Nuclear Technology and Innovation

Land & Waste Characterisation Services

For more information please call us on +44(0)1235 514891 or email helen.beddow@nuvia.co.uk

www.nuvia.co.uk

Recent Project Experience

- Containment of sub-surface contamination using specialist technologies at CP7 Hunterston A. GEM and HiRAM used to support Cognition Land & Water. Total volume of material monitored 1900m3.

- LLWR characterisation framework utilised for measurements of drummed waste from cell walls using portable HRGS at Berkeley.

- HiRAM used to sentence the first shipments of VLLW from RSRL Harwell to the ENRMF Augean site, large volumes of drain and excavated materials monitored.

- Site delicensing at LLWR and Oldbury using Groundhog and HRGS;

- Large area Groundhog surveys for Sellafield and Dounreay;

- Use of GEM and HiRAM at several large land remediation projects in the UK;

- Trench monitoring and conveyor systems to ensure remove hotspots before bulk monitoring;

- HRGS to assay 10,000+ drums, 1m3 bags and single items;

- Determination of plutonