Nuclear Engineering and Technology

Korean Nuclear Society (한국원자력학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

A 235U mass measurement method for UO2 rod assembly based on the n/γ joint measurement system

  • Received : 2019.07.08
  • Accepted : 2019.10.22
  • Published : 2020.05.25
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Fast-Neutron Multiplicity Counter based on Liquid Scintillator Detector can directly measure the fast neutron multiplicity emitted by UO2 rod. HPGe gamma spectrometer; which has superior energy resolution; is routinely used for the gamma energy spectrum measurement. Combing Fast-Neutron Multiplicity Counter and HPGe γ-spectrometer, the n/γ joint measurement system is developed. The fast neutron multiplicity and gamma energy spectrum of UO2 rod assemblies under different conditions are measured by the n/γ joint measurement system. The induced fission rate and the 235U abundance, thereby the 235U mass; can be obtained for UO2 rod assemblies. The 235U mass deviation of the measured value from the reference value is less than 5%. The results show that the n/γ joint measurement system is effective and applicable in the measurement of the 235U mass in samples.

Keywords

References

  1. D.G. Langner, J.E. Stewart, M.M. Pickrell, et al., Application Guide to Neutron Multiplicity Counting, Office of Scientific & Technical Information Technical Reports, 1998 (1998) Los Alamos Report LA-13422-M.
  2. Hajir Al Hamrashdi, Stephen D. Monk, David Cheneler, Passive gamma-ray and neutron imaging systems for National security and nuclear nonproliferation in controlled and uncontrolled detection areas: review of past and current status, Sensors 19 (2019) 2638.
  3. R.T. Kouzes, B.D. Geelhood, Methods for Attribute Measurement and Alternatives to Multiplicity Counting, 2000. PNNL-13250.
  4. M. Flaska, S.A. Pozzi, Identification of shielded neutron sources with the liquid scintillator BC-501A using a digital pulse shape discrimination method, Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. Sect. A Accel. Spectrom. Detect. Assoc. Equip. 577 (3) (2007) 654-663.
  5. L.F. Nakae, G.F. Chapline, A.M. Glenn, et al., The use of fast neutron detection for materials accountability, Int. J. Mod. Phys. Conf. Ser. 27 (2014) 1460140.
  6. S.A. Pozzi, M.C. Hamel, J.K. Polack, et al., Detection for nuclear Nonproliferation, in: Proceedings of International Symposium on Radiation Detectors and Their Uses (ISRD2016), 2016, 050001, 5.
  7. J.R. Wachter, E.L. Adams, N. Ensslin, Prototype fast neutron counter for the assay of impure plutonium, Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc. 55 (1987). LA-UR-87-3678.
  8. J.M. Verbeke, G.F. Chapline, S.A. Sheets, Distinguishing Pu metal from Pu oxide and determining ${\alpha}$-ratio using fast neutron counting[J], Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. A782 (2015) 126-132.
  9. S. Stave, Germanium Detectors in Homeland Security at PNNLJournal of Physics: Conference Series, IOP Publishing, 2015, 012018, 606(1).
  10. Sufen Li, Suizheng Qiu, Quanhu Zhang, et al., Fast-neutron multiplicity analysis based on scintillation, Appl. Radiat. Isot. 110 (2016) 53-58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2015.12.064
  11. Q. Zhang, S. Li, L. Zhuang, et al., Simulation study on neutron multiplicity of plutonium based on liquid scintillation detector, Appl. Radiat. Isot. 135 (2018) 92-98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2018.01.022
  12. Hao Zhou, Hongtao Lin, Guorong Liu, et al., A neutron multiplicity analysis method for uranium samples with liquid scintillators, Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. 797 (2015) 70-76.
  13. Quanhu Zhang, JianqingYang XinsheLi, et al., High order fast neutron multiplicity measurement equations based on liquid scintillation detector, Appl. Radiat. Isot. 152 (2019) 45-51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2019.06.022
  14. Peijia Tang, Kunpen Li, Determination of isotopic abundance of uranium and plutonium by ${\gamma}$-ray spectrometry, J. Isot. (Z1) (2001) 166-173.
  15. T.A. Kelley, PC/FRAM: Algorithms for the Gamma-Ray Spectrometry Measurement of Plutonium Isotopic Composition, LA-UR-95-3326, USA, 1995, pp. 3-5.
  16. R. Gunnink, MGA: A Gamma-Ray Spectrum Analysis Code for Determining Plutonium Isotopic Abundances UCRL-LR-103220,USA, 1990, pp. 2-3.
  17. I. Israelashvili, Janos Bagi, J. Huszti, LIST-mode applications for neutron multiplicity counting, Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. 735 (2014) 53-59.