Plutonium mass estimation utilizing the (α,n) signature in mixed electrochemical samples
Quantification of sensitive material is of vital importance when it comes to the movement of nuclear fuel throughout its life cycle. Within the electrorefiner vessel of electrochemical separation facilities, the task of quantifying plutonium by neutron analysis is especially challenging due to it be...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2022-06-01
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| Series: | Nuclear Engineering and Technology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1738573321006872 |
| _version_ | 1818239357121724416 |
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| author | Stephen N. Gilliam Jamie B. Coble Braden Goddard |
| author_facet | Stephen N. Gilliam Jamie B. Coble Braden Goddard |
| author_sort | Stephen N. Gilliam |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Quantification of sensitive material is of vital importance when it comes to the movement of nuclear fuel throughout its life cycle. Within the electrorefiner vessel of electrochemical separation facilities, the task of quantifying plutonium by neutron analysis is especially challenging due to it being in a constant mixture with curium. It is for this reason that current neutron multiplicity methods would prove ineffective as a safeguards measure. An alternative means of plutonium verification is investigated that utilizes the (α,n) signature that comes as a result of the eutectic salt within the electrorefiner. This is done by utilizing the multiplicity variable α and breaking it down into its constituent components: spontaneous fission neutrons and (α,n) yield. From there, the (α,n) signature is related to the plutonium content of the fuel. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T12:56:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2472e821739e430d87fdf6c2c3d49244 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1738-5733 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T12:56:15Z |
| publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nuclear Engineering and Technology |
| spelling | doaj.art-2472e821739e430d87fdf6c2c3d492442022-12-22T00:23:53ZengElsevierNuclear Engineering and Technology1738-57332022-06-0154620042010Plutonium mass estimation utilizing the (α,n) signature in mixed electrochemical samplesStephen N. Gilliam0Jamie B. Coble1Braden Goddard2University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Nuclear Engineering Department, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA; Corresponding author.University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Nuclear Engineering Department, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USAVirginia Commonwealth University, Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Richmond, VA, 23284, USAQuantification of sensitive material is of vital importance when it comes to the movement of nuclear fuel throughout its life cycle. Within the electrorefiner vessel of electrochemical separation facilities, the task of quantifying plutonium by neutron analysis is especially challenging due to it being in a constant mixture with curium. It is for this reason that current neutron multiplicity methods would prove ineffective as a safeguards measure. An alternative means of plutonium verification is investigated that utilizes the (α,n) signature that comes as a result of the eutectic salt within the electrorefiner. This is done by utilizing the multiplicity variable α and breaking it down into its constituent components: spontaneous fission neutrons and (α,n) yield. From there, the (α,n) signature is related to the plutonium content of the fuel.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1738573321006872Electrochemical reprocessingNeutron countingSafeguards measurement |
| spellingShingle | Stephen N. Gilliam Jamie B. Coble Braden Goddard Plutonium mass estimation utilizing the (α,n) signature in mixed electrochemical samples Nuclear Engineering and Technology Electrochemical reprocessing Neutron counting Safeguards measurement |
| title | Plutonium mass estimation utilizing the (α,n) signature in mixed electrochemical samples |
| title_full | Plutonium mass estimation utilizing the (α,n) signature in mixed electrochemical samples |
| title_fullStr | Plutonium mass estimation utilizing the (α,n) signature in mixed electrochemical samples |
| title_full_unstemmed | Plutonium mass estimation utilizing the (α,n) signature in mixed electrochemical samples |
| title_short | Plutonium mass estimation utilizing the (α,n) signature in mixed electrochemical samples |
| title_sort | plutonium mass estimation utilizing the α n signature in mixed electrochemical samples |
| topic | Electrochemical reprocessing Neutron counting Safeguards measurement |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1738573321006872 |
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