MGAU - Multi-Group Analysis Software for Uranium

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Features

• Determines uranium enrichment in non-destructive assay applications
• Uses spectra collected with HPGe detectors optimized for high resolution at low energies
• Sophisticated peak fitting and multiplet deconvolution to provide analysis results
• In the normal mode, requires no efficiency calibration for matrix density, matrix type, or container characteristics
• In the enrichment meter mode, does require one calibration measurement with known container characteristics
• Integrated into CANBERRA waste and safeguards instruments to perform sophisticated analysis with minimal operator interaction
• Developed in collaboration with top experts in safeguards NDA applications

Description

The non-destructive assay of uranium bearing samples to determine uranium enrichment is one of the most common measurements in waste management, fuel cycle process control and safeguards applications. However, varying container shapes, container wall thicknesses, uranium chemical forms and other complications have historically made it one of the more difficult measurements in the nuclear field.

Multi-Group Analysis for Uranium (MGAU) was designed to improve the accuracy of these measurements over traditional methods, while simplifying or eliminating the setup and calibration steps necessary with other methodologies. Thus it can be used in applications involving routine, repetitive measurements taken with relatively unskilled operators.

In the normal mode, MGAU uses information from either two or three regions of the energy spectrum, depending on the specific application. For most applications, two regions that lie within an energy range of approximately 0-300 keV are used. The primary enrichment information is derived from the ²³⁵U and ²³⁸U gamma peaks in the 88-100 keV energy range. Additionally, the K-beta region is used to develop a local intrinsic efficiency curve - to establish the detector efficiency as a function of energy, the amount of attenuation caused by the sample container and the amount of self-absorption in the uranium material itself. This process eliminates the need for an efficiency calibration prior to making sample measurements.

In the enrichment meter mode, MGAU requires one calibration measurement with a standard of known enrichment and known container wall thickness. The results of this calibration measurement are automatically stored for further use on any samples with known container wall thicknesses. The enrichment meter mode is useful for very thick container walls where the normal mode may not have enough data to provide good results.

The CANBERRA LEGe is the detector of choice for MGAU work due to its exceptional low energy peak shape and resolution characteristics over a wide range of count rates. Such a high performance detector is recommended as MGAU is dealing with regions of the spectrum where very complex gamma/x-ray multiplets are encountered.

Test data (summarized in Table 1) shows excellent correlation between MGAU results in the normal mode and known standard values. Accuracies in the 1-2% range for most common samples are typical. MGAU can measure enrichment ranges from depleted up to 93% ²³⁵U with optimum accuracies in the 3-20% enrichment range. Measurements require only short acquisition times (a few minutes) and only seconds of analysis time. Similar accuracies can be achieved in the enrichment meter mode as long as the walls are well characterized.

Ordering Information

• Model S507 MGAU for Windows NT/2000/XP.

Table 1 MGAU Results vs. Standards
Standards	Measured % 235U	% Err	Difference %
Small UO2 Powder	0.488	3.6	+1.0
Metal (0.087 kg)	0.709	3.0	-0.1
Small UO2 Powder	0.993	1.5	+0.2
Small UO2 Powder	2.993	1.0	-0.5
UF6 (0.055 kg)	3.442	1.3	-0.5
Small UO2 Powder	4.949	1.1	+1.4
Small UO2 Powder	10.09	0.6	+0.2
Small UO2 Powder	49.35	0.7	+0.0
Metal Disk (0.3 kg)	90.99	9.7	-2.3
U3O8 (0.05 kg)	95.66	2.0	+2.3

View full specifications (PDF)

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Models	Description
S507C	Multi-Group Analysis for Uranium
S507CS	Multi-Group Analysis for U Software Support - 1 Yr