Journal of Nuclear and Radiation Physics, Vol. 4, No. 2, 2009, pp. 65-73 NON DESTRUCTIVE ASSAY FOR 235U DETERMINATION IN REFERENCE MATERIALS OF URANIUM OXIDE M.H. Nassef, W. El Mowafi, and M.S. El Tahawy National Center for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Control Atomic Energy Authority of Egypt E-mail: mnassef@yahoo.com Rec. 10/2/2009 Accept. 20/10/2009 A non-destructive technique using hyper-pure germanium (HPGe) gamma ray spectrometry was used for the analysis of uranium oxide standards with different enrichment values. The activity ratio of 235 U/238U in the studied samples were calculated on the basis of the measurement of the count rate of 185.7 keV gamma line of 235U and 1001 keV gamma line of 234mPa, a first daughter of 238U. It was found that, the specific count rates of 235U, and 238U were constant regardless of 235U enrichment. A good agreement was found between the calculated and the measured values of the activity ratios of 235U/238U. A strong correlation (0.9982) was found between the certified and the measured enrichments. The results obtained from these analyses shows that this suggested analytical method can be used to determine the uranium concentration, and the isotopic abundance, especially in the case of depleted, natural and low enriched uranium samples. Keywords: Non-destructive Assay, Uranium Enrichment, Activity Ratio of 235U/238U. INTRODUCTION The non-destructive analysis (NDA) of materials has become a popular analytical technique in nuclear and non-nuclear industries, after the advent of high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometric techniques. Gamma-ray spectrometry has found increased application in recent years for determining uranium isotopic abundances. With the use of high-resolution germanium detectors, it was possible to achieve high accuracy in gamma-ray counting. However, the measurement accuracy and precision, obtainable by this technique, are dependent upon the reference materials being used as standards. If these reference materials were poorly or improperly evaluated, then the final measured results will suffer. In order to ensure that this will not occur, the measurements leading to the development and production of reference materials should be of sufficient quality to improve the precision and accuracy of analyses performed in the field [1, 5]. Gamma-ray spectrometric methods can be used for samples in the analytical laboratory for performing both direct and following laboratory processing measurements. Samples can often be prepared for gamma-ray spectrometric measurements with considerably less effort than is required for measurement by other methods [4]. High-purity Germanium (HPGe) detectors, cooled by liquid nitrogen, is widely used in nuclear safeguards to verify the isotopic composition of uranium in non-irradiated materials [5]. 66 M.H. Nassef, W.A. El Mowafi, and M.S. El Tahawy The traditional uranium enrichment measurement method is based on the measurement of the 185.7 keV peak and is commonly referred to as the “enrichment meter” method [6]. The 235U enrichment can be determined by destructive or non-destructive means. For high-quality accountability, it may be necessary to invest the time and money to determine the enrichment by destructive means (mass spectrometry) in order to achieve the smallest possible limit of error on the inventory result. Non-destructive assay (NDA) method, involving gamma-ray spectroscopy, can be used to determine 235U enrichment on a more timely basis. NDA methods are called for in cases where: 1 - high measurement throughput is needed, 2- Measurement of a larger sample is required to obtain an average enrichment, because of sample inhomogeneities, or 3 - Measured items are sealed or are products that cannot be opened or sampled [7]. If the uranium sample is large enough, then the 185.7-keV gamma rays originating from deep levels within the sample are completely absorbed and do not contribute to the gamma-ray intensity observed at the surface of the sample. Thus, with increasing sample thickness the 185.7-kev gammaray intensity at the surface reaches an equilibrium value, which is almost independent on the physical form of the sample. For pure uranium compounds this value is proportional to the 235U enrichment of the sample, and generally only small corrections for chemical composition have to be applied. This is the “enrichment meter” principle, and its application requires that the sample under assay is thick enough to be opaque for 186-keV gamma radiation [7]. The objective of uranium enrichment measurement methods is to determine the 235U/U isotopic ratio which, for most samples, is the determination of the ratio 235U/(234U+235U+238U). In general, this determination is based on the analysis of one or more X-or γ-ray peaks, mainly, in the 60 to 200 keV range. Among the different methods developed in the last years, the oldest and the most widely employed method uses the 185.7 keV full energy peak. These methods require calibration of the instruments with standards, by fixing the measurement conditions which provide that the measurement samples are similar to the standards and the number of counts in the 185.7 keV peak is proportional to the enrichment [8]. In passive gamma counting, the 235U enrichment is correlated with the count rate of the 185.7 keV γ-ray emitted by 235U. The well-known 185.7 keV gamma ray from 235U occurs in about 55% of the alpha decays of this isotope. Weaker gamma rays at 143.8, 163.4, and 205.3 keV are also characteristic of 235U. The 185.7 keV gamma line is commonly used to determine 235U enrichment. Uranium-238 doesn't have a direct gamma-ray signature. Gamma rays from 234mPa and 234Pa daughters are used to identify 238U. The characteristic gamma-ray energies used to identify 238U are 766.4 and 1001.0 keV from 234mPa [2, 3]. In the present work, the enrichment in the standard reference material samples (SRM-969) was obtained by measuring the activity ratio of 235U/238U based on the gamma-rays associated with the decay of 235U at 185.715 keV and the 1001.03 keV 234mPa gamma-ray from the decay of 238U using gamma spectrometer based on HPGe detector. