Delayed Gamma-ray Spectroscopy for Non-Destructive Assay of Nuclear Materials

Technical Report · Thu Oct 09 00:00:00 EDT 2014

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1171332· OSTI ID:1171332

Mozin, Vladimir ^[1]; Ludewigt, Bernhard ^[2]; Campbell, Luke ^[3]; Favalli, Andrea ^[4]; Hunt, Alan ^[5]

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1. Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
2. Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
3. Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
4. Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
5. Idaho Accelerator Center (IAC), Idaho State Univ., Pocatello, ID (United States)

This project addresses the need for improved non-destructive assay techniques for quantifying the actinide composition of spent nuclear fuel and for the independent verification of declared quantities of special nuclear materials at key stages of the fuel cycle. High-energy delayed gamma-ray spectroscopy following neutron irradiation is a potential technique for directly assaying spent fuel assemblies and achieving the safeguards goal of quantifying nuclear material inventories for spent fuel handling, interim storage, reprocessing facilities, repository sites, and final disposal. Other potential applications include determination of MOX fuel composition, characterization of nuclear waste packages, and challenges in homeland security and arms control verification.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States); Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States); Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States); Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Contributing Organization: Idaho Accelerator Center (IAC), Idaho State Univ., Pocatello, ID (United States); Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, OR (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC52-07NA27344
• OSTI ID: 1171332
• Report Number(s): LLNL-TR-662329
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT
SAFEGUARDS AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION