Gamma neutron assay method and apparatus
Abstract
The gamma neutron assay technique is an alternative method to standard safeguards techniques for the identification and assaying of special nuclear materials in a field or laboratory environment, as a tool for dismantlement and destruction of nuclear weapons, and to determine the isotopic ratios for a blend-down program on uranium. It is capable of determining the isotopic ratios of fissionable material from the spontaneous or induced fission of a sample to within approximately 0.5%. This is based upon the prompt coincidence relationships that occur in the fission process and the proton conservation and quasi-conservation of nuclear mass (A) that exists between the two fission fragments. The system is used in both passive (without an external neutron source) and active (with an external neutron source) mode. The apparatus consists of an array of neutron and gamma-ray detectors electronically connected to determine coincident events. The method can also be used to assay radioactive waste which contains fissile material, even in the presence of a high background radiation field. 7 figures.
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- OSTI Identifier:
- 6893296
- Patent Number(s):
- 5378895
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 8-149874
- Assignee:
- EG G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC07-76ID01570
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 12 Nov 1993
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION; 37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY; 12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES; FISSIONABLE MATERIALS; RADIOASSAY; RADIOACTIVE WASTES; COINCIDENCE METHODS; GAMMA DETECTION; NEUTRON DETECTORS; NUCLEAR MATERIALS MANAGEMENT; NUCLEAR WEAPONS DISMANTLEMENT; SAFEGUARDS; COUNTING TECHNIQUES; DETECTION; MANAGEMENT; MATERIALS; MEASURING INSTRUMENTS; RADIATION DETECTION; RADIATION DETECTORS; RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS; WASTES; 055001* - Nuclear Fuels- Safeguards, Inspection, & Accountability- Technical Aspects; 400101 - Activation, Nuclear Reaction, Radiometric & Radiochemical Procedures; 052000 - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Management
Citation Formats
Cole, J D, Aryaeinejad, R, and Greenwood, R C. Gamma neutron assay method and apparatus. United States: N. p., 1995.
Web.
Cole, J D, Aryaeinejad, R, & Greenwood, R C. Gamma neutron assay method and apparatus. United States.
Cole, J D, Aryaeinejad, R, and Greenwood, R C. Tue .
"Gamma neutron assay method and apparatus". United States.
@article{osti_6893296,
title = {Gamma neutron assay method and apparatus},
author = {Cole, J D and Aryaeinejad, R and Greenwood, R C},
abstractNote = {The gamma neutron assay technique is an alternative method to standard safeguards techniques for the identification and assaying of special nuclear materials in a field or laboratory environment, as a tool for dismantlement and destruction of nuclear weapons, and to determine the isotopic ratios for a blend-down program on uranium. It is capable of determining the isotopic ratios of fissionable material from the spontaneous or induced fission of a sample to within approximately 0.5%. This is based upon the prompt coincidence relationships that occur in the fission process and the proton conservation and quasi-conservation of nuclear mass (A) that exists between the two fission fragments. The system is used in both passive (without an external neutron source) and active (with an external neutron source) mode. The apparatus consists of an array of neutron and gamma-ray detectors electronically connected to determine coincident events. The method can also be used to assay radioactive waste which contains fissile material, even in the presence of a high background radiation field. 7 figures.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1995},
month = {1}
}