Year
1989
Abstract
An assay device is described which was designed and tested at Rocky Flats Plant to separate weapons grade plutonium waste into low-level waste and transuranic (TRU) waste at the 100 nCi/g level of contamination. It also performs waste assays up to 30 grams of plutonium in the waste container. The device consists of two shielded 4\"x4\"xl6\" sodium iodide detectors stacked end-on-end to form a pillar 32\" high. Assays are performed on 208 liter drums (55 gallon) and on high efficiency particulate (HEPA) filters (26\"x26\"xl6\") rotated on a turntable in front of the detectors. Assay times are of the order of two minutes. Extensive diagnostics are incorporated into the system software to check background count rate, the intensity of builtin check sources on each detector and the response of standard packages which must be assayed at preset intervals. Detail is given to the terminal data management systems used in the applications software to make it easier to program interactive forms for data input to reduce operator data-entry error in operating the system.