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The Impact of 234U α-emission Induced Radiolysis on UF6 Storage Composition for Non-destructive Verification via Passive Neutron Counting

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The Impact of 234U α-emission Induced Radiolysis on UF6 Storage Composition for Non-destructive Verification via Passive Neutron Counting. / Byrne, S.; Favalli, A.; Croft, S.
In: ESARDA Bulletin, Vol. 66, 31.12.2024, p. 28-34.

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Byrne S, Favalli A, Croft S. The Impact of 234U α-emission Induced Radiolysis on UF6 Storage Composition for Non-destructive Verification via Passive Neutron Counting. ESARDA Bulletin. 2024 Dec 31;66:28-34. Epub 2024 Jun 10. doi: 10.3011/ESARDA.IJNSNP.2024.3

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@article{c73cde46b04c44199adb785254a2cdec,
title = "The Impact of 234U α-emission Induced Radiolysis on UF6 Storage Composition for Non-destructive Verification via Passive Neutron Counting",
abstract = "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.",
keywords = "UF radiolysis, UF verification, non-destructive assay, nuclear safeguards",
author = "S. Byrne and A. Favalli and S. Croft",
year = "2024",
month = jun,
day = "10",
doi = "10.3011/ESARDA.IJNSNP.2024.3",
language = "English",
volume = "66",
pages = "28--34",
journal = "ESARDA Bulletin",
issn = "0392-3029",
publisher = "Publications Office of the European Union",

}

RIS

TY - JOUR

T1 - The Impact of 234U α-emission Induced Radiolysis on UF6 Storage Composition for Non-destructive Verification via Passive Neutron Counting

AU - Byrne, S.

AU - Favalli, A.

AU - Croft, S.

PY - 2024/6/10

Y1 - 2024/6/10

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

KW - UF radiolysis

KW - UF verification

KW - non-destructive assay

KW - nuclear safeguards

U2 - 10.3011/ESARDA.IJNSNP.2024.3

DO - 10.3011/ESARDA.IJNSNP.2024.3

M3 - Journal article

VL - 66

SP - 28

EP - 34

JO - ESARDA Bulletin

JF - ESARDA Bulletin

SN - 0392-3029

ER -