Open AccessSystem for measuring the uranium concentration of liquid effluents from the enriched uranium recovery facility at the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant
Author(s) -
R.A. Gallman
Publication year - 1976
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/4120730
Subject(s) - uranium , radiochemistry , liquid scintillation counting , thorium , chemistry , thallium , effluent , environmental science , calibration , detection limit , nuclear chemistry , nuclear physics , physics , chromatography , environmental engineering , inorganic chemistry , quantum mechanics
A real-time, on-line monitor has been developed which can measure the uranium concentration of enriched uranium liquid effluent. The monitor uses the thorium L x-ray activity from the decay of $sup 234$U as the basis for the measurement. A sodium iodide/ thallium-activated scintillation crystal, optically coupled to a photomultiplier, is used as the detector. Evaluation results reveal that the limit of error over the uranium concentration calibration range is less than 1 wt ppM, and the lower limit of sensitivity is 0.50 wt ppM. This monitor cannot be used on a recovery facility which contains fission products. The monitor is installed in the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant enriched uranium recovery facility and has been operating satisfactorily for some time. (auth