Education

Research Description

Dr. Gardner's research interest is in industrial and medical radiation and radioisotope measurement applications.

Publications

Application of the Monte Carlo Library Least-Squares (MCLLS) approach for chromium quantitative analysis in aqueous solution

Zhang, Y., Tang, B., Jia, W. B., Zhang, X., Wang, R., Li, F., & Gardner, R. (2019), APPLIED RADIATION AND ISOTOPES, 150, 39–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2019.02.018

Implementation of the Monte Carlo Library Least-Squares (MCLLS) approach for quantification of the chlorine impurity in an on-line crude oil monitoring system

Chang, H. P., Meric, I., Sudac, D., Nad, K., Obhodas, J., Hou, G., … Gardner, R. P. (2019, February), RADIATION PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY, Vol. 155, pp. 197–201. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radphyschem.2018.05.012

Uncertainty quantification for Gamma-ray spectroscopy using the Library-Least Squares technique

Feinberg, A., & Gardner, R. P. (2019, February), RADIATION PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY, Vol. 155, pp. 191–196. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radphyschem.2018.08.015

A distance correction method for improving the accuracy of particle coal online X-ray fluorescence analysis - Part 1: Theoretical dependence of XRF intensity on the distance

Zhang, Y., Jia, W. B., Gardner, R., Shan, Q., Zhang, X. L., Hou, G., & Chang, H. P. (2018), RADIATION PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY, 147, 118–121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radphyschem.2017.07.005

A method for determining density based on gamma ray and fast neutron detection using a Cs2LiYCl6 detector in neutron-gamma density logging

Zhang, Q., Zhang, F., Gardner, R. P., Yan, H., Wu, G., Tian, L., … Ti, Y. (2018), APPLIED RADIATION AND ISOTOPES, 142, 77–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2018.09.011

Quantitative monitoring of CO2 sequestration using thermal neutron detection technique in heavy oil reservoirs

Zhang, F., Zhang, Q., Gardner, R. P., Liu, J., Zhang, X., Qiu, F., … Wang, Y. (2018), INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GREENHOUSE GAS CONTROL, 79, 154–164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2018.10.003

Study on the PGNAA. measurement of heavy metals in aqueous solution by the Monte Carlo Library Least-Squares (MCLLS) approach

Zhang, Y., Jia, W. B., Gardner, R., Shan, Q., & Hei, D. (2018), APPLIED RADIATION AND ISOTOPES, 132, 13–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2017.10.037

A distance correction method for improving the accuracy of particle coal online X-ray fluorescence analysis - Part 2: Method and experimental investigation

Zhang, Y., Jia, W. B., Gardner, R., Shan, Q., Zhang, X. L., Hou, G., & Chang, H. P. (2017), RADIATION PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY, 141, 235–238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radphyschem.2017.07.004

Development of a method for on-line determination of chlorine impurity in crude oil by using fast neutrons

Chang, H. P., Meric, I., Sudac, D., Nad, K., Obhodas, J., & Gardner, R. P. (2017), FUEL, 209, 643–649. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2017.06.123

Validation and uncertainty quantification of detector response functions for a 1″×2″ NaI collimated detector intended for inverse radioisotope source mapping applications

Nelson, N., Azmy, Y., Gardner, R. P., Mattingly, J., Smith, R., Worrall, L. G., & Dewji, S. (2017), Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms, 410, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.NIMB.2017.07.015

View all publications via NC State Libraries

Grants

Development of Computational Models of Tool Response to Neutron Sources for Radioisotope Source Replacement

US Dept. of Energy (DOE)(7/25/13 - 12/31/13)

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Development of Computational Models of Tool Response to Neutron Sources for Radioisotope Source Replacement

Sponsor: US Dept. of Energy (DOE)

