System and method for passive assay of holdup deposits in nuclear piping
US11137516B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 21, 2018 |
| Grant date | Oct 5, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 21, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01T1/202
- WIPO fieldEnvironmental technology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Disclosed herein are a method, apparatus, and software for passive, non-destructive assay of holdup deposits in nuclear piping by in-pipe apparatus. A detector deployed within a pipe is collimated to observe radiation impinging radially inward from decay of deposits that lie on the pipe wall. A radiation detector is centered in the pipe and collimated by a pair of coaxial shielding discs disposed equidistant from the detector. This arrangement causes radiation from a truncated cylinder of pipe deposit within a field of regard to impinge on the detector, while precluding radiation emanating from pipe walls beyond the field of regard from reaching the detector. Hence, observations are unique to a known cylindrical length of pipe. The detector assembly is translated through pipes by an autonomous mobile robotic apparatus. Computer software controls the robotic apparatus, logs data, and post-processes to assay deposits.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.