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Description of the Reference Materials EC NBL (SRM-969) The reference materials provide two functions in non-destructive assay (NDA). They are used to calibrate NDA instruments and verify the constancy of the calibrations [9]. NON DESTRUCTIVE ASSAY FOR 235U… 67 This standard reference material intended for use in the calibration and evaluation of gamma –ray spectrometric procedures for nondestructive determination of the 235U/U isotopic abundance in uranium bulk material, consists of a set of five different U3O8 powders, encased in aluminum cans that were manufactured to rigid specifications. Each sample is made up of 200g of U3O8 powder contained in aluminum cans of 2mm bottom and wall thickness. The cans are 80 mm in diameter by 90 mm height with nominal 235U enrichments of 0.31%, 0.71%, 1.94%, 2.95%, and 4.46% mass percent [14&15]. For unique identification and checking the integrity of the subunit, the plugs used for sealing the cans are equipped with ultrasonic seals, each having a unique ultrasonic spectrum. Additional information about these samples [15] are given in Table 1. Table 1. Material characteristics and specifications of the certified nuclear material SRM-969 Material ID Enrichment (wt%) Total weight of U3O8 ( g) U3O8 Density (g/cm2) Uranium Isotopic Abundances in SRM 969 234 NBS 031-111 NBS 071-111 NBS 194-111 NBS 295-111 NBS 446-111 0.31 0.71 1.94 2.95 4.46 200.1±0.2 200.1±0.2 200.1±0.2 200.1±0.2 200.1±0.2 5.2±0.3 5.2±0.3 5.2±0.3 5.2±0.3 5.2±0.3 U/U 0.0020 0.0052 0.0171 0.0279 0.0359 235 U/U 0.0146 <0.00002 0.0003 0.0033 0.0068 238 U/U 99.6688 99.2828 98.0406 97.0196 95.4950 Gamma-Ray Detection System In this study a gamma-ray spectrometer (Canberra type), equipped with hyper- pure germanium (HPGe) detector was used. The system is used for the measurement of the energy spectrum of the emitted gamma rays in the energy range between 29 keV and 2615 keV, with an efficiency of approximately 40%. A side view of the nuclear material cans (the dimensions are given in cm) located along the coaxial axis of the collimated HPGe detector is shown in Figure (1). 7.996 0.517 3.00 3.499 1.581 5.596 7.003 U3O8 0.1 1.0 3.0 0.199 3.0 8.0 Coaxial HPGe Detector 14.5 Figure 1. A side view of the nuclear material located along the coaxial axis of the collimated HPGe detector [15]. 68 M.H. Nassef, W.A. El Mowafi, and M.S. El Tahawy The used gamma ray spectrometer system was energy calibrated by different gamma emitters. The energy and efficiency calibration of the system were carried out before the analysis using some standard point sources. This work was carried out in the KMP-E of MBA (ET-Z) at National Center for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Control (NCNSRC) of the Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION In this work the energy lines of gamma rays of 235U and 238U that were used in this analysis were 185.715 keV and 1001 keV, respectively. A lead collimator with slit area of 0.785cm2×3cm was used in this analysis as shown in Figure (1). The mass of the 235U and 238U were calculated using the equations (1&2) and are given in Table (2). The uranium molar mass, used in this analysis is 238.029 g/mol, suggesting an isotopic abundance of 0.72% for 235U. The total weight of uranium oxide (200.1g) as mentioned in