Year
1979
Abstract
A technique is developed to determine, for any given financial expenditure, the optimal sampling plan and number of measurements for verification of operator material balances. This involves not only conventional determination of sample sizes, but also material attractiveness factors, diversion concealment possibilities, and an optimization scheme for the reduction of variances. A nonlinear minimization computer program was adapted so that any fuel cycle facility or reactor can be analyzed by inputting data particular to that plant. As an example calculation, the technique is applied to the plutonium material balance in a model mixed-oxide fuel fabrication facility.