Course Information s7

Course Information  General information

 Courses types/Description  NDA basic physics  Uranium enrichment determination by gamma-ray spectrometry  Plutonium isotopic composition determination by gamma-ray spectrometry  Active neutron interrogation  Passive neutron assay  Pu physical inventory verification (PIV)  Advanced hands-on RADAR/CRISP/XSEAT  Tank calibration

 Travel Information

 Access to JRC/Ispra  Hotels

Training Schedule

 2007 Training schedule

General

The Joint Research Centre of the European Union, esp. the Nuclear Safeguards Unit at the Institute for the Protection and the Security of the Citizen (IPSC) in Ispra, Italy, offers training courses for nuclear material inspectors. The courses are intended for inspectors of EURATOM, the IAEA, national authorities and also for persons in charge of nuclear material in industrial installations. The aim of all courses is to provide basic knowledge and especially practical skills with the methods and instruments used in inspections. The courses are held in the PERLA laboratory, which disposes of a wide variety of nuclear material samples and all basic measurement instruments used for non-destructive assay of nuclear material.

For general information: [email protected]

EURATOM inspectors can consult for additional information about the courses the DG TREN / DG JRC task management system. NDA basic physics

Purpose

The course is an introduction to basic physics principles which are applied or are handicaps with NDA safeguards measurements. The aims are:

- to recall some basic physics knowledge, - to familiarize with physics effects with radiation emission and detection and - to give the participants a general feeling for the role, advantages and limitations of inspection measurements on nuclear material.

The course is mainly designed for newly recruited safeguards inspectors, but also to inspectors who want to refresh their knowledge.

The detection of gamma radiation and neutrons is always directly related to special safeguards instruments or measurements discussed with the following aims:

- to explain the physical mode of operation of typical measurement chains, - to clarify what information can be obtained by measuring a special radiation, - to show limitations of the methods, - to compare methods in view of their advantages and disadvantages, - to become familiar with techniques for gamma spectrometry and neutron counting.

Finally some important NDA safeguards instruments are considered with respect to the basic principles applied here.

The lessons include a limited number of small experiments to be shown to the participants, furthermore some sets of test questions and calculation exercises.

Course contents

1. Atom and nuclei 2. Radioactivity 3. Nuclear reactions 4. Interactions of radiation with matter 5. Attenuation process 6. Radiation detection methods 7. NDA measurements methods

Course requirements

The participant is asked to bring a scientific calculator to class. The course will introduce the participants to the "Handbook of Gamma Spectrometry Methods for Non-destructive Assay of Nuclear Materials (EUR 19822 EN)", which is intended for use by nuclear material inspectors. Note

The course starts on Monday 9:00 am and finishes on Friday 12:00 pm. Uranium enrichment determination by gamma-ray spectrometry

Prerequisites

NDA basic physics course

Purpose

The course is focused on non-destructive gamma spectrometric techniques for the measurement of the 235U enrichment. The physics and the measurement are outlined, both oriented towards the operational requirements. The complete enrichment measurement procedure including spectrum evaluation and error estimation is discussed. An in-depth review of the algorithms routinely used including conceptual explanations is introduced. Insights into the behaviour and capabilities of these algorithms will be developed. Two third of the time is foreseen for practical exercises to make the course participant familiar with the electronic chain, enrichment measurement technique and troubleshooting.

Course content

1. Interaction of gamma radiation with matter and gamma spectrum 2. Types of detectors (Ge, NaI, CZT): principle, structure and performance 3. Signal chain electronics: preamplifier, amplifier and MCA-166 4. Physical, nuclear and chemical properties of Uranium 5. Introduction to the uranium cycle

- uranium ore dressing and concentrate production - uranium purification, conversion into UF6 and fuel element preparation - reprocessing of irradiated fuel

6. Enrichment determination: techniques and software

- method with intrinsic calibration: MGAU, principle, and field of application - methods making use of standards: enrichment meter principle, infinite thickness measurement with a Ge detector and UF6 code measurement with a NaI detector and U235 code measurement with a NaI detector and NaIGEM code Practicals:

P 0: Electronics P 1: Set-up of the gamma spectrometry chain P 2: Energy calibration and resolution determination P 3: Enrichment determination with NaI detector (with two calibration standards) P 4: Enrichment determination with Ge detector (with calibration) P 5: Enrichment determination with NaI detector (with one calibration standard) P 6: Enrichment determination with Ge detector and without calibration P 7: Measurement of the PERLA standard series

Course requirements

The participant is asked to bring a scientific calculator to class. The course will introduce the participants to the "Handbook of Gamma Spectrometry Methods for Non-destructive Assay of Nuclear Materials (EUR 19822 EN)", which is intended for use by nuclear material inspectors.

