NINS3 project

Pauli Peura

Helsinki Institute of Physics

Nuclear Science and Technology Symposium 2016

2.11.2016, Helsinki

Outline

q Administrative information

q R&D Topics

q Research to Business (R2B)

q Outlook

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NINS3 project

• Novel instrumentation forNuclear Safety, Security and Safeguards (NINS3)

• A 4-year funding from Tekes via the FiDiProprogram, 2015 – 2018.

• Integral part of the National Radiation SafetyResearch Program

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NINS3 project• Project partners:² Helsinki Institute of Physics (HIP),² Tampere University of Technology (TUT),² STUK,² and a consortium of companies in Finland

• Reporting to Tekes three times a year• Regular Steering Group meetings

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PersonnelResearchers funded by the project (UH)• FiDiPro professor (4 months/year), project leader

Peter Dendooven• Postdocs (4-years) stationed at HIP, research topics 1&3

Camille Bélanger-Champagne, Pauli Peura• PhD student (4-years) stationed at TUT, research topic 2

Thomas Kerst

STUK: Kari PeräjärviTapani Honkamaa

HIP: Paula Eerola (project PI)Eija TuominenJaakko Härkönen

TUT: Juha Toivonen

JYU: Ari JokinenBME: Ferenc LévaiJRC-ITU: Erich Hrnecek

Senior researchers not funded by the project

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R&D Topic 1 - Passive tomography ofspent nuclear fuel

• A prototype of a passive gamma-raytomography (PGET) device exists:

STUK / HUN / IAEA collaboration.• Gamma-ray emission tomography can

detect a single replaced fuel rod.

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T. Honkamaa, STUK

• Testing for partial defects: diversion of part of the fuel toundeclared purposes.

• IAEA policy: High detection probability is needed.

• Final disposal of spent nuclear fuel in Finland:A suitable fuel-inspection device is needed. Reconstructed image,

PGET prototype data

Topic 1 – PGET prototype

Side view

Top view

Collimator

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Topic 1 - NINS3• Geant4 Monte Carlo simulations for investigating improved

technology: detectors, collimator construction• Focus on the applications in Finland• Image reconstruction software & knowledge transfer from

Budapest, Hungary.

T. Honkamaa, STUK

Reconstructed image

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C. Bélanger-Champagne, HIP

Simulation geometry• Testing of new ideasusing prototype devices

Electronics upgrade• Electronics upgrade financed by

IAEA. NINS3 will participate intesting of the updated PGET.

• Experiments to be performed withthe upgraded device in 2017.

T. Honkamaa, STUK

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R&D Topic 2 – Alpha-radiation andthreat detection from a distance

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• Alpha particles kick outelectrons.

• The secondary electronsexcite N2 (for example).

• UV light is emitted.• Range of light >> range of

alpha particles in air.

Topic 2 – Earlier work

Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel pellets (6 g), 60 s exposure; J. Sand et al., CLEO Europe, 12-16 May 2013, Munich,Germany

Daylight image UV image (in darkness) Overlay image

• Earlier research performed at TUT / STUK: passive detectionof ionization-induced UV luminescence of air

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Topic 2 - NINS3

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Topic 2 - NINS3

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Topic 2 - NINS3

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àChange of gas mixture around the alphaparticle source can have a big effect onthe emitted light spectrum.

Further work:• Increase of UV light yield (passive / active

ways) in the solar-blind region (λ < 300 nm)• Mimic real-life threat scenarios, use

techniques on realistic sources

R&D Topic 3 – Active neutroninterrogation of unknown objects

• Development of existing efforts incollaboration with JHV Physics Oy andHT Nuclear Oy

• Geant4 Monte Carlo simulations,where both the neutron source anddetector specifications are considered.

• Possibilities to improve the gamma-raydetection systems?

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• Measure/image neutron-induced isotope-specificγ radiation of unknown objects that are e.g. (suspected)explosives, chemical weapons

C. Bélanger-Champagne, HIP

Unknownobject

Gamma-raydetector

Neutrons

Topic 3 – NINS3

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Energy, MeV

All neutrons start withEn = 2.5 MeV.

Neutron sample sizeswere 107 – 108.

C. Bélanger-Champagne, HIP

Topic 3 – NINS3

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Energy, eV

C. Bélanger-Champagne, HIP

Topic 3 – NINS3

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H

14N

Detected gammas:

54Fe

56Fe

56Fe

C. Bélanger-Champagne, HIP

Gamma-raydetector

Research to Business (R2B)• Preparation, planning and

testing of commercializationpotential of the ideas generatedin the project.

• Market Research Report in2015

• Next: Identify promisinginventions and start planningtheir commercialization

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Outlook• R&D Topic 1

– PGET prototype electronics update: NINS3 / STUK to join testing ofthe updated instruments and the measurement campaigns at NPPsites.

– MC simulations of the PGET prototype will be performed.– Image reconstruction methods are to be investigated.

• R&D Topic 2– Setting up the laser setup for the active detection of alpha-radiation-

induced fluorescence• R&D Topic 3

– Simulations: implementation of neutron source and activation ofobjects done. Compare simulations with simple measurementsperformed at STUK.

– Better performance of the NAA system when using electronicneutron-generators is to be expected.

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Thank you!

Paula Eerola, Peter Dendooven, Juha ToivonenCamille Bélanger-Champagne, Pauli Peura, Thomas Kerst

http://research.hip.fi/hwp/nins3/pauli.peura@helsinki.fi

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