CSER-98-009: antech neutron multiplicity counter for nondestructive analysis

The ANTECH neutron multiplicity counter is a portable nondestructive assay (NDA) instrument which measures plutonium content by counting fission neutrons in the presence of (a,n) neutrons. Neutrons from the (a,n) process are discriminated against through the use of coincidence counting. The instrument will be used for the purpose of determining inventory of plutonium in the Plutonium Finishing Plant (PFP). The portability of the instrument will facilitate this task by minimizing the necessity of transporting fissile material. The use of the Antech counter is approved based on the inherent safety of the containers to be assayed in that an acceptable margin of subcriticality has been demonstrated for all normal and credible abnormal conditions in accordance with HNF-PRO-537 (F, 1997). A summary of the results of the abnormal conditions are tabulated in Table 2. For foreseeable contingencies, the calculated k{sub eff}s are less than 0.95 after taking into account the calculational bias and statistical uncertainty equal to or larger than the 95% confidence level. This approval is based on the requirement that only one container is to be put in the counter at a time and in accordance with the other limits listed in section 1.4. The design of the current instrument conforms with the acceptability criteria which allow the other NDA detectors currently employed at the facility to be safely used