Development of a Safeguards Verification Method and Instrument to Detect Pin Diversion from Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) Spent Fuel Assemblies Phase I Study

Ham, Young; Maldonado, G. Ivan; Burdo, J; He, Tao

doi:10.2172/946251

Cited by 3 publications

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“…To address the problem of pin diversion scientists at LLNL [24] have suggested that neutron and gamma detectors be inserted inside the fuel bundle -in the gaps vacated by control rods or instrumentation tubes. They have calculated the gamma and neutron signals at different locations inside the fuel assembly and compared the calculations with neutron measurements.…”

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A feasibility study exploring the use of high-pressure xenon (HPXe) detectors for the characterization of spent fuel bundles

Ghosh¹,

Bolotnikov²,

Rohatgi³

2012

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Executive SummaryAs the title suggests we explored the feasibility of using high-pressure xenon detectors for characterizing spent fuel. The three nondestructive characterization techniques currently in use are the Digital Cerenkov Viewing Device, the Fork Detector and the Safeguards Mox Python (SMOPY) Detector. The Fork and SMOPY detectors typically measure the total gamma and total neutron counts due to the gamma emission from fission fragments and the neutron emission originating primarily from curium. Sometimes high-resolution gamma spectroscopy is also used to determine fission-product ratios. These signatures are compared to signatures predicted by the operator declared values of burnup and cooling time, thereby verifying the operator input. The burnup parameters are then used in burnup codes like ORIGEN to calculate the expected mass of 239 Pu, 235 U and other fissionable materials. These indirect measurement techniques require detailed knowledge of the operating history of the spent fuel assembly in the reactor.The National Nuclear Security Administration's Next Generation Safeguards Initiative (NGSI) was launched in 2008. As part of the NGSI initiative a multilab/university collaboration was set up to focus on the direct measurement of the Pu content of spent fuel assemblies using NDA techniques. Currently 14 NDA techniques have been identified for the characterization of spent fuel bundles.Many of these NDA techniques rely on the measurement of gamma spectra. Currently cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) or high-purity germanium (HPGe) detectors are used for these measurements. The advantages of HPXe detectors over current detectors are that:1. They can be used for spectroscopy and counting (same as Ge and CZT) 2. The energy resolution (2.0-2.5% at 662 keV and ~1.5% at 1 MeV) is much better than that of NaI detectors (6-8%). 3. The stopping power is close to that of HPGe, but no cryogenic cooling is required. 4. These detectors are stable and will operate for years. 5. The operational temperature range is broad (15-200 C). 6. There is less neutron activation 4 7. Large-area detectors will not be prohibitively expensive. 8. They are rugged devices for application in harsh high-radiation environments. 9. HPXe is generally used for gamma ray detection but if ~10% 3 He is added the xenon chamber becomes a neutron detector with 100% efficiency for thermal neutrons 10. They operate in ionization (ionization chamber) and scintillation mode (very fast scintillator, 2 ns decay time). 11. Cylindrical HPXe ionization chambers can be made in a variety of shapes and volumes optimized for particular applications. They can be used as single stand-off gamma-ray detectors or in large-area arrays. Arrays of these detectors can be used in coded aperture imagers.During this feasibility study we focused our attention on trying to solve two important problems.(a) Designing a method for the detection of missing fuel rods in spent fuel assemblies. Our proposed feasibility study will explore whether a two-dimensional neutron or ...

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A feasibility study exploring the use of high-pressure xenon (HPXe) detectors for the characterization of spent fuel bundles

Ghosh¹,

Bolotnikov²,

Rohatgi³

2012

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Comparison of machine learning models for the detection of partial defects in spent nuclear fuel

Rossa

Borella

Giani

2020

Annals of Nuclear Energy

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Securing special nuclear material: Recent advances in neutron detection and their role in nonproliferation

Runkle¹,

Bernstein²,

Vanier³

2010

Journal of Applied Physics

117

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Neutron detection is an integral part of the global effort to prevent the proliferation of special nuclear material (SNM). Applications relying on neutron-detection technology range from traditional nuclear nonproliferation objectives, such as safeguarding material and verifying stockpile reductions, to the interdiction of SNM—a goal that has recently risen in priority to a level on par with traditional missions. Large multinational programs targeting interdiction and safeguards have deployed radiation-detection assets across the globe. In parallel with these deployments of commercially available technology, significant research and development has been directed toward the creation of next-generation assets. Neutron-detection technology plays a prominent role because of the capability of neutrons to penetrate materials that readily absorb gamma rays and the unique fission signatures neutrons possess. One particularly acute technology-development challenge results from dwindling supplies of H3e, partially triggered by widespread deployment of high-efficiency systems for portal monitoring. Other emerging missions, such as the desire to detect SNM at greater standoff distances, have also stimulated neutron-detection technology development. In light of these needs, this manuscript reviews the signatures of neutrons emitted by SNM, the principles of neutron detection, and various strategies under investigation for detection in the context of nuclear nonproliferation.

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Development of a Safeguards Verification Method and Instrument to Detect Pin Diversion from Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) Spent Fuel Assemblies Phase I Study

Cited by 3 publications

References 0 publications

A feasibility study exploring the use of high-pressure xenon (HPXe) detectors for the characterization of spent fuel bundles

A feasibility study exploring the use of high-pressure xenon (HPXe) detectors for the characterization of spent fuel bundles

Comparison of machine learning models for the detection of partial defects in spent nuclear fuel

Securing special nuclear material: Recent advances in neutron detection and their role in nonproliferation

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