the user`s manual was used in this analysis. The weight of the total uranium in the U3O8 sample was calculated using equation 1. Wu = [Ws] × [Mu / M U3O8] (1) where : Wu: is the weight of total uranium in the sample, Ws : is the total weight of the sample, Mu : is the molar mass of 238U and MU3O8 : is the molar mass of U3O8 . Then, the weight of 235U is calculated using equation (2) by knowing the weight of total uranium in the sample and its enrichment as indicated in the certificate. WU-235 = [WUT] × [E] (2) where WU-235: is the weight of 235U, WUT : is the weight of total uranium and E: is the enrichment. Count Rate (cps) at 185.7 keV gamma ray energy 10 R=0.99738 8 6 4 2 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 Uranium Enrichm ent Figure 2. Count rate as a function of the 235U enrichment by the 185.7 keV gamma-ray photo-peak. NON DESTRUCTIVE ASSAY FOR 235U… 69 Table (2) shows the total count rate for all the measured samples at the photo peaks 185.7 keV for 235U and 1001keV for 238U. The specific count rates (in cps/g) were measured and are listed also in Table (2). The specific count rates of 235U and 238U for the given photo peaks were found to be almost constant regardless of 235U enrichment as shown in Table (2). The count rates (CR) for all the measured samples were plotted as a function of the 235U enrichment at 185.7 keV and were found to be linear with a strong correlation of R= 0.997 as shown in Figure(2). Table 2. Gamma spectrometry results of U3O8 isotopic standards Material ID Total Uranium wt. (169.598)g 235 NBS 031-111 NBS 071-111 NBS 194-111 NBS 295-111 NBS 446-111 Ug 0.526 1.204 3.290 5.003 7.564 238 η (185.7 kev) Ug 169.072 168.394 166.308 164.595 162.034 2.33×10-5 2.22×10-5 2.16×10-5 2.58×10-5 2.56×10-5 cps of U- cps of U- Specific 235 at 238 at count-rate the 185.7 the 1001 (cps/g) of 235 keV keV U at 185.7 keV 0.55±1.6 1.2±0.4 3.2±2.0 5.8±2.3 8.7±1.8 7.1±1.6 7.4±2.5 7.8±2.9 8.1±1.2 8.4±0.2 1.046 0.997 0.973 1.159 1.150 Specific countrate (cps/g) of 238 U at 1001 keV 0.042 0.044 0.047 0.049 0.052 Table 3. Activity ratio for each sample as a function of the enrichment Activity (Bq) Material ID NBS 031-111 NBS 071-111 NBS 194-111 NBS 295-111 NBS 446-111 ε Calculated Activity of U-235 Calculated Activity of U238 0.31 0.71 1.94 2.95 4.46 41500.57 94993.71 259575.84 394728.85 596787.73 2100772.59 2092335.86 2066416.81 2045132.37 2013311.33 Calculated Activity Ratio (235U/238U) 0.0198 0.0454 0.1256 0.1930 0.2964 Measured Activity Ratio (235U/238U) 0.0194 0.0425 0.1146 0.2099 0.3198 Measured Enrichmen t wt % 0.27 0.66 1.83 3.23 4.69 ε: The Certified Enrichment (wt%) Besides, the observed count rate as a function of the uranium enrichment at 1001 keV was found to be linear with a strong correlation (almost reaches unity) of R= 0.983 as shown in Figure (3). M.H. Nassef, W.A. El Mowafi, and M.S. El Tahawy Count Rate (cps) at 1000.1 keV gamma ray energy 70 8.6 8.4 R =0.98267 8.2 8.0 7.8 7.6 7.4 7.2 7.0 0 1 2 3 4 5 U ran ium E nrich m en t Figure 3. Count rate as a function of the 238U by the 1001 keV gamma-ray photo-peack. The count rate of 235U and 238U were used to calculate the activity in (Bq) by using