Experiences of NWAS, 2

Zaima, Naoki; Nakashima, Shinichi ; Nakatsuka, Yoshiaki; Kado, Kazumi

We developed uranium mass assay systems for 200-litter wastes drums applied neutron and measurements by NDA method. In this intermediate report we will describe measurement systems and trial data. The systems are composed of the 16 pieces of helium-3 proportional counters for neutron detection and a Germanium solid state detector for ray detection. The extensive testing trials using the calibrated uranium sources with different enrichment and some kinds of matrices in drums were performed. Through the one year testing the useful experiences of this system concerning neutron and ray measurements for uranium mass were obtained. Almost all instruments and software were so good performance as is designed. As the next step we are now trying the measurements for actual wastes that are stored in the Uranium Refining and Conversion Plant at Ningyo-toge, and put practical uses near future. Our research was accomplished with the support of LANL.