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Portable X-ray, K-edge Heavy Metal Detector

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AR #1313

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Tech ID: 134
Project Overview
 The purpose of this work is to support Deactivation & Decommissioning (D&D) activities through development of improved X-ray, K-edge nondestructive techniques for detecting and quantifying uranium, plutonium, mercury, and other heavy metals located inside sealed containers or processing equipment. A prototype K-edge instrument was operated in a Large Scale Demonstration and Deployment Project (LSDDP) at the Savannah River Site (SRS). Feedback from this demonstration will be used to upgrade the data acquisition and analysis software.
Technology Description
 A portable X-ray, K-edge heavy metal detector is being developed for the detection and quantification of hazardous metals contained within pipes, ducts, and equipment related to U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) deactivation and decommissioning efforts. The approach to this problem is based on observing the K-edge absorption transition in X-ray transmission measurements. The object to be inspected is located between an X-ray source and an energy-sensitive X-ray detector. The transmission spectrum is analyzed to determine the type and quantity of different elements present in the sample. Each element in the sample is identified by the unique energy at which the K-edge occurs. The amount of each element present is determined from the magnitude of the intensity change at the corresponding absorption edge. This method provides accurate quantification of heavy metals regardless of container material or geometry.

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