the general equation of the activity concentration using equation 3. A = [W/A] × NA × [ln2 /T1/2] where W: A: NA : T1/2: (3) is the total weight of 238U or U-235, is the atomic weight of U-238 or U-235, is the Avogadro's number = 6.02×1023,and is the half-life time of U-238 or U-235. Knowing the half-life times of 235U (7.038× 108 y) and 238U (4.468× 109 yr), and the Avogadro’s number (6.02×1023 mole) as well as the activity (in Bq) of 235U and 238U, the activity ratios 235U/238U were calculated and listed in Table (3). It was found that, for natural uranium, the activity ratio calculated value (0.0454) is close to the certified value (0.045). The efficiency at the photo peak 185.7 keV was calculated by knowing the branching ratio and the count rate of each sample and its activity concentration using equation (4). The activity values (in Bq) are calculated for both 235U and 238U using the following equation. A = CR/(B.R ×η) where (4) B.R.: is the branching ratio or the gamma-ray emission rate, CR : is the count rate, and η : is the full energy peak efficiency for the specific experimental system condition [11]. A strong correlation was found between the calculated and the measured activity ratios of U/238U as depicted in Table (3). The measured activity ratio of 235U/238U was plotted as a function of the 235U enrichment and was found to be linear with a strong correlation of R= 0.9999 as shown in Figure(4). 235 Calculated Activity Ratio of (U-235/U-238) NON DESTRUCTIVE ASSAY FOR 235U… 0.30 71 R = 0.9 99 92 0.25 0.20 0.15 0.10 0.05 0.00 0 1 2 3 4 5 U ranium E nrichm ent Figure 4. Activity ratio calculation of (235U/238U) as a function of uranium enrichment for the reference material samples. The measured activity ratios of 235U/238U on the 185.7 keV gamma line of 235U and 1001 keV gamma line of 234mPa were used to calculate the enrichment of 235U in the sample [13 ] using equation (5). Log (wt%235U) = 1.065 - 0.7317 (log 238U/235U Activity) – 0.129 (log 238U/235U Activity)2 (5) The measured enrichment values were compared with the certified values and are given in Table (3). Measured Enrichment Wt% 5 R = 0 .9 9 82 4 3 2 1 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 C ertified E nrichm ent W t% Figure 5. Correlation between the certified and the measured enrichment. A strong correlation (0.9982) was found between the certified and the measured enrichment values as shown in Figure (5). CONCLUSINS It was possible to define the enrichment through the measurement of the activity ratio of U/ U using the described gamma-ray analysis method. Measuring the activity ratio, one can deduce the enrichment especially for the low enriched uranium (LEU). A strong correlation (0.9982) 235 238 72 M.H. Nassef, W.A. El Mowafi, and M.S. El Tahawy was found between the certified and the measured enrichment values .The precision of the U-235 measurements is primarily dependent upon the REFERENCES [1] R.R. Greenberg, B.S. Carpenter; Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, Articles, Vol. 111, No. 1, 177-197, (198). [2] W.G. Winn, Nondestructive Assay of Uranium Enrichment with Gamma Rays, http:// www. Ntis.gov/ordering.htm, DP-MS-82-50. [3] P.E. Fehlau