GE's Reuter-Stokes has developed a government tested and approved solution for neutron detection utilizing Boron-10 (B-10) lined proportional counters to be used in Homeland Security radiation portal monitors with the sensitivity and capabilities of Helium-3 (He-3) radiation detectors. In response to the global Helium-3 shortage, GE developed an advanced replacement neutron detector technology based on Boron-10. These neutron detector modules have passed government lab and field testing, easily surpassing the ANSI 42.35 specification, and are now available with or without integrated electronics from our newly built hi-volume factory in Twinsburg, Ohio.

3 year factory warranty on Boron-10
neutron detection modules!

Gallery

Videos, photos & other media

GE's Reuter Stokes Boron-10 neutron detection module with optional integrated electronics.
GE's Reuter Stokes Boron-10 neutron detection module with no integrated electronics.
GE's Reuter Stokes Boron-10 neutron detector tube.
GE's Reuter Stokes Boron-10 neutron detector tube.
GE's Reuter Stokes Boron-10 neutron detector tubes in production.
GE's Reuter Stokes Boron-10 neutron detector tubes in production.
Connectors on GE's Reuter Stokes Boron-10 neutron detection module for customer's electronics.
GE's Reuter Stokes Boron-10 neutron integrated electronics compartment.
International shipment portal interrogating imported cargo for radioactive materials.

News

Event - International Conference on Neutron Scattering

July 8-12, 2013; Edinburgh, Scotland

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Event - Institute of Nuclear Materials Management

July 14-18, 2013; Palm Desert, California

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Event - IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium & Medical Imaging Conference

October 27-November 2, 2013; Seoul, Korea

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Technology from GE Revolutionizes Radiation Detection

10/19/11
Press Release

GE Addresses Critical National Security Need with New Facility Expansion

5/28/11
Press Release

DOE Helium Shortage Hits Nuke Security, Oil And Gas Industry

4/23/10
from: Energy News

A national crisis from the impending supply squeeze for Helium-3. This article takes a look at the real-world impacts of the shortage and what is being done to investigate replenishment and alternative technologies.

Isotope production responsibility a problem for NNSA, DOE

6/1/11
from: Federal Agencies

A Government Accountability Office reports examines federal programs that touch on the management of Helium-3 and looks at why the shortage took place.

Moving On Helium-3 Fix, But Management Muddle Continues - GAO

6/6/11
from: Energy Daily

A look at who has responsibility for assuring adequate supplies of Helium-3 and other important isotopes to any specific DOE office and why the shortage was not identified in the first place.

Helium-3 Shortage Could Mean Nuke Detection 'Disaster'

5/5/10
from: Wired

Where Helium-3 comes from, what the shortage is all about and the industries that will be affected by it.

DNDO and the Strategic Plan

3/21/11
from: Homeland Security Today Magazine

A look at the DNDO mission and their new Strategic Plan to manage nuclear device detection with a variety of devices and strategies.

Agencies' Lack of Coordination Hindered Supply of Crucial Gas, Report Says

5/28/11
from: New York Times

How the lack of communication by two Energy Department agencies resulted in a severe shortage of Helium-3 that is crucial for detecting smuggled nuclear weapons materials.

For some, Helium-3 supply picture is brightening

5/11/11
from: Physics Today

US users of Helium-3 gas for scientific applications say the flow has resumed, but at almost prohibitively high prices, when they are able to find it. And little progress has been made on adding new supplies.

DOE begins rationing Helium-3

6/10/11
from: Physics Today

As the extent of the Helium-3 shortage becomes clearer an interagency task force is giving scientific users priority, but some say the material is not available at any price.

