Year
2002
Abstract
The analytical laboratory of the Plutonium Fuel Center (PFC) of Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute (JNC) is participating in a regular interlaboratory comparison program for the analysis of plutonium and uranium. This program has been carried out four rounds a year since 1994 based on the framework of international safeguards implementation for direct use plutonium handling laboratories in Japan. Destructive analysis (DA) samples for safeguards purpose with various material types are utilized for the program. After preparation of the verification samples for transportation to the safeguards laboratories, additional aliquots are taken for delivery to the accountancy analysis laboratories of JNC for parallel analysis. The results of the individual laboratories are compared to the grand mean of all participating laboratories. The program allows for a fast turn-around of results and any follow-up actions can be taken place immediately. This interlaboratory comparison program has been successful in its contribution to monitor, improve and assure the quality of the analytical measurements.