Nondestructive analyses of TRU [transuranic] waste and processes at the Savannah River Site

Transuranic (TRU) waste has always been surveyed at the Savannah River site (SRS), but the analyses have become increasingly sophisticated as the technology of nondestructive analysis (NDA) has improved. A brief history of the past measurements is presented, as well as the current status, planned improvements in the waste analyses, and the problems that still occur in such measurement systems. The NDA analyses for TRU processing have traditionally been limited to material accountability and safeguard measurements. These have been extensively discussed in the literature, particularly the development of the NDA equipment for the new special recovery facility, which is a joint undertaking of Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Mound Laboratory, and SRS. Much less discussed are some of the devices used over the years to solve particular problems, such as homogeneous mixing of neptunium and aluminum. The less-than-perfect world of process measurements and the attendant problems awaiting solutions are discussed