scholarly journals Current and Prospective Radiation Detection Systems, Screening Infrastructure and Interpretive Algorithms for the Non-Intrusive Screening of Shipping Container Cargo: A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 246-280
Author(s):  
Euan L. Connolly ◽  
Peter G. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Detection ◽  
Detection Sensitivity ◽  
Nuclear Materials ◽  
Container Transportation ◽  
Minimal Impact ◽  
Shipping Container ◽  
Shipping Containers ◽  
Radiological Dispersal ◽  
Explosive Devices ◽  
Screening Systems

The non-intrusive screening of shipping containers at national borders serves as a prominent and vital component in deterring and detecting the illicit transportation of radioactive and/or nuclear materials which could be used for malicious and highly damaging purposes. Screening systems for this purpose must be designed to efficiently detect and identify material that could be used to fabricate radiological dispersal or improvised nuclear explosive devices, while having minimal impact on the flow of cargo and also being affordable for widespread implementation. As part of current screening systems, shipping containers, offloaded from increasingly large cargo ships, are driven through radiation portal monitors comprising plastic scintillators for gamma detection and separate, typically 3He-based, neutron detectors. Such polyvinyl-toluene plastic-based scintillators enable screening systems to meet detection sensitivity standards owing to their economical manufacturing in large sizes, producing high-geometric-efficiency detectors. However, their poor energy resolution fundamentally limits the screening system to making binary “source” or “no source” decisions. To surpass the current capabilities, future generations of shipping container screening systems should be capable of rapid radionuclide identification, activity estimation and source localisation, without inhibiting container transportation. This review considers the physical properties of screening systems (including detector materials, sizes and positions) as well as the data collection and processing algorithms they employ to identify illicit radioactive or nuclear materials. The future aim is to surpass the current capabilities by developing advanced screening systems capable of characterising radioactive or nuclear materials that may be concealed within shipping containers.

Numerical Performance of Thermodynamic Behavior of Shipping-Container Architecture

Proceedings ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 9
Author(s):  
Ivan Felis Enguix ◽  
Jorge Otero Vega ◽  
Sina Ellesser
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Thermal Inertia ◽  
Thermodynamic Behavior ◽  
Shipping Container ◽  
Design Resources ◽  
Shipping Containers ◽  
Numerical Performance ◽  
Different Climates

The reuse of shipping containers in architecture has grown in global popularity. However, few studies focus on understanding its thermodynamic behavior. The present study addresses, through numerical simulations, the transitory behavior of a typical house built with containers under different climates, both cold and warm. We examined container with different build construction and observed their effect, from completely naked to those that are coated with materials of different insulation and thermal inertia. Additionally, orientation and other design resources, such as height with respect to the ground, shadow elements, and the position of the windows, were considered. With all these multiparametric studies, quantitative conclusions were obtained that can be considered in design.

scholarly journals Feeder Scheduling and Container Transportation with the Factors of Draught and Bridge in the Yangtze River, China

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 964
Author(s):  
Yingying Bian ◽  
Wei Yan ◽  
Hongtao Hu ◽  
Zezheng Li
Keyword(s):  
Yangtze River ◽  
Operating Cost ◽  
Pso Algorithm ◽  
Mixed Integer ◽  
The Yangtze River ◽  
Container Transportation ◽  
Inland River ◽  
Minlp Model ◽  
Shipping Containers ◽  
Solution Efficiency

Inland shipping in the Yangtze River in China has become very prosperous, making feeder scheduling and container transportation increasingly difficult for feeder operators. This research analyzed the decision-making of container transportation businesses in feeder companies operating between Shanghai Port and inland ports along the Yangtze River in China. The research considered the complexity of the natural conditions and water channels, including the draught limitations and the height of the bridges over the river. To analyze ways to increase the effectiveness of shipping containers from Shanghai Port into inland river ports along the Yangtze River, we built a mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) model to minimize the total operating cost and determine the most effective departure time of each feeder. After linearizing the model, we designed a particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm to increase solution efficiency and introduced a taboo list and aspiration criterion of a Taboo Search (TS) algorithm to improve the PSO algorithm. Finally, we verified the accuracy of the model and the efficiency of the algorithms using numerical experiments. The research provides theoretical guidance for feeder operators and inland river shipping companies.

scholarly journals A design of forceps-type coincidence radiation detector for intraoperative LN diagnosis: clinical impact estimated from LNs data of 20 esophageal cancer patients

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miwako Takahashi ◽  
Shuntaro Yoshimura ◽  
Sodai Takyu ◽  
Susumu Aikou ◽  
Yasuhiro Okumura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Esophageal Cancer ◽  
Radiation Detector ◽  
Radiation Detection ◽  
Statistical Error ◽  
Clinical Impact ◽  
Coincidence Detection ◽  
Detection Sensitivity ◽  
Scintillation Crystals ◽  
Positron Emission ◽  
Better Than

