scholarly journals The gamma and neutron monitor counters for the MICADO project

2021 ◽  
Vol 253 ◽  
pp. 08002
Author(s):  
Paolo Finocchiaro ◽  
Luigi Cosentino ◽  
Quentin Ducasse ◽  
Sergio Lo Meo ◽  
Fabio Longhitano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radioactive Waste ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Detector Response ◽  
Spent Fuel ◽  
Silicon Photomultiplier ◽  
Neutron Detectors ◽  
Intermediate Level Radioactive Waste ◽  
Eu Project ◽  
Interim Storage

In the framework of the MICADO (Measurement and Instrumentation for Cleaning And Decommissioning Operations) European Union (EU) project, aimed at the full digitization of low and intermediate-level radioactive waste (radwaste) management, a set of 32 solid state thermal neutron detectors, named SiLiF, and 36 gamma-ray counters based on a scintillating fiber readout at each end by a silicon photomultiplier, named SciFi, have been built and characterized. MICADO project encompasses a complete active and passive characterization of the radwaste drums with neutrons and gamma rays, followed by a longer-term monitoring phase. The detectors described are suitable for the monitoring of nuclear materials and can be used around radioactive waste drums possibly containing small quantities of actinides, as well as around spent fuel casks in interim storage or during transportation. Suitable polyethylene moderators, for the SiLiF detectors, can be exploited to better shape the detector response to the expected neutron spectrum, according to Monte Carlo simulations that were performed. The SciFi detectors were thoroughly tested with a 22Na and a 137Cs gamma-ray sources. Both detectors described were tested with an intense AmBe source of neutron and gamma ray. The results are satisfactory and show a quite uniform and reproducible behavior. The next step will be the test in a real environment.

scholarly journals SiLiF Neutron Counters to Monitor Nuclear Materials in the MICADO Project

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 2630
Author(s):  
Luigi Cosentino ◽  
Quentin Ducasse ◽  
Martina Giuffrida ◽  
Sergio Lo Meo ◽  
Fabio Longhitano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radioactive Waste ◽  
Detector Response ◽  
Nuclear Materials ◽  
Spent Fuel ◽  
Neutron Detectors ◽  
Intermediate Level Radioactive Waste ◽  
Eu Project ◽  
Interim Storage ◽  
Waste Drums

In the framework of the MICADO (Measurement and Instrumentation for Cleaning And Decommissioning Operations) European Union (EU) project, aimed at the full digitization of low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste management, a set of 32 solid state thermal neutron detectors named SiLiF has been built and characterized. MICADO encompasses a complete active and passive characterization of the radwaste drums with neutrons and gamma rays, followed by a longer-term monitoring phase. The SiLiF detectors are suitable for the monitoring of nuclear materials and can be used around radioactive waste drums possibly containing small quantities of actinides, as well as around spent fuel casks in interim storage or during transportation. Suitable polyethylene moderators can be exploited to better shape the detector response to the expected neutron spectrum, according to Monte Carlo simulations that were performed. These detectors were extensively tested with an AmBe neutron source, and the results show a quite uniform and reproducible behavior.

Performance of a DrumScan® HRGS Solo Scanner for the Assay of Legacy Waste at the Belgoprocess Site

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel F. Parvin ◽  
Thomas Huys
Keyword(s):  
Radioactive Waste ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Fissile Material ◽  
Long Term Storage ◽  
System Validation ◽  
Current State ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Validation Tests ◽  
Interim Storage ◽  
Acceptance Tests

