Reactor Anti-Neutrino Monitoring R.A.M. -- Plutonium Accounting using T2K ECal Technology
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Liverpool
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
The neutrino group in the Physics Department at Liverpool University is developing applications for neutrino detection technologies which they are using in current experiments or developing for future ones.
Remote anti-neutrino detection is being developed for continuous, automatic, and non-intrusive plutonium monitoring and accounting of a reactor core, for security and non-proliferation purposes. The approach pursused here is for improved cooperative monitoring of nuclear reactors, as required by the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty. The IAEA have endorsed research into this anti-neutrino detection technology, which is currently ongoing in Europe and the USA.
The main objective is to build a proof-of-concept, detector for remote continuous monitoring and plutonium accounting of reactor cores using the neutrino flux based upon T2K ECal technology.
Remote anti-neutrino detection is being developed for continuous, automatic, and non-intrusive plutonium monitoring and accounting of a reactor core, for security and non-proliferation purposes. The approach pursused here is for improved cooperative monitoring of nuclear reactors, as required by the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty. The IAEA have endorsed research into this anti-neutrino detection technology, which is currently ongoing in Europe and the USA.
The main objective is to build a proof-of-concept, detector for remote continuous monitoring and plutonium accounting of reactor cores using the neutrino flux based upon T2K ECal technology.
| Description | A device for directly monitoring the core processes in a nuclear reactor, completely decoupled from the reactor environment. Using anti-neutrinos is the only way to directly verify core content of a reactor, we are the only group to have demonstrated technology to do this which fits within IAEA guidelines. |
| Exploitation Route | During this stage we designed and built a device to remotely monitor reactor cores. After this we found second stage funding ST/M00168/1 to take this device to a nuclear power plant. |
| Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Energy,Security and Diplomacy |
| Description | Influencing policy in DECC, ONR and UK support program to IAEA. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2014 |
| Sector | Energy |
| Impact Types | Societal,Economic |
| Description | CASE Studentship |
| Amount | £70,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2016 |
| End | 09/2020 |
| Description | Innovate-UK |
| Amount | £1,100,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 06/2015 |
| End | 11/2018 |
| Description | John Caunt Scientific Ltd |
| Organisation | John Caunt Scientific Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Development of Commercial Detector |
| Collaborator Contribution | development of Comercialisation |
| Impact | Innovate-UK Funding |
| Start Year | 2014 |
| Description | National Nuclear Laboratory Ltd (NNL) |
| Organisation | National Nuclear Laboratory |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Access to data and experimetental setup and know for monitoring nuclear reactors with anti-neutrinos for safeguards. Join PhD appointment. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Working towards full reactor simulation for anti-neutrino production. Access to Nuclear Policy Influencers. Join PhD appointment. |
| Impact | Fledgling collaboration has just formed. |
| Start Year | 2016 |