The course starts on Monday 9:00 am and finishes on Friday at 12:00 pm. Plutonium isotopic composition by gamma-ray spectrometry

Prerequisites

Purpose

The course is dedicated to the plutonium isotopic composition determination by gamma-ray spectrometry. The complete Pu measurement procedure including spectrum evaluation and error estimation is discussed. An in-depth review of the MGA code including conceptual explanations is introduced. Insights into the behaviour and capabilities of the algorithm is developed. The course includes many practicals on different types of Pu and MOX, during which the participant will observe the effect of technical parameters (such as count rate, measurement time, collimation, container wall, absorbers, electronics parameters) on the quality of the measurements.

Course contents

1. Gamma radiation interactions with matter and gamma spectrum 2. Types of detectors (Ge, NaI, CZT): principle, structure and performances 3. Signal chain electronics: preamplifier, amplifier and MCA-166 4. Build-up, types, nuclear and chemical properties of Plutonium 5. Nuclear fuel cycle 6. Plutonium isotopic composition determination measurement principle:

- measurement conditions - properties of spectra to be used for evaluation with MGA - influence of technical parameters on the quality of the measurements Practicals: P 0: Electronics P 1: Set-up of the gamma spectrometry chain P 2: Energy calibration and resolution determination P 3: Set-up of Pu sample, Cd filter and Gamma Spectrometry Chain with the MCA-166 for MGA P 4: Pu measurements with SPEC.exe and evaluation with MGApc.exe P 5: Pu measurements with WinSPEC.exe and evaluation with TARGA P 6: Complete inspection measurements on Pu samples

Course requirements

The participant is asked to bring a scientific calculator to class. The course will introduce the participants to the "Handbook of Gamma Spectrometry Methods for Non-destructive Assay of Nuclear Materials (EUR 19822 EN)", which is intended for use by nuclear material inspectors.

Note The course starts on Monday 9:00 am and finishes on Friday at 12:00 pm. Active neutron interrogation

Prerequisites

Purpose

The course is focused on non-destructive active neutron interrogation techniques for the measurement of the mass of U-235 in U samples. The physics and the measurement are outlined, both oriented towards the operational requirements. The course will emphasise three main aspects: - instrument familiarization and calibration, - verification measurements for a typical variety of material types, - data processing. The complete operational procedure including pulse train analysis and error estimation is discussed. An in-depth review of the algorithms routinely used including conceptual explanations is introduced. The course includes many practicals on different types of LEU and HEU, during which the course participant becomes familiar with the operational procedures.

Course contents

1. Reminder on neutron counting . Neutron sources . Interaction of neutron with matter . Neutron induced reactions . Neutron detection principles . Conversion processes . He-3 proportional counters . principle of coincidence counting . Shift register Analyser . Dead time . Comparison Passive versus Active neutron counting

2. Characteristics of AWCC . Choice of the configuration (Thermal mode, Fast mode, MTR mode) . Operationnal parameters (HV plateau, dead time coefficients, Die-away, pre-delay and gate length, Efficiency profile Sample positioning)

3. Operational procedures . AWCC instrument set-up . INCC software . Measurement procedures . Instrument check . Background measurement . Normalisation measurement . Data treatment . Calibration . Match instrument conditions . Match sample conditions . Performance values HEU UO2 powder . MTR fuel assemblies . Measurements of LWR fuel elements with NCC

Practicals: P 0: Determination of operating parameters P 1: AWCC calibration P 2: Verification measurements

Course requirements

The participant is asked to bring a scientific calculator to class.

The course starts on Tuesday 9:00 am and finishes on Friday 12:00 pm. Passive neutron assay

Prerequisites

Purpose

The course is focused on non-destructive passive neutron interrogation techniques for the measurement of the mass of Pu. The physics and the measurement are outlined, both oriented towards the operational requirements. The course will emphasis three main aspects: - instrument familiarization and calibration - verification measurements for a typical variety of material types, - data processing. The complete operational procedure including pulse train analysis and error estimation is discussed. The course includes many practical on different types of Pu and MOX, during which the course participant becomes familiar with the operational procedures. Demonstrations of RADAR and CBT are also performed during the course.

Course contents

1. Properties of Pu isotopes and other neutron sources 2. Rossi-alpha curve and the shift register elements of neutron correlation counting 3. Neutron detector head, neutron signal pulse train and signal processing 4. Elements of neutron correlation counting 5. Counting statisitics, calibration curves, measurement uncertainty 6. Analysis of experimental results

Practicals:

P 0: Mass determination of a Pu sample by simplified hand calculations P 1: Calibration of the HLNCC II using PERLA PuO2 samples P 2: Assay of PERLA PuO2 samples using HLNCC II P 3: Assay with the high efficiency counter, PMSC

Demonstrations: D 1: Demonstrations on passive neutron instrumentation D 2: Demonstration of RADAR and CBT

The course starts on Monday 9:00 am and finishes on Friday 12:00 pm. Pu physical inventory verification (PIV)

Prerequisites

NDA basic physics course Plutonium isotopic composition by gamma-ray spectrometry Passive neutron Assay

Purpose

The training is a case study which includes all inspection activities relative to verification of Plutonium during a physical inventory verification at a MOX plant. The course will emphasis three main aspects: -instrument familiarization and calibration -verification panning and verification measurements for a typical variety of material types, -data processing to evaluate operator inspector differences, material balance evaluation and completion of inspection report. These three aspects will be integrated in a case study which simulates a real verification. The participants will be divided into several teams. Each time will work in parallel with the others. The exercise is spread over seven days.

