In-field alpha spectrometry system for uranium enrichment verification of uranium hexafluoride

Chichester, David L.; Johnson, James T.; Pope, Timothy R.; Fugate, Glenn A.; Hix, Jay D.; Schley, Robert D.; Thompson, Scott J.

doi:10.1016/j.nima.2023.168311

In-field alpha spectrometry system for uranium enrichment verification of uranium hexafluoride

Journal Article · Thu May 18 00:00:00 EDT 2023 · Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2023.168311· OSTI ID:1987843

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Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)

A portable In-Field Alpha Spectrometry (IFAS) system was developed to support on-site uranium enrichment determination for samples taken at facilities working with gaseous UF₆. It consists of a modified commercial alpha spectrometer, a vacuum pump, a laptop computer, and associated connectors and cables. The IFAS uses specially designed Single-Use Destructive Assay (SUDA) samplers to capture gaseous UF₆ and convert and store it as UO₂F₂ in a thin-film zeolite. To examine the quantitative performance of the IFAS system a large number of replicate SUDA samples was acquired for natural uranium (NU, 0.72 wt%, 23 samples), low enriched uranium 1 (LEU1, 2.33 wt% ²³⁵U, 10 samples), and low enriched uranium 2 (LEU2, 4.62 wt% ²³⁵U, 10 samples). The standard deviation (SD) values for uranium enrichment determination with the IFAS for NU, LEU1, and LEU2, in 20-hour assays, were 0.037 wt% ²³⁵U, 0.063 wt% ²³⁵U, and 0.072 wt% ²³⁵U, respectively. In addition, a separate analysis suggests that comparable SD values can be achieved in less time, approximately 8-10 hours. For context, these SD values are well below the International Atomic Energy Agency’s International Target Values for the determination of uranium enrichment in non-destructive assay measurements.

Research Organization:: Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation

Grant/Contract Number:: AC07-05ID14517

OSTI ID:: 1987843

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 2328571
OSTI ID: 1999957

Report Number(s):: INL/JOU-22-69132-Rev000

Journal Information:: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, Journal Name: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment Journal Issue: September 2023 Vol. 1054; ISSN 0168-9002

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
alpha spectrometry
assay
safeguards
uranium hexafluoride

In-field alpha spectrometry system for uranium enrichment verification of uranium hexafluoride

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