Method and apparatus for measuring enrichment of UF6
Abstract
A system and method are disclosed for determining the enrichment of .sup.235U in Uranium Hexafluoride (UF6) utilizing synthesized X-rays which are directed at a container test zone containing a sample of UF6. A detector placed behind the container test zone then detects and counts the X-rays which pass through the container and the UF6. In order to determine the portion of the attenuation due to the UF6 gas alone, this count rate may then be compared to a calibration count rate of X-rays passing through a calibration test zone which contains a vacuum, the test zone having experienced substantially similar environmental conditions as the actual test zone. Alternatively, X-rays of two differing energy levels may be alternately directed at the container, where either the container or the UF6 has a high sensitivity to the difference in the energy levels, and the other having a low sensitivity.
- Inventors:
-
- Santa Fe, NM
- Los Alamos, NM
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1019111
- Patent Number(s):
- 7957504
- Application Number:
- US Patent Application 12/582,641
- Assignee:
- Los Alamos National Security, LLC (Los Alamos, NM)
- Patent Classifications (CPCs):
-
G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01N - INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01T - MEASUREMENT OF NUCLEAR OR X-RADIATION
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC52-06NA25396
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Citation Formats
Hill, Thomas Roy, and Ianakiev, Kiril Dimitrov. Method and apparatus for measuring enrichment of UF6. United States: N. p., 2011.
Web.
Hill, Thomas Roy, & Ianakiev, Kiril Dimitrov. Method and apparatus for measuring enrichment of UF6. United States.
Hill, Thomas Roy, and Ianakiev, Kiril Dimitrov. Tue .
"Method and apparatus for measuring enrichment of UF6". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1019111.
@article{osti_1019111,
title = {Method and apparatus for measuring enrichment of UF6},
author = {Hill, Thomas Roy and Ianakiev, Kiril Dimitrov},
abstractNote = {A system and method are disclosed for determining the enrichment of .sup.235U in Uranium Hexafluoride (UF6) utilizing synthesized X-rays which are directed at a container test zone containing a sample of UF6. A detector placed behind the container test zone then detects and counts the X-rays which pass through the container and the UF6. In order to determine the portion of the attenuation due to the UF6 gas alone, this count rate may then be compared to a calibration count rate of X-rays passing through a calibration test zone which contains a vacuum, the test zone having experienced substantially similar environmental conditions as the actual test zone. Alternatively, X-rays of two differing energy levels may be alternately directed at the container, where either the container or the UF6 has a high sensitivity to the difference in the energy levels, and the other having a low sensitivity.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {2011},
month = {6}
}
Works referenced in this record:
Effect of Temperature on Counting Measurements in a Uranium Enrichment Monitor Based on a NaI(Tl) Spectrometer and Transmission Source
conference, October 2006
- Ianakiev, K. D.; Alexandrov, B. S.; Close, D. A.
- 2006 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium Conference Record
A Gas-Phase UF 6 Enrichment Monitor
journal, November 1982
- Strittmatter, Richard B.
- Nuclear Technology, Vol. 59, Issue 2