Year
1976
Abstract
Preliminary results are described of the evaluation of residual Plutonium in a process line used for the production of experimental fast reactor fuel. Initial attention has been focussed on a selection of work boxes used for processing powders and solutions. Amounts of material measured as 'hidden inventory1 are generally less than O.l% of throughput but in one box containing very complex equipment the amount was exceptionally about O.5&. The total surface area of the box and the installed equipment appears to be the most significant factor in determine the amount of plutonium held-up as 'hidden inventory1, representing an average of about 4 x 1O~^ g cm~2. Present results are based on gamma spectrometer measurements but neutron techniques are being developed to overcome some of the inherent uncertainties in the gamma method. It is suggested that the routine use of sample plates of known surface area would be valuable in monitoring the deposition of plutonium in work boxes.