A three-dimensional integrated gamma-ray and vision system
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Liverpool
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
The nature and scale of the task to decommission the UKs legacy nuclear facilities inherited by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) has been historically poorly characterised and highly uncertain. A key objective for the NDA is to form a comprehensive understanding of the work to be done and the associated costs. Although uncertainties still remain, the total discounted costs of completing the NDA's mission were estimated in 2013/14 to be £69.4 billion. An understanding of the nature of legacy waste is an essential part of the decommissioning process. This proposal targets the process of locating and identifying the nature of the gamma-ray emitting radioisotopes present in legacy nuclear waste. The ability to locate, characterise and correctly partition the waste is key to this strategy and will contribute to a significant reduction in the costs associated with the decommissioning effort.
This knowledge exchange project brings together the University of Liverpool Nuclear Physics Group, STFC Daresbury Laboratory, Canberra UK Ltd and National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) to develop a field capable gamma-ray sensor, couple it with an existing 3-D vision system and provide control software and reconstruction algorithms for real time image fusion. This system will enable reliable quantification of waste into free-release/low/intermediate level brackets, with the potential to significantly reduce the cost and time of decommissioning.
This knowledge exchange project brings together the University of Liverpool Nuclear Physics Group, STFC Daresbury Laboratory, Canberra UK Ltd and National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) to develop a field capable gamma-ray sensor, couple it with an existing 3-D vision system and provide control software and reconstruction algorithms for real time image fusion. This system will enable reliable quantification of waste into free-release/low/intermediate level brackets, with the potential to significantly reduce the cost and time of decommissioning.
Publications
Unsworth C
(2019)
Characterisation of a small electrode HPGe detector
in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Rintoul E
(2022)
Simulation and validation of a planar HPGe detector signal database for use in pulse shape analysis
in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Rintoul E
(2021)
Characterisation of the charge collection properties in a segmented planar HPGe detector
in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Igwesi David Ikenna
(2021)
Interrogation of active drum waste
Caffrey A
(2021)
Gamma-ray imaging performance of the GRI+ Compton camera
in Journal of Instrumentation
Description | The prototype has been tested and assembled in the laboratory. The imaging system has then completed field trials outside of the laboratory in realistic scenarios. Plans are well established for commissioning with extended nuclear sources in a nuclear decommissioning environment. |
Exploitation Route | An industrial enduser is trialing the camera at their test facility. |
Sectors | Energy Security and Diplomacy |
Description | Findingd have been used to show end user the system capabilities |
First Year Of Impact | 2020 |
Sector | Energy,Security and Diplomacy |
Impact Types | Societal |
Description | Canberra |
Organisation | Mirion Technologies Inc |
Department | Mirion Technologies (Canberra UK) Limited |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Expertise in gamma-ray imaging |
Collaborator Contribution | Route to Market - Canberra. Access to civil nuclear facilities - NNL. |
Impact | Access to nuclear facilities, route to market. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Canberra |
Organisation | National Nuclear Laboratory |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Expertise in gamma-ray imaging |
Collaborator Contribution | Route to Market - Canberra. Access to civil nuclear facilities - NNL. |
Impact | Access to nuclear facilities, route to market. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Mirion Technologues UK |
Organisation | Mirion Technologies Inc |
Department | Mirion Technologies (Canberra UK) Limited |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Data collection using the imager at collaborators site looking at realistic scenarios |
Collaborator Contribution | Access to realistic scenarios to measure on site at their UK facility |
Impact | PhD's, data collection to further demonstrate the power of the imager |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | Cross-Government Security Research Briefing Day |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Cross Government Briefing data on Nuclear Security. Link with UK and US Government officials has led to opportunities to exploit STFC technology at an international level. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Forensic KTN event (London) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | KTN event on Forensics. Provided key showcase for STFC technology with industry insiders and experts. Invited plenary presentation. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Imaging 2016 conference presentation |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Imaging 2016 international conference in Stockholm, Sweden. Showcasing the impact of STFC technology in Medical Imaging. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Invited Talk |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Plenary talk given at the international Position Sensitive Detector Conference in 2021 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/facilities/mds-cpd/conferences/psd12/index.aspx |
Description | NNL Technical Seminar Series |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | National Nuclear Laboratory Technical Seminar series. Presenting projects that define the technology roadmap going forward. Raised profile of STFC technology opportunities within the nuclear sector. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Physics INNOVATE |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Physics INNOVATE was run as part of the international festival of business. Held in Liverpool at the Convention Centre (2016) and the Town Hall (2015). The event showcased the key UoL and STFC technologies to a broad range of industry. A number of new projects have commenced following these events. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015,2016 |