Operating new 55-gallon drum shufflers at Los Alamos

Two passive-active shufflers for the assay of uranium and plutonium have begun operation at Los Alamos National Laboratory. An extensive period of safety and technology assessments were made to meet laboratory and DOE certification requirements. Many design features of the shufflers are in place to assist the operator in using the instruments efficiently, effectively, and safely. A calibration for uranium oxide has been completed and applied to a variety of uranium-bearing inventory materials. A new calibration for MOX materials is nearly complete and additional uranium and plutonium materials will be measured in the near future