An Automated Delayed Neutron Counting System for Mass Determination of Fissile Isotopes in Special Nuclear Materials at the Royal Military College of Canada

Abstract

A Delayed Neutron Counting System (DNCS) has been designed and installed to enhance the ability of Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) to analyze Special Nuclear Materials (SNM). By detecting and recording delayed neutron counts from SNM samples irradiated by the SLOWPOKE-2 Reactor Facility at RMC, the DNCS is able to determine the masses of multiple fissile nuclei in the samples efficiently and accurately. The system is controlled by LabVIEW software. A separate mathematical program has also been developed to determine the mass of fissile nuclei present in SNM. The DNCS and fissile mass determination program have been validated using powdered UO₂ samples.