Comparison of active interrogation methods for source location in a scattering and absorbing medium, consisting of PGNAA, and an AmBe quasi-forward biased directional source

Paaren, Kyle M.; Kilby, Seth; Lee, Hyoung K.

doi:10.1016/j.apradiso.2020.109107

Title: Comparison of active interrogation methods for source location in a scattering and absorbing medium, consisting of PGNAA, and an AmBe quasi-forward biased directional source

Journal Article · Mon Mar 02 00:00:00 EST 2020 · Applied Radiation and Isotopes

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2020.109107· OSTI ID:1848123

Paaren, Kyle M. ^[1]; Kilby, Seth ^[1]; Lee, Hyoung K. ^[1]

Missouri Univ. of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO (United States)

Source location of Special Nuclear Material (SNM) encompassing 95% ²³⁵U and ²³⁹Pu is identified by utilizing a directional source from Patent No: US20190013109A1 using Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis (PGNAA) and neutron spectroscopy simulated with Monte-Carlo N-Particle transport 6.2 (MCNP). BC-408, HPGe, LaBr₃ detector arrays were used to identify the location of the SNM using total counts incident on each detector, and PGNAA photopeaks from HPGe and LaBr₃ detector arrays in a polyethylene shield. The conducted simulations varied the volume and location of the SNM in the MCNP input files to observe how the source location method behaved. PGNAA photopeaks used for source identification include 61 keV from fission, 2.223 MeV prompt gamma from hydrogen, 511 keV annihilation, and a single and double escape peaks from the prompt gamma interaction from hydrogen. The capabilities of each detector systems to acquire well resolved photopeaks with a 1% relative error or less, and total relative error for F4 and F8 tallies were less than 0.015% relative error. Source predictions of the SNM with uneven amounts of polyethylene shielding between the source and detectors was observed to overpredict and give invalid source location predictions. Source locations of the SNM with even amounts of polyethylene material between the source and each detector were found to be valid. With a 1 Ci ²⁴¹Am source activity, it was determined that 1630 s were needed to obtain the results for each detector system with the quasi-forward directional AmBe source. Coupling source and material identification together would increase acquisition time but would only require one system to determine.

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Research Organization:: Univ. of Missouri, Columbia, MO (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)

Grant/Contract Number:: NE0008411

OSTI ID:: 1848123

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1702930

Journal Information:: Applied Radiation and Isotopes, Vol. 160, Issue C; ISSN 0969-8043

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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