An Approach to Campaign-Based Inventories

The DOE Manual 474.1-1 (Manual for Control and Accountability of Nuclear Materials) provides requirements for the frequency at which physical inventories of nuclear materials must be conducted. The Manual also allows physical inventories to be performed upon completion of a material campaign. Inventories in process areas at the Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site (RFETS) typically involve a complete shutdown of all activities and measurement of all items before the area is released to return to work. RFETS is now a Closure Site on an accelerated schedule. Various materials are grouped and campaigned through reprocessing and/or packaging activities. These campaigns, however, have lasted for months or years. Due to the schedule of closure activities, an alternative methodology for physical inventory was needed that would ensure compliance with DOE requirements and at the same time minimize impacts to the closure schedule. A campaign inventory methodology was developed to monitor inventory differences on a weekly basis while conducting an item inventory on a bimonthly basis. This paper discusses the methodology developed and implemented at RFETS for conducting campaign inventories.