- Irradiation of Nb-93 targets for ASTM International Inter-Laboratory Study of E1297, “Standard Test Method for Measuring Fast-Neutron Reaction Rates by Radioactivation of Niobium”.
Principal Investigator
- Name:
- Michael Reichenberger
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- (208) 526-6918
Team Members:
| Name: | Institution: | Expertise: | Status: |
|---|---|---|---|
| J Gan | |||
| Greg Fischer | Westinghouse | Industry expert in radiation dosimetry | Other |
| Patrick Griffin | Sandia National Laboratories | Sandia Laboratory Fellow, Expert in neutron dosimetry, ASTM E10.05 sub-committee chairman | Other |
Experiment Details:
- Experiment Title:
- Irradiation of Nb-93 targets for ASTM International Inter-Laboratory Study of E1297, “Standard Test Method for Measuring Fast-Neutron Reaction Rates by Radioactivation of Niobium”.)
- Hypothesis:
- The Nb-93 (n,n') Nb-93m reaction is widely used for neutron metrology in nuclear power and is described by ASTM E1297. Despite its utility, there has never been a formal comparison of measurement practices for use of ASTM E1297. ASTM has agreed to support shipping and material costs associated with this study, but irradiation of the Nb-93 samples is requested. This Inter-Laboratory Study will determine the precision and bias associated with the use of ASTM International Standard E1297.
- Work Description:
- The purpose of this RTE is to produce radioactive Nb-93m foils for use in the ASTM International Inter-Laboratory Study (ILS) of E1297, “Standard Test Method for Measuring Fast-Neutron Reaction Rates by Radioactivation of Niobium”. ASTM has agreed to cover all material and shipping costs associated with the ILS, and participating laboratories (a list of which will be assembled by ASTM before irradiation) agree to cover their own costs to perform the measurements. The ILS will determine the precision and bias associated with the use of Standard E1297. The niobium target material for this study will be IRMM-526B (0.1 mm-thickness niobium foil). This material is certified by the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM) to contain very low tantalum impurity levels and is widely used in reactor dosimetry applications. The material is distributed in 20 cm^2 sheets. One sheet of IRMM-526B material will be cut to create approximately 24 samples of target material, with each sample approximately 0.8 cm^2 in size and 70 mg in mass. The Radiation Measurements Laboratory (RML) at INL possesses precision punches and a calibrated scale for this purpose. The prepared foils will be transferred to the Neutron RADiography (NRAD) facility at the Hot Fuel Examination Facility (HFEF) at INL for irradiation. Plastic containers of an appropriate size are available at NRAD to contain all of the Nb-93 samples. The Nb-93 (n,n′) Nb-93m reaction has an energy threshold of approximately 0.5 MeV, so a low-energy neutron shield (e.g. cadmium) is not required for this application. The samples will be irradiated in the F1 dry port for a total fluence of approximately 1E16 n/cm^2. Following irradiation, the Nb-93m activity levels are expected to be on the order of 1 Bq/mg, and be characteristic of activity levels seen in niobium sensors irradiated in reactor cavity dosimetry positions at operating power reactors. The E1297 ILS is open to all domestic (USA-based) and international laboratories. ASTM will support shipping to domestic laboratories, but due to the unpredictable nature of customs and transportation charges for international radioactive shipments, international laboratories will be required to address issues associated with international sample shipping logistics/costs. Participating laboratories must cover their own costs (e.g. staff time, consumables, etc.) to measure the samples per ASTM E1297. At least one measurement must be performed. The organizers encourage the participants to perform multiple measurements of the sample material, thereby enabling an “intra-laboratory” estimate of precision. Should a participating laboratory elect to make multiple measurements, the measurements should be performed by the same operator.
Project Summary
Irradiation is requested in support of an ASTM International Inter-Laboratory Study (ILS) of the E1297 Standard Test Method for Measuring Fast-Neutron Reaction Rates by Radioactivation of Niobium. The Nb-93 (n,n′) Nb-93m reaction is widely used for neutron metrology in nuclear power and test reactors. This reaction is desirable because its energy response range is similar to the fast neutron (E > 1.0 MeV) fluence rate response function that is commonly used as a material damage correlation parameter. In addition, the 16-year half-life of the reaction product enables monitoring of materials over relatively long time intervals. Alternative reactions with similar energy response ranges and reaction product half-lives require fissile target material, such as U-238(n,f) and Np-237(n,f), which may be undesirable because of regulatory and logistical challenges associated with handling fissile material. In spite of its utility and its increasingly common use - particularly for nuclear power reactors - there has never been a formal comparison of measurement practices for the Nb-93 (n,n′) Nb-93m reaction using this ASTM standard. This ILS aims to establish obtainable precision and bias associated with the use of ASTM International Standard E1297 to make this measurement. ASTM has agreed to support shipping and material costs associated with this study, but irradiation of the Nb-93 samples is requested.
One sheet of IRMM-526B Niobium will be cut to create approximately 24 samples of target material, with each sample approximately 0.8 cm^2 in size and 70 mg in mass. The Radiation Measurements Laboratory (RML) at INL possesses precision punches and a calibrated scale for this purpose.
The prepared foils will be transferred to the Neutron RADiography (NRAD) facility at the Hot Fuel Examination Facility (HFEF) at INL for irradiation in the F1 dry port for a total fluence of approximately 1E16 n/cm^2. Following irradiation, the Nb-93m activity levels are expected to be on the order of 1 Bq/mg, characteristic of the activity levels seen in niobium sensors irradiated in reactor cavity dosimetry positions at operating power reactors.
