Locating mining sites using neutron detection

Disclosed is a He-3 detector arrangement that generally comprises a neutron shield interposed between a thermal neutron source and thermal neutron detectors all resting on a metal platform. In operation, thermal neutrons from the thermal neutron source are emitted when the He-3 detector arrangement...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors Salvino, Chris, Dummer, Andrew
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
Published 23.07.2024
Subjects
AIRCRAFT
AVIATION
CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ELEMENTS
COSMONAUTICS
DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS
GEOPHYSICS
GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS
INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIRCHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
MEASURING
NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
NUCLEAR PHYSICS
PERFORMING OPERATIONS
PHYSICS
RADIOACTIVE SOURCES
TESTING
TRANSPORTING
VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
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Summary:Disclosed is a He-3 detector arrangement that generally comprises a neutron shield interposed between a thermal neutron source and thermal neutron detectors all resting on a metal platform. In operation, thermal neutrons from the thermal neutron source are emitted when the He-3 detector arrangement is on or near the ground. Some of the thermal neutrons from the neutron source backscatter from the regolith to the neutron detector where a baseline count level is registered. When He-3 is present in the regolith, some of the thermal neutrons are absorbed by the He-3, which reduces the detected count rate. When integrated with a rover, the He-3 detector is moved from place to place with the count rates at each location compared. In this manner, higher and lower levels of He-3 in the regolith can be mapped indicating target regions for mining the He-3.
Bibliography:Application Number: US202318538102