Objective
Development and performance assessment of non destructive assay systems to be used in field for the quantitative determination of fissile material content. Procurement and characterisation of bulk U and Pu standards for the PERLA calibration laboratory. The basic techniques considered are gamma spectroscopy active and passive neutron methods and calorimetry
The manipulating arm of the teleoperation system for remote verification has been installed in the laboratory and the basic control software has been developed on a UNIX workstation. The spatial displacement of the arm is coded in 6 degrees of freedom. The software for calibrating the vehicle's position from laser range data has been implemented. The distance measurements from the scanning laser device are converted to a 3-dimensional synthetic image with the object contours. The automatic zoom feature of the television camera installed on the vehicle has been implemented. The method is based on processing the image for the maximal contrast along test lines.
An image processing system for front end data reduction on multicamera systems (8 channels) has been designed. Three different detection algorithms have been developed. The interface between the application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) image correlator and the computer bus including tests with grabbed televison pictures has been realized. The performance on automatic pattern recognition in surveillance pictures, using cross correlation, has been evaluated. Concerning ultrasonic sealing techniques, a particular efforts has been dedicated to the study and comparison of different correlation algorithms for ultrasonic signatures. Advanced personal computer based verification reading instruments and related software are being developed in view of present and future applications, including the structure of a seal signatures database. Attempts made to generate stable random ultrasonic signatures from particles scattered into synthetic matrix and to read these signatures with existing techniques have proven positive.
After completion of the construction of the LaSCo laboratory, the experimental facilities are being installed. They consist of the model storage facility, and a series of instruments, dedicated to the environmental and mechanical tests of sealing devices and measurement instruments. Furthermore, a multicamera surveillance system is in the assembly phase. A training room has been equipped for demonstrating the proper use of containment and surveillance equipment. The volume measurement laboratory has been installed and is being tested extensively.
Progress to end 1990
- Civil engineering of PERLA is completed and the ventilation system is in the installation phase.
- The low enriched uranium standard inventory has been defined.
- A first assessment and intercomparison of calorimeters performance has been carried out.
- An international workshop on Pu isotopic composition determination through the MGA code will be carried out with the participation of EURATOM/IAE A, EC and US laboratories in October 90.
- The development of user-friendly instrument software on neutrons, gamma and DA data has been continued: three neutron instruments (HLNCC, AWCC, Phonid) will be equipped with new software. A gamma HQ data base has been completed and used in a performance exercise and demonstrated to EURATOM and IAEA.
- Studies have been performed on neutron measurements interpretation models in particular the theory for Time Correlation Analyzer (TCA) dead time corrections were terminated and instrumentation for the measurements of the a-n ratio have been set up.
Detailed description of work foreseen in 1991 (expected results)
PERLA will start operation 2nd half of 1991. Pre-PERLA will still be extensively used for a new international intercomparison exercise on calorimetry and a passive neutron exercise both on shift register type instruments and multiplicity instruments. User-friendly software for NDA instruments (gamma, neutron (passive, active, TCA) calorimetry) shall be developed. Studies for a prototype of a combined neutron-gamma instrument will be initiated. Integrated Headquarters data base software for neutron, gamma and DA measurement results will be integrated with the PERLA information system software under development. Experimental tests of the TCA dead time theory will be executed using Pu samples in the kg range.
Short description of evolution of work in 1992
PERLA will be fully operational, taking over the above activities from PRE- PERLA. A PERLA training and exhibition Centre will be realized in the ESSOR building. Preliminary design and development of "intelligent" NDA instruments will commence. Specifications and acquisition of new Pu02 and MOX standards as well as specifications and preparation of waste standards are foreseen. User-friendly TCA-software for large and small Pu quantities in defined geometries and in radioactive waste will be elaborated.
Topic(s)
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21020 Ispra
Italy