Simulation of pulsed neutron activation for determination of water flow in pipes

Abstract

Abstract The effect of the asymmetric distribution of activated water in PNA (pulsed neutron activation) measurements has been investigated experimentally by depositing a small amount of colour, simulating the activated water, in a transparent Plexiglas pipe. Based on the colour experiments, a semi-empirical model has been developed that describes the distribution of the activated water at different distances from the activation point. The model shows that the combination of inhomogeneous activation and a radial velocity profile makes the mean velocity of the activity lower than the mean velocity of the water. It can also be seen that the velocity of the activity increases as the distance from the activation point increases. The model has been compared with experimental values from PNA measurements and the measured mean velocity shows a similar dependence on the distance from the activation point.