Real Time Quantitative Radiological Monitoring Equipment for Environmental Assessment
The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) has developed a suite of systems that rapidly scan, analyze, and characterize radiological contamination in soil. These systems have been successfully deployed at several Department of Energy (DOE) laboratories and Cold War Legacy closure sites. Traditionally, these systems have been used during the characterization and remediation of radiologically contaminated soils and surfaces; however, subsequent to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the applications of these systems have expanded to include homeland security operations for first response, continuing assessment and verification of cleanup activities in the event of the detonation of a radiological dispersal device. The core system components are a detector, a spectral analyzer, and a global positioning system (GPS). The system is computer controlled by menu-driven, user-friendly custom software designed for a technician-level operator. A wide variety of detectors have been used including several configurations of sodium iodide (NaI) and high-purity germanium (HPGe) detectors, and a large area proportional counter designed for the detection of x-rays from actinides such as Am-241 and Pu-238. Systems have been deployed from several platforms including a small all-terrain vehicle (ATV), hand-pushed carts, a backpack mounted unit, and an excavator mounted unit used where personnel safety considerations are paramount. The INL has advanced this concept, and expanded the system functionality to create an integrated, field-deployed analytical system through the use of tailored analysis and operations software. Customized, site specific software is assembled from a supporting toolbox of algorithms that streamline the data acquisition, analysis and reporting process. These algorithms include region specific spectral stripping, automated energy calibration, background subtraction, activity calculations based on measured detector efficiencies, and on-line data quality checks and measures. These analyses are combined to provide real-time areal activity and coverage maps that are displayed to the operator as the survey progresses. The flexible functionality of the INL systems are well suited to multiple roles supporting homeland security needs.
- Research Organization:
- Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE - NE
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC07-99ID-13727
- OSTI ID:
- 911169
- Report Number(s):
- INL/CON-05-00717; TRN: US200724%%535
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Sharing Solutions for Emergencies and Hazardous Environments,Salt Lake City, Utah,02/12/2006,02/15/2006
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ACTINIDES
ALGORITHMS
CALIBRATION
CLOSURES
COMPUTERS
CONTAMINATION
DATA ACQUISITION
DETECTION
EARTHMOVING EQUIPMENT
EXPLOSIONS
GERMANIUM
GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM
MONITORING
PROPORTIONAL COUNTERS
SAFETY
SECURITY
SODIUM IODIDES
SOILS
VERIFICATION
contamination
equipment
first response
monitoring
radiological
soil