EVEN-ODD NUCLEI
FISSILE MATERIALS
FISSIONABLE MATERIALS
FUEL REPROCESSING PLANTS
HEAVY ION DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
HEAVY NUCLEI
ISOMERIC TRANSITION ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
MANAGEMENT
MASS SPECTROSCOPY
MATERIALS
MINUTES LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
NEON 24 DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR MATERIALS MANAGEMENT
NUCLEI
PLUTONIUM 239
PLUTONIUM 242
PLUTONIUM 244
PLUTONIUM ISOTOPES
RADIOISOTOPES
SAMPLE PREPARATION
SPECTROSCOPY
URANIUM 233
URANIUM 235
URANIUM ISOTOPES
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES