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DOE OSTI · 3018373

Non-Destructive Plutonium Assay in Pyroprocessing Bulk Materials with a 3D Boron-Coated-Straw Detector Array

Fang, Ming [UIUC]·Breitenmoser, David [University of Michigan]·Clarke, Shaun [UM]·Thompson, Scott J [Idaho National Laboratory] (ORCID:0000000321531161)·Chichester, David L [Idaho National Laboratory] (ORCID:0000000285114458)·DiFulvio, Angela [University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign]
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Abstract

Assessment of plutonium content through all the processing steps is needed and is a challenging task. While several destructive assay methods have been developed for nuclear material accountability, a nondestructive assay (NDA) system for the assessment of plutonium in bulk materials is still needed. This system should withstand pyroprocessing harsh environments and have consistent sensitivity and accuracy despite different fuel form factors. We aim to enable the accurate assessment of the plutonium content of nuclear material during pyroprocessing to improve the separation process and enhance its proliferation resistance. We plan to achieve this goal by developing and demonstrating a new 3D boron-coated-straw neutron detector array (3D-BCSDA) with high efficiency and spatial resolution.

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11 - NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS46 - INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYBoron Coated Straws

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Fang, Ming [UIUC], Breitenmoser, David [University of Michigan], Clarke, Shaun [UM], Thompson, Scott J [Idaho National Laboratory] (ORCID:0000000321531161), Chichester, David L [Idaho National Laboratory] (ORCID:0000000285114458), DiFulvio, Angela [University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign]. 2025-11-12. Non-Destructive Plutonium Assay in Pyroprocessing Bulk Materials with a 3D Boron-Coated-Straw Detector Array. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/3018373

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