A 20-ton-capacity load-cell-based weighing system for UF/sub 6/ cylinder mass verifications

Conference · Tue Jan 08 00:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:7039326

McAuley, W A; Kane, W R; Fainberg, A

To provide for the verification of UF/sub 6/ cylinder masses by the International Atomic Energy Agency at uranium enrichment facilities handling large-capacity UF/sub 6/ cylinders, an 18.14-metric-ton-capacity (20-ton) Load-Cell-Based Weighing System (LCBWS) has been developed. This system, which was developed at Brookhaven National Laboratory and the Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant (ORGDP) and calibrated at the US National Bureau of Standards, is described along with results from its initial testing. The principal components of the LCBWS are two 11.34-metric-ton-capacity (12.50-ton) load cells (with associated readout and ancillary equipment) and a lifting fixture that couples the load cells to a UF/sub 6/ cylinder. Results from testing of the system at the ORGDP followed by a comparative analysis of the apparent cylinder masses vs brass given by the LCBWS with the stated ORGDP accountability scale values indicates that the accuracy of the LCBWS is +- 1 kg and that the precision of an individual measurement is +- 2 kg. Initial experience wth the 18.14-metric-ton-capacity (20-ton) LCBWS indicates that it has the advantages of portability, ease of assembly and use, and high accuracy. Further testing to establish the long-term stability of the calibration and overall reliability of the system is described along with future work for the redesign of the system's readout and ancilliary equipment to ensure that a user-friendly interface for operations is available.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant, TN (USA); Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OT21400
• OSTI ID: 7039326
• Report Number(s): K/OA-5826; CONF-850210-5; ON: DE87002803
• Resource Relation: Conference: 12. annual WATTec energy conference and exhibition, Knoxville, TN, USA, 12 Feb 1985; Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
URANIUM HEXAFLUORIDE
WEIGHT INDICATORS
ACCURACY
SENSITIVITY
CONTAINERS
MASS
SAFEGUARDS
VERIFICATION
ACTINIDE COMPOUNDS
FLUORIDES
FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
URANIUM COMPOUNDS
URANIUM FLUORIDES
055001* - Nuclear Fuels- Safeguards
Inspection
& Accountability- Technical Aspects
050500 - Nuclear Fuels- Uranium Enrichment