IRRADIATOR SYSTEM FOR MANGANESE SULFATE BATH EFFICIENCY MEASUREMENTS USING A PLUTONIUM-BERYLLIUM NEUTRON SOURCE.

This study describes the use of a neutron irradiator system based on a plutonium-beryllium neutron source for MnSO4 solution activation for use to determine the MSB system efficiency. Computational simulations using Monte Carlo code were performed to establish the main characteristics of the irradiator system. Among the simulated geometries and volumes, semi-cylindrical shape with 84.5 cm3 of MnSO4 solution yielded the best option to be built. Activity measurements were performed with a high-pure germanium detector to validate the new irradiation system. Results showed an average efficiency and uncertainty of the experimental standard deviation of the mean: 5.742 × 10-4 ± 0.036 × 10-4 (coverage factor k = 1), for MSB system. Efficiency value obtained shows good correlation to other published methods (i.e. a relative difference of 0.07%). This alternative metrological method demonstrated the utility of neutron sources for the irradiation of solutions in metrology laboratories providing a cost-efficient alternative to nuclear reactors or particle accelerators.