High Efficiency Passive Neutron Drum Monitor, N2223-220
The ANTECH N2223-220 High Efficiency Passive Neutron Drum Monitor a high detection efficiency measurement system for the determination of plutonium mass in intermediate, transuranic or low level waste using passive neutron total coincidence or multiplicity counting, with a high detection efficiency. See also:
- ANTECH Model N2221-220 Passive Neutron Drum Monitor
- ANTECH Model B2307-220, Passive Neutron and Gamma ray Multiplicity Drum Monitor
It is based on the design of the ANTECH N2221-220 Passive Neutron Drum Monitor, but with higher detection efficiency. User-friendly Windows software controls the semi-automatic loading of 220 litre (55 gallon) drums and the neutron data acquisition and analysis algorithms. The instrument determines the Pu-240 effective mass (240Pueffective) and this data may be combined with Pu isotopic ratio data (from mass or gamma ray spectroscopy) to determine the mass of all of the individual plutonium isotopes. The neutron drum monitor can be integrated with an high purity germanium (HPGe) gamma ray drum scanner for plutonium isotopic ratio determination using, for example the PC/FRAM, MGA or other isotopic analysis code (see ANTECH B2307-220, Passive Neutron and Gamma ray Multiplicity Drum Monitor).
Aside from the detector modules, all other components of the model N2223-220 are the same as for the N2221-220 Passive Neutron Drum Monitor. The neutron detection system is again based on 16 rectangular polyethylene modules. Each of these modules contains eight ³He tubes that are connected to a high voltage junction box. Typically the tubes have a higher ³He gas pressure, which may be up to 7.5 atmospheres compared to the Model N2221-220 where the ³He gas pressure is 4 atmospheres. Each junction box contains an Amptek charge sensitive amplifier/ discriminator circuit and connections for high voltage, low voltage and signal cables. The detector modules are housed inside a 210 mm thick polyethylene outer shield that is covered in stainless steel. The internal and external module surfaces are covered in cadmium to absorb re-entrant thermal neutrons. This cadmium liner can be removed to increase the detection probability for coincidence and total neutron counting.
Drums for measurement are loaded manually (drum lifter or forklift) onto a drum carrier which moves on slide rails. A drum is loaded into the measurement chamber in the following automatic sequence:
- The Drum Monitor doors are opened using automatic linear actuators;
- A slide rail “drawbridge” is automatically lowered into position linking the external slide rails on which the drum carrier sits to slide rails in the measurement chamber;
- The drum on the drum carrier is moved into the measurement chamber by an electric motor driven “engine” which uncouples the drum carrier;
- The drum on the carrier remains in the chamber and the “engine” withdraws to its original drum loading position external to the measurement chamber;
- The slide rail “drawbridge” is automatically raised to its original position out of the chamber and clear of the doors;
- The Drum Monitor doors are closed and the neutron measurement starts.
This basic design is flexible and can be modified to fit specific requirements: the number of tubes may be increased (to increase counting efficiency), the moderator thickness may be adjusted (to vary the shielding and die away time), and lead shielding may be added (for the measurement of gamma ray active waste). Like the Model N2221-220, the Model N2223-220 is optimized for use with the ANTECH N1003 Neutron Time Correlation Analyser (TCA). The TCA provides data acquisition for both neutron coincidence and neutron multiplicity counting, as well as total neutron counting.
For pair correlation counting in neutron coincidence mode the frequency histogram collected by the TCA is used to generate the ‘Reals’ coincidence rates for each of the 16 modules. Each ‘Reals’ rate can be used with a multi-gate calibration function to determine the 240Pueffective mass from the total plutonium mass. Because of its high detection efficiency (ε), the Model N2223-220 is ideally suited for neutron multiplicity counting, as the neutron triples are counted with an efficiency of ε³. For a wide range of Plutonium Containing Materials (PCM) such as PuO2 and PCM with unitary neutron multiplication (M=1), triple neutron correlation may be used in absolute multiplicity counting mode. In these cases total plutonium mass and 240Pueffective are determined without the use of a calibration function and the matrix characteristics are determined from the measured detection efficiency.
Reference
A. C. Tolchard, M. R. Looman and J. A. Mason, “A Very High Efficiency Neutron Counter for the Measurement of Plutonium in Decommissioning Wastes”, Proceedings of ICEM03, Examination School, Oxford, England, September 2003. (ICEM03-4659)
Features
- Very high detection efficiency for coincidence and multiplicity counting with low background polyethylene shielding
- Semi-automatic drum loading and unloading
- Automated measurement procedure employing user friendly Windows based Neutron Coincidence Counting and Neutron Multiplicity software incorporating an analytical dead-time correction
- Instrument normally supplied with the ANTECH N1003 TCA with multiple gate neutron coincidence plutonium analysis software with including wide range calibration function
- ANTECH N1118 De-randomizing Buffer-Mixer Counter (DBMC) is included
- Optional Cf-252 Add-a-Source for matrix correction
Benefits
- Passive neutron coincidence counting with a suitable calibration
- Higher accuracy absolute passive neutron multiplicity assay (independent of sample matrix and without calibration) for appropriate PCM waste streams and sample types (M=1), due to high detection efficiency
- Suitable for PCM waste with a high alpha ratio (alpha<10)
- Optimised for use with the ANTECH N1003 TCA multiplicity counter electronics using 3 trigger methods and 16 simultaneous observation intervals (gate widths)
- DBMC provides Individual totals count and statistical analysis for each of the 16 counting chains (each chain has a separate head amplifier)
External dimensions (H x W x D) | 2100 mm x 1800 mm x 3300 mm | |
Detectors (typical) | 128 detector tubes, 25.4 mm x 1000 mm at 6 atmospheres (Cd shielded) | |
Detector efficiency | 35% (with Cd liner) / 41% to 45% (with Cd liner removed) | |
Typical measurement time | 20 minutes per drum | |
Die-away time | < 40 ms | |
Operating voltage | 1650 V (6 atm, ³He) | |
Estimated sensitivity at sea level | Multiplicity counting (n triple correlation) | 20 – 50 mg 240Pueffective (Cd liner fitted) |
Coincidence counting (n pair correlation) | 1.3 – 15 mg 240Pueffective (Cd liner fitted) equivalent to 20 – 250 mg total Pu |