Design of a spreader bar crane-mounted gamma-ray radiation detection system

Current and Prospective Radiation Detection Systems, Screening Infrastructure and Interpretive Algorithms for the Non-Intrusive Screening of Shipping Container Cargo: A Review

“…By experimental measurement or simulation the feasibility of implementing inorganic scintillator detectors, such as in mobile networks or lifting equipment, in a seaport environment should be further investigated. While research into such inorganic scintillator-based detection systems has been conducted in the past [71,94,96] and despite the fact that they are commercially available [110], RPMs remain the predominant form of radiation detection infrastructure in place at seaports. However, through the use of existing and emerging advanced data processing algorithms and by exploiting the properties of novel inorganic scintillator materials, there is potential for such mobile detector networks or detectors embedded into lifting equipment to become feasible alternatives to RPMs.…”

“…Incorporating detectors into port lifting equipment therefore represents a scenario that would facilitate the use of MLE and PF algorithms to localise radioactive sources and introduces the additional possibility of screening discrete sections of a container by controlling the field of view of the detectors as they are lowered onto the top of a container. One further benefit of implementing detectors embedded in port lifting equipment is the reduced background count rate above water that results in an increased signal-to-noise ratio for measurements of a radioactive source taken over water when compared to measurements of the same source taken over the solid ground constituting the port [96]. Previous investigation into incorporating radiation detectors into port lifting equipment undertaken by [94] identified intrinsic limitations to such a system arising from the one-sided nature of the screening process, though it was recognised that performance may be improved through the use of advanced data processing algorithms.…”

Measurement and Analysis of the Extreme Physical Shock Environment Experienced by Crane-Mounted Radiation Detection Systems

“…The SAFE Port Act requires that all containers entering the US through its 22 busiest ports be monitored for radiation [1]. Monitoring cargo for nuclear materials is essential for border security and nonproliferation efforts [2,3]. To provide better radiation detection coverage on cargo containers, some companies have investigated the use of detection systems directly mounted to ship-to-shore container gantry cranes [2][3][4].…”

“…Monitoring cargo for nuclear materials is essential for border security and nonproliferation efforts [2,3]. To provide better radiation detection coverage on cargo containers, some companies have investigated the use of detection systems directly mounted to ship-to-shore container gantry cranes [2][3][4]. These spreaders weigh in excess of 15 tons and routinely collide with shipping containers and other objects at operating speeds during their day-to-day operations.…”

“…These spreaders weigh in excess of 15 tons and routinely collide with shipping containers and other objects at operating speeds during their day-to-day operations. Mounting radiation detectors on this type of crane would put the sensors in the closest possible proximity to cargo containers while minimizing background radiation contributions but these systems would undergo large amounts of physical stress during loading and off-loading operations [2]. Many radiation detectors are known to be susceptible to mechanical shock; NaI(Tl) scintillators, for example, are relatively brittle and fragile [5][6][7].…”