RU142542U1 - UNIVERSAL PORTABLE RADIOMETER-SPECTROMETER - Google Patents

Abstract

A universal portable radiometer spectrometer containing a detecting unit, including specially provided means, providing the possibility of its connection with the control and data processing unit, and made with two radiation registration channels - a gamma spectrometric channel including a scintillation crystal, a photomultiplier tube (PMT) and a system temperature stabilization with a digital temperature sensor, and a neutron registration channel based on helium counters, characterized in that I detect the unit is located on the operator’s body, the temperature stabilization system is based on digital correction of data coming from the gamma channel, while the digital temperature sensor has thermal contact with the PMT housing, and the means for connecting the detecting unit to the control and processing unit is made in kind of radio modem.

Description

The utility model relates to the field of detection and identification of sources of radioactive radiation and can be used in surveillance systems for fissile materials and radioactive substances, to equip departments of customs services for controlling the movement of radioactive substances, units to counter the threats of nuclear and radiological terrorism, etc. Control is carried out on gamma and neutron radiation of radioactive substances.

The task to which the proposed technical solution is directed is to develop a universal portable radiometer-spectrometer that provides search and identification of gamma and neutron radiation sources, including secretly, without attracting the attention of people and observation systems.

The prior art design of the search radiation monitor (patent RU 2303277, published July 20, 2007, Bull. No. 20), which includes one detecting unit of neutron or gamma radiation, means for connecting to the communication channel in the form of a radio modem and an autonomous unit comprising a second radio modem and / or a wired communication port. As a stand-alone unit, a remote computer or an indication unit placed in clothes or in the hands of the operator can be used.

The disadvantage of this device is that it can only work in the search mode of sources of either neutron or gamma radiation, without providing the possibility of spectrometry of gamma radiation, which imposes limitations on the functionality of the device due to the inability to identify detected sources of radioactive radiation.

Another device is also known from the prior art by which gamma and neutron radiation are recorded, aimed at solving the above problem and partially eliminating the disadvantages of the previous analogue (patent RU 2158938, description published on 10.11.2000). This device is selected as the closest analogue of the claimed utility model for the greatest number of similar features.

The known device is a universal portable radiometer spectrometer and includes two channels for detecting nuclear radiation, while the gamma channel consists of a scintillation crystal coupled to a photomultiplier tube (PMT), the output of which is connected to a microprocessor through an gamma channel amplifier and an analog-to-digital converter system, the gamma channel additionally introduced a stabilization system, including an LED, coupled to a photomultiplier tube and connected to a pulse generator ohm of current, the input of which is connected to the output of the microprocessor system. The amplification cascade controlled by the microprocessor system is located between the gamma channel amplifier and its analog-to-digital converter; the temperature sensor is connected to the microprocessor system. A neutron detector consists of helium neutron counters placed in a special moderator made of polyethylene, the signal from which is fed through a neutron channel amplifier and discriminators to a microprocessor system that has outputs to a display and a computer.

The disadvantages of the closest analogue under the expected operating conditions are the use of a special polyethylene neutron moderator, which increases the size and weight of the device, and the need for a wired computer connection system, which also reduces the mobility of the device and the possibility of its hidden use.

The technical result of the claimed utility model is the ability to covertly detect radioactive substances, including fissile substances. An additional technical result is a multiple reduction in the weight and dimensions of the device while maintaining its sensitivity, as well as providing the possibility of covert express identification of radiation sources, encrypting information and transmitting it to a remote analytical center.

The specified technical result is achieved due to the fact that a universal portable radiometer spectrometer containing a detecting unit with two radiation detection channels is a gamma spectrometric channel including a scintillation crystal, a photomultiplier tube (PMT), a temperature stabilization system with a digital temperature sensor, and a recording channel neutrons based on helium counters, as well as a control and data processing unit, to which a detection unit is connected using wow means includes distinguishing features:

the detecting unit is placed on the body of the operator,

temperature stabilization system based on digital correction of data coming from the gamma channel,

the digital temperature sensor has thermal contact with the case of the photomultiplier tube,

as a means for connecting the detecting unit to the control and processing unit, a Bluetooth wireless radio modem is used ..

The control and processing module is based on a communicator or smartphone equipped with specialized software.

Placing the detecting unit on the operator’s body allows, firstly, to refuse to use a special polyethylene moderator in the design of the neutron detector, which greatly reduces its dimensions and weight without loss of sensitivity to the neutrons of the fission spectrum, and secondly, it provides spatial-angular selectivity of the neutron detector (azimuthal anisotropy of sensitivity), which allows a targeted search for a neutron source and helps to simplify and facilitate control.

Using the “Bluetooth” wireless standard provides the ability to connect the detecting unit with a smartphone or computer that supports this standard, and allows you to create distributed and protected radiation monitoring systems using the required number of detecting units. The connection of the detecting unit with the smartphone is carried out using a unique password set by the operator, which excludes the possibility of connecting extraneous "Bluetooth" devices to it.

