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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，铀有一种特殊的性质，当以特定的排列和浓度配置时，它可以进行核链式反应，从中可以获得大量的能量。正是这一特性使得它在世界范围内被专门用作核反应堆的燃料。然而，人们可能不太了解的一个事实是，在用于反应堆之前，铀的原始、未辐照状态在放射性意义上是相当无害的，释放出相对较少的可用于表征的辐射。这是极其重要的，因为虽然在反应堆中使用铀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，以便发现铀转用于非法用途。这种活动的一项重要要求往往是能够在不接触铀的情况下远程探测和评估铀的数量，以便与反应堆燃料生产等有关的商业活动能够不受阻碍地继续进行，以便迅速有效地进行评估。现有的检测介质是氦气的一种同位素，3He，它现在供不应求，而且非常昂贵，它依赖于对慢中子的检测。在这个项目中，我们打算探索快中子与不同探测器技术的使用，有机闪烁体，用于评估高富集235U和233U的铀化合物。为了开展这项研究，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，因为这个实验室是世界上唯一一个将这些材料与世界领先的评估专业知识结合起来的地方。特别值得注意的是，这一旅行请求将使人们能够接触到在其他任何地方都不可能获得的富集水平的235U，再加上英国的ADRIANA探测系统，这也是世界上独一无二的。此外，它将使233U的勘探量在其他任何地方都无法实现，这对于探索与钍核燃料循环相关的材料安全至关重要。