Characterising encapsulated nuclear waste using cosmic-ray muon tomography

Tomographic imaging techniques using the Coulomb scattering of cosmic-ray muons have been shown previously to successfully identify and characterise low- and high-Z materials within an air matrix using a prototype scintillating-fibre tracker system. Those studies were performed as the first in a ser...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:arXiv.org 2014-10
Main Authors: Clarkson, Anthony, Hamilton, David J, Hoek, Matthias, Ireland, David G, Johnstone, John R, Kaiser, Ralf, Tibor Keri, Lumsden, Scott, Mahon, David F, McKinnon, Bryan, Morgan, Murray, Nutbeam-Tuffs, Siân, Shearer, Craig, Yang, Guangliang, Zimmerman, Colin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cosmic rays
Encapsulation
Feasibility studies
Image reconstruction
Imaging techniques
Muons
Radioactive wastes
Waste containers
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Tomographic imaging techniques using the Coulomb scattering of cosmic-ray muons have been shown previously to successfully identify and characterise low- and high-Z materials within an air matrix using a prototype scintillating-fibre tracker system. Those studies were performed as the first in a series to assess the feasibility of this technology and image reconstruction techniques in characterising the potential high-Z contents of legacy nuclear waste containers for the UK Nuclear Industry. The present work continues the feasibility study and presents the first images reconstructed from experimental data collected using this small-scale prototype system of low- and high-Z materials encapsulated within a concrete-filled stainless-steel container. Clear discrimination is observed between the thick steel casing, the concrete matrix and the sample materials assayed. These reconstructed objects are presented and discussed in detail alongside the implications for future industrial scenarios.
ISSN:2331-8422
DOI:10.48550/arxiv.1410.7192