Performing temperature stabilization on the basis of a digital correction system for the gamma-spectrometric channel data makes it possible to compensate for the temperature instability of the gamma-spectrometric channel in a simpler way compared to the prototype, which also simplifies covert control.

The execution of the processing and control unit based on a smartphone or other device with specialized software allows you to search and expressly identify sources of ionizing radiation secretly, without attracting attention, and, if necessary, encrypt and transmit information to a remote analytical center.

In FIG. 1 shows a General view of the inventive universal radiometer spectrometer, where:

1 - neutron detector case;

2 - electronics block of a neutron detector;

3 - connectors of a connecting cable;

4 - connecting cable;

5 - neutron counters;

6 - microprocessor module;

7 - toggle switch on / off power;

8 - connector for charging the battery;

9 - indicator LEDs for battery status (charge / discharge, availability);

10 - gamma detector housing;

11 - rechargeable battery;

12 is a block of a high voltage source for scintillation assembly;

13 - digital temperature sensor;

14 - scinteraction (crystal, PMT, PMT divider);

15 - screws securing the upper covers of the cases.

An example of a specific implementation of the claimed device can serve as a universal radiometer spectrometer (URS), shown in Fig. 1. URS in a two-block version, and the gamma spectrometer can work separately. The gamma detector is based on a NaI (TI) scintillation crystal with a diameter of 25 mm and a length of 76 mm and a PMT Hamamatsu R3998-02 placed in a magnetic screen. To compensate for temperature instability, a digital temperature sensor is used, made in the form of an integrated circuit ADT 7301, which has thermal contact with the PMT housing. The neutron detector is based on four helium ( ³ He) counters of the 8NM5,5 type. The gamma channel electronics unit includes an amplification path, an analyzer, and a radio modem for communication with the processing module. The control and processing module is based on a smartphone. Specialized software installed in the smartphone provides control of the detecting unit, data collection and analysis, visualization of the process and control results, encryption and data exchange with a remote analytical center.

The operation of the claimed device is as follows.

When the device is turned on with the toggle switch 7, the status of the battery 11 is monitored by indicator LEDs 9 and, if necessary, the charger is connected to the socket 8. After turning on the device, they turn on the smartphone and launch specialized software. The smartphone via Bluetooth wireless technology automatically connects to the device, and the device self-diagnosis mode is activated, after passing through which the high-voltage voltage source 12 for the scintillation assembly 14 and the electronics unit 2 of the neutron counters 5 are turned on, after which the device is ready for operation.

The device can operate in two modes - counting (search mode) and spectrometric (identification mode).

In search mode, the device continuously monitors counting rates in the gamma and neutron registration channels, on the basis of which the operator localizes places with an increased level of gamma and / or neutron radiation. The light flashes generated in the crystal of the scintillation assembly 14 are recorded by a PMT, then they arrive at the electronics unit with microprocessor 6, are converted into a digital signal and transmitted via a radio modem to a smartphone. When changing the temperature recorded by the temperature sensor 13, the digital signal is transmitted via a radio modem to a smartphone, where the spectral distribution of gamma rays in energy is shifted. When registering neutron radiation, there is a voltage drop on the neutron counters 5, which is processed by the electronics unit 2 and transmitted to the electronics unit with a microprocessor 6, where they are converted into a digital signal and transmitted via a radio modem to a smartphone.

After that, if it is necessary to identify the emitter, the spectral energy distribution of gamma quanta in energy is detected in the detected places with an anomalous radiation level, while monitoring is carried out for a longer time in order to obtain information sufficient for subsequent spectrometric analysis.

The identification of radioisotope sources is based on a comparison of the data obtained with the library characteristics of the radioisotopes used in the specialized software of the device.

The smartphone performs the following functions: controlling the detecting unit, analyzing and displaying the spectrum, comparing the results of analysis with a library of standard spectra (identification), transferring primary data and analysis results to the analytical center (if necessary). The implementation of the latter function uses data compression and encryption. The operation of the claimed device is possible both in stand-alone mode, and as part of integrated enterprise security systems.

The tests of the device confirmed the possibility of the device identifying a number of special nuclear, industrial and medical isotopes, while the inventive device has, in comparison with the prototype, great functionality, is easier to use and, having small dimensions and weight, allows it to be used covertly, not attracting attention.

Claims (1)

A universal portable radiometer spectrometer containing a detecting unit, including specially provided means, providing the possibility of its connection with the control and data processing unit, and made with two radiation registration channels - a gamma spectrometric channel including a scintillation crystal, a photomultiplier tube (PMT) and a system temperature stabilization with a digital temperature sensor, and a neutron registration channel based on helium counters, characterized in that I detect the unit is located on the operator’s body, the temperature stabilization system is based on digital correction of data coming from the gamma channel, while the digital temperature sensor has thermal contact with the PMT housing, and the means for connecting the detecting unit to the control and processing unit is made in kind of radio modem.

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