Neutron interrogation to identify chemical elements with an ion-tube neutron source (INS)

Conference · Thu Apr 07 00:00:00 EDT 1994

OSTI ID:10149964

Alvarez, R A; Dougan, A D; Rowland, M R; Wang, T F

A non-destructive analysis technique using a portable, electric ion-tube neutron source (INS) and gamma ray detector has been used to identify the key constituent elements in a number of sealed munitions, and from the elemental makeup, infer the types of agent within each. The high energy (14 MeV) and pulsed character of the neutron flux from an INS provide a method of measuring, quantitatively, the oxygen, carbon, and fluorine content of materials in closed containers, as well as the other constituents that can be measured with low-energy neutron probes. The broad range of elements that can be quantitatively measured with INS-based instruments provides a capability of verifying common munition fills; it provides the greatest specificity of any portable neutron-based technique for determining the full matrix of chemical elements in completely unrestricted sample scenarios. The specific capability of quantifying the carbon and oxygen content of materials should lead to a fast screening technique which, can discriminate very quickly between high-explosive and chemical agent-filled containers.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 10149964
• Report Number(s): UCRL-JC-115229; CONF-940401-6; ON: DE94011639
• Resource Relation: Conference: International conference on methods and applications of radioanalytical chemistry,Kona, HI (United States),10-16 Apr 1994; Other Information: PBD: 7 Apr 1994
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
ORDNANCE
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
NUCLEAR REACTION ANALYZERS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING
OXYGEN
CARBON
FLUORINE
PORTABLE EQUIPMENT
450100
400101
440100
CHEMICAL EXPLOSIONS AND EXPLOSIVES
ACTIVATION, NUCLEAR REACTION, RADIOMETRIC, AND RADIOCHEMICAL PROCEDURES
RADIATION INSTRUMENTATION