The Underwater Detection of TNT Explosive

Author

Sudac, Davorin ; Valkovic, Vladivoj ; Nad, Karlo ; Obhodas, Jasmina

Author_Institution

Rudjer Boskovic Inst., Zagreb, Croatia

Volume

58

Issue

2

fYear

2011

fDate

4/1/2011 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

547

Lastpage

551

Abstract

Tagged neutron inspection system was used for the underwater detection of explosives. Neutrons were produced in the d+t nuclear reaction with API 120 sealed tube neutron generator. Five kilograms of TNT explosive were measured in a pool filled with water. Measurements were done in target in, target out configuration. Also, a sandwich made of 6 mm thick iron plates with explosive placed between two layers of sea sediments was measured under the same conditions. Sediments were collected in the Adriatic Sea. Measurements were repeated with TNT explosive replaced by rocks of similar size and shape. Neutron tube was rotated in order to find the position of explosive (rocks) in the sandwich. It was found that TNT can be detected underwater and that is possible to distinguish TNT from the sea rocks placed between 6 mm thick iron plates or between layers of sediments by their ratios of carbon and oxygen.

Keywords

buried object detection; deuteron-nucleus reactions; explosives; neutron sources; nuclear chemical analysis; remote sensing; sediments; triton-nucleus reactions; API 120 sealed tube neutron generator; Adriatic Sea; TNT explosive; alpha particle imaging; deuterium+tritium nuclear reaction; fast neutron interrogation; iron plates; neutron tube; sea rocks; sea sediments; sediments; size 6 mm; tagged neutron inspection system; underwater detection; Aluminum; Carbon; Explosives; Iron; Neutrons; Sea measurements; Sediments; Associated particle technique; fast neutron interrogation; underwater explosive detection;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Nuclear Science, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9499

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/TNS.2011.2112671

Filename

5722069