Application
Free Release Monitor HERCULES-FRM main working principle can be described the following way. Any loading mechanism like forklift or a crane gently puts measuring object to the movable platform on the front roller-based conveyor. Scales which are inbuilt in the front conveyor are determining weight of the measuring object and automatically transfers information for the analytical software. Further actions are performed totally automatically or in manual mode. Measuring chamber opens front doors and movable platform slides inside of measuring chamber. Doors are closed and measurement starts. The FRM is equipped with 16 plastic scintillators surrounding the measuring object from all sides. Plastic scintillators are connected to digital multichannel analysers located in the control box. Analytical and control software packages guarantee total remote control and data acquisition from all plastic scintillators simultaneously. All analytical performance of the FRM is set up previously by inputting all information concerning measuring object, geometry, sizes, weights, filling of containers, etc. in the software package. After measurement is finished, operator is alarmed, record is stored in the database and report can be printed any time. In order to change the measuring object, the FRM opens the front doors and slides the platform out for further unload by the forklift or a crane. In case the operator needs to measure specific object, it is possible to open back doors to load the measuring object from the back. The whole measuring chamber is securely covered with stainless-steel for easy decontamination.
Features
General
- Overall dimensions of the FRM: 5000x2300x2100mm (LxWxH)
- Overall weight of the FRM: 10000kg
- Operation temperature: +10…+35°C
- Ready to accommodate object with size 1.2m x 0.8m x 1.0m (L x W x H)
- Lead walls not less than 50mm thick
- Stain-less steel protection
- External and internal automatic conveyor
- Inbuilt scales
Plastic scintillators (HPGe detectors optional)
- 16 or 24 or more plastic scintillators equipped with PMTs
- Energy range from 100 to 3000 keV
- Detection limit for Co-60 is less than 300 Bq
Software
- Total activity calculation
- Visualization of measurement and diagnostic information
- Storage of measurement data, controlled parameters and fixed constants in internal memory
- Control of all mechanically movable mechanisms
- Control and reset of the FRM in case of failure of automation
- Self-diagnostics control
- Visual and audible alarm in case of failure or exceed of previously set levels
- Alarm in case of fixed level activity exceed for separately chosen radionuclide
- 3D visualization interface for measurement object monitoring and setting geometrical parameters in order to decrease measurement uncertainties
- Visualization of inhomogeneities in activity distribution
- Automatic change of measurement parameters depending on measurement geometry (Geometry must be set up preliminary)
- All software packages run under Windows operation system
Control box
Control box of the FRM includes the following components:
- Set of MCAs for reading and transforming signals from PMTs of plastic scintillators
- Set of power supplies for different modules of the FRM
- Set of controllers to manage all components of automation process
- Indicators for operator
- Control panel with colour LCD display and touchscreen
- An emergency stop button is provided on the control box and the measuring chamber
