Neutrino-detector design for safeguarding small modular reactors

Houston, Emma; Bogetic, Sandra; Akindele, Oluwatomi; Bergevin, Marc; Bernstein, Adam; Dazley, Steven

doi:10.1103/physrevapplied.21.064061

Neutrino-detector design for safeguarding small modular reactors

Journal Article · Wed Jun 26 00:00:00 EDT 2024 · Physical Review Applied

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevapplied.21.064061· OSTI ID:2446779

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University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States)
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)

Nuclear reactors have long been a favored source for antineutrino measurements for estimates of power and burnup. With appropriate detector parameters and background rejection, an estimate of the reactor power can be derived from the measured antineutrino event rate. Antineutrino detectors are potentially attractive as a safeguards technology that can monitor reactor operations and thermal power from a distance. Advanced reactors have diverse features that may present challenges for current safeguards methods. By comparison, neutrino detectors offer complementary features, including a remote, continuous, unattended, and near-real-time monitoring capability, that may make them useful for safeguarding certain classes of advanced reactors. This study investigates the minimum depth and size of an antineutrino detector for a small modular reactor to meet safeguards needs for advanced reactors. Furthermore, extrapolating performance from several prior reactor antineutrino experiments, this study uses an analytical approach to develop a possible design for a remote antineutrino-based monitoring device.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC52-07NA27344; NA0000979

OSTI ID:: 2446779

Report Number(s):: LLNL--JRNL-852145; 1076514

Journal Information:: Physical Review Applied, Journal Name: Physical Review Applied Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 21; ISSN 2331-7019

Publisher:: American Physical Society (APS)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Neutrino-detector design for safeguarding small modular reactors

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