Neutron spectrometry for UF₆ enrichment verification in storage cylinders

Journal Article · Wed Jan 28 23:00:00 EST 2015 · IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/TNS.2015.2389214· OSTI ID:1171829

Mengesha, Wondwosen ^[1]; Kiff, Scott D. ^[1]

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1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States)

Verification of declared UF₆ enrichment and mass in storage cylinders is of great interest in nuclear material nonproliferation. Nondestructive assay (NDA) techniques are commonly used for safeguards inspections to ensure accountancy of declared nuclear materials. Common NDA techniques used include gamma-ray spectrometry and both passive and active neutron measurements. In the present study, neutron spectrometry was investigated for verification of UF₆ enrichment in 30B storage cylinders based on an unattended and passive measurement approach. MCNP5 and Geant4 simulated neutron spectra, for selected UF₆ enrichments and filling profiles, were used in the investigation. The simulated neutron spectra were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA). The PCA technique is a well-established technique and has a wide area of application including feature analysis, outlier detection, and gamma-ray spectral analysis. Results obtained demonstrate that neutron spectrometry supported by spectral feature analysis has potential for assaying UF₆ enrichment in storage cylinders. The results from the present study also showed that difficulties associated with the UF₆ filling profile and observed in other unattended passive neutron measurements can possibly be overcome using the approach presented.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• OSTI ID: 1171829
• Alternate ID(s): OSTI ID: 1235372
• Report Number(s): SAND--2015-0987J
• Journal Information: IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science, Journal Name: IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 62; ISSN 0018-9499
• Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
30B cylinders
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
Geant4 simulation
MCNP5 simulation
UF6
neutron spectrometry
nondestructive assay
principal component analysis
uranium enrichment