A New convention for the epithermal neutron spectrum for improving accuracy of resonance integrals

Harada, Hideo; Takayama, Naoki; Komeda, Masao

Journal of Physics Communications (Internet), 4(8), p.085004_1 - 085004_17, 2020/08

https://doi.org/10.1088/2399-6528/aba735

A new convention of epithermal neutron spectrum is formulated for improving accuracy of resonance integrals. The new type function is proposed as an approximating function of epithermal neutron spectrum based on calculations by the state-of-art Monte Carlo code MVP-3. Bias effects on determination of resonance integrals due to utilizing approximating functions of the traditional types and the new type are compared. The other bias effect is also investigated, which is caused by neglecting position dependence of a neutron spectrum inside an irradiation capsule. For demonstrating the bias effects due to these assumptions on neutron spectrum quantitatively in a practical case, the thermal neutron-capture cross section and resonance integral of Cs measured at a research reactor JRR-3 are re-evaluated. A superior property of the proposed new convention is discussed. The experimental method is proposed to determine the new shape factor introduced in the convention by a combinational use of triple flux monitors (Au, Co and Zr), and its analytical methodology is formulated.

Conceptual study on a novel method for detecting nuclear material using a neutron source

Komeda, Masao; Toh, Yosuke

Annals of Nuclear Energy, 135, p.106993_1 - 106993_6, 2020/01

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anucene.2019.106993

This paper presents a conceptual study of a novel active method using a neutron source. The main feature of this new method is the fast rotation of a neutron source in order to derive the fission neutron counts and applying the counts to detect the nuclear material. Irradiating neutrons to a container that involves nuclear material, the measurement data include both neutrons from the neutron source and fission neutrons. However, if the neutron source is rotated quite fast, the components of the irradiation neutrons and fission neutrons are separated. Since this novel method does not require an expensive D-T tube, this new system is expected to be affordable and easy to assemble.

Performance evaluation of differential die-away system in an integrated active neutron NDA system for nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear security

Ozu, Akira; Maeda, Makoto; Komeda, Masao; Toh, Yosuke

Proceedings of 2018 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference (IEEE NSS/MIC 2018) (Internet), 4 Pages, 2019/10

https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8824736

Development of active neutron NDA system for radioactive nuclear materials

Toh, Yosuke; Ozu, Akira; Tsuchiya, Harufumi; Furutaka, Kazuyoshi; Kitatani, Fumito; Komeda, Masao; Maeda, Makoto; Koizumi, Mitsuo

Proceedings of INMM 60th Annual Meeting (Internet), 7 Pages, 2019/07

Corrigendum; Study of the neutron multiplication effect in an active neutron method [J Nucl Sci Technol. 2017;54(11):1233-1239]

Komeda, Masao; Ozu, Akira; Mori, Takamasa; Nakatsuka, Yoshiaki; Maeda, Makoto; Kureta, Masatoshi; Toh, Yosuke

Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 55(8), P. 962, 2018/08

https://doi.org/10.1080/00223131.2018.1426290

We correct the derivation of equations in the derivation of equations in the paper of "Study of the neutron multiplication effect in an active neutron methods [J Nucl Sci Technol. 2017;54(11):1233-1239]". Although the derivations are not correct, the obtained equations are correct. Therefore, the results and discussions of the paper remain the same.

Production and detection of fission-induced neutrons following fast neutron direct interrogation to various dry materials containing U

Sakoda, Akihiro; Nakatsuka, Yoshiaki; Ishimori, Yuu; Nakashima, Shinichi; Komeda, Masao; Ozu, Akira; Toh, Yosuke

Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 55(6), p.605 - 613, 2018/06

https://doi.org/10.1080/00223131.2017.1417175

For better nuclear material accountancy, we had developed a non-destructive assay system dedicated to uranium waste drums (JAWAS-N: JAEA Waste Assay System at Ningyo-toge). The system is based on a fast neutron direct interrogation (FNDI) method. To clarify the characteristics of the FNDI method and the performance of JAWAS-N, experimental and computational mock-up tests were carried out using various dry materials that contained known amounts of natural uranium. As a result, linearity between the die-away time () and the counts of fast neutrons attributed to U fission was confirmed experimentally and analytically. Moreover, the MCNP simulation was performed to discuss the radial and axial dependences of U fission probability, neutron detection efficiency, and sensitivity on uranium distributions in the drum. The simulation results agreed with the empirical results reported in a previous paper, providing valuable information on the practice of FNDI-based uranium determination. Furthermore, the nominal detection limits of natural uranium in JAWAS-N were estimated to be 15, 4, and 2 g for = 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 msec, respectively. The findings obtained here will contribute to the implementation of the FNDI method to assess the quantities of U in actual uranium waste drums.

Characterization study of four candidate technologies for nuclear material quantification in fuel debris at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station

Nagatani, Taketeru; Komeda, Masao; Shiba, Tomooki; Nauchi, Yasushi*; Maeda, Makoto; Sagara, Hiroshi*; Kosuge, Yoshihiro*; Kureta, Masatoshi; Tomikawa, Hirofumi; Okumura, Keisuke; et al.

Energy Procedia, 131, p.258 - 263, 2017/12

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2017.09.447

Study of the neutron multiplication effect in an active neutron method

Komeda, Masao; Ozu, Akira; Mori, Takamasa; Nakatsuka, Yoshiaki; Maeda, Makoto; Kureta, Masatoshi; Toh, Yosuke

Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, 54(11), p.1233 - 1239, 2017/11

https://doi.org/10.1080/00223131.2017.1359118

The previous active neutron method cannot remove the influence of the multiplication effect of neutrons produced by second- and subsequent fission reactions, and it might overestimate the amount of nuclear material if an item contains large amounts. In this paper, we discussed the correction method for the neutron multiplication effect on the measured data in the fast neutron direct interrogation (FNDI) method, one of the active neutron methods, supposing that the neutron multiplication effect is caused mainly by third-generation neutrons from the second-fission reactions under the condition that the forth-generation neutrons are much fewer. This paper proposed a correction method for the neutron multiplication effect in the measured data. Moreover we have shown a possibility that this correction method gives rough estimates of the effective neutron multiplication factor and the subcriticality.

R&D of active neutron NDA techniques for nuclear nonproliferation and nuclear security, 3; Validation of neutron transport code for design of NDA system

Maeda, Makoto; Komeda, Masao; Tobita, Hiroshi; Ozu, Akira; Kureta, Masatoshi; Bogucarska, T.*; Crochemore, J. M.*; Varasano, G.*; Pedersen, B.*

Dai-37-Kai Kaku Busshitsu Kanri Gakkai Nippon Shibu Nenji Taikai Rombunshu (CD-ROM), 7 Pages, 2017/02

JAEA and EC/JRC are carrying out collaborative research to develop NDA techniques that can be utilized for quantification of high radioactive special nuclear materials such as spent fuel and next generation minor actinide fuels. In the research, reliability of neutron transport codes is important because it is utilized for design and development of a demonstration system of next-generation Differential Die-away (DDA) technique in JAEA. In order to evaluate the reliability, actual neutron flux distribution in a sample cavity was examined in PUNITA device using JRC type DDA technique and JAWAS-T device using JAEA type DDA technique, and then the measurement results were compared with the simulation results obtained by the neutron transport codes. The neutron flux distribution in the target matrix was also examined in the PUNITA and compared with the simulation results. We report on the measurement and simulation results of the neutron flux distribution and evaluation results of the reliability of the neutron transport codes.

Comparison between simulation and experimental results for neutron flux in DDA systems

Maeda, Makoto; Komeda, Masao; Ozu, Akira; Kureta, Masatoshi; Toh, Yosuke; Bogucarska, T.*; Crochemore, J. M.*; Varasano, G.*; Pedersen, B.*

EUR-28795-EN (Internet), p.694 - 701, 2017/00

http://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/bitstream/JRC107151/esarda_symposium_proceedings-final.pdf