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Python Performance Prediction Package for the PGET instrument: User Guide

The Performance Prediction Package (PPP) is a software suite for generating radiation transport results, or leveraging existing transport results, to produce synthetic emission tomography measurements of spent nuclear fuel assemblies. Such synthetic data can be used to mimic specific measurements, and to systematically investigate detection capabilities. Possible uses for the tool include: • Instrument design • Predictive evaluation of observables prior to an inspection visit • Post-measurement assessment of measured data • Evaluation of unusual cases – closed containers with anomalous objects • Sensitivity studies for planning inspections • Sensitivity studies for diversion scenarios • Evaluation of analysis methods A scenario is defined with an assembly type, burnup, and cooling time; as well as assembly rotation angle and position relative to the PGET instrument. Pin-to-pin activity variations or a burnup gradient may be present, but in an inspection scenario these are unlikely to be specified. The measurement will specify a measurement time and a particular detector for detector response, and an optional empirical correction can further adjust the model to better mimic the measurement. The goal is to detect missing pins, or burnup anomalies consistent with a pin substituted with a fresh pin after partial burnup.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Quantitative imaging and automated fuel pin identification for passive gamma emission tomography

Compliance of member States to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons is monitored through nuclear safeguards. The Passive Gamma Emission Tomography (PGET) system is a novel instrument developed within the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) project JNT 1510, which included the European Commission, Finland, Hungary and Sweden. The PGET is used for the verification of spent nuclear fuel stored in water pools. Advanced image reconstruction techniques are crucial for obtaining high-quality cross-sectional images of the spent-fuel bundle to allow inspectors of the IAEA to monitor nuclear material and promptly identify its diversion. In this work, we have developed a software suite to accurately reconstruct the spent-fuel cross sectional image, automatically identify present fuel rods, and estimate their activity. Unique image reconstruction challenges are posed by the measurement of spent fuel, due to its high activity and the self-attenuation. While the former is mitigated by detector physical collimation, we implemented a linear forward model to model the detector responses to the fuel rods inside the PGET, to account for the latter. The image reconstruction is performed by solving a regularized linear inverse problem using the fast-iterative shrinkage-thresholding algorithm. We have also implemented the traditional filtered back projection (FBP) method based on the inverse Radon transform for comparison and applied both methods to reconstruct images of simulated mockup fuel assemblies. Higher image resolution and fewer reconstruction artifacts were obtained with the inverse-problem approach, with the mean-square-error reduced by 50%, and the structural-similarity improved by 200%. We then used a convolutional neural network (CNN) to automatically identify the bundle type and extract the pin locations from the images; the estimated activity levels finally being compared with the ground truth. The proposed computational methods accurately estimated the activity levels of the present pins, with an associated uncertainty of approximately 5%.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Passive methods for spent fuel characterisation at the Finnish geological repository

Development of the Passive Gamma Emission Tomography (PGET) and Passive Neutron Albedo Reactivity (PNAR) methods in the context of the Finnish geological repository for spent nuclear fuel has shown that they provide, for BWR fuel assemblies, the comprehensive verification needed to meet the nuclear safeguards objectives of the repository. The principles of the PGET and PNAR methods and the design and operation of the respective instruments are presented. A few results from measurements at the spent fuel storage pools at the Finnish nuclear power plants are discussed. The directions of ongoing and future developments are indicated.

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL P↗

PNAR Measurement Report

STUK performed an NDA inspection at the spent fuel interim storage facility at Olkiluoto NPP during 22.7-26.7.2019. The inspection was also attended by experts from US DOELANL, Helsinki Institute of Physics, Euratom and IAEA and was made possible by the operators from TVO. The inspection included fuel verification with STUK’s new PNAR instrument and IAEA’s PGET. Simultaneous measurements were made possible with a support quadropod common for both instruments. The inspection and the results of the PGET verification are described in separate memorandums. This report focuses on the results of the PNAR verification. The inspection was the very first one performed with STUK’s PNAR instrument. Thus, the main goal of the inspection from the PNAR point-of-view was to demonstrate that the PNAR method works in practice, identify possible improvements and assess if PNAR can be utilized in SNF verification. Furthermore, the measurement campaign was an initial step in exploring the fuel parameter range where PNAR could be used and an initial investigation into quantifying the uncertainties of the system.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Novel method to assess gastric emptying in humans: the Pellet Gastric Emptying Test

To further validate the Pellet Gastric Emptying Test (PGET) as a marker of gastric emptying, a randomized, four-way crossover study was conducted with 12 healthy subjects. The study consisted of oral co-administration of enteric coated caffeine (CAFF) and acetaminophen (APAP) pellets in four treatment phases: Same Size (100 kcal), Fasted, Small Liquid Meal (100 kcal), and Standard Meal (847 kcal). The time of first appearance of measurable drug marker in plasma, t(initial), was taken as the emptying time for the markers. Co-administration of same size enteric coated pellets of CAFF and APAP (0.7 mm in diameter) revealed no statistically significant differences in t(initial) values indicating that emptying was dependent only on size and not on chemical make-up of the pellets. Co-administration of different size pellets indicated that the smaller 0.7-mm diameter (CAFF) pellets were emptied and absorbed significantly earlier than the larger 3.6-mm diameter (APAP) pellets with both the Small Liquid Meal (by 35 min) and the Standard Meal (by 33 min) (P<0.05). The differences in emptying of the pellets were not significant in the Fasted Phase. The results suggest that the pellet gastric emptying test could prove useful in monitoring changes in transit times in the fasted and fed states and their impact on drug absorption.

NASA Discipline Regulatory Physiology↗