The combined measurements (inspection and characterization) are performed automatically and consecutively using a unique conveyor system with turntable for maximum throughput and minimal material handling by the operators.
A dedicated software allows analyzing measurement results to determine where radioactive sources (or contaminated materials) are located in the inspected wastes, what is the associated contaminant(s) through isotope identification, and what is the estimated activity for each isotope present in the wastes.
For each drum the following data are recorded: date, time, operator name, drum identification number, gross weight, gamma dose rate measured at 1 m or for each segment, associated gamma spectrums with analysis report, calculated activities with measurement uncertainties, Minimum Detectable Activities (MDAs), as well as high resolution radiographs of each waste drum taken at various angles (selectable from 1 to 36).
The X-Ray inspection system reveals in real-time the presence of tools, plastics, papers, cables, glass, etc. It allows determining the volume of liquid present in each drum, as well as the average density of it. Imaging also reveals the presence of shielded containers made of lead or tungsten where radioactive sources could be hidden.
As alternative use, the mobile X-Ray system can be also used to tightly control dose rates and replicate specific exposure levels, and to achieve accumulated dose rates. This facilitates accelerated life-cycle testing of components used in environments where radiation levels are important.
SYSCADE is a Mobile Laboratory for Inspection and Characterization of Nuclear Waste.
Our mobile lab is equipped with 2 main subsystems :
A high-definition Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) radiography equipment to inspect and characterize the composition of drums and box contents and to provide detailed images and analysis. It applied to the nuclear industry for the characterization of low-level waste (LLW) and transuranic waste (TRU). The equipment is available with a 320 kV (450 kV as an option) X-Ray source and a digital linear detector for Real-Time Digital radiography.
A high-resolution gamma spectroscopy system with HPGe (High Purity Germanium) detector to determine which isotopes are present in the inspected waste and evaluate the activity levels. This characterization system can be used in 3 modes:
- “In Situ” measurement mode to estimate the total activity content in each drum.
- SGS (Segmented Gamma Scanning) mode to determine the activity content from bottom to top of each drum.
- SGS mode combined with angular measurement to localise the homogeneity with respect to the axial distribution. High resolution spectroscopy and automatic Isotope Identification is also available whatever the operating mode.
Real-time X-ray examination up to 450 kV to inspect dense or thick materials
High-Resolution Digital Radiography to display waste package or drum content
Selectable inspection angles from 0-360° with 10° steps
Identification of liquids and estimation of their volume
Identification of other materials and estimation of their densities
High-Resolution (HPGe) Gamma Assay (“In Situ”, “SGS” and “Angular” modes)
High Resolution gamma spectroscopy with Isotope Identification routine
Dose Rate Monitoring for each waste package / drum
Average and local Weight / Density Measurement
Automated handling for consecutive multi-angle X-Ray inspection followed by gamma characterization
Accepts 80 to 220 Litre drums or large boxes
Waste Package Tracking & Data Management
BENEFITS
Mobile, flexible and on-site transportable
Non-destructive, no need to open the drums
Combining X-ray imagery and radioactive isotopes characterization
Available worldwide
Benefits of the X-Ray inspection system :
- High definition X-Ray imaging : 2D multi-angular, stereoscopic or tomographic
- Easy recognition of drum content – detection of the presence of liquid or heavy object like a source container
- No need for a transmission source (no licencing, cost & safety issues)
- Very short inspection time (< 1 min.) compared to the use of a transmission source
- Fast X-Ray inspection offers more time for emission measurement
- Determination of matrix heterogeneities for better handling of “type-B” errors during gamma characterization
- Accurate fill height information
Benefits of SYSCADE OG (Open Geometry) and A-OG modes :
- Can be performed with rotating drum or at various angular positions (A-OG mode)
- Measurement performed in a cabin with lead shied (reduced background – lower MDA)
- Allows to estimate the total activity content in each drum (similar to IN-SITU)
- Allows estimating if angular activity distribution is uniform (A-OG mode)
Benefits of SYSCADE SGS (Segmented Gamma Scanning) mode :
- Allows matrix correction layer-by-layer (reduction of type-B errors)
- Measurement performed in a shielded cabin (reduced background radiation)
- Combination with X-Ray results gives a better estimation of averaged density in each segment compared to TGS (typically in middle part of each segment)
Benefits of A-SGS (Angular-SGS) mode :
- Reveals (extreme) radial source distribution over 360° for each segment
- Selectable rotation angle from 15 to 90°
- Allows avoiding activity overestimation
- Measurement performed in a shielded cabin (reduced background radiation)
- Shorter characterization times compared to tomography
Other Benefits of SYSCADE :
- Compact : 2 complementary systems in a unique 40-feet container
- Mobile and on-site transportable
- Self-shielded (drums are inspected and characterized in lead shielded cabin)
- 100% industrial grade
- Fully automatic – Requires 1 operator only !
- Inspection and characterization modes can be configured according to your needs
- 2 other container models available: 20-feet container for mobile X-Ray or mobile gamma only
- Can be rented
