Year
1994
Abstract
During periodic inventories in unirradiated uranium storage facilities, some nondestructive assay 3. (NDA) measurements are required. Computer compatible instruments such 4. as the Davidson Multichannel Analyzer (MCA), the Jomar Active Well Coincidence Counter (AWCC) and various balances or scales are used in these inventories. A Microsoft Windows based system was developed at the Idaho Chemical Processing Plant (ICPP) to operate these NDA instruments, check limits and record data. A PC compatible laptop computer using an intuitive Graphical User Interface (GUI) based measurement instrument control system, allows personnel with limited training to operate these instruments and collect the measurement data. Automating the process of setting up and calibrating the NDA and mass measurement instruments significantly reduces the problems and the time associated with manual setup procedures and all the data will be collected automatically, eliminating transcription errors. In the current climate of limited budgets, any system that reduces the time and training required to conduct an inventory while increasing the accuracy of resultant data can be a significant benefit.