The low enriched uranium miniature neutron source reactor (LEU-MNSR) neutron spectrum characterization for k0-INAA

Ghana’s highly enriched uranium (90.2%) research reactor has been converted to a low (13.0%) type. Its neutron parameters have characterized for the application of k0-instrumental activation analysis. The magnitude LEU epithermal shaping factor (?) at irradiation site increased by about 25% as compared HEU, while thermal neutrons decreased 5%. This indicates that spectrum is much dependent on 1/E1+?. Similarly, measured fast flux 22%. Generally, results show core’s relatively harder, i.e., there marginal increase in high-energy neutrons. used validate k0-IAEA software. Two certified reference materials (Carbonate rock GBW 07108 (GBW2) and NIST Standard Reference Material 1646a, Estuarine Sediment (EST)) synthetic multi-element standard (SMELS I, II & III) were analyzed based routine scheme. process quality assurance was evaluated u-score test. Most (80 %) elements determined within |u-score| < 1.64, few observed 1.964 > 1.64. suitable characterization general applicability