Ultrasonic database development for the acoustic inspection device: the velocity-attenuation measurement system (VAMS)
The inspection of sealed containers is a critical task for personnel charged with enforcing government policies, maintaining public safety, and ensuring national security. The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) has developed a portable, handheld acoustic inspection device (AID) that provides non-invasive container interrogation and material identification capabilities. The AID technology has been deployed worldwide and user's are providing feedback and requesting additional capabilities and functionality. Recently, PNNL has developed a laboratory-based system for automated, ultrasonic characterization of fluids to support database development for the AID. Using pulse-echo ultrasound, ultrasonic pulses are launched into a container or bulk-solid commodity. The return echoes from these pulses are analyzed in terms of time-of-flight and frequency content (as a function of temperature) to extract physical property measurements (acoustic velocity and attenuation) of the material under test. These measured values are then compared to a tailored database of materials and fluids property data acquired using the Velocity-Attenuation Measurement System (VAMS). This bench-top platform acquires key ultrasonic property measurements as a function of temperature and frequency. This paper describes the technical basis for operation of the VAMS, recent enhancements to the measurement algorithms for both the VAMS and AID technologies, and new measurement data from laboratory testing and performance demonstration activities. Applications for homeland security and counter terrorism, law enforcement, drug-interdiction and fuel transportation compliance activities will be discussed.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 860070
- Report Number(s):
- PNNL-SA-40921; 400480000; TRN: US200523%%198
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Nondestructive Detection and Measurement for Homeland Security, preceedings - SPIE THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR OPTICAL ENGINEERING , 5395(26-35; SPIE-INT Society Optical Engineering,Bellingham,,United States.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
POLICY AND ECONOMY
45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
ACOUSTICS
ALGORITHMS
ATTENUATION
COMPLIANCE
CONTAINERS
DETECTION
ENFORCEMENT
FEEDBACK
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
NATIONAL SECURITY
SAFETY
SECURITY
TESTING
ULTRASONIC WAVES
VELOCITY
acoustic
ultrasonic
acoustic velocity
attenuation
noninvasive
database