A combined thermal/epithermal neutron interrogation device to assay fissle materials in large containers

Conference · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:6184347

Coop, K L

We used Monte Carlo techniques to investigate the neutronic properties of a device designed to interrogate large waste containers with both thermal and epithermal neutrons. The interrogating spectrum is obtained by gradually slowing down neutrons from a pulsed source. Shortly after the pulse, the neutrons are predominantly at epithermal energies, becoming completely thermalized at later times. We calculated the effects of using different moderating materials, cavity sizes, and container matrices on the interrogating flux. Such a device could detect ''lumpy'' or cadmium-shielded uranium in non-hydrogenous matrices and could provide assays of finely divided fissile materials, regardless of hydrogen content. 6 refs., 6 figs., 3 tabs.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 6184347
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-89-1685; CONF-890565-2; ON: DE89013443
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420204* -- Engineering-- Shipping Containers
BARYONS
CARBON
CONTAINERS
DESIGN
ELEMENTAL MINERALS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ELEMENTS
EPITHERMAL NEUTRONS
FERMIONS
FISSILE MATERIALS
FISSIONABLE MATERIALS
GRAPHITE
HADRONS
LEAD
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
METALS
MINERALS
MONITORING
MONTE CARLO METHOD
NEUTRAL-PARTICLE TRANSPORT
NEUTRON SOURCES
NEUTRON TRANSPORT
NEUTRONS
NONMETALS
NUCLEONS
PARTICLE SOURCES
PROPORTIONAL COUNTERS
RADIATION DETECTORS
RADIATION MONITORING
RADIATION SOURCES
RADIATION TRANSPORT
RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
RADIOACTIVE WASTE STORAGE
SAFEGUARDS
STORAGE
THERMAL NEUTRONS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE STORAGE