Criticality Alarm System for the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Conference · Tue Sep 20 04:00:00 EDT 1988

OSTI ID:1974787

Hill, Ernest E. ^[1]; Kolar, O. Clinton ^[1]

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1. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)

The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has specified a standard criticality alarm system (CAS) for use in all its nuclear facilities. This report describes the initial CAS as supplied from the vendor and the modifications made to develop a generic system that better suits LLNL needs. Each such system contains gamma detectors, data-acquisition modules (serviced by uninterruptable power supplies), one or more control terminals, and an emergency evacuation alarm module (also with an uninterruptable power supply). Although the primary function of the CAS is to sound an alarm in the event of a criticality accident, the system can also be used to collect dosimetry data for assessing background radiation levels, to monitor possible secondary criticalities in the event of an accident, and to monitor post-accident conditions remotely. Steps have been taken to assure that these additional functions do not compromise the primary alarm function. The present status of the new standard system, our experience with it, and future plans for other CAS components are also described in this report.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 1974787
• Report Number(s): DOE/NCT-05, 079-102
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
96 KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND PRESERVATION
Criticality Alarm System (CAS)
Detector
Dosimetry Data
EAM Uninterruptable Power Supply (EAM UPS)
Emergency Response Plan
Evacuation Alarm Module (EAM)
False Alarms
Immediate Evacuation Alarm (IEA)
Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)