The Model 2340-20 Mobile Packet Monitor is a Passive Neutron Coincidence Counter (PNCC) Assay System which makes quantitative measurements of the plutonium-240 effective (240Pueff) content of Pu/MOX fuel samples. It can detect and measure from a few grams up to kilogram quantities of plutonium in Pu/MOX fuel items. The system is capable of assaying fissile materials such as plutonium and americium within various matrices. The results obtained can be used as the definitive nuclear material declaration value of packages for safety, criticality control and nuclear materials safeguards purposes. This information can be combined with the isotopic information from the Gamma Spectrometer to provide a complete isotopic inventory of plutonium present in each package.
Two pieces of equipment make up the integrated system:
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- A Packet Monitor, consisting of a Passive Neutron Coincidence Counter (PNCC) Assay System for the measurement of fissile material present in fuel packages combined with a Gamma Spectrometer, which provides the isotopic ratios for Plutonium and Americium present in fuel packages, with both systems mounted on a single portable compact chassis.
- A Workstation connects to both pieces of equipment and houses the neutron counting electronics and power sources, the main computer and provides a User Interface for operation of the equipment and combining of data from these two measurements to provide a complete inventory of the Pu fissile material present in the packages.
- Compact and portable system with two instruments mounted on one chassis.
- Adaptable neutron assay system design configurable for either Passive or Active measurements.
- Automatically adjustable collimator reduces dead-time effects and gamma measurement time.
- ²⁴¹Am background can be eliminated by use of Cd absorber filters.
- User software enables both the neutron and gamma instruments to function as an integrated system, or to be used independently
Benefits
- High neutron detection efficiency for coincidence counting.
- ANTECH Model N1081 De-randomizing Buffer-Mixer Counter (DBMC) is included.
- Instrument compatable with ANTECH N1003 TCA and UNC 2000 with multiple gate neutron coincidence plutonium analysis software, including wide range calibration function.
- Removable neutron chamber inserts and plug units with or without cadmium liners for Active or Passive measurements
- Flexible plug unit design into which an interrogation source can be installed for Active measurements.
- Gamma system compatible with ORTEC PCFRAM analysis software.
- Highly shielded gamma measurement chamber to minimise background effects.
- Automatically adjustable detector collimator.
- Range of cadmium filters to reduce ²⁴¹Am background.
- Standalone Workstation can be located remote from the system.
- System supplied with neutron assay and gamma measurement and analysis software.
Features
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Description
The PNCC consists of an array of 30 x 3He detectors arranged in two annular rings around the outside of the chamber in a polyethylene moderator. The detectors are grouped into six (6) channels, with each channel connected to an Amptek A111 high count rate amplifier. The output from each amplifier connects to an ANTECH A2000 TTL-LVDS convertor to provide a single output train to the neutron counting electronics for true lossless counting, which is particularly important for high count-rate applications. The system is designed for flexibility and can easily be converted into an Active Well Coincidence Counter by exchanging the removable chamber liners and inserting of a pair of interrogation sources in the plug units.
The High Purity Germanium (HPGe) Gamma Spectrometer consists of a high resolution gamma spectrometry data acquisition and analysis system and is designed primarily for isotopic analysis of Pu/MOX fuel. However, it can easily be configured to assay other isotopic materials.
The Workstation consists of an enclosure which houses the system main computer and the neutron counting electronics, which operates the neutron system and acquires raw measurement data. It is fitted with a worktop onto which an LCD monitor and keyboard/mouse can be mounted. A gland plate at the rear of the cabinet provides connection points for power to the Workstation, power and signal to the Neutron Assay System and signal from the Gamma Spectrometer. Both instruments can be fitted with additional data take-off points for independent safeguards monitoring and surveillance.
The sample measurement time for each instrument is typically between 10 to 20 minutes. The analysis software terminates a measurement at a pre-set time configured by the user. Should the accuracy not be reached within this period, the user can extend the count time for an additional pre-set time.
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Specifications
Neutron detectors30 x Model RS-P4-0820-121Measurement Chamber Dimensions430mm H, 160mm Diameter 17.6" H, 6.5" diameterDetection Efficiency>35% typical (with cadmium liner)Measurement RangePu only packages
Approximately 2g - 70g ²⁴⁰Pueffective mass
MOX packages with U:Pu ratios of up to 300:1
Approximately 5g - 100g ²⁴⁰Pueffective mass
Die Away Time47μs typical
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