Nondestructive Assays of 55-Gallon Drums Containing Uranium and Transuranic Waste Using Passive-active Shufflers

Year
1992
Author(s)
P.M. Rinard - Los Alamos National Laboratory
H.O. Menlove - Los Alamos National Laboratory
J.K. Sprinkle - Los Alamos National Laboratory
E.L. Adams - Los Alamos National Laboratory
Abstract
A passive-active neutron shuffler for 55-gal. drums of waste has been characterized using more than 1500 active and 500 passive assays on drums with 28 different matrices. Flux-monitor corrections have been improved, the assay accuracy with localized fissile materials in a drum has been characterized, and improvements have been suggested. Minimum detectable masses for 235U with active assays and 240Pueff with passive assays are presented for the various amounts of moderators and absorbers studied.