Development of Evaluation Methods for NDA Data Using Results of a PIV Training Exercise

Comprehensive methods are under development at the IAEA to evaluate NDA data obtained from Safeguards inspection measurements. They apply a variety of statistical techniques to both raw data and intermediate results. The methods are being tested on data collected during a Training Exercise for Agency Inspectors held at Westinghouse Hanford under the US Support Programme. Several NDA instruments were employed during the exercise. Eighty samples, that were well characterized by the operator, were verified by two teams of experienced IAEA inspectors. The techniques will be useful for inspectors to draw provisional Safeguards conclusions, for later evaluation by HQ personnel, and for the establishment of long-term NDA measurement error data bases. In addition, such evaluation methods also will be of assistance to instrument developers and in Safeguards training courses. It is intended that the approach would be followed to incorporate other Agency NDA measurement instruments and be made available in an IBM-PC compatible (MS/DOS) version.