The E1297 ILS is open to all domestic (USA-based) and international laboratories. ASTM will support shipping to domestic laboratories. Participating laboratories must cover their own costs (e.g. staff time, consumables, etc.) to measure the samples per ASTM E1297. At least one measurement must be performed. The organizers encourage the participants to perform multiple measurements of the sample material, thereby enabling an “intra-laboratory” estimate of precision.
The sample-preparation and irradiation components of the proposed work will take approximately 6 months, while the sample analysis (not part of the proposed work, but part of the ILS) may take up to 1 year for all participating laboratories to complete.
However, sample analysis at the RML, one participating laboratory at INL, will be completed within 3 months of the irradiation.
The results of this study will be used to determine the precision and biases associated with the use of ASTM E1297 standard and will be published in an appropriate manner (likely at the International Symposium for Reactor Dosimetry, ISRD18).
One sheet of IRMM-526B Niobium will be cut to create approximately 24 samples of target material, with each sample approximately 0.8 cm^2 in size and 70 mg in mass. The Radiation Measurements Laboratory (RML) at INL possesses precision punches and a calibrated scale for this purpose.
The prepared foils will be transferred to the Neutron RADiography (NRAD) facility at the Hot Fuel Examination Facility (HFEF) at INL for irradiation in the F1 dry port for a total fluence of approximately 1E16 n/cm^2. Following irradiation, the Nb-93m activity levels are expected to be on the order of 1 Bq/mg, characteristic of the activity levels seen in niobium sensors irradiated in reactor cavity dosimetry positions at operating power reactors.
The E1297 ILS is open to all domestic (USA-based) and international laboratories. ASTM will support shipping to domestic laboratories. Participating laboratories must cover their own costs (e.g. staff time, consumables, etc.) to measure the samples per ASTM E1297. At least one measurement must be performed. The organizers encourage the participants to perform multiple measurements of the sample material, thereby enabling an “intra-laboratory” estimate of precision.
The sample-preparation and irradiation components of the proposed work will take approximately 6 months, while the sample analysis (not part of the proposed work, but part of the ILS) may take up to 1 year for all participating laboratories to complete.
However, sample analysis at the RML, one participating laboratory at INL, will be completed within 3 months of the irradiation.
The results of this study will be used to determine the precision and biases associated with the use of ASTM E1297 standard and will be published in an appropriate manner (likely at the International Symposium for Reactor Dosimetry, ISRD18).
Relevance
The continued investigation of fast-neutron measurement techniques is critical to the development of both light-water and advanced nuclear reactor research.
Fast-neutron fluence is the most commonly desired irradiation parameter for nuclear reactor experiments, but is difficult to perform accurately.
The use of Nb foils for fast-neutron dosimetry is one manner of determining fluences for experiments at research reactors, and for analysis of power reactors.
ASTM International has developed and maintained the E1297 standard, but an inter-laboratory study (ILS) has never been completed to determine the precision and biases associated with this standard.
Completion of the proposed irradiation will allow participating laboratories to perform the E1297 standard procedure, creating the necessary data for ASTM examination.
The results of the ILS will enhance the value of the E1297 standard procedure, and guide the nuclear research community as future developments in nuclear energy are realized.
A high degree of synergy exists between the proposed irradiation and ASTM international to achieve the scientific outcome of the ILS.
In addition to the benefit to measurement laboratories, research reactor facilities, and commercial power operators who presently use the E1297 standard procedure, all NSUF experiments in ATR with dosimetry also take advantage of E1297 to measure fast-neutron fluence rate.
The wide range of beneficiaries for the proposed work demonstrate a clear need.
Successful completion of the proposed work will also develop a new route for scientists in the standards community to work with the NSUF to develop and test industry standards moving forward.
Fast-neutron fluence is the most commonly desired irradiation parameter for nuclear reactor experiments, but is difficult to perform accurately.
The use of Nb foils for fast-neutron dosimetry is one manner of determining fluences for experiments at research reactors, and for analysis of power reactors.
ASTM International has developed and maintained the E1297 standard, but an inter-laboratory study (ILS) has never been completed to determine the precision and biases associated with this standard.
Completion of the proposed irradiation will allow participating laboratories to perform the E1297 standard procedure, creating the necessary data for ASTM examination.
The results of the ILS will enhance the value of the E1297 standard procedure, and guide the nuclear research community as future developments in nuclear energy are realized.
A high degree of synergy exists between the proposed irradiation and ASTM international to achieve the scientific outcome of the ILS.
In addition to the benefit to measurement laboratories, research reactor facilities, and commercial power operators who presently use the E1297 standard procedure, all NSUF experiments in ATR with dosimetry also take advantage of E1297 to measure fast-neutron fluence rate.
The wide range of beneficiaries for the proposed work demonstrate a clear need.
Successful completion of the proposed work will also develop a new route for scientists in the standards community to work with the NSUF to develop and test industry standards moving forward.
About Us
The Nuclear Science User Facilities (NSUF) is the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy's only designated nuclear energy user facility. Through peer-reviewed proposal processes, the NSUF provides researchers access to neutron, ion, and gamma irradiations, post-irradiation examination and beamline capabilities at Idaho National Laboratory and a diverse mix of university, national laboratory and industry partner institutions.
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