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Title: Counting neutrons from the spontaneous fission of {sup 238}U using scintillation detectors and mixed field analysers

Conference ·
OSTI ID:22531351
; ;  [1]
  1. Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YU (United Kingdom)

It is well documented that {sup 238}U decays by spontaneous fission, and that it is the main component of most nuclear fuels. As nuclear fuels are largely classed as Special Nuclear Material (SNM), they have to be fully accounted for by owners and processing facilities. One possible method for verifying declared amounts of SNM is to count the spontaneous neutrons produced from {sup 238}U. Using four EJ-309 liquid scintillation detectors and a mixed field analyser, spontaneous neutrons from 16.4 g of depleted uranium (0.3% enrichment) have been assayed. The assay method shows promising results and this proof of principle will be researched further in order for it to be applied in an industrial setting. (authors)

Research Organization:
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers - IEEE, 3 Park Avenue, 17th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10016-5997 (United States)
OSTI ID:
22531351
Report Number(s):
ANIMMA-2015-IO-303; TRN: US16V0344102292
Resource Relation:
Conference: ANIMMA 2015: 4. International Conference on Advancements in Nuclear Instrumentation Measurement Methods and their Applications, Lisboa (Portugal), 20-24 Apr 2015; Other Information: Country of input: France; 8 Refs.
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English