Automated Assay of Uranium Solution Concentration and Enrichment

Year
1992
Author(s)
T. E. Sampson - Los Alamos National Laboratory
G. Walton - Los Alamos National Laboratory
E. Chris Horley - Los Alamos National Laboratory
T. Kelley - Los Alamos National Laboratory
K.E. Gainer - Los Alamos National Laboratory
W.J. Hansen - Los Alamos National Laboratory
J.L. Parker - Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory
S.A. Jones - Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.
Abstract
For the first time, the concentration and enrichment of uranium solutions can be measured in one step. We have developed a new instrument to automatically measure the concentration and enrichment of uranium solutions through the adaptation of a commercial robot. Two identical solution enrichment systems are being installed in the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant. These automated systems will reduce radiation exposure to personnel and increase the reliability and repeatability of the measurements. Each robotic system can process up to 40 batch and 8 priority samples in an unattended mode. Both passive gamma-ray and x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses are performed to determine total uranium concentration and 235ij enrichment. Coded samples are read by a bar-code reader to determine measurement requirements, then assayed by either or both of the gamma-ray and XRF instruments. The robot moves the sample containers and operates all shield doors and shutters, reducing hardware complexity. If the robot is out of service, an operator can manually perform all operations.