Absorber materials neutron absorbers

Europium 63 Eu Phosphor activator, electronic materials, neutron absorber... 

The most common neutron detectors are of the proportional gas type. Since neutrons themselves have no charge and are non-ionizing, they are harder to detect than X-rays. Detection relies on the absorption of the neutron by an atomic nucleus with the simultaneous emission of a y-ray photon, often referred to as an (n,y) reaction. Since the absorbing material must absorb neutrons and be capable of existing in gaseous form, the choice of substances is limited. The most common is He gas, which relies on the reaction ... 

These assemblies are made of a spider on which 2,5 to 4 m long rods are welded. These rods (16 to 24 per assembly) contain neutron-absorbing material. The rod envelope is made of 0,5 to 1 mm thick steel. The rod diameter is approximately 10 mm. 

Hafnium is obtained as a by-product of the production of hafnium-free nuclear-grade 2irconium (see Nuclear reactors Zirconiumand zirconium compounds). Hafnium s primary use is as a minor strengthening agent in high temperature nickel-base superakoys. Additionally, hafnium is used as a neutron-absorber material, primarily in the form of control rods in nuclear reactors. 

The Model 412 PWR uses several control mechanisms. The first is the control cluster, consisting of a set of 25 hafnium metal rods coimected by a spider and inserted in the vacant spaces of 53 of the fuel assembhes (see Fig. 6). The clusters can be moved up and down, or released to shut down the reactor quickly. The rods are also used to (/) provide positive reactivity for the startup of the reactor from cold conditions, (2) make adjustments in power that fit the load demand on the system, (J) help shape the core power distribution to assure favorable fuel consumption and avoid hot spots on fuel cladding, and (4) compensate for the production and consumption of the strongly neutron-absorbing fission product xenon-135. Other PWRs use an alloy of cadmium, indium, and silver, all strong neutron absorbers, as control material. 

Approximately 5% of the U.S. consumption of is in agriculture. Boron is a necessary trace nutrient for plants and is added in small quantities to a number of fertilizers. Borates are also used in crop sprays for fast rehef of boron deficiency. Borates, when apphed at relatively high concentration, act as nonselective herbicides. Small quantities of borates are used in the manufacture of alloys and refractories (qv). Molten borates readily dissolve other metal oxides usage as a flux in metallurgy is an important apphcation. Other important small volume apphcations for borates are in fire retardants for both plastics and ceUulosic materials, in hydrocarbon fuels for fungus control, and in automotive antifreeze for corrosion control (see Corrosion and corrosion inhibitors). Borates are used as neutron absorbers in nuclear reactors. Several borates, which are registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can be used for insecticidal purposes, eg, TIM-BOR. 

Control of the nuclear chain reaction in a reactor is maintained by the insertion of rods containing neutron absorbing materials such as boron, boron carbide, or borated steel. In state-of-the-art high temperature reactor designs, such as the Gas... 

But numerous papers published during rece t decades showed that hydrogen can be a very useful alloying element for production of new materials (such as hydrogen accumulators, neutron absorbers, etc.) or new technologies for alloy processing with improved treatment parameters as well as with the improved final properties of the alloys. ... 

The nuclear reactor also must be shielded against the emission of radioactive material to the external environment. Suitable radiation controls include both thermal and biological shielding systems. Radiation from alpha particles (a rays) and beta particles ((3 rays) has little penetrating power, but gamma rays have deep penetration properties. Neutron radiation is, however, the primary area of risk. Typically, extremely thick concrete walls are used as a neutron absorber, but lead-lined concrete and special concretes are also used. 

The central wire, made of a neutron-absorbing material, absorbs a neutron and undergoes beta decay. 

There are only a few commercial uses for europium. Europium oxide, (Eu O ), a compound of europium, is added to infra-sensitive phosphors to enhance the red colors on TV and computer-monitor picture tubes. It is also added to fluorescent light tubes to increase their efflciency, as well as to some materials to make lasers. Since it is a good neutron absorber, it is part of nuclear reactor control rods. Europium is an additive to the glue used on postage stamps, thus making it possible for the electronic sorting machines in U.S. postal offices to read the stamps. 

While each of the above technologies offers certain unique advantages, those common to ceramic immobilization include a relative ease in fabrication, a high capacity for actinides or heavy metals compared to other technologies, the capacity for flexibility of feedstock, the ability to add neutron absorber materials for nuclear waste applications, and the ability to control the properties of the final waste form. 

Another application concerning the liquid-metal-cooled fast breeder reactors (LMFBR) was studied as development of advanced control rod materials for FBR (22). Fabrication tests and out-of-pile measurements were made of B4C/Cu cermet to obtain high-performance neutron absorber materials for LMFBR. A coating layer of Cu was formed on the surface of B4C/Cu powder, and then the coated B4C... 

Owing to their neutron-absorbing properties, some benzo fused 1,2-dihydro-1,2-azaborines have been suggested for use as neutron sensitive material in neutron detectors (67MI12100). 

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