Combined Radiation Detection Methods for Assay of Higher Actinides in Separation Processes

In the MPAC project, faculty and students are investigating the potential to use combined neutron and gamma-ray detector systems to measure quantities and isotopic constituents contained during separations and intermediate storage. This will require knowledge of the nuclear and decay characteristics of materials during processing, the development of conceptual designs of monitoring systems, radiation transport studies to develop an understanding of operational regimes, and experiments to confirm performance. In addition, both passive and active concepts will be investigated, including collaborations with the Idaho Accelerator Center at Idaho State University (ISU) to use electron linear accelerators for producing photoneutrons in situ, for photon activation of HA, or for stimulating emissions processes (e.g., X-ray fluorescence). Radiation transport and scoping studies will be conducted to investigate combined gamma-ray, neutron, and active and passive detection techniques to measure quantities and isotopic constituents contained during separations and intermediate storage. Scoping and design studies will first be performed using validated data sets (decay properties and reaction cross sections) and the radiation transport code MCNPX. Basic measurements will then be performed and compared to predictions. Planned experiments have not been conducted