Uranium enrichment estimation using MGAU and ISOCS™ codes for nuclear material accountability

Carry out independent measurements is requisite during nuclear safeguards inspection activities, at nuclear facilities and location outside facility (LOFs), to consider operators' declaration. 235U enrichment value estimation is a significant activity in nuclear material accounting and accountancy. The shortage of standard radioactive sources suitable to γ-ray detectors calibration for field measurements lets to use analysis methods for detectors calibration. Our work gives an overview of uranium enrichment estimation using two different analysis methods. A set of Standard Nuclear Material (SNM) samples, with cylindrical shapes and different enrichment percentage, was used to perform the experimental measurements. Count rate due to the most prominent γ-ray signatures for 235U and 238U isotopes was measured using germanium detector. The isotopic masses calculated based on the activity value estimated for 235U and 238U isotopes by ISOCS™ software efficiency calibration. Also, MGAU software was used to estimate the isotopic fractions of uranium. 235U enrichment value for each sample was calculated using the two analysis methods. The results obtained using different enrichment analysis methods were compared with each other and with the certified value for each sample.