Laser-based Monitoring of UF6 cylinders

Transcription

1 Laser-based Monitoring of UF6 cylinders V. Sequeira, G Bostroem Institute for the Protection and the Security of the Citizen, European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy S. Poirier, D. Langlands, B. Chesnay, M. Burmester, C.Liguori, M. Moeslinger International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency

2 Acknowledgement: System developed for the IAEA Under a Support Task with the European Commission Joint Research Centre of Ispra, Institute for the Protection and Security of the Citizen. IAEA 2

3 Monitoring the UF6 Cylinder flow The IAEA SG needs: Cost & inspection effort saving solutions, Minimize intrusiveness to the plant operation. The Technical needs: Uniquely identify UF6 cylinders, Operational in unattended mode, Confirm that the cylinders movement as declared, Meet safety standards of the plant, Cost-effectiveness. IAEA 5

4 Several technical solutions were evaluated Stand alone surveillance, Identification tags, Radio Frequency (RF) IDs, Reflective tags and reflective particle tags Intrinsic identification: a) Laser surface authentication (Ingenia) b) Laser surface mapping (JRC) IAEA 6

5 Evaluated possible solution: 1-Surveillance-based identification Insufficient uniqueness as the two-dimensional identity of the cylinder Screwed, welded or riveted plates... Variations in shape, material, surfaces and text layout No Optical Character Recognition ( OCR) possible. IAEA 7

6 Evaluated possible solution: 2-Identification Tags were difficult to qualify for all criteria Easy-quick- application Tamper-resistance/indicating Resistant to process environment tags, Low cost (important given the number of cylinders involved) No Tags / Label relying solution could be qualified. IAEA 8

7 Evaluated possible solution: 3-Passive radio frequency tags (RF IDs) Difficult to attach in a reliable manner that would guarantee authentication May not remain intact throughout the process 4-Reflective particle tags Operators resistant to the application of any kind of chemical paint or glue to cylinders Nothing should be applied on the containers IAEA 9

8 Evaluated possible solution: Cylinder side surface to be scanned. 5-Laser-based intrinsic authentication: cylinder s own microscopic structure fingerprinting can both deter and combat deception Figure 1: UF6 cylinder front valve side Two techniques were retained and evaluated IAEA 10

9 2006 Feasibility Studies of both techniques: Laser Surface Authentication (LSA) technology from INGENIA Ltd (UK) Laser beam producing speckle light from microscopic surface. 3-D Laser Surface Mapping (3D-LSM) from the EC Joint Research Center, Ispra (Italy) Uses triangulation to build a precise 3D model of a container s surface. IAEA 11

10 2006 Feasibility Studies Results LSA technique could not cope with the unusual optical properties of the surfaces but would work on short distance, e.g. metal seal identification possible. 3D-LSM yielded good results with dully painted as well as shiny surfaces at various distances. IAEA adopted 3D-LSM technology for the Laser Item Identification System (L2IS) IAEA 12

11 L2IS based on the 3D LSA technology The technical solution proposed by EC/IPSC from the JRC Ispra is based on a 3 dimensional Laser Authentication Surface scanning: to be referred as 3D-LSA. The 3D-LSA Solution is - based on the triangulation technique, - using an off the shelf line scanner which projects a laser beam onto the object. The illuminated fraction of the object is captured by a camera positioned in a way that the scene is recorded with a specific angle. The recorded line-picture features the cylinder surface granularity. (EC/ISPC) (V SEQUIERA/ EC/IPSC) Figure 2: 3D-LSA technique IAEA 13

12 Laser Item Identification System ( L2IS) The system would be based on: 1.An attended initial scan of the cylinder: establishes the Cylinder Surface Identity, stored in a database. 2.Unattended scan of all entering and exiting cylinders from and to the processing area, records the Cylinder Surface Identity, and comparing it to the other records of the database. IAEA 16

13 Laser Item Identification System L2IS SCANNER UNIT 1: Used to record all cylinders declared to be used in the coming year, by inspectors. The technical solution proposed by IPSC from the JRC Ispra is based on a 3 dimensional Laser Authentication Surface scanning. IAEA/SGTS/M.Lang Figure 5-a and 5-b: Laser scanner scanning a UF6 cylinder IAEA 17

14 Laser Item Identification System L2IS SCANNER UNIT 2: Permanent unattended surveillance of all passing cylinders that are entering or exiting the process area. L2IS + SDIS Surveillance server Transported UF6 Cylinder. Figure 6: L2IS Unattended unit in situ IAEA/SGTS/M.Lang IAEA 18

15 L2IS and Surveillance Standard video surveillance (SDIS camera) Standard video surveillance (SDIS camera) L2IS + SDIS Surveillance server Figure 7: L2IS + SDIS surveillance IAEA/SGTS/M.Lang L2IS unit2 is coupled to IAEA SG standard surveillance system, L2IS data review is performed under the surveillance interface program GARS. This reduces the training effort for the system usage. IAEA 19

16 Field Testing of very first prototypes Scan of static cylinders to establish best power level of lasers (UK, December,2006). Scan during cylinder movement (France, July, 2007). Scan under actual field conditions with stop and go (Japan, September 2007). Scan to determine aging/heating impacts (France, May 2008). Twelve month trial on one type of cylinder scanner (Japan, September 2007-August 2008). IAEA 20

17 Field Testing of L2IS version2 New Features: Automatically scan cylinders While in motion Without any required action from the operators, Cope with all three type of existing cylinders, New Laser class for both unit 1 & 2 : Class 3R. Under test since March Figure 8: L2IS unit2 beam shield To automate the scanning has required to add one more laser scanner in charge of the detection and safety functions, To recognize and cope with three different geometries required to have one scanner per type of cylinder. IAEA 21

18 L2IS Unit 2 version 2 Transfer hall is virtually divided in areas of interest. Each area is monitored by a specific part of the scanning system: 1.for the recognition of the type of transported cylinder: UF6 cylinder Recognizer, Identification Area Active Measurement Area Cylinder scanning Area Class 3R laser beaming < 10 seconds 2. the trolley supervision: Trolley Supervisor, 3.And the cylinder scanning: UF6 cylinder range data collector subsystem.( Note that during the current field test this module is switched On/Off by the operator by the mean of a key) L L2IS unit 2 v2 + SDIS cabinet Transfer Hall Figure 9: L2IS Unit 2-v2 Definition of active areas IAEA (IPSC.) 22

19 Achievements 2010 results: All types of cylinders can be perfectly recognized, The system is robust to speed variations ( trolley s) The system is now able to record cylinders that were passed several times without having ever been referenced. The system can now indicate the presence of cylinder (in the hall) while laser scanning is Off. IAEA 23

20 Future Expansion of L2IS Integrated System to characterize and quantify NM in monitored cylinders Laser Identification Surveillance Weighing NDA: Uranium mass and enrichment Scan of cylinders at conversion facility and/or manufacturer Remote identification of the cylinders at any location with a laser tracking device IAEA 26

21 Conclusions The L2IS system provides the IAEA with an automated system to uniquely identify and thus monitor the complete flow of UF6 cylinders in enrichment plants in an effective and efficient manner. Short development cycle through the joint development and testing efforts of the IAEA, JRC and facility operators. The system is non-intrusive and to a large extent automated. L2IS system can be complemented with additional systems capable of quantifying the nuclear material contained within UF6 cylinders. L2IS is expected to reduce in-field IAEA inspection resources while at the same time maintaining credible safeguards implementation. IAEA 27