Abstract: An apparatus, methods, and systems for assaying materials are disclosed using a combination of detectors that scan for areas of material non-uniformity, and assay the type and amount of radioactivity present in the material. Scanning detectors are provided to scan for non-uniform levels of radiation emanating from the material. If any non-uniformity is detected by the scanning detectors, the material non-uniformity is removed and handled with radioactive material protocols. The remaining material may then be subject to assay. If the material shows no signs of non-uniform radiation emission, the assay detectors are used to assay the material. If the concentration of any one or more radionuclides exceeds a predetermined limit, the assayed material is handled with radioactive material protocols.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for detecting radioactive contamination in garments. The apparatus includes a pair of radiation detectors spaced along a conveyor path. The conveyor system conveys the garments in a compressed condition and the garments are biased toward each of the detectors as they are conveyed therepast. A housing is provided with an air filtering system such that the conveyors are enclosed in a ventilated structure and the spread of contaminants accumulating within the housing is prevented. Preferably the conveyors include a thin, open grid arrangement which is strong, non-stick and includes an electrically conductive material which dissipates static charges. The detectors are gas-flow proportional and may be operated at a voltage optimized for sensing alpha particles. The detectors may also include plural zones some of which are operated at a voltage optimized for sensing alpha particles while others are operated at a voltage optimized for sensing beta particles.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting localized concentrations of radioactive particles in garments is disclosed. The apparatus generally comprises a conveyor assembly for receiving, moving and discharging garments which have been processed through a decontaminating wash, and a radiation detector assembly including a gas-flow proportional detector covered by a shielding wall of lead on all faces except for the face opposite the garments being inspected. The radiation detector assembly further includes a height adjustment mechanism for simultaneously supporting both the radiation detector and the shield wall so that the shield wall continues to present the same shielding geometry around the detector regardless of which height the detector is positioned over the conveyor assembly, obviating the need for adjusting the subtraction of background gamma radiation everytime the height of the detector is changed.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting radioactive contamination in hand-held objects, such as tools used to service a nuclear power facility, is disclosed herein. The apparatus generally comprises a radiation detector assembly having a gas-flow proportional detector, and a platform assembly formed from a perforated sheet of rigid material disposed over the topside of the detector for both supporting the hand-holdable objects and uniformly spacing the object from the detector. The radiation detector assembly is contained within a shielding cabinet having an access opening that is offset out of alignment with the top side of the detector for allowing an operator to deposit and withdraw an object onto and off of the platform. The walls of the shielding cabinet include pocket-like mounting assemblies for releasably holding one or more sheets of lead shielding material so that the amount of background radiation-reducing shielding may be advantageously adjusted.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for sorting radioactive waste. The method comprises the steps of reducing the waste to pieces of substantially uniform size, detecting radiation with first and second radiation detecting structure, conveying the pieces from the reducing step to the first and second radiation detecting structure, and dispersing the pieces of waste between the first and second detecting structure so that the pieces which are collected together in clusters can separate from each other to thereby increase the likelihood of detecting radiation emanating from the pieces.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for sorting radioactive waste. The apparatus comprises structure for reducing the waste to pieces of substantially uniform size and first and second radiation detecting structure. Structure is provided for conveying the pieces from the reducing structure to the first and second radiation detecting structure. Structure is provided for dispersing the pieces of waste between the first and second detecting structure so that the pieces which are collected together in clusters can separate from each other to thereby increase the likelihood of detecting radiation emanating from the pieces.

Abstract: A method for detecting radiation emanating from a container comprising the steps of providing shields which define a sector from which radiation can be detected. A sample from which radiation is believed to be emanating is placed in the sector so that radiation emanating from it can strike the detector. The shielding prevents background radiation from striking the detector. Also claimed is an apparatus for detecting radiation emanating from a sample comprising first and second shields and a detector. The shields define a sector from which the detector can detect radiation. Means for supporting the sample is disposed in the sector.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for examining dry material, components of which may have a low level of radioactivity, to sort the radioactive components from the nonradioactive components.

Abstract: An enclosure for sorting materials having a low level of radioactivity contains a radiation detector and uses a blower to provide a negative atmosphere. Closures over holes in the floor of the enclosure can be opened to allow sorted material to be discharged into suitable receptacles such as barrels. A radiation shield is provided between the detector and the receptacles.