On the sites of Belgoprocess several thousands of drums containing conditioned legacy waste are stored. A significant number of these waste packages are 220 litre drums containing radioactive waste embedded into inactive bitumen. Most of the radioactive waste in these drums was generated during the development and production of MOX-fuels and the operation of the Eurochemic reprocessing plant. The current state of a number of these packages is no longer acceptable for long term storage. In order to make the waste packages acceptable for interim storage a repackaging process was developed. The process involves the repackaging of the waste items into 400 or 700 litre waste drums and a non-destructive gamma-ray assay (NDA) measurement performed on the new package. The aim of the NDA measurement is to detect significant quantities of fissile material in order to demonstrate compliance with the operational limits of the storage building. Since the waste items are destined for geological disposal, there is no specific need for a detection limit in the order of milligrams of plutonium as required for surface disposal. To meet this NDA requirement Babcock International Group supplied, calibrated and commissioned an open geometry system from its HRGS product range. The DrumScan® HRGS Solo assay system was delivered to the Belgoprocess site in 2009 after completing a series of factory acceptance tests performed in the UK. In May 2009 after successful completion of the site acceptance tests performed in Belgium, the system has been undergoing extensive testing and validation by Belgoprocess in order to demonstrate acceptance and compliance to the Belgian Radioactive Waste Agency, NIRAS/ONDRAF. After a careful evaluation of the qualification file, NIRAS/ONDRAF approved the system for operational measurements at the end of 2010. This paper provides a detailed description of the NDA requirement, calibration methodology, system validation tests and overall measurement performance of the system.

scholarly journals Gamma—Ray Counters to Monitor Radioactive Waste Packages in the MICADO Project

Instruments ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Luigi Cosentino ◽  
Martina Giuffrida ◽  
Sergio Lo Meo ◽  
Fabio Longhitano ◽  
Alfio Pappalardo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radioactive Waste ◽  
Gamma Rays ◽  
Data Stream ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Silicon Photomultiplier ◽  
Term Basis ◽  
Scintillating Fiber ◽  
Waste Drums

One of the goals of the MICADO Euratom project is to monitor the gamma-rays emitted by radioactive waste drums in storage sites on a medium to long term basis. For this purpose, 36 low-cost gamma-ray counters were designed and built to act as a demonstrator. These counters, named SciFi, are based on a scintillating fiber readout at each end by a silicon photomultiplier, assembled in a robust arrangement in the form of 80 cm long pipes. Several counters will be placed around radwaste packages in order to monitor the gamma dose-rate by collecting a continuous data stream. The 36 sensors were thoroughly tested with a 22Na and a 137Cs gamma-ray sources, and with an AmBe neutron and gamma-ray source, the results are quite satisfactory, and the next step will be the test in a real environment.

Treatment and Conditioning of Low- and Intermediate Level Radioactive Waste at the Austrian Research Centers Seibersdorf (ARCS)

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josef Neubauer
Keyword(s):  
Radioactive Waste ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Intermediate Level ◽  
Research Centers ◽  
Treatment Technology ◽  
Radioactive Materials ◽  
Treatment Technologies ◽  
Insoluble Form ◽  
Intermediate Level Radioactive Waste ◽  
Interim Storage

Abstract The Austrian Research Centers Seibersdorf (ARCS) serve as the country’s centralised facilitiy for the treatment, conditioning and interim storage of low- and intermediate level radioactive waste (Radwaste). All Radwaste originating in Austria is transferred to ARCS and comes from one or several sources: The former operation of a research reactor, the application of radioactive materials in medicine, R&D, industry, IAEA Laboratories at Seibersdorf, and technically enhanced natural radioactive materials, such as by-product at industrial metallurgical processes and other processes, is transferred to ARCS for treatment, conditioning and interim storage. Dependent on the waste category, the relevant treatment technology is applied. In total more then 6900 m3 of low and intermediate level radioactive solid wastes originating from Austria were treated in the period 1976 to 2000. The aim of treatment and conditioning is the safe enclosure of the Radwaste by the use of barriers to surround and isolate the waste and transform it to an insoluble form. At the same time it is important to reduce the volume of the raw waste by applying appropriate treatment technologies, in order to save space in the storage facilities and thereby achieving a cost savings.

scholarly journals Application of a CdTe gamma-ray spectrometer to remote characterization of high-level radioactive waste tanks

1993 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.S. Addleman ◽  
G.R. Blewett ◽  
B.D. Keele ◽  
C.S. McClellan ◽  
V.B. Subrahmanyam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radioactive Waste ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
High Level Radioactive Waste ◽  
Gamma Ray Spectrometer ◽  
Waste Tanks ◽  
High Level
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