Comparison of borehole neutron activation systems for direct assay of plutonium

Conference · Wed Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1980

OSTI ID:6606359

Bruns, L E; Kay, M A

Borehole neutron activation systems are capable of in situ plutonium assay at a 10 nCi Pu/g concentration. Two such systems, one based on a /sup 252/Cf neutron source (called CF) and one based on a 14-MeV neutron generator (called N Gen), were field tested on the Hanford Site in 216-Z-1A actinide crib. Both systems produced a subsurface distribution for plutonium, and the distributions were within a few centimeters of each other at all depths. Converting the observed distribution to plutonium assay is difficult. Lack of a suitable calibration facility for subsurface plutonium precludes direct calibration of the systems. Theoretical calculations were made to determine plutonium based on past uranium calibration experience. The results were not consistent.

• Research Organization: Rockwell International Corp., Richland, WA (USA). Energy Systems Group
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-77RL01030
• OSTI ID: 6606359
• Report Number(s): RHO-SA-182; CONF-801103-54
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

510301* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- Soil-- (-1987)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACTINIDES
ACTIVATION ANALYSIS
BOREHOLES
CALIBRATION
CAVITIES
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DISTRIBUTION
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
HANFORD RESERVATION
METALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NEUTRON LOGGING
NEUTRON-NEUTRON LOGGING
PLUTONIUM
RADIOACTIVITY LOGGING
RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
WELL LOGGING