Microcomputer based shelf system to monitor special nuclear materials in storage

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:5277674

Nicholson, N; Kuckertz, T H; Ethridge, C D

Diversion of special nuclear material has become a matter of grave concern in recent years. Large quantities of this material are kept in long-term storage and must be inventoried periodically, resulting in a time-consuming activity that exposes personnel to additional radiation. A system that provides continuous surveillance of stored special nuclear materials has been developed. A shelf monitor has been designed using a single component microcomputer to collect data from a Geiger Muller tube that monitors gamma emissions and a scale that monitors the total weight of the special nuclear material and its container. A network of these shelf monitors reports their acquired data to a minicomputer for analysis and storage. Because a large number of these monitors is likely to be needed in most storage facilities, one objective of this program has been to develop a low cost but reliable monitor.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos Scientific Lab., NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 5277674
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-80-1795; CONF-800655-9
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

055001* -- Nuclear Fuels-- Safeguards
Inspection
& Accountability-- Technical Aspects
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
GEIGER-MUELLER COUNTERS
INVENTORIES
MANAGEMENT
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MICROPROCESSORS
MONITORING
NUCLEAR MATERIALS DIVERSION
NUCLEAR MATERIALS MANAGEMENT
RADIATION DETECTORS
STORAGE
STORAGE FACILITIES