Nondestructive control of chemical weapons combining neutron-activation analysis and neutron-radiography techniques

A project of a transportable neutron system has been designed for nondestructive detection of weapon materials such as chemical agents or explosives. The system combines imaging and identifying techniques, and uses a sealed tube neutron generator GENIE 46. The neutron emitting module is embedded in a moderator/collimator. The resulting mixed 14 MeV and thermal neutron beam allows the user to perform neutron radiography and gamma-ray spectroscopy. Substances to be detected are imaged in a first step and then identified by comparing relative spectral line intensities with those of reference materials. The moderator provides a first level protection against radiation to the operators. This project includes only industrial sub assemblies, transportable by truck to be used in open area.