Full Scale Coated Fiber Neutron Detector Measurements
Radiation portal monitors used for interdiction of illicit materials at borders include highly sensitive neutron detection systems. The main reason for having neutron detection capability is to detect fission neutrons from plutonium. The currently deployed radiation portal monitors (RPMs) from Ludlum and Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) use neutron detectors based upon 3He-filled gas proportional counters, which are the most common large neutron detector. There is a declining supply of 3He in the world, and thus, methods to reduce the use of this gas in RPMs with minimal changes to the current system designs and sensitivity to cargo-borne neutrons are being investigated. Four technologies have been identified as being currently commercially available, potential alternative neutron detectors to replace the use of 3He in RPMs. These technologies are: 1) Boron trifluoride (BF3)-filled proportional counters, 2) Boron-lined proportional counters, 3) Lithium-loaded glass fibers, and 4) Coated non-scintillating plastic fibers. Reported here are the results of tests of the full-scale 6Li/ZnS(Ag)-coated non-scintillating plastic fibers option. This testing measured the required performance for neutron detection efficiency and gamma ray rejection capabilities of a system manufactured by Innovative American Technology (IAT) and Saint Gobain, and is a follow-up report to an earlier one on a smaller prototype system.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 976988
- Report Number(s):
- PNNL-19264; NN2001000; TRN: US1002791
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
AVAILABILITY
BORON
EFFICIENCY
FIBERS
FISSION NEUTRONS
GLASS
MONITORS
NEUTRON DETECTION
NEUTRON DETECTORS
NEUTRONS
PERFORMANCE
PLASTICS
PLUTONIUM
PROPORTIONAL COUNTERS
RADIATIONS
SENSITIVITY
TESTING
neutron detection
coated fibers
alternative neutron detector