Accepted author manuscript, 404 KB, PDF document
Available under license: CC BY: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
Final published version
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
<mark>Journal publication date</mark> | 31/12/2024 |
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<mark>Journal</mark> | ESARDA Bulletin |
Volume | 66 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Pages (from-to) | 28-34 |
Publication Status | E-pub ahead of print |
Early online date | 10/06/24 |
<mark>Original language</mark> | English |
The mass of 235 U present in storage cylinders containing low enriched uranium (LEU) in the form of uranium hexafluoride (UF 6) may be verified nondestructively using a combination of gamma-ray based enrichment meter and passive neutron counting techniques. A hypothetical concern is that the (α,n) production rate in aged bulk UF 6 might differ from that of fresh material if the chemical composition changes over time, the thought being that this could be initiated by the self-induced radiation field, the process known as radiolysis. To support the physics-based interpretation of the observations Croft et al. measured, in 2020, for the specific 234 U-driven (α,n)-yield in UF 6, this work reviews available literature to quantify the possible impact of radiolysis on (α,n) production rate. Building on the review, a radiochemical yield value, G = 0.5 molecules of F 2 per 100 eV is selected, to calculate the impact of UF5 production – via radiolysis – on the (α,n)-yield. Calculations demonstrate a negligible impact on bulk UF 6 concentration and respective neutron yield.