and W.H. Chambers "Perimeter Safeguards Techniques for Uranium Enrichment Plants" LA-8 997-M5, UC-15, (1981) 1-54. [4] E. Arnold Hakkila, Nuclear Safeguards Analysis, Nondestructive and Analytical Chemical Technique, ACS Symposium Series 79, American Chemical Society, Anaheim, CA, March 13-17, 1978. [5] S. Anilkumar, A.K. Deepa, K. Narayani, A.K. Rekha, P.V. Achuthan, G. Krishnamachari, D. N. Sharma; Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 1-6( 2006). [6] W.D. Ruther, T-F. Wang, C.F. Hayden, Uranium Enrichment Measurements Without Calibration Using Gamma Rays Above 100 keV, Symposium on International Safeguards; Verification and Nuclear Material Security, Vienna, Austria, October 29-November 1, 2001 [7] H.A. Smith Jr., P. Schillebeeckx, Nondestructive Assay of Special Nuclear Material for Uranium Fuel-Fabrication Facilities, http:// lib-www.lanl.gov/la-pubs/00412677.pdf, LA-UR-97-1195. [8] J. Morel, M. Etcheverry, and G. Riazuelo; Appl. Radiat.Isot. Vol. 49, No 9-11, pp. 1251-1257, (1998). [9] J.K. Sprinkle, R.N. Likes, J.L. Parker, H.A. Smith, Reference Materials for Nondestructive Assay of Special Nuclear Material, volume 1: Uranium Oxide Plus Graphite Powder, LA-9910-MS. NUREG/CR-3522. [10] B.B. Shriwastwa, Anil Kumar, B. Raghunath, M.R. Nair, M.C. Abani, R. Ramachandran, S.Majumdar, J.K.Ghosh; Applied Radiation and Isotopes,V. 54, 941-945(2001). [11] Y.Y. Ebaid, S.A. El-Mongy, K.A. Allam, "235U Gamma Emission Contribution to the 186 keV Energy Transitions of 226Ra in Environmental Samples Activity Calculations", International Congress Series 1276, 409-411 (2005). [12] H. Yucel, M.A. Cetiner, H. Demirel; Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A 413, 74-82(1998). [13] T.L. Rucker, C.M. Johnson, jr.; Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, Vol. 235, Nos 1-2, 47-52(1998). [14] S.T. Hsue et al., Guide to Nondestructive Assay Standards: Preparation Criteria, Availability, and Practical Considerations" LA-1340-MS, UC-700, 1-105(1997). [15] A Users Manual for the Certified Reference Material SRM-969. National Bureau of Standards Certificate, Standard Reference Material 969, In cooperation with the commission of the European Communities, Central Bureau for Nuclear Measurements. 73 …NON DESTRUCTIVE ASSAY FOR 235U ﻃﺮﯾﻘﺔ ﻻ إﺗﻼﻓﯿﺔ ﻟﺘﻌﯿﻦ ﺗﺮﻛﯿﺰ اﻟﯿﻮراﻧﯿﻮم 235-ﻓﻲ ﻋﯿﻨﺎت اﻛﺴﯿﺪات اﻟﯿﻮراﻧﯿﻮم اﻟﻌﯿﺎرﯾﺔ ﻣﺨﺘﻠﻔﺔ اﻷﺛﺮاء م.ح .ﻧﺎﺻﻒ ،و.ع .اﻟﻤﻮاﻓﻲ ،م.س .اﻟﻄﺤﺎوي ھﯿﺌﺔ اﻟﻄﺎﻗﺔ اﻟﺬرﯾﺔ ,اﻟﻤﺮﻛﺰ اﻟﻘﻮﻣﻲ ﻟﻸﻣﺎن اﻟﻨﻮوي واﻟﺮﻗﺎﺑﺔ اﻹﺷﻌﺎﻋﯿﺔ ﺒﺎﺴﺘﺨﺩﺍﻡ ﻁﺭﻴﻘﺔ ﻻ ﺇﺘﻼﻓﻴﺔ ﻟﺘﺤﻠﻴل ﻋﻴﻨﺎﺕ ﺃﻜﺴﻴﺩﺍﺕ ﺍﻟﻴﻭﺭﺍﻨﻴﻭﻡ ﺍﻟﻌﻴﺎﺭﻴﺔ ﻤﺨﺘﻠﻔﺔ ﺍﻹﺜﺭﺍﺀ ﺘﻡ ﺤﺴﺎﺏ ﺍﻟﻨﺸﺎﻁ ﺍﻹﺸﻌﺎﻋﻲ ﺍﻟﻨﺴﺒﻲ ﻟﻠﻴﻭﺭﺍﻨﻴﻭﻡ/235-ﺍﻟﻴﻭﺭﺍﻨﻴﻭﻡ 238-ﻟﻠﻌﻴﻨﺎﺕ ﺍﻟﻌﻴﺎﺭﻴﺔ ﻭﺫﻟﻙ ﺍﻋﺘﻤﺎﺩﺍ ﻋﻠﻲ ﻗﻴﺎﺱ ﻤﻌﺩل ﺍﻟﻌﺩ ﻟﻠﺨﻁ ﺍﻟﺠﺎﻤﻲ 185.7ﻙ.ﺃ.ﻑ. ﺍﻟﻤﻨﺒﻌﺙ ﻤﻥ ﺍﻟﻴﻭﺭﺍﻨﻴﻭﻡ 235-ﻭﺍﻟﺨﻁ ﺍﻟﺠﺎﻤﻲ 1001.0ﻙ.ﺃ.ﻑ .ﺍﻟﻤﻨﺒﻌﺙ ﻤﻥ ﺍﻟﺒﺭﻭﺘﻜﺘﻨﻴﻭﻡ234-ﻡ ،ﻭﺍﻟﻤﺘﺯﻥ ﻤﻊ ﺍﻟﻴﻭﺭﺍﻨﻴﻭﻡ .238-ﻭﻗﺩ ﻭﺠﺩ ﺘﻁﺎﺒﻕ ﺠﻴﺩ ﺒﻴﻥ ﻗﻴﻡ ﻨﺴﺒﺔ ﺍﻟﻨﺸﺎﻁ ﺍﻹﺸﻌﺎﻋﻰ ﻟﻠﻴﻭﺭﺍﻨﻴﻭﻡ 235-ﺇﻟﻰ ﺍﻟﻴﻭﺭﺍﻨﻴﻭﻡ 238-ﺍﻟﻤﺤﺴﻭﺒﺔ ﻭﺍﻟﻤﻘﺎﺴﺔ .ﻭﻜﺫﻟﻙ ﻭﺠﺩ ﺘﻭﺍﻓﻕ ﻗﻭﻯ ) (0.9982ﺒﻴﻥ ﻨﺴﺒﺔ ﺍﻹﺜﺭﺍﺀ ﺍﻟﻤﻘﺎﺴﺔ ﻭﺍﻟﻤﺩﻭﻨﺔ ﺒﺸﻬﺎﺩﺓ ﺍﻟﻌﻴﻨﺎﺕ ﺍﻟﻌﻴﺎﺭﻴﺔ. ﺘﺒﻴﻥ ﺍﻟﻨﺘﺎﺌﺞ ﺍﻟﺘﻲ ﺘﻡ ﺍﻟﺤﺼﻭل ﻋﻠﻴﻬﺎ ﺃﻥ ﺍﻟﻁﺭﻴﻘﺔ ﺍﻟﺘﺤﻠﻴﻠﻴﺔ ﺍﻟﻤﻘﺘﺭﺤﺔ ﻴﻤﻜﻥ ﺍﺴﺘﺨﺩﺍﻤﻬﺎ ﻟﺘﺤﺩﻴﺩ ﺘﺭﻜﻴﺯ ﺍﻟﻴﻭﺭﺍﻨﻴﻭﻡ ﻭﻨﺴﺒﺔ ﺍﻟﺘﻭﺍﺠﺩ ﺍﻟﻨﻅﺎﺌﺭﻯ ﻭﺫﻟﻙ ﻟﻌﻴﻨﺎﺕ ﺍﻟﻴﻭﺭﺍﻨﻴﻭﻡ ﺍﻟﻤﻨﻀﺒﺔ ﻭﺍﻟﻁﺒﻴﻌﻴﺔ ﻭﻤﻨﺨﻔﻀﺔ ﺍﻻﺜﺭﺍﺀ .