Year
2006
Abstract
We investigate the results of a limited set of measurements performed using a system of large volume Broad Energy Germanium (BEGe) detectors arranged as a large box (or crate) monitor. Our purpose was to compare the performance of different plutonium isotopic codes when used for analyzing of low-level radioactive waste. The data was collected in such a way as to allow it to be analyzed using the two codes MGA and FRAM. Measurements taken for different geometries were used to assess the performance under conditions of low counting statistics, which is a common challenge in practice. Our approach was to gather some spectra that mimicked real measurement scenarios and to apply the codes in a direct ‘out of the box’ fashion. Three solid plutonium sulfate items of distinct isotopic compositions, each of about 250 mg, were used in a variety of matrices and geometries to exercise the codes. In each case the results were compared with each other and also against certified values. Although the variation in waste measurements is far greater than could be explored in the present study we note as a general conclusion that satisfactory agreement between MGA and FRAM was found. Significant improvements to MGA have taken place in recent years and as expected the newest development version was found to be more robust than previous versions.