AN OVERVIEW OF THE INTEGRATED CRATE INTERROGATION SYSTEM (ICIS) FOR USE AT THE SAVANNAH RIVER SITE

ABSTRACT The Integrated Crate Interrogation System (ICIS) was developed for use at the Savannah River Site to assay transuranic waste in large containers. The system comprises a Box Segmented Gamma Scanner (BSGS) providing high resolution gamma spectroscopy, and a Box Neutron Assay System (BNAS) providing passive neutron counting capability. The multi-modality approach is taken where the assay results from the gamma and neutron systems are combined to complement each other in satisfying Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) criteria. This paper gives an overview of the system that has been built, factory calibrated, and delivered to the site. The BSGS is similar to a standard Canberra Segmented Gamma Box Counter, but with the addition of a transmission option for ascertaining density and rudimentary fill-height information. This supplements the Multi-Curve approach based on efficiency in energy and density. The BSGS has a moving trolley which travels on rails through a passive emission counting station using large BEGe detectors, and a transmission counting station using NaI detectors in conjunction with high-and low-beam transmission stages. The assay result provides information on the Pu, Am and/or U isotopic ratios using standard isotopic analysis codes, quantitative measurement of Pu and U for low and medium density matrices, and direct measurement of other gamma emitters in the waste that are not identified in the isotopic measurement. It also provides basic positional information to improve the accuracy of both the gamma and the neutron measurement

A mechanical predesign project in robotic fire fighting

A four student design project was formed to investigate the design of a Navy robotic fire fighter. The project goals were centered around identifying appropriate Mechanical Engineering (?'E) masters thesis topics while accomplishing a worthwhile engineering project. As an ME involvement, the project was approached as an exercise in machine preliminary design. A 13 week format was used with time equally distributed between background building and design. Lecture hours were minimized (to nine) and one-on-one and group tech leal discussions were maximized. None of the students had p. r background in robotics. Each student selected a task in robot c oign in which to become "expert". The four tasks investigated were: manipulator mechanism design; end .effector design; motion control; and man/machine interfaces . The students results^ are presented as submitted. Alternative engineering design concepts are discussed for each of the major system components. The evolution of system design requirements is discussed. A recommended system configuration is identified.prepared for: Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Californiahttp://archive.org/details/mechanicalpredes00smitN