Year
2000
Abstract
A study was conducted at the Los Alamos Plutonium Facility to determine the uncertainty associated with both the gamma-ray isotopic and calorimetric measurements of high-purity plutonium metal. Gamma-ray isotopic and calorimetric measurements were performed on each metal item and the results compared to those from coulometric titration for total plutonium and mass spectroscopy for plutonium isotopic distribution. Radiochemistry was used for the determination of americium (241Am). Measurements were taken of the same items packaged in oxygen or argon atmospheres to determine if the atmosphere affected the calorimetric measurement. In addition, the historical plutonium factor applied as an interim value on high-purity metal from the electrorefining process was compared to the factor derived from coulometric titration.