High-resolution imaging of nuclear waste containers with Muon Scattering Tomography

Abstract

A method was developed to determine the edge position of uranium blocks embedded in concrete, using Muon Scattering Tomography. This method is useful for nuclear waste management, as it provides a precise image of high-Z materials inside nuclear waste drums. Simulations were performed of uranium blocks with different sizes, encased in a concrete tube, and their lengths were reconstructed. The resolution obtained for the reconstructed lengths was 2.9 ± 0.5 mm and the method works down to a smallest size of 5 mm. This result was obtained without including the muon momentum. The same method was then applied including the momentum information, resulting in a better resolution of 0.96 ± 0.03 mm, and works down to a smallest size of 2 mm.