Start Date: 7/25/13

End Date: 12/31/13

Abstract

June 6, 2013 Appendix I to Standard Research Educational Institution or Nonprofit Organization Subcontract Form of Agreement Statement of Work 1.0 SCOPE OF WORK: SUBCONTRACTOR shall furnish qualified personnel, equipment, materials and facilities to perform, as detailed in this Statement of Work, all services necessary to complete development of computational models of tool response to neutron sources for radioisotope source replacement, and required by or reasonably inferable from the Subcontract Documents. SUBCONTRACTOR shall not be relieved of performing the details of any work manifestly or customarily performed to carry out the intent of this subcontract. All work shall be performed as if fully and correctly set forth and described in the subcontract. Los Alamos National Laboratory is currently participating in a project to assist with the development of alternatives to the radioisotope neutron sources used in the well logging industry. Equivalent performance of an alternate source to the AmBe sources currently in use is highly desired by the industry. In order to fulfill our project objectives, LANL requires support in modeling and simulation of the alternative well logging options to demonstrate equivalency or, if equivalency cannot be achieved, then a means to compare the data needs to be developed. 1.1 Work Included: The Subcontractor shall use their computational resources within The Nuclear Engineering Department in support of Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) on the development of generating computational models of generic tool responses to the neutron source for Radioisotope Source Replacement (RSR). This work is in support of the joint proposal titled ?Peizoelectric Transformer Neutron generator (PTNG) Neutron Source for Well Logging? submitted to the NNSA Office of Nonproliferation Research and Development (NA-22). The nuclear engineering department at the Subcontractor?s facility has a long history of predicting tool response to a variety of radiation sources in a wide range of environmental conditions (i.e. variations in formation geometry, composition, etc.). Building on their history, the Subcontractor shall provide feedback on tool response as follows: 1.1.1 Report on the well logging tool response using the point isotropic approximation for D-D, D-T, and T-T. Include comparison between MCNP and GEANT; 1.1.2 Report on the optimum detector spacing for D-T, D-D, and T-T sources; and 1.1.3 Report on the well logging tool response using the LANL provided neutron spectra and yield for D-D, D-T, and T-T. 1.2 Work not included: 1.2.1 Not Applicable 1.3 Deliverables 1.3.1 Monthly progress reports 1.3.2 End of project report on simulation results of the tool response by December 31, 2013; and 1.3.3 Research results to be published in the open literature as appropriate. 2.0 TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS 2.1 Technical Specifications

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Associates Program - Nuclear Techniques in Oil Well Logging

Weatherford International Ltd.(1/01/13 - 12/31/13)

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Associates Program - Nuclear Techniques in Oil Well Logging

Sponsor: Weatherford International Ltd.

Start Date: 1/01/13

End Date: 12/31/13

Abstract

An invitation to China Oilfield Services Limited to be a participant in the Associates Program Nuclear Techniques in Oil Well Logging in support of the Center for Engineering Applications of Radioisotopes.

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Associates Program - Nuclear Techniques in Oil Well Logging

China Oilfield Services Limited(1/01/12 - 12/31/15)

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Associates Program - Nuclear Techniques in Oil Well Logging

Sponsor: China Oilfield Services Limited

Start Date: 1/01/12

End Date: 12/31/15

Abstract

An invitation to China Oilfield Services Limited to be a participant in the Associates Program Nuclear Techniques in Oil Well Logging in support of the Center for Engineering Applications of Radioisotopes.

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Associates Program - Nuclear Techniques in Oil Well Logging

Real Time Instruments (RTI)(1/01/12 - 12/31/12)

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Associates Program - Nuclear Techniques in Oil Well Logging

Sponsor: Real Time Instruments (RTI)

Start Date: 1/01/12

End Date: 12/31/12

Abstract

An invitation to Real Time Instruments to be a participant in the Associates Program Nuclear Techniques in Oil Well Logging in support of the Center for Engineering Applications of Radioisotopes.

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Development of Alternatives to the Radioisotope Neutron Sources Used in the Well Logging Industry

US Dept. of Energy (DOE)(1/11/12 - 10/30/12)

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Development of Alternatives to the Radioisotope Neutron Sources Used in the Well Logging Industry

Sponsor: US Dept. of Energy (DOE)

Start Date: 1/11/12

End Date: 10/30/12

Abstract

Monte Carlo calculations are to be made on a standard neutron porosity oil well logging tool to determine if either Cf-252 or D-T accelerator neutron sources can be used to replace Am-Be neutron sources.

