Year
1984
Abstract
Radiometric calorimeters are used extensively for plutonium and tritium accountability measurements. Assurance of measurement control for these calorimeters is needed on a daily basis to prevent a large backup of samples which would need to be reevaluated in the event that periodic standard measurements indicated that the instrument was out of control. A study was conducted, therefore, to determine what method may be used to achieve this purpose. The results of this program indicate that the variance of the bridge potential and sensitivity measurements may be used as indicators that the calorimeter is in control, or that it may be going out of control. These indicators are valid when used along with, not in place of, a standards based measurement control program.