Evaluation of Radiation Detection Devices in the Nuclear Safeguards Demonstration System at the University of Missouri Research Reactor

Year
2006
Author(s)
John Gahl - University of Missouri
John Ball - University of Missouri-Columbia Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Nuclear Science and Engineering Institute
Olawale Oladiran - University of Missouri Research Reactor
Ralph Butler - University of Missouri Research Reactor
Michael Ondrik - Canberra Aquila, Inc.
Abstract
An operational monitoring system at the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) is used for hands-on training and demonstration purposes. The Canberra Aquila surveillance system is very similar to those that have been set up successfully in various nuclear facilities in Russia by the Department of Energy’s Materials Protection, Control, and Accountability (MPC&A) Operational Monitoring (MOM) program. Various radiation detection devices have been integrated into the demonstration system to allow for the comparison and analysis of device performance in different facility environments and operational deployments. Detailed data will be presented describing the performance of a Canberra Mini-Radiac integrated into the system and a comparison of its performance relative to a pedestrian portal monitor.