Alternative Neutron Detection Testing Summary

Kouzes, Richard T. ; Ely, James H. ; Erikson, Luke E. ; Kernan, Warnick J. ; Lintereur, Azaree T. ; Siciliano, Edward R. ; Stromswold, David C. ; Woodring, Mitchell L.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (U.S.)

关键词: He3;    Plastics;    Testing;    Fibers;    Monitors;   

DOI  :  10.2172/981572
RP-ID  :  PNNL-19311
RP-ID  :  AC05-76RL01830
RP-ID  :  981572

美国|英语

来源: UNT Digital Library

【 摘 要 】

Radiation portal monitors used for interdiction of illicit materials at borders include highly sensitive neutron detection systems. The main reason for having neutron detection capability is to detect fission neutrons from plutonium. Most currently deployed radiation portal monitors (RPMs) use neutron detectors based upon 3He-filled gas proportional counters, which are the most common large area neutron detector. This type of neutron detector is used in the TSA and other RPMs installed in international locations and in the Ludlum and Science Applications International Corporation RPMs deployed primarily for domestic applications. There is a declining supply of 3He in the world and, thus, methods to reduce the use of this gas in RPMs with minimal changes to the current system designs and sensitivity to cargo-borne neutrons are being investigated. Four technologies have been identified as being currently commercially available, potential alternative neutron detectors to replace the use of 3He in RPMs. These technologies are: 1) Boron trifluoride-filled proportional counters, 2) Boron-lined proportional counters, 3) Lithium-loaded glass fibers, and 4) Coated wavelength-shifting plastic fibers. Reported here is a summary of the testing carried out at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory on these technologies to date, as well as measurements on 3He tubes at various pressures. Details on these measurements are available in the referenced reports. Sponsors of these tests include the Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Department of Defense (DoD), as well as internal Pacific Northwest National Laboratory funds.