Optimization of detector placements in reduction of multiple counts for μSR measurements at China Spallation Neutron Source

An Experimental Muon Source (EMuS) has been proposed to conduct muon spin rotation/relaxation/resonance (μSR) measurements at China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS). To make better use of muons in each pulse, a highly segmented μSR spectrometer with more than 2000 detector channels is under design. Due to such high granularity of detectors, multiple counting events generated from particle scattering or spiral motion of positrons in a strong longitudinal field should be carefully considered in the design. According to the simulation, long scintillators have a good capability of angular discrimination. Detectors with cuboid geometries are better than those with frustum shapes. The cuboid detector with a length of 50 mm is longer enough to get the optimal range of discrimination angle. In a real μSR spectrometer, detectors can be placed parallelly along the beam direction or pointing to the sample. A figure of merit (FoM) has been proposed to compare such two arrangements by integrating their impacts on multiple counts and total counting loss in zero and longitudinal fields. The outstanding performance of multiple counting rejection due to the angular discrimination capability makes the pointing arrangement achieve much higher FoM. The simulation results can provide good support for the design of the highly segmented μSR spectrometer.

Two Design Options for Compact Linear Accelerators for High Flux Neutron Source

We describe and compare two optimized design options of RF linear accelerators with different resonant frequencies at 162.5 MHz (f0) and 325 MHz (2∙f0). The RFQ + DTL linacs have been designed to provide 13 MeV acceleration to a proton beam for achieving a fast neutron yield of not lower than 1013 n/s via 9Be(p, n)9B reaction in pulsed-mode operation. Our design studies show that none of the two options is better than the other, but that the choice of operating frequency will mainly be determined by the accelerator length and RF cost consideration. This study can serve as a basis for the design of an initial stage of a new high brilliance Compact Accelerator-driven Neutron Source (CANS), aiming to use neutron scattering techniques for studying material properties in fundamental physics, materials science, nuclear energy, as well as for industries and societal challenges.

Unlocking Growth Opportunities Through Saturation Evaluation Behind Complex Completion by Applying State-of-Art Pulsed Neutron Technology

Perseverance in quantifying the remaining hydrocarbon saturation, in cased boreholes, remains critical to take business decisions and prioritize operations in brownfield waterflood development. Challenges with cased hole saturation evaluation acquired in certain complex completions such as those completed in multiple casing-tubing strings, slotted-liners and sand-screens require advanced tool technology. Pulsed Neutron Logging (PNL) is one such technology used successfully to analyze behind casing saturation evaluation. The PNL device provide accurate and precise measurement, and with robust processing and environmental compensation corrections, the saturation uncertainty can be delineated. A robust cased hole hydrocarbon saturation and uncertainty estimation enables informed decision making and value driven workover prioritization. The new generation PNL tool features a high-output electronic neutron source and four signal detectors. Near and far Gamma Ray (GR) detectors are made of Cerium-doped Lanthanum Bromide (LaBr3: Ce) featuring high-count rate efficiency and high-spectral resolution (largely insensitive to temperatures variations). A deep-reading GR detector made of Yttrium Aluminum Perovskite (YAP) in combination with a compact fast neutron monitor placed adjacent to the neutron source, enables a new measurement of the fast neutron cross section (FNXS) which provides sensitivity to gas-filled porosity. A newly devised pulsing scheme allows simultaneous measurement in both time and energy domains. The time-domain measurement aid in analyzing the self-compensated capture cross section (SIGM), neutron porosity (TPHI), and FNXS. The energy-domain measurement provides a detailed insight for high-precision mineralogy, total organic carbon (TOC), and carbon/oxygen ratio (COR). The high statistical precision energy-domain capture and inelastic spectral yield data are interpreted using an oxide-closure model which when combined with an extensive tool characterization database provide lithology and saturation measurements compensated for wellbore and completion contributions. This paper shares the advanced features of the new multi-detector PNL tool run in a horizontal well targeting the aeolian Mahwis Formation, consisting of unconsolidated sands and the glacial Al Khlata Formation (Porosity ranges 0.25 – 0.29 p.u.). In this case-study, the well was completed with uncemented sand screens and production tubing to mitigate sanding related risk. The absence of cement behind casing and the presence of screens adds considerable complexity to the saturation analysis. Furthermore, due to low water salinity (∼7000 ppm NaCl equivalent), saturation must be determined using carbon spectroscopy-based techniques - namely the COR and TOC. Logging conventional PNL tools in horizontal wells can lead to lengthy acquisition times, thus adding considerable operational complexity and cost. With the new PNL technology advancements, the time required to acquire high-quality data can be halved. Saturation outputs computed independently from COR and TOC methods showed close agreement and allowed for the direct compensation of changes in borehole oil hold-up without which the computed saturation would have been overestimated. The remaining oil saturation estimation behind cased hole and uncertainty quantification enable a proper understanding of well production performance and uncovered further opportunities. In addition, decision based strategic data acquisition to quantify remaining hydrocarbon saturation enables unlocking growth and ‘no further action’ (NFA) opportunities, impacting production recovery and meeting bottom-line targets in brownfield assets.

SARS-CoV-2 Inactivation Simulation Using 14 MeV Neutron Irradiation

The SARS-CoV-2 virus is deadly, contagious, can cause COVID-19 disease, and endangers public health and safety. The development of SARS-CoV-2 inactivation technology is crucial and imminent in current pandemic period. Neutron radiation is usually used to sterilize viruses because neutron radiation is 10 times more effective than gamma-rays in inactivating viruses. In this work we established a closed SARS-CoV-2 inactivation container model by the Monte Carlo method and simulated the inactivation performance by using several different neutrons sources. To study the effects of inactivation container factors, including the reflector thickness, the type of the reflector material, the SARS-CoV-2 layer area and the distance from the radiation source on the energy deposition of a single neutron particle in SARS-CoV-2 sample, we simulated the neutron energy deposition on a SARS-CoV-2 sample. The simulation results indicate that the saturated thicknesses of reflector materials for graphite, water and paraffin are approximately 30 cm, 15 cm, and 10 cm, respectively, and the energy deposition (radiation dose) becomes larger when the SARS-CoV-2 layer area is smaller and the SARS-CoV-2 layer is placed closer to the neutron source. The calculated single-neutron energy deposition on 10 × 10 cm2 SARS-CoV-2 layer is about 3.0059 × 10−4 MeV/g with graphite as the reflection layer, when the 14 MeV neutron source intensity is 1012 n/s and the SARS-CoV-2 layer is 5 cm away from the neutron source. If the lethal dose of SARS-CoV-2 is assumed as the IAEA recommended reference dose, 25 kGy, the SARS-CoV-2 could be decontaminated in about 87 min, and the sterilization time could be less than 52s if the 14 MeV neutron intensity is increased to 1014 n/s.

RADIATION DAMAGE IN TUNGSTEN TARGET OF THE “KIPT NEUTRON SOURCE”

In this work, mathematical modeling of a complex of processes occurring in a tungsten target under irradiation with high-energy electrons with an energy of 100 MeV: an electromagnetic shower, the production of photo-neutrons, and particle transport along the target, damage from neutrons of the subcritical assembly. It was found that the greatest contribution to the rate of damage formation in a tungsten target give the elastic scattering of high-energy electrons on nuclei.