Analytical techniques for the in situ quantification and characterization of radioactive decommissioning wastes

A direct-assay technique quantitatively assays and characterizes the nuclides (including all 10CFR61 nuclides) present in fuel pool stored components. Materials analyzed include control rod blades, LPRMs, flow channels, vacuum filters, and many other miscellaneous components stored underwater. The system, based on advanced gamma-ray spectroscopy scanning techniques, combines scanning with scaling factors, obtaining from direct sample analysis, and dose-rate profiling to give a complete waste analysis that allows accurate and cost effective classification for packaging, shipment, and burial. The methodology (1) improves accuracy by providing direct measurement of the components being shipped, (2) allows a more knowledgable and cost effective packaging of items in a shipping container or cask, and (3) reduces burial costs by allowing less conservative estimates of total Curies shipped in each container. Several recent applications of the methods are presented and the results discussed