Xenon diffusion studies with prompt gamma activation analysis |
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Authors: | Carlos A Rios Perez Justin D Lowrey Steven Biegalski Mark R Deinert |
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Institution: | (1) The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA;(2) 1 University Station, C2200, Austin, TX 78712, USA;(3) 1 University Station, R9000, Austin, TX 78712, USA; |
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Abstract: | Developing a better understanding of xenon transport through porous systems is critical to predicting how this gas will enter
the atmosphere after a below ground nuclear weapons test. Radioxenon monitoring is a vital part of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban
Treaty (CTBT) International Monitoring System. This work details the development of prompt gamma activation analysis for measuring
the diffusion rates of xenon and argon gases through a porous medium. The University of Texas at Austin maintains a prompt
gamma activation analysis facility with a peak neutron flux of ~1.5 × 107 cm−2 s−1 and a beam diameter of 1 cm. Due to the relatively large prompt gamma cross sections of many stable xenon isotopes at thermal
and sub-thermal neutron energies, prompt gamma activation analysis is a suitable technique for in situ non-destructive analysis
of natural xenon. A test chamber has been designed and constructed to utilize prompt gamma activation analysis to measure
xenon and argon diffusion through geological materials (e.g., sand, soil, etc.). Initial experiments have been conducted to determine the detection limits for stable gas measurements.
The results from these experiments will be utilized to benchmark parts of a xenon transport model that is being used to determine
diffusion coefficients for xenon and argon. |
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