iQS-01 InCounter Quantification System for Non-Destructive Assay: Report on Testing Procedures and Results for Device Performance and Holdup Quantification Model

Volume: 57, December 2018, pages 75-82

Authors: Greg Peacock and Brent McGinnis

_{Innovative Solutions Unlimited LLC (inSolves)}

Abstract: The InCounter Quantification System and the associated iQS-01 software package are designed to support characterization of nuclear materials retained in process equipment associated with nuclear deactivation and decommissioning (D&D) processes at gaseous diffusion plants. The InCounter is designed to perform automated measurements inside process piping, resulting in a more efficient and reproducible estimate of process holdup. Each InCounter features a thallium doped sodium iodide scintillation (NaI(Tl)) gamma detector, a LIDAR sensor for surface mapping, and a video camera for visual inspection. This combination of sensors allows the user to make a better-informed decision regarding the nature and disposition of holdup deposits. The output from multiple sensors also allows the user to better understand variables that may cause biases in measurement results.

Several testing procedures were developed to assess the per formance of the InCounter to ini tial design specifications. These testing procedures included verifying device physical capabilities for performance limits and positional accuracy, measurement quality and subsequent analysis algorithms for mass quantification and Total Measurement Uncertainty (TMU), and software reliability in accordance with the Nuclear Quality Assurance (NQA‑1) Software Quality Assurance (SQA) regime. The InCounter underwent testing at various points in development at multiple facilities in the United States. This included testing at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Safeguards Lab to evaluate initial detector characteristics, at the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PORTS) to assess physical characteristics, at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PGDP) using uranium surrogate sources for measurement quality and analysis accuracy, and in-house at the Innovative Solutions Unlimited, LLC corporate facility to assess full integration testing.

Keywords: Non-Destructive Assay; Robotics; Gamma Detection; Non-Proliferation; Holdup

Reference guideline:

Peacock, G., & McGinnis, B. (2018). iQS-01 InCounter Quantification System for Non-Destructive Assay: Report on Testing Procedures and Results for Device Performance and Holdup Quantification Model. ESARDA Bulletin - The International Journal of Nuclear Safeguards and Non-proliferation, 57, 75-82. https://doi.org/10.3011/ ESARDA.IJNSNP.2018.13