Abstract Purpose To reduce postoperative complications, intraoperative lymph node (LN) diagnosis with 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) is expected to optimize the extent of LN dissection, leading to less invasive surgery. However, such a diagnostic device has not yet been realized. We proposed the concept of coincidence detection wherein a pair of scintillation crystals formed the head of the forceps. To estimate the clinical impact of this detector, we determined the cut-off value using FDG as a marker for intraoperative LN diagnosis in patients with esophageal cancer, the specifications needed for the detector, and its feasibility using numerical simulation. Methods We investigated the dataset including pathological diagnosis and radioactivity of 1073 LNs resected from 20 patients who underwent FDG-positron emission tomography followed by surgery for esophageal cancer on the same day. The specifications for the detector were determined assuming that it should measure 100 counts (less than 10% statistical error) or more within the intraoperative measurement time of 30 s. The detector sensitivity was estimated using GEANT4 simulation and the expected diagnostic ability was calculated. Results The cut-off value was 620 Bq for intraoperative LN diagnosis. The simulation study showed that the detector had a radiation detection sensitivity of 0.96%, which was better than the estimated specification needed for the detector. Among the 1035 non-metastatic LNs, 815 were below the cut-off value. Conclusion The forceps-type coincidence detector can provide sufficient sensitivity for intraoperative LN diagnosis. Approximately 80% of the prophylactic LN dissections in esophageal cancer can be avoided using this detector.

scholarly journals Mitigation of Tsunami Debris Impact on Reinforced Concrete Buildings by Fender Structures

Buildings ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 66
Author(s):  
Zin Zin Tun ◽  
Anat Ruangrassamee ◽  
Qudeer Hussain
Keyword(s):  
Nonlinear Static Analysis ◽  
Building Capacity ◽  
Main Building ◽  
Capacity Curves ◽  
Shipping Container ◽  
Cone Type ◽  
Story Drift ◽  
Shipping Containers ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Yield Force

Buildings located in coastal regions are prone to tsunami dangers, which often carry debris in the form of shipping containers and boats. This paper presents an approach for the design of fender structures to minimize debris impacts on buildings. The impact of shipping containers, which are categorized as large debris, is considered in the study. Since the weights of shipping containers are standardized, the impact energy can be related to other debris. For a fender structure, cone-type rubber fenders are used to resist the impact of the shipping container. Various fender reactions are considered as parameters to study the efficiency of the fenders. The displacement-controlled nonlinear static analysis is carried out to determine the building capacity. The energy approach for shipping container impact is used to evaluate the resistance of the building. Capacity curves, energy absorptions, inter-story drift ratios of the buildings with and without a fender structure, and the efficiency of the fender are presented. The buildings with a fender structure can absorb the energy from the impact of a loaded shipping container. Conversely, the building without a fender structure cannot resist the impact of a loaded shipping container. From the obtained results, a recommendation is given for buildings with a fender structure. The hydrodynamic force on the fender structure is transferred to the main building through the fender. Hence, the yield force of the fenders affects the performance of the main building that must be considered in the design.

scholarly journals Project Gatekeeper: An Entrance Control System Embedded Radiation Detection Capability for Security Applications

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (10) ◽  
pp. 2957
Author(s):  
Peter G. Martin ◽  
Yannick Verbelen ◽  
Elia Sciama Bandel ◽  
Mark Andrews ◽  
Thomas B. Scott
Keyword(s):  
Detection System ◽  
Radiation Detection ◽  
Radioactive Material ◽  
Reduced Form ◽  
Industry Standard ◽  
Nuclear Explosive ◽  
Terrorist Groups ◽  
Gate System ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Explosive Devices

Threat assessments continue to conclude that terrorist groups and individuals as well as those wanting to cause harm to society have the ambition and increasing means to acquire unconventional weapons such as improvised nuclear explosive devices and radiological disposal devices. Such assessments are given credence by public statements of intent by such groups/persons, by reports of attempts to acquire radioactive material and by law enforcement actions which have interdicted, apprehended or prevented attempts to acquire such material. As a mechanism through which to identify radioactive materials being transported on an individual’s person, this work sought to develop a detection system that is of lower-cost, reduced form-factor and more covert than existing infrastructure, while maintaining adequate sensitivity and being retrofittable into an industry standard and widely utilised Gunnebo Speed Gate system. The system developed comprised an array of six off-set Geiger–Muller detectors positioned around the gate, alongside a single scintillator detector for spectroscopy, triggered by the systems inbuilt existing IR proximity sensor. This configuration served to not only reduce the cost for such a system but also allowed for source localisation and identification to be performed. Utilising the current setup, it was possible to detect a 1 µSv/h source carried into the Speed Gate in all test scenarios, alongside locating and spectrally analysing the material in a significant number.

