Uranium plant identification using correlation methods

Theory relating to identification of an uranium plant using on-line correlation techniques is described. Generation and properties of pseudorandom ternary m-sequences are discussed, particular attention being given to selection of a suitable sequence for testing a system. The geometry and control policy of the uranium plant is outlined and existing and experimental equipment required for realizing perturbation of the plant is considered. A theoretical model of the plant is studied to detect effects that might adversely affect the experimental results. Programs written to evaluate correlation functions and for general data handling are briefly outlined. The pseudo-random ternary m-sequence noise is selected with reference to the plant characteristics as deduced from plant records. Results of pilot tests enabled the pseudo-noise to be correctly selected for the main test. All tests and their results are briefly described. Finally, the analytic and empiric models of the plant are derived and the validity of the model obtained from the correlation method is tested by comparing theoretical predictions with experimental observations