Prototype fast neutron counter for the assay of impure plutonium

Conference · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:5890800

Wachter, J R; Adams, E L; Ensslin, N

A fast coincident neutron counter using liquid scintillators and gamma-ray/neutron pulse-shape discrimination has been constructed for the analysis of plutonium samples with unknown self-multiplication and (..cap alpha..,n) production. The counter was used to measure plutonium-bearing materials that cover a range of masses and (..cap alpha..,n) reaction rates of importance to the safeguards community. Measured values of the /sup 240/Pu effective mass differed, on average, from their declared values by 0.4% for plutonium oxides and by -2.2% for metal and MgO-loaded samples. Poorer results were obtained for materials with large (..cap alpha..,n) reaction rates and low self-multiplication such as plutonium ash and plutonium fluoride.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 5890800
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-87-3678; CONF-871110-8; ON: DE88003181
• Resource Relation: Conference: 3. international conference on facility operations safeguards interface, San Diego, CA, USA, 29 Nov 1987; Other Information: Paper copy only, copy does not permit microfiche production
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
PLUTONIUM
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
NEUTRON DETECTORS
SCINTILLATION COUNTING
ACTINIDES
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
COUNTING TECHNIQUES
ELEMENTS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
METALS
RADIATION DETECTORS
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS
400101* - Activation
Nuclear Reaction
Radiometric & Radiochemical Procedures
055001 - Nuclear Fuels- Safeguards
Inspection
& Accountability- Technical Aspects