scholarly journals Design and Analysis of a Lightweight Composite Shipping Container Made of Carbon Fiber Laminates

Logistics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Turkay Yildiz
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Fiber ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Fuel Savings ◽  
Shipping Container ◽  
Shipping Containers ◽  
And Function

The literature indicates that a 20% reduction in the weight of empty 40-foot shipping containers would result in $28 billion of fuel savings, along with a 3.6 exajoule reduction in the energy demand over containers’ 15-year lifetime. Decreasing the energy demand and thereby greenhouse gas emissions by utilizing lightweight shipping containers has been an unexplored strategy. In this regard, this study investigates the possibility of further reducing the weight of an empty container without compromising the structural integrity, strength, and function of a traditional steel container. This research finds that up to an 80% reduction in weight is possible by producing shipping containers with composite materials. This research presents the new design of a 40-foot container made of carbon fiber laminates. The tare weight of a traditional 40-foot shipping container is around 3750 kg. On the contrary, in this research, the weight of a composite design of the same container is calculated to be around 822 kg. Additional tests with various loads, such as lifting the container and stacking loads onto the composite container, are performed to explore the strength and buckling issues of the design presented in this study. The analyses reveal that the composite shipping container is a highly promising candidate for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, providing fuel savings and thus reducing the operational costs of transportation.

scholarly journals MODULAR DETECTION SYSTEM FOR SPECIAL NUCLEAR MATERIAL (MODES_SNM)

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. 1460158
Author(s):  
◽  
GEORGIOS CHRISTODOULOU
Keyword(s):  
Detection System ◽  
Noble Gas ◽  
Radiation Detection ◽  
Nuclear Material ◽  
Detector System ◽  
Detection Sensitivity ◽  
New Techniques ◽  
Novel Technologies ◽  
World Environment

The MODES_SNM project, funded by the European Community within the scope of the FP7 security theme, explores new techniques for the design and demonstration of novel technologies for the detection of dangerous radioactive materials. Noble gas pressurized detectors are developed and optimized to build a human portable modular detector system to detect and identify illicit SNM. Since masked or shielded SNM is hard to detect, the MODES_SNM detector system will be sensitive to both fast and thermal neutrons and to photons emitted by the SNM. Thus, the project aims to increase the detection sensitivity of shielded SNM, to reduce the false alarm rate and to provide a mobile system to be used by both experts and non-experts in the field of radiation detection. The project now enters into its final phase towards the construction and characterization of a working prototype to be tested under laboratory conditions and in a real world environment.

scholarly journals Architectural building design with refurbished shipping containers: a typological and modular approach

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luiz António Pereira-de-Oliveira ◽  
◽  
Luís Filipe Almeida Bernardo ◽  
Ana Raquel Araújo Marques ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Building Design ◽  
Sustainable Construction ◽  
Family Needs ◽  
Cultural Dynamics ◽  
Shipping Container ◽  
Maritime Shipping ◽  
The Family ◽  
Unit Module ◽  
Shipping Containers ◽  
Construction System

Construction of housing buildings using refurbished shipping containers constitutes a successful recent building system. As construction modules, disposed and recycled containers are considered to contribute for a sustainable construction system. This article aims to contribute to a better understanding on this construction system, in particular the architectural project. A methodology based on the typological and modular coordination is proposed as a key tool to help for the development of spatial arrangements by considering the shipping container as a unit/module. The functional occupation typologies were proposed to characterize the main housing activities to be considered in modular coordinated design, allowing to adapt the housing to the family needs according to their social and cultural dynamics. The module constitution and geometry considering two commercial maritime shipping containers are presented.

Chassis

2019 ◽  
pp. 45-71
Author(s):  
Bethany Stich ◽  
James Amdal ◽  
Peter Webb
Keyword(s):  
International Trade ◽  
Historical Context ◽  
Shipping Container ◽  
Efficient Delivery ◽  
The Us ◽  
The World ◽  
Shipping Containers

International trade requires efficient delivery between exporter and importer, usually by ocean vessels. Roughly 90% of cargo is transported in shipping containers, delivered for export by truck or rail, then received at the importer to be similarly discharged. This chapter discusses containerized trade, focusing on international chassis, the wheeled shipping container bed. The authors discuss the invention of containerization and give the historical context for US chassis provision. The chapter outlines the chassis logistical difficulties of US truckers. An overview of attempts to solve this by chassis pooling is provided. The chapter then addresses differences between chassis in the US and the rest of the world. Key chassis regulations are covered, followed by a discussion of the relation of chassis to sustainability. Antitrust issues concerning the main chassis providers and the three recently created ocean carrier alliances are covered. The authors conclude with three recommendations for improving US chassis access.

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