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，铀具有特殊的性质，当以特定的排列和浓度配置时，它可以维持核链式反应，并从中产生大量能量。正是这一特性使其在全世界范围内被专门用作核反应堆的燃料。然而，也许不太被人们所认识到的事实是，在用于反应堆之前的原始、未辐照状态下，铀在放射性意义上是相当良性的，发射相对较少的辐射，可用于表征。这一点极其重要，因为虽然铀在反应堆中的使用为和平用途提供了大量电力，但必须对现有铀的数量进行量化和记录，以便检测到将其转用于非法用途。通常，这项活动的一个重要要求是能够在不接触铀的情况下远程检测和评估铀的数量，以便与反应堆等燃料生产相关的商业活动可以不受阻碍地继续进行，从而使评估快速有效。用于此目的的现有检测介质是氦气同位素 3He，目前这种同位素供应短缺且非常昂贵，依赖于慢中子的检测。在这个项目中，我们打算探索使用快中子和不同的探测器技术（有机闪烁体）来评估高富集 235U 和 233U 的铀化合物。为了进行这项研究，我们必须将我们的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常驻世界领先技术结合起来的地方之一。他们的评估方面的专业知识。该旅行请求特别值得注意的是，它将与世界上独一无二的英国 ADRIANA 探测器系统相结合，实现其他地方不可能达到的 235U 浓缩水平。此外，它将使 233U 的勘探数量在其他任何地方都是不可能的，这对于探索与钍核燃料循环相关的材料安全至关重要。