Managed by UT-Battelle for the Department of Energy An Overview of the ORNL Nuclear Forensics...

Managed by UT-Battellefor the Department of Energy

An Overview of the ORNL Nuclear Forensics Program

June 18, 2009

Brad Patton

2 Managed by UT-Battellefor the Department of Energy

Common Nuclear Forensics Terms IND – Improvised nuclear device RDD – Radiological dispersion device Radiological material – materials that could be used in a RDD (e.g., 60Co, 137Cs, 192Ir, etc.) Nuclear material – materials that can be used in an IND (e.g., 235U, 239Pu) Pre-detonation (Pre-det) – material/device before detonation Post-detonation (Post-det) – material/device after detonation


Isotopes of Greatest Concern

137Cs

192Ir

252Cf

90Sr 60Co 241Am 210Po

244Cm

239Pu 238Pu

235U


Elements of Forensics Evidence

Traditional evidence (fingerprints, fibers, DNA, etc.) Contaminated traditional evidence Nuclear material evidence (nuclear forensics)

Nuclear forensic only one portionof the total evidence and does

not need to stand alone

Nuclear forensic only one portionof the total evidence and does

not need to stand alone


Nuclear Forensic Process

Field Measurement and Sample Selection

Sample Receipt and Subsampling

Laboratory Analysis

Data Interpretation

Existing Data and

Tools

Enhanced Data and

Tools


Field Measurements and Sample Collection

Quantity material dispersed (RDD) Major radioisotope dispersed Sample collection and shipment to field

laboratories


ORNL Nuclear/Radiological Forensics Science Programs

Intercepted Material or Post-Detonation Debris

Laboratory Analysis(Laboratories/Techniques)

Receipt and Subsampling (Hot Cells)

Data Interpretation(Knowledge Basis/Expertise)

NRC Data

1

10

100

1,000

10,000

100,000

1,000,000

10,000,000

100,000,000

1,000,000,000

Am-241 Am-241/Be Co-60 Cs-137 Ir-192 Sr-90Isotope

To

tal C

urr

ent A

ctiv

ity o

f So

urc

es (C

i)

Subject Matter Expertise

Knowledge Base

HEU Production

Data

Expertise

Advanced Analytical Techniques

New Signatures

Isotope Source Production and

Distribution

ProductionModeling

Data

Expertise


Sample Receipt and Subsampling Package imaging Bulk analysis (mass, specific activity, etc.) Verify major radioisotope and minor (gamma spectroscopy) Subsampling for laboratory analysis Transfer to laboratories for detailed analysis


Analytical Chemistry Lab - to receive and prepare beta-gamma emitting radioisotopes (60Co, 137Cs, 192Ir, 90Sr, etc.) and to conduct a full spectrum of analyses

REDC – to receive and prepare actinide (alpha and neutron emitters) radioisotopes (241Am, 252Cf, 244Cm, 210Po, 238Pu, 239Pu, 235U, etc.)

Fuels Examination Lab – metallurgicalanalysis of spent fuel and large sources

ORNL Hot Cells and Glovebox Facilities for Handling Radioactive Materials of all Types


Laboratory Analysis(Laboratories/Techniques)

Alpha and gamma spectroscopy Liquid scintillation for beta material High precision mass spectrometry for measurement of RDD material

isotopics and trace impurities High precision mass spectrometry for measurement of U and Pu isotopics

and trace impurities Neutron activation analyses for non-destruction measurement


Radiochemical Analysis Capabilities and Protocols

Thermo Finnigan Element 2 High resolution ICP-MS

Thermo Elemental IRIS –ICP-Atomic Emission Spectrometry

(glovebox containment)


Data Interpretation and Knowledge Base

NRC Data

1

10

100

1,000

10,000

100,000

1,000,000

10,000,000

100,000,000

1,000,000,000

Am-241 Am-241/Be Co-60 Cs-137 Ir-192 Sr-90Isotope

To

tal C

urr

ent

Act

ivit

y o

f So

urc

es (

Ci)

Subject Matter Expertise

Knowledge Base

Material Production

Data

Expertise

Isotope Source Production and

Distribution

Data

Expertise

Production and processing expertise to interpret data Material characteristics and links to processes Knowledge of RDD materials characteristics and links to

processing history

Age Dating to determine time since purification Reactor models to predict signatures and irradiation history to

determine time since production Impurities may be traceable to processing methods


ORNL RDD Material Production Data DHS MS Access database

developed Information on sources

produced at ORNL in searchable database– Source dimensions, welding

details and serial numbers– Origin of radioactive material– Dates sources fabricated and initial

distribution– Chemical form, processing history

and major chemical characteristics Experience with data sources

now allows for rapid manual searches


Enhanced Data and Tools

Advanced Analytical Techniques

Enhanced Data and Tools

ProductionModeling

Continued mining of existing data and incorporation of new measurement knowledge base

Development of advanced mass spectrometry methods and techniques Development of inverse reactor models to predict signatures and

irradiation history


Oak Ridge National Laboratory:Meeting the challenges of the 21st centuryOak Ridge National Laboratory:Meeting the challenges of the 21st century

For additional information, contact:Brad [email protected]

Questions?Questions?

Managed by UT-Battelle for the Department of Energy An Overview of the ORNL Nuclear Forensics...

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