Engineering topics

Britton Jr, Chuck

Publications and source records attributed to Britton Jr, Chuck.

3 records

DOE OSTI2018

Verification Data Pattern Recognition and Change Detection at the Neutron Instrument Level

As the pressure on International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards resources increases, there is a drive to essentially “do more with less.” New ways of using current verification instrumentation and visualizing the collected data are needed, coupled with maintaining and sustaining the current safeguards instrumentation fleet. This paper explores how to innovate with current safeguards neutron instrumentation using data-driven algorithms at the instrument level. A concept is described for upgrading current neutron counting systems with modern electronics by leveraging electronics developments in other fields (e.g., high-energy physics) to facilitate full list mode data acquisition and, therefore, expand existing analyses to pattern recognition and change detection at the instrument level. The aim is to advance correlated neutron counting by improving the reliability of detecting nuclear material diversion and, at the same time, to improve the sustainability of those systems. It is likely that upgrading existing systems with new hardware and software is more cost-effective than replacing systems with other novel systems that might meet this need. A specific project example is highlighted in which a system was upgraded by retrofitting the standard uranium neutron collar detector with new electronics; as a result, verification data can be analyzed in new ways. A new neutron analysis method, the “List Mode Response Matrix,” has been developed to analyze every pulse train from the detector array and thus enable the verification of spatial information about the assay item for safeguards inspections. This project has improved the reliability of resolving individual fuel pin locations within a given fresh fuel assembly and the percentage of partial defects detected. Herein, the overall concept of upgrading current neutron counting systems is discussed with respect to the potential increase in analysis capabilities. In addition, the details and results of the list mode collar project are discussed.

Worrall, Louise G.↗

DOE OSTI2018

Advancing the Authenticatable Container Tracking System (ACTS)

The Authenticatable Container Tracking System (ACTS) is an extensible secure container tag that can be used to optimize chain-of-custody monitoring for packaged nuclear materials as they are being stored, processed, and transported. Based on the ultra–low power TI MSP430 mixed-signal microcontroller, ACTS is an active device that uses an almost-universal core platform that can be appropriately configured with expansion modules to provide the application-specific data acquisition, data logging, container sealing, and communications functions needed for 21st century material accountancy, monitoring, and tracking applications. This core architecture enables appropriately designed modules to be easily interfaced to the basic system, providing an integration path for current and new technologies. ACTS contains a built-in set of sensors and supports an expansion bus for up to six additional communications, tracking, authentication, encryption, sealing, location, or sensing modules that may enhance the monitoring and tracking of designated containers for specific applications. To date, testing has used an IEEE 802.15.4-2011 ultra-wideband–compliant wireless transceiver module that has additional capabilities for indoor positioning and proximity location. Proximity-based location (i.e., where an ACTS tag knows where it is relative to other ACTS tags) will be explored as a continuity-of-knowledge mechanism to determine unauthorized movement of containers in storage arrays of many items. Partners for this system are Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, Savannah River National Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and commercialization partner the Aquila Group.

Younkin, Jim↗

DOE OSTI2018

Advanced Neutron Counting Electronics Designed and Implemented on the JCC-71 Neutron Coincidence Collar to Replace Standard JAB-01 Preamplifier/Amplifier/Discriminator Boards

New in-house neutron counting electronics were designed and built at Oak Ridge National Laboratory to replace the Canberra Industries JAB-01 preamplifier/amplifier/discriminator boards on their JCC-71 Neutron Coincidence Collar model system. The new electronics include a preamplifier and motherboard design, which fit inside the footprint of the existing junction box, as well as an external “ORNL Neutron Collar Processor” board. The goal of the new electronics is to provide the same neutron processing functionalities as the JAB-01 boards and extend the capabilities of the JCC-71 system by placing a preamplifier on each of the 18 3He tubes to facilitate neutron list mode data acquisition. Each 3He tube is then capable of producing an individual signal output to be analyzed using a list mode data acquisition system such as the PTR-32 or N2000. List mode data analysis provides the opportunity to use all 18 signal channels to produce a spatial response matrix to assay fresh nuclear fuel assemblies. This paper describes the development of the new electronics and provides performance comparison measurements between the two electronics board systems using list mode data acquisition.

Moore, Angela↗