Radioactive Material Zone Evaluation System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for evaluating radioactive residues from dismantling nuclear facilities are inefficient, as they typically examine entire batches at once, leading to longer clearance processes and increased costs, due to the inability to assess individual zones within larger batches for releasability.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a computer program product and measuring system that detects and subdivides radioactive materials into zones, determining individual radioactive activities for each zone, allowing for separate evaluation and release assessment, thereby reducing the need for manual separation and streamlining the evaluation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If entire batches are examined as one unit for radioactive measurement, then measurement simplicity is maintained, but evaluation time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The batch is divided into multiple zones (first zone, second zone, etc.) based on spatial positioning. Each zone is evaluated separately for radioactive activity, allowing parallel processing and faster overall evaluation while maintaining manageable complexity through systematic subdivision
2Measurement precision
If large batches are manually divided into smaller batches, then measurement precision improves, but labor costs increase and operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Manual mechanical division of batches is replaced by an automated optical detection system with laser devices that automatically identify and position zones within the batch. The system uses electronic control to divide and evaluate zones without manual intervention, maintaining precision while improving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system automatically performs zone identification, positioning, and evaluation without requiring manual batch division. The system self-manages the complex tasks of spatial recognition and zone segmentation through integrated detection and control mechanisms
3Measurement precision
If small amounts of residues are examined individually, then measurement precision improves, but processing time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple zone evaluations are merged into a single integrated measurement process. The system simultaneously or sequentially evaluates multiple zones within one batch without requiring separate measurement sessions, thereby maintaining individual zone precision while achieving batch-level productivity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables more accurate and efficient evaluation of radioactive materials, reducing the time and cost associated with clearance processes by allowing simultaneous evaluation of large amounts and targeted sorting of non-releasable parts, thus optimizing the release process.
Implementation Method 1
The detection of the material to be measured can include recognizing the material to be measured, registering the material to be measured, in particular in the form of electronic data recording, and/or locating the material to be measured. The detection of the material to be measured can preferably be carried out by sensors. For example, the material to be measured can be detected optically in a measuring chamber of the measuring system.
Implementation Method 2
determination of an individual radioactive activity for at least one of the zones, in particular by an individual evaluation module of the control unit
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method (100) for evaluating a sample (10), in particular one that is at least partially radioactive, comprising the following steps: detecting (101) the sample (10), determining (105) at least two zones (20) for non-contact subdivision of the sample (10). The invention further relates to a computer program (200) and a measuring system (1).