Detection of free liquid in drums of radioactive waste. [Patent application]

Patent · Tue Oct 16 00:00:00 EDT 1979

OSTI ID:5066756

A nondestructive thermal imaging method for detecting the presence of a liquid such as water within a sealed container is described. The process includes application of a low amplitude heat pulse to an exterior surface area of the container, terminating the heat input and quickly mapping the resulting surface temperatures. The various mapped temperature values can be compared with those known to be normal for the container material and substances in contact. The mapped temperature values show up in different shades of light or darkness that denote different physical substances. The different substances can be determined by direct observation or by comparison with known standards. The method is particularly applicable to the detection of liquids above solidified radioactive wastes stored in sealed containers.

• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-14-2170
• Assignee: Dept. of Energy
• OSTI ID: 5066756
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
LIQUIDS
MONITORING
RADIOACTIVE WASTE STORAGE
CONTAINERS
NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING
FLUIDS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS TESTING
STORAGE
TESTING
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE STORAGE
420500* - Engineering- Materials Testing
055001 - Nuclear Fuels- Safeguards
Inspection
& Accountability- Technical Aspects
052000 - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Management