Enabling Technology

Enabling Technology

Fig 1. KD14 module Passive gamma scanners need many detectors to achieve high speed and good sensitivity. The outputs of all the detectors are combined to produce a single profile of ²³⁵U gamma rays along the length of the fuel rod.
Fig 2. Compact Detector Assembly
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Fig 3. Old Technology Detector Assembly Our old (c. 2003) technology detector assemblies (Fig 3) and Electronics (Fig 5) were separate and needed to be connected by coaxial cables. This made assembling a large number of detectors impractical and expensive.

In order to make large array passive gamma scanners that would be competitive with Active Scanner and yet fit on the factory floor and not overwhelm the maintenance staff, Macro developed miniature nuclear electronics modules (Fig 1) and Compact Detector Assemblies (Fig 2).

Figure 3 and 5 together show the hardware and cables needed for a passive gamma scanner with 10 detectors. In comparison, Figure 4 shows a complete passive gamma scanner with 4 detectors and all required processing electronics. For 10 detectors, all that would change in Figure 4 would be that the black detector assembly would be 100 mm (4 in.) wider to accomodate an additional 6 detectors.
Fig 4. New technology detector assembly and electronics (demonstration system)
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Fig 5. Old Technology Electronics Our new technology (Fig 1) is directly evolved from our older technology (Fig 5) which has been in continuous use inspecting nuclear fuel since 2003.

Fig 1. KD14 module	Passive gamma scanners need many detectors to achieve high speed and good sensitivity. The outputs of all the detectors are combined to produce a single profile of ²³⁵U gamma rays along the length of the fuel rod.	Fig 2. Compact Detector Assembly bigger
Fig 3. Old Technology Detector Assembly	Our old (c. 2003) technology detector assemblies (Fig 3) and Electronics (Fig 5) were separate and needed to be connected by coaxial cables. This made assembling a large number of detectors impractical and expensive. In order to make large array passive gamma scanners that would be competitive with Active Scanner and yet fit on the factory floor and not overwhelm the maintenance staff, Macro developed miniature nuclear electronics modules (Fig 1) and Compact Detector Assemblies (Fig 2). Figure 3 and 5 together show the hardware and cables needed for a passive gamma scanner with 10 detectors. In comparison, Figure 4 shows a complete passive gamma scanner with 4 detectors and all required processing electronics. For 10 detectors, all that would change in Figure 4 would be that the black detector assembly would be 100 mm (4 in.) wider to accomodate an additional 6 detectors.	Fig 4. New technology detector assembly and electronics (demonstration system) bigger
Fig 5. Old Technology Electronics	Our new technology (Fig 1) is directly evolved from our older technology (Fig 5) which has been in continuous use inspecting nuclear fuel since 2003.