198
K. A. S. Fessler et al.
Conclusions
Savannah River National Laboratory has successfully developed and demonstrated
the operation of an infrared absorbance spectroscopic method, high performance
infrared, for the analysis of uranium-235 and uranium-238 weight percent in uranium
hexafluoride gas samples. The instrument development was based on advances in
light source and detector technology, advanced data analysis, and materials selection.
The data analysis model developed interpolates the measured spectra to an established frequency scale, Fourier filters, mean centers, and signal normalizes before the
spectra are processed using principal component regression. The high performance
infrared system was designed and built at Savannah River National Laboratory before
being transferred to Oak Ridge National Laboratory for analytical testing at the
uranium hexafluoride test loop to demonstrate the operation of the system in a relevant facility. Analytical tests have demonstrated the method meets or surpasses the
International Atomic Energy Agency International Target Values for nondestructive
analysis when running 10 scans (20 for depleted) on samples with isotopic content of
depleted to highly enriched. One scan takes ~10 s using the Measurement Platform
with 20 s for data transfer and isotopic prediction output. The analytical tests also
demonstrated the capability of the high performance infrared system to correctly
predict the uranium-235 weight percent content of a mislabeled sample, confirmed
by mass spectroscopic measurements. The high performance infrared measurement
does not destroy the sample during analysis which allows for further analyses at a
designated International Atomic Energy Agency laboratory if the results indicate
deviation from the declared enrichment activities. Therefore, the high performance
infrared system could be used for onsite, real-time detection at greater sensitivity
than traditional nondestructive analysis analytical techniques.
Acknowledgements This document was prepared in conjunction with work accomplished under
Contract No. DE-AC09-09SR22505 with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear
Security Administration (NA).
Disclaimer
This work was prepared under an agreement with and funded by the U.S. Government. Neither the
U. S. Government or its employees, nor any of its contractors, subcontractors or their employees,
makes any express or implied: (1) warranty or assumes any legal liability for the accuracy, completeness, or for the use or results of such use of any information, product, or process disclosed; or (2)
representation that such use or results of such use would not infringe privately owned rights; or
(3) endorsement or recommendation of any specifically identified commercial product, process, or
service. Any views and opinions of authors expressed in this work do not necessarily state or reflect
those of the United States Government, or its contractors, or subcontractors.
K. A. S. Fessler et al.
Conclusions
Savannah River National Laboratory has successfully developed and demonstrated
the operation of an infrared absorbance spectroscopic method, high performance
infrared, for the analysis of uranium-235 and uranium-238 weight percent in uranium
hexafluoride gas samples. The instrument development was based on advances in
light source and detector technology, advanced data analysis, and materials selection.
The data analysis model developed interpolates the measured spectra to an established frequency scale, Fourier filters, mean centers, and signal normalizes before the
spectra are processed using principal component regression. The high performance
infrared system was designed and built at Savannah River National Laboratory before
being transferred to Oak Ridge National Laboratory for analytical testing at the
uranium hexafluoride test loop to demonstrate the operation of the system in a relevant facility. Analytical tests have demonstrated the method meets or surpasses the
International Atomic Energy Agency International Target Values for nondestructive
analysis when running 10 scans (20 for depleted) on samples with isotopic content of
depleted to highly enriched. One scan takes ~10 s using the Measurement Platform
with 20 s for data transfer and isotopic prediction output. The analytical tests also
demonstrated the capability of the high performance infrared system to correctly
predict the uranium-235 weight percent content of a mislabeled sample, confirmed
by mass spectroscopic measurements. The high performance infrared measurement
does not destroy the sample during analysis which allows for further analyses at a
designated International Atomic Energy Agency laboratory if the results indicate
deviation from the declared enrichment activities. Therefore, the high performance
infrared system could be used for onsite, real-time detection at greater sensitivity
than traditional nondestructive analysis analytical techniques.
Acknowledgements This document was prepared in conjunction with work accomplished under
Contract No. DE-AC09-09SR22505 with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear
Security Administration (NA).
Disclaimer
This work was prepared under an agreement with and funded by the U.S. Government. Neither the
U. S. Government or its employees, nor any of its contractors, subcontractors or their employees,
makes any express or implied: (1) warranty or assumes any legal liability for the accuracy, completeness, or for the use or results of such use of any information, product, or process disclosed; or (2)
representation that such use or results of such use would not infringe privately owned rights; or
(3) endorsement or recommendation of any specifically identified commercial product, process, or
service. Any views and opinions of authors expressed in this work do not necessarily state or reflect
those of the United States Government, or its contractors, or subcontractors.