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Detection Dynamics Of Nitrogen Based Explosive Quantities In Selected Cylindrical Containers
[Full Text]
AUTHOR(S)
Ngusha Tavershima Almighty, Amah Alexander Nwabueze
KEYWORDS
Ammonium nitrate, Detection, Explosive Containers, Explosive masses, Neutron interrogation, MCNP
ABSTRACT
An experimental set up for examining the variation of detection intensity with explosive quantity has been studied. Containers made from ceramic, carbon steel, wood and HDPE were filled with explosive masses ranging from 10 kg to 500 kg and irradiated by a 14.1 MeV point isotropic neutron source. The resulting gamma photons were analyzed for their C, N and O composition and the sum computed to yield a quantity known as the material quotient (MQ). Examination of MQ values indicates an initial increase in detection intensity with increasing explosive quantity. Saturation is however reached at an explosive quantity of about 25kg where detection intensity reduces with further increase in explosive quantity. Effects of variation in explosive quantity appeared to be more pronounced for explosives contained in HDPE and wooden containers and least pronounced for those in steel containers. Source-detector configuration was identified as a major factor affecting effective detection of large masses of explosives.
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