GAMMA SPECTROMETRIC MEASUREMENT OF U-235 IN 24\" x 24\" x 12\" ABSOLUTE AIR FILTERS AMD ASSOCIATED ECONOMICS OP URANIUM RECOVERY

Year
1966
Author(s)
Alan Fishman - CENTAR Associates
I. Cohen - U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
Frances K. Durkan - U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
Abstract
NYO Report No. 10726 describes a rafid non-destructive method to determine the amount of U-235 retained in absolute air filters. The procedure consists of gamma scanning a portion of the surface area of both working surfaces of a filter at the characteristic 184 kev photopeak and comparing the net counts to a similar scan of a prepared \"standard'1 filter. 8\" x 8\" x 6\" filters and 12\" x 12\" x 6\" filters were investigated by this technique. This report describes field experiences with low enriched uranium contained in large 24\" x 24\" x 12\" absolute air filters. Two approaches to measuring large numbers of filters at a production facility are discussed. The measurement values were used to decide which filters could be economically recovered and to establish uranium accountability. A computer program is also presented which optimizes the pirofit to be realized from filter recovery.