Year
1994
Abstract
The Department of Energy's (DOE) Nondestructive Assay/Nondestructive Examination Interface Working Group (NDA/NDE IWG) began in 1982 as an ad-hoc gathering of scientists interested in various aspects of radioactive waste NDA. Originally, its purpose was to exchange operational experience gained as a result of designing and operating NDA equipment, such as passive-active neutron (PAN) and segmented gamma scanning systems (SGS). Through the years, the NDA/NDE IWG has become a more structured group and has performed many diverse tasks for the DOE — from studying the transport of neutrons in a PAN system to preparing a training outline for real-time x-ray machine operators. Recently, the IWG began a very important task: the design, preparation, and implementation of a performance test program for various NDA instruments used throughout the DOE complex. This program will become part of an overall qualification program for NDA instruments used in certifying transuranic (TRU) waste prior to being shipped to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in Carlsbad, New Mexico. This program is the first of its kind for the DOE NDA community and, consequently, will present many challenges to the designers, participants, and project integration team members.