STARFIRE INDUSTRIES LLC — Department of Energy SBIR Phase I: 02c

Description

241AmBe ,n) radiochemical neutron sources are used extensively in the oil/gas industry for new and existing well exploration and evaluation for oil and gas. 241AmBe sources pose several issues with respect to intentional or accidental diversion and/or use as a radiological dispersal device with a >400 year halflife. For this and several other reasons, development of an alternative source is needed as an option for eventual radionuclide source removal. The primary obstacle cited for welllogging replacement is that by changing to either 252Cf fission spectrum) or traditional DT accelerator monoenergetic) source dramatically changes the neutron energy spectrum. Having a neutron source with a more comparable neutron energy spectrum to241AmBe would greatly assist with the transition problem for nearterm operating source replacement and industry acceptance. Through this SBIR project, the problem will be addressed by tuning the neutron energy spectrum using alternate fusion reactions to produce a spread of higherenergy neutrons without any radioactive tritium. In Phase I, an alternative target technology with higher energy acceleration in a compact form factor will be explored. This will establish engineering feasibility for fullscale testing in Phase II for a compact borehole generator with neutron energy >4MeV without tritium. The technology has immediate application for radiochemical replacement. Other benefits are potential for sensor systems for gammaray inspection for explosives, carbon heating value measurement and oxygen ratio estimation. Security inspection and industrial clients in raw materials processing will greatly benefit from the highenergy neutron capability with lower cost and improved safety.