Measurements Made in Support of the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant Cascade Characterization Program

At the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant, a cascade characterization program has been initiated to support eventual D&D of the three cascade buildings (Buildings X-326, X-330 and X-333) formerly used to produce enriched uranium. The current program focuses on the two buildings used to process uranium enrichments above 2.5%. Measured items include converters, compressors, coolers, interconnecting piping, and auxiliary process equipment. Items were measured using qualitative and quantitative gamma-ray measurements and quantitative neutron measurements. Numerous measurement challenges were addressed, including background contribution from cylinder lots located near Building X-330, item contribution from cascade components in close proximity to each other, and combination of multiple measurements on large components and cascade equipment. Software to provide storage and retrieval of raw and processed data, to perform the analyses, and to overcome these obstacles was and is being written as the project progresses. Measurement and analysis techniques will be addressed and preliminary results provided.