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Production of Gamma-Ray Spectral Libraries for Nuclear Threat Cargo Monitoring

US Dept. of Energy (DOE)(6/01/10 - 5/31/15)

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Production of Gamma-Ray Spectral Libraries for Nuclear Threat Cargo Monitoring

Sponsor: US Dept. of Energy (DOE)

Start Date: 6/01/10

End Date: 5/31/15

Abstract

This project is to investigate the fundamental limitations and their solution to the library approach for the inverse radiation spectrum application for detecting nuclear terror radiation sources

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Development of Subspace-Based Hybrid Monte Carlo-Deterministic Algorithms For Reactor Physics Calculations

Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC(10/01/09 - 9/30/13)

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Development of Subspace-Based Hybrid Monte Carlo-Deterministic Algorithms For Reactor Physics Calculations

Sponsor: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC

Start Date: 10/01/09

End Date: 9/30/13

Abstract

This project proposes the development of a mathematically-justified, computationally-efficient, and massively-parallelized framework for elucidating the coupling between Monte Carlo and deterministic models in order to achieve the following objectives: a) increasing the convergence of Monte Carlo calculations via enhanced biasing methods; b) enabling a reliable and efficient Monte Carlo inverse analysis; c) accumulation of sensitivity coefficients of all responses, including reactor core attributes, e.g., reactor design parameters, reactivity coefficients, flux and power distributions throughout the core, with respect to all basic input data, e.g., nuclear cross-sections data; d) estimation of all reactor core attributes uncertainties due to basic nuclear data uncertainties; and e) determination of energy-collapsed cross-sections for deterministic methods based on Monte Carlo solutions. To be performed routinely as part of the design process, most of these objectives are currently considered computationally intractable despite the anticipated growth in computer power. Finally, a number of reports will document the project deliverables, including quarterly, annual, and the final report. Transfer of the capabilities being developed to other DOE laboratories will be facilitated through the laboratory collaborators (PI3 and PI4).

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Mathematical Methods to Improve Detection and Identification of Radioactive Materials

Raytheon(8/14/08 - 6/01/10)

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Mathematical Methods to Improve Detection and Identification of Radioactive Materials

Sponsor: Raytheon

Start Date: 8/14/08

End Date: 6/01/10

Abstract

The primary mathematical problem in radiation detection for non- proliferation purposes is the inverse problem of determining the pertinent radioactivity amounts from an experimental total counting rate or spectrum. Three-dimensional Monte Carlo simulation has long been recognized as the most accurate way to model or simulate radiation detection by most practitioners. However, Monte Carlo simulation - especially for spectral radiation responses - is notoriously slow and some accuracy issues still exist.

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Associates Program-Nuclear Techniques in Oil Well Logging Supporting Center For Engineering Applications of Radiosotopes

Pathfinder Energy Services(7/01/08 - 12/31/10)

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Associates Program-Nuclear Techniques in Oil Well Logging Supporting Center For Engineering Applications of Radiosotopes

Sponsor: Pathfinder Energy Services

Start Date: 7/01/08

End Date: 12/31/10

Abstract

The Center for Engineering Applications of Radiosotopes of the Nuclear Engineering Department, School of Engineering, administers the program. The Director of the Center is Dr. Robin P. Garner, Professor of Nuclear and Chemical Engineering. Specific Units of Research are selected by the center for investigation each year with input from the Associates Program. Details are outlined in the agreement. "Invitation to participate in the program in 2008"

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Development of Accurate and Fast Monte Carlo Spectral Simulation Algorithms For Proliferation Detection

US Dept. of Energy (DOE)(9/19/08 - 12/31/12)

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Development of Accurate and Fast Monte Carlo Spectral Simulation Algorithms For Proliferation Detection

Sponsor: US Dept. of Energy (DOE)

Start Date: 9/19/08

End Date: 12/31/12

Abstract

This proposal has as its highest value deliverable the development of fast and accurate Monte Carlo spectral simulation algorithms for nuclear proliferation detection. Two approaches are proposed for both the gamma-ray and passive and active neutron transport models of interest. They are: (1) the use of simple 1-D diffusion theory models of the adjoint problem to produce importance maps for hybrid use with the ?weight windows? forward Monte Carlo models and (2) the hybrid use of differential operators with pre-calculated Monte Carlo simulations for pre-selected probable shielding scenarios that might be encountered. In both approaches the detector response function approach being developed at NCSU and LANL will be used for optimum accuracy and speed.

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