Course content

1. Presentation of MOX plants . Safeguards approach for MOX plants . Safeguards implementation in MOX plants 2. Operator data evaluation . Principles and role of data evaluation . Basic concepts of material balance Evaluation-I . Statistical methods for MUF computations 3. Sampling plant methodology . Sampling plants . Factor affecting detection probability in verification sampling plans . Verification sampling plants . statistical sampling for accountancy quality control . Software for stratification and sampling plan . Instrumentation:

Standards equipment for n and gamma measurements Performance Calibration Software demonstration

4. Preparatory work for verification activities (stratification and sampling plan) 5. Physical Verifications . Tag check . Instrument set up 6. Inspector data evaluation . D Statistic Concepts in Safeguards . Basic Concepts of Material Balance Evaluation-II . Structure of a PIV report . Instructions for the presentation of the results . Practical evaluation of the PIV results . Presentation of the PIV results and preparation of a report

Course requirements

The participant is asked to bring a scientific calculator to class

The duration of the course is 7 days. The two first days take place at Luxembourg. Advanced hands-on RADAR/CRISP/XSEAT

Prerequisites

Plutonium Isotopic Composition by Gamma-ray spectrometry Passive neutron assay

Purpose

The course focuses on the unattended monitoring of Plutonium transport and handling processes as take place in industrial bulk Plutonium handling facilities. It gives inspectors an introduction to and a complete view on a unattended verification system from the configuration to the verification of results. During the course, DG TREN’s remote acquisition software RADAR and the associated evaluation software CRISP will be used. Participants have the possibility to set up a model process which monitors an Plutonium sample transport through a "production line" using up to 11 gamma radiation detectors, 6 neutron detectors, ID readers and other components.

Course contents

1. RADAR configuration 2. configuration of DAMs 3. process simulation 4. CRISP configuration 5. CRISP data evaluation and mass calculation 6. technical review and defect simulation

Course requirements

The course starts on Monday 9:00 am and finishes on Friday 12:00 pm.

Maximum eight participants. Tank calibration course

Prerequisites

Purpose

The course aims to provide training on the special topics of volume measurements in tanks and vessels used in reprocessing plants and foresees therefore general tank measurement and calibration exercises at the MiniTAME facility.

Course contents

The MiniTAME facility at the Tame lab offers a lot of possibilities to perform calibration exercises taking into account most technical boundary conditions encountered in real plants. Various phenomena and influencing effects can be shown, physically and the corresponding data acquired are processed on-line. Didactical software enables to see the results of effects, geometrical design, choice of instrument directly on the curves produced on the screen. Using these tools a course for inspectors has been compiled, which has been taught several times already to various audiences. An extensive but modular handout exists, which can be adapted to specific needs. The course lends itself extremely well for inspectors who are relatively new to the problematic of tank (re)-calibrations or those who want to understand better certain phenomena e.g. to be able to back up ESO s viewpoints.

Course requirements

The course starts on Monday 9:00 am and finishes pm on Friday 12:00. TRAINING SCHEDULE 2007 Course Place Week Date Plutonium: Isotopic composition determination by gamma-ray PERLA 6 5. Feb - 9. Feb spectrometry Plutonium: Passive neutron assay PERLA 7 12. Feb - 16. Feb Uranium: Enrichment determination by gamma-ray PERLA 11 12. Mar - 16. Mar spectrometry Uranium: Active neutron PERLA 12 19. Mar - 23. Mar interrogation Advanced hands-on PERLA 13 26. Mar – 30. Mar RADAR/CRISP/X-SEAT Advanced hands-on RADAR /CRISP/X-SEAT, reserved in PERLA 16 16. Apr – 20. Apr case of too many participants Tank calibration TAME 16 16. Apr – 20. Apr PIV Pu Luxembourg Luxemb. 24 and 14. Jun - 15. Jun PIV Pu PERLA *) PERLA 25 18. Jun - 22. Jun NDA Basics Physics Luxemb 37 10. Sep - 14. Sep Plutonium: Isotopic composition determination by gamma-ray PERLA 39 24. Sep - 28. Sep spectrometry Plutonium: Passive neutron assay PERLA 40 1. Oct – 5. Oct Tank calibration TAME 42 15. Oct - 19. Oct Uranium: Enrichment determination by gamma-ray PERLA 47 19. Nov – 23. Nov spectrometry Uranium: Active neutron PERLA 48 26. Nov - 30. Nov interrogation