US 11,747,511 B2
Neutron activation and detection of hazardous, undesirable, or high value material
Ross Radel, Madison, WI (US); Brad Bloomquist, Madison, WI (US); Evan Sengbusch, Madison, WI (US); Rob O'Connell, Madison, WI (US); Eli Moll, Madison, WI (US); Daniel Cech, Madison, WI (US); and Gabriel Becerra, Madison, WI (US)
Assigned to SHINE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, Janesville, WI (US)
Filed by SHINE Technologies, LLC, Janesville, WI (US)
Filed on Dec. 9, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/546,423.
Application 17/546,423 is a continuation of application No. 16/796,000, filed on Feb. 20, 2020, granted, now 11,226,428.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/808,330, filed on Feb. 21, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0091297 A1, Mar. 24, 2022
Int. Cl. G01V 5/00 (2006.01)
CPC G01V 5/0069 (2016.11) 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A compact active neutron interrogation system comprising:
a) a neutron source assembly configured to produce source neutrons;
b) a moderator/shielding assembly surrounding the neutron source;
c) a gamma or neutron detector assembly that detects secondary radiation induced by the neutrons;
d) a material handling component that presents bulk or scrap material to a neutron field generated by the neutron source assembly and to the gamma or neutron detectors; and
e) a computer processor configured to identify material of interest from data collected by said detector assembly and to distinguish material of interest from material not of interest;
wherein the bulk or scrap material comprises a recycling process stream, and wherein the material of interest is lead, mercury, or cadmium.