Computational and experimental forensics characterization of weapons-grade plutonium produced in a thermal neutron environment

Jeremy M. Osborn, Kevin J. Glennon, Evans D. Kitcher, Jonathan D. Burns, Charles M. Folden, Sunil S. Chirayath

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

The growing nuclear threat has amplified the need for developing diverse and accurate nuclear forensics analysis techniques to strengthen nuclear security measures. The work presented here is part of a research effort focused on developing a methodology for reactor-type discrimination of weapons-grade plutonium. To verify the developed methodology, natural UO2 fuel samples were irradiated in a thermal neutron spectrum at the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) and produced approximately 20 μg of weapons-grade plutonium test material. Radiation transport simulations of common thermal reactor types that can produce weapons-grade plutonium were performed, and the results are presented here. These simulations were needed to verify whether the plutonium produced in the natural UO2 fuel samples during the experimental irradiation at MURR was a suitable representative to plutonium produced in common thermal reactor types. Also presented are comparisons of fission product and plutonium concentrations obtained from computational simulations of the experimental irradiation at MURR to the nondestructive and destructive measurements of the irradiated natural UO2 fuel samples. Gamma spectroscopy measurements of radioactive fission products were mostly within 10%, mass spectroscopy measurements of the total plutonium mass were within 4%, and mass spectroscopy measurements of stable fission products were mostly within 5%.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)820-828
Number of pages9
JournalNuclear Engineering and Technology
Volume50
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2018
Externally publishedYes

Funding

A small portion of the funding (<10%) for this work including gamma spectrometry sample aliquot preparation, mass spectrometry sample preparation, and mass spectroscopy analysis was supported by the Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration through the Nuclear Science and Security Consortium under Award Number(s) DE-NA0003180 and/or DE-NA0000979 . This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implies, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof. The majority of the funding for this work (>90%) including the irradiation effort, computational effort, sample dissolution, and nondestructive analysis was supported by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security , Domestic Nuclear Detection Office under Grant Award Numbers: NSF Grant No. ECCS-1140018 , DHS-2012-DN-077-ARI1057-02&03 , and DHS-2015-DN-077-ARI1099 . The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as necessarily representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. A small portion of the funding (<10%) for this work including gamma spectrometry sample aliquot preparation, mass spectrometry sample preparation, and mass spectroscopy analysis was supported by the Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration through the Nuclear Science and Security Consortium under Award Number(s) DE-NA0003180 and/or DE-NA0000979. This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implies, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof.

Keywords

  • Neutron Irradiation
  • Nuclear Forensics
  • Weapons-grade Plutonium

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