Digital fast neutron assay of uranium

铀的数字快中子测定

基本信息

批准号：
EP/P008062/1
负责人：
Malcolm Joyce
金额：
$ 2.15万
依托单位：
Lancaster University
依托单位国家：
英国
项目类别：
Research Grant
财政年份：
2016
资助国家：
英国
起止时间：
2016 至无数据
项目状态：
已结题

来源：
https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=EP%2FP008062%2F1
关键词：
Digital fast neutron assay uranium

项目摘要

It is well known that uranium has a special property whereby when configured in a particular arrangement and concentration it can sustain a nuclear chain reaction from which a great deal of energy can be derived. It is this property that has led it to be used exclusively throughout the world as the fuel for nuclear power reactors. However, perhaps less well appreciated is the fact that in its raw, un-irradiated state prior to use in a reactor uranium is quite benign in a radioactive sense, emitting relatively little radiation that can be of use in terms of characterisation. This is extremely important because whilst its use in reactors provides much electricity for peaceful uses, it is essential that the amount of uranium in existence is quantified and recorded so that diversion of it for illicit uses is detected. Often an important requirement of this activity is to be able to detect and assess quantities of uranium remotely, without touching it so that commercial activities associated with the production of fuel for reactors etc. can continue unhindered and so that the assessment is quick and effective. The existing detection medium for this purpose is an isotope of helium gas, 3He, which is now in short supply and very expensive which relies on the detection of slow neutrons. In this project we intend to explore the use of fast neutrons with a different detector technology, organic scintillators, for the assessment of uranium compounds that are highly enriched in 235U and 233U. To carry out this research it is essential that we transport our equipment and expertise to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee in the United States because this laboratory is one of the only places in the world that combines access to these materials with resident world-leading expertise in their assessment. Of particular note to this travel request is that it will enable access to enriched levels of 235U not possible anywhere else combined with the UK's ADRIANA detector system that is also unique in the world. Further it will enable 233U to be explored in quantities not possible anywhere else that is essential to exploring materials security associated with the thorium nuclear fuel cycle.

众所周知，铀具有特殊特性，在特定的布置和浓度中配置时，可以维持核链反应，从中可以从中得出大量能量。正是这一属性导致它仅在全球范围内用作核电反应堆的燃料。但是，也许不太受欢迎的事实是，在其原始的，未经辐照的状态中，在放射性意义上，在反应堆铀中使用的状态非常良性，从而散发出相对较少的辐射，而在表征方面可以使用。这非常重要，因为它在反应堆中的用途为和平用途提供了很多电力，但必须量化和记录存在的铀量，以便检测到非法用途的转移。通常，这项活动的重要要求是能够远程检测和评估铀数量，而无需触摸它，以使与反应堆燃料的生产等相关的商业活动可以继续不受阻碍，以便评估快速有效。为此目的的现有检测介质是氦气的同位素，3HE，现在供应较短，非常昂贵，这依赖于慢速中子的检测。在这个项目中，我们打算探索具有不同检测器技术（有机闪烁体）的快速中子的使用，以评估在235U和233U中高度富集的铀化合物。为了进行这项研究，我们必须将设备和专业知识运送到美国田纳西州的橡树岭国家实验室，因为该实验室是世界上唯一将这些材料与居民评估中居民领先的专业知识相结合的地方之一。特别值得注意的是，它将能够在其他任何地方与英国的Adriana探测器系统相结合的其他任何地方都无法访问富集的235U水平，这在世界上也是独一无二的。此外，它将使233U的数量不可能探索，这对于探索与th核燃料循环相关的材料安全至关重要。