Nondestructive assay measurements can be traceable

Journal Article · · Nucl. Mater. Manage.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7335278

Reed, W P

The use of nondestructive assay (NDA) techniques for the analysis of Special Nuclear Materials is one of the keystones in the development of safeguards technology. Currently this effort to use NDA is being frustrated because of a lack of ''demonstratable traceability''. A discussion is presented of what traceability means and how it can be achieved. Specifically, traceability means far more than having a series of calibration standards for each individual NDA technique. It means defining the limits of uncertainty for both random and systematic error components of a set of measurements (i.e., precision and accuracy). An approach to these evaluations is suggested. In addition, the authors emphasize that the availability of standards is not holding back the use of NDA. The use of NDA is actually limited by the poor accuracy (possible systematic error) of many methods and the availability of real calibration standards would only tend to accentuate this point. Finally, the suggestion is made that calibration standards will only be available when the demonstrated need is limited to a finite number of sets.

• OSTI ID: 7335278
• Journal Information: Nucl. Mater. Manage.; (United States), Journal Name: Nucl. Mater. Manage.; (United States) Vol. 5:2; ISSN NUMMB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

055001* -- Nuclear Fuels-- Safeguards
Inspection
& Accountability-- Technical Aspects
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400101 -- Activation
Nuclear Reaction
Radiometric & Radiochemical Procedures
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
ACCURACY
CALIBRATION STANDARDS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
ERRORS
NONDESTRUCTIVE ANALYSIS
SAFEGUARDS
STANDARDS