Induced nuclear reactions: processes – systems – and elements – Nuclear transmutation – By neutron bombardment
Patent
1982-03-31
1984-11-20
Walsh, Donald P.
Induced nuclear reactions: processes, systems, and elements
Nuclear transmutation
By neutron bombardment
376156, 376170, 376181, 376182, 376189, 376245, G21G 112
Patent
active
044838166
ABSTRACT:
A combination of passive and active neutron measurements which yields quantitative information about the isotopic composition of transuranic wastes from nuclear power or weapons material manufacture reactors is described. From the measurement of prompt and delayed neutron emission and the incidence of two coincidentally emitted neutrons from induced fission of fissile material in the sample, one can quantify .sup.233 U, .sup.235 U and .sup.239 Pu isotopes in waste samples. Passive coincidence counting, including neutron multiplicity measurement and determination of the overall passive neutron flux additionally enables the separate quantitative evaluation of spontaneous fission isotopes such as .sup.240 Pu, .sup.244 Cm and .sup.252 Cf, and the spontaneous alpha particle emitter .sup.241 Am. These seven isotopes are the most important constituents of wastes from nuclear power reactors and once the mass of each isotope present is determined by the apparatus and method of the instant invention, the overall alpha particle activity can be determined to better than 1 nCi/g from known radioactivity data. Therefore, in addition to the quantitative analysis of the waste sample useful for later reclamation purposes, the alpha particle activity can be determined to decide whether "permanent" low-level burial is appropriate for the waste sample.
REFERENCES:
Kunz, et al; "1 nCi/g Sensitivity Transuranic Waste Assay System Using Pud Neutron Interrogation," Proceedings, 21st Annual Meeting of the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management; Palm Beach, FL; Jun. 30-Jul. 2, 1980; vol. IX, p. 131 (Published Nov. 1, 1980).
Kunz, et al; "A 1 mg-Sensitivity Fissile Assay System"; 3rd ESARDA Symposium on Safeguards & Nuclear Material Management; Karlsruhe, F. R. Germany G-8 May 1981.
Atencio James D.
Caldwell John T.
Kunz Walter E.
Esposito Michael F.
Freund Samuel M.
Gaetjens Paul D.
The United States of America as represented by the Department of
Walsh Donald P.
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