A nondestructive method of determining the mass of large plutonium samples which is based on measuring their characteristic γ radiation is presented. The mass and the isotopic composition of the plutonium were determined according to a single measured γ spectrum in two energy ranges: the middle range, where the isotopic composition of plutonium is determined from the lines of the plutonium isotopes, and high-energy, where the radiation of the products of the spontaneous fission of plutonium gives information about the mass of the sample. The dependence of the counting rate in the peaks of the fission products on the effective mass of 240Pu was calibrated according to measurements performed with standard samples of the enterprise. As a result of the measurements, corrections were made for the self-absorption of γ radiation and induced fission, which were calculated by the Monte Carlo method. The error in determining the plutonium dioxide mass is 3–10% for containers with different cool-down times and isotopic composition of plutonium.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
V. F. Zhukov, “The system of plutonium dioxide accounting control and physical protection at the plant RT-1, P/A MAYAK,” in: Proc. Russian Int. Conf. on Nuclear and Accounting, Obninsk, March 9–14, 1997, Vol. I, pp. 64–76.
D. Reilly, N. Ensslin, H. Smith, et al., Passive Nondestructive Assay of Nuclear Materials, LA-UR-90-732, March 1991.
T. Sampson, T. Kelley, and D. Vo, Model S575. PC/FRAM Isotopics Software. Version 4.4, User’s Manual, LA-UR-02-5268, August 2003.
A. V. Bushuev, A. L. Bosko, V. N. Zubarev, et al., “Development of the method for characterization of samples containing spontaneously fissioning nuclides using fission products gamma-spectrometry,” JNMM, 31, No. 1, 59–62 (2002).
A. B. Koldobskii, V. M. Zhivun, and E. K. Kondar, “Unification of semiempirical methods of calculating and evaluating the yields of fragment nuclides and delayed neutron with induced and spontaneous fission of actinide nuclei and their mixtures,” MIFI Reprot, No. GR-0120.0 505405 (2004).
T. B. Aleeva, A. V. Bushuev, V. N. Zubarev, et al., “Development of an isotopic correlations method for determining the relative content of 242Pu in plutonium samples,” At. Énerg., 106, No. 6, 340–342 (2009).
MCNP-a General Monte Carlo N-Particle Transport Code, Version 4B, LA-12625-M (1997).
V. V. Ovechkin, “Investigation of γ radiation of fluorine compounds of 239Pu,” At. Énerg., 48, No. 1, 48–51 (1980).
GammaVision-32, Version 6, Advanced Measurement Technology, Inc., ORTEC (2003).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Translated from Atomnaya Énergiya, Vol. 108, No. 1, pp. 35–39, January, 2010.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bushuev, A.V., Kozhin, A.F., Aleeva, T.B. et al. Determination of the plutonium mass in containers with plutonium dioxide according to the γ radiation from spontaneous-fission products. At Energy 108, 46–52 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10512-010-9255-6
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10512-010-9255-6