Evaluation of a 4$pi$ neutron counter for the nondestructive analysis of uranium-234 in uranium hexafluoride
A neutron counter has been evaluated for the nondestructive analysis of $sup 234$U in uranium hexafluoride. The instrument was designed by Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory for the Nuclear Safeguards Program. The method assumes that the only source of neutrons is from $sup 19$F($alpha$, n)$sup 22$Na reaction from $sup 238$U, $sup 235$U, and $sup 234$U, the yield from $sup 234$U being the most abundant. This evaluation shows that the mean of the difference between the 4 $pi$ neutron counting method and mass spectrometry is 0.0002 wt percent uranium- 234 +- 0.00015 at the 95 percent confidence level. However, the presence of $sup 232$U produces significant errors in the system. If the neutron technique is to be used for samples containing $sup 232$U in equilibrium with its daughters, the 2.61-MeV gamma peak of $sup 208$Tl must be measured and used to correct for the $sup 232$U. It has been postulated that the neutron counter might also be used to relate the $sup 234$U content of a sample to the $sup 235$U, thus estimating the $sup 235$U concentration. This evaluation notes, however, that in a variety of uranium feeds and enriched product, the $sup 234$U/$sup 235$U ratio varies too widely to enable a valid $sup 235$U determination.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant, Tenn. (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-26
- NSA Number:
- NSA-33-026038
- OSTI ID:
- 4019268
- Report Number(s):
- K-1882
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 30-JUN-76
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
N40130 -Chemistry-Analytical & Separations Chemistry-Radiometric & Radiochemical Procedures
N52100 -Nuclear Materials & Waste Management-Accountability & Safeguards
440101* -Instrumentation-Radiation Instrumentation- General Detectors & Monitors
*HE-3 COUNTERS- PERFORMANCE
*URANIUM 234- NONDESTRUCTIVE ANALYSIS
*URANIUM HEXAFLUORIDE- CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
DESIGN
FOUR- PI COUNTING
POLYETHYLENES
SAFEGUARDS