Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has developed a low-cost uranium hexafluoride (UF6) sampling technology called Single-Use Destructive Assay (SUDA) in support of the International Atomic Energy Agency's safeguards approach for enrichment determination at uranium enrichment facilities. During SUDA sampling, a zeolite film converts gaseous UF6 to a stable and less hazardous hydrated uranyl fluoride (UO2F2•nH2O) via controlled hydrolysis of UF6. The SUDA samplers are designed to attach directly to existing facility taps and support analysis via both existing laboratory isotope measurement and novel in-field isotopic assay methods. Here, we present recent uranium isotopic composition measurement results of SUDA samples collected from reference UF6 material with known uranium enrichment statistics. We have also incorporated a new SUDA holder design that houses multiple SUDA coupons, allowing for the replicate SUDA sample collections. In addition, we show the possibility of reusing the sampler holder such that the only consumable of SUDA is the zeolite film.
Year
2022
Abstract