Improvement of analytical activities in the Tokai reprocessing plant, Japan, by measuring destructive and non-destructive assays

Surugaya, Naoki ; Taguchi, Shigeo ; Kurosawa, Akira; Watahiki, Masaru

We have been analyzing nuclear materials at the Tokai pilot reprocessing plant, Japan, since 1977. To obtain reliable measurements for nuclear material such as uranium and plutonium, we have developed various kinds of measurement techniques and implemented effective ones for accountability and verification analyses in a nuclear material accountancy system. One of our role as a pilot plant has been successfully accomplished with the effort put into various analytical activities. Now, it is time to transfer the experience gained with our technology to the next large-scale commercial plant in Rokkasho. This paper presents our analytical methods and their results obtained using analytical techniques we have applied over recent years.