Year
2011
Abstract
Abstract In response to the global shortage of Helium-3 gas and the increased demand for neutron detectors for homeland security, GE Energy’s Reuter Stokes product line has developed a Boron-10 based replacement technology for Helium-3 based neutron detection modules (NDM) used in radiation portal monitors (RPM). The new technology is a complete NDM comprised of a high-density polyethylene moderating panel containing multiple Boron-10 lined proportional tubes. The new Boron-10 based NDM design has gone through extensive field testing as well as internal and independent laboratory testing and has been shown to comply with industry and government specifications with respect to neutron sensitivity, gamma insensitivity, shock, vibration, and temperature. The new module serves as a drop-in replacement for 3He based NDMs in existing installations, requiring only minor modifications to electronics, and has been successfully deployed in field installations. Here, we report on the design, validation testing, and initial results of field deployment of a commercially available Boron-10 lined proportional counter based neutron detection module for use in radiation portal monitors.