Specs

Product Features

Drop-in Replacement
integrated moderator, detector, and electronics designed to fit within existing Helium-3 neutron detector moderator envelope.
High Neutron Sensitivity
exceeds neutron sensitivity specification (2.5 cps/ng) in many existing Radiation Portal Monitor designs.
Excellent Gamma Discrimination
meets intrinsic efficiency and GARRn specification when exposed to gamma radiation up to 100 mR/h.
Integrated Electronics (Optional)
environmentally sealed, analog or digital output. A USB port is available to monitor HV power supply, discriminator setting, current consumption and temperature.
Built-in Quality
incorporates many of the design features of today's Helium-3 detectors
Product Configurations
available in a variety of sizes and lengths up to 2.2 meters. Module is also available with HN or specified electrical connectors in lieu of electronics.

Specifications

Moderator Module
- High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
- Overall length: up to 2.2 meters
- Width: various, 30 cm (typical)
- Depth: various, 12.7 cm (typical)
Boron 10 Lined Detectors
- Inner wall lined with enriched Boron-10
- Fill gas: Argon mixture
- Pressure; less than 1 atmosphere (typical)
Integrated Electronics
- Two separate independent systems
- Includes HV power supply, preamplifiers, and shaping and summing amplifiers
- Environmentally protected
- Power requirements: +5VDC(<500mA)
- Analog or digital output
- USB port to set HV power supply(0 – 1250VDC) and discriminator level, and to monitor and troubleshoot module
Ratings
- Temperature: -40℃ to +55℃- Relative humidity: 93%
Configurations
- Mechanical: drop-in designs available
- Moderator-Detector only (option)
- Connectors: HN (2) or as specified
- Operating voltage: 600 – 1,100 volts -
  Capacitance: ~200 pF

Lab & Field Validation

Pacific Northwest National Lab Validation test (PNNL-18938 Rev.1t)

3/10/2010

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Reported here are the results of tests of a newly designed boron-lined proportional counter option. This testing measured the neutron detection efficiency and gamma ray rejection capabilities of two successive prototypes of a system manufactured by GE's Reuter Stokes.

PDF Fact Sheets

Boron-10 Neutron Detection Module

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B-10 Lined Proportional Counter

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Boron-10 Proportional Counter Specifications

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Education

Training Materials

To request training manuals, personal on-site training, or a visit to our facility, please contact our Sales department for an appointment.

Contact Information

Nathan Johnson
nathan.johnson@ps.ge.com
+1 330-963-2330

Anton Zonneveld
anton.zonneveld@ge.com
+1 330-486-0587

Mathieu Boucher
mathieu.boucher@ge.com
Phone :+41 79-128-24-43
Mobile :+41 79-128-24-43
Europe Region

Presentations

INMM 2011 Presentation

Validation of a Boron-10 Lined Proportional Counter Technology for Replacing Helium-3 in Radiation Portal Monitors

7/18/11

Report on the design, validation testing, and initial results of field deployment of a commercially available Boron-10 lined proportional counter based neutron detection module for use in radiation portal monitors.

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A General Overview of GE's Boron-10 Neutron Detection Module

12/5/10

General overview presentation of Boron-10 neutron detection module

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Neutron Detection Schematic

Depictions of ion interactions.

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IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium Presentation

Neutron Detector Sensitivity Measurements and Their Variation

10/25/11

GE Reuter-Stokes' Physicist Kevin McKinny explains how the gamma environment and detector active length are important when considering neutron detector sensitivity, that Boron-10 sensitivity is more affected by gamma dose than Helium-3 sensitivity is, but still greater than 90% of nominal value for active lengths up to ~80 inches, and that for very high dose rates, Boron-10 provides significantly better n/g discrimination than Helium-3.

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Contact

Sales contact information

Americas

Nathan Johnson
nathan.johnson@ps.ge.com
+1 330-963-2330

Anton Zonneveld
anton.zonneveld@ge.com
+1 330-486-0587

Asia

Masaki Urushihara
masaki.urushihara@ge.com
+81 3-6890-4525

Europe

Mathieu Boucher
mathieu.boucher@ge.com

Corporate information

GE Energy
8499 Darrow Road
Twinsburg, OH 44087
USA

Toll Free: +1 888-242-3714
Local: +1 330-425-3755

Tom Anderson
Product Line Leader
+1 330-963-2437