Ever since there has been spent fuel (SF), researchers have made nondestructive assay (NDA) measurements of that fuel to learn about its content. In general these measurements have focused on the simplest signatures (passive photon and total neutron emission) and the analysis has often focused on diversion detection and on determining properties such as burnup (BU) and cooling time (CT). Because of shortcomings in current analysis methods, inspectorates and policy makers are interested in improving the state-of-the-art in SF NDA. For this reason the U.S. Department of Energy, through the Next Generation Safeguards Initiative (NGSI), targeted the determination of elemental Pu mass in SF as a technical goal. As part of this research effort, 14 nondestructive assay techniques were studied . This wide range of techniques was selected to allow flexibility for the various needs of the safeguards inspectorates and to prepare for the likely integration of one or more techniques having complementary features. In the course of researching this broad range of NDA techniques, several cross-cutting issues were. This paper will describe some common issues and insights. In particular we will describe the following: (1) the role of neutron absorbers with emphasis on how these absorbers vary in SFmore » as a function of initial enrichment, BU and CT; (2) the need to partition the measured signal among different isotopic sources; and (3) the importance of the “first generation” concept which indicates the spatial location from which the signal originates as well as the isotopic origins.« less

Technical Cross-cutting Issues for the Next Genera

In order to solve the problem of high-amplitude and high-frequency interference generated by the electric drive system of new energy vehicles, the author proposes a closed-loop research method for on-load electromagnetic compatibility testing and simulation for electric drive systems of new energy vehicles. The method includes EMC design of the electric drive system on-load test equipment, establishment of a conducted EMI simulation platform for the electric drive system under load conditions, and optimization of the conducted EMI performance of the electric drive system based on key parameters and PWM control. Experimental results show that if the parasitic inductance of the IGBT gate increases, the conducted emission level in the frequency range of 2∼30 MHz will increase, and there is basically no change at the low frequency, and the position of each resonance point shifts to the relatively low frequency. The experiment was replaced with the DPWM3 modulation mode, and the conducted emission amplitude was reduced by about 2 dBμV in the range of 200 kHz∼2 MHz, and there was basically no change on the whole. Conclusion. It is proved that the electromagnetic compatibility closed-loop development technology of the electric drive system of new energy vehicles under load conditions can meet the development needs of new energy vehicles in the environment where energy problems and air pollution problems are becoming more and more serious.

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On-Load Electromagnetic Compatibility Test and Simulation Closed-Loop of the Electric Drive System of New Energy Vehicles

A concept model of a measurement station for gamma-ray spectroscopy for safeguards verification of spent fuel from the future MYRRHA facility has been developed using MCNP6.2. The measurement station consists of a collimator and a lanthanum bromide detector which are placed adjacent to a cylindrical container with the fuel assembly submerged in lead–bismuth eutectic for cooling. The total count rate as well as the peak-area uncertainties for several gamma-ray peaks have been studied for a number of measurement geometries to determine the optimal collimator dimensions and assess how the performance depends on the lead–bismuth container geometry. Finally, the contribution from each fuel pin in the assembly to the detected signal has been determined as a function of gamma-ray energy to determine if the inner parts of the fuel assembly can be assayed with gamma-ray measurements. The results show that the dimensions of the lead–bismuth container will have a considerable effect on both the total count rate and the peak-area uncertainties, but that gamma-ray spectroscopy could be used for verification of spent fuel from MYRRHA. 

Simulation study of gamma-ray spectroscopy on MYRRHA spent fuel located in lead-bismuth eutectic

The Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK•CEN) is at the forefront of heavy liquid-metal (HLM) nuclear technology worldwide with the development of the Multi-purpose hYbrid Research Reactor for High...

M. Preston

Papers

Analysis of radiation emission from MYRRHA spent fuel and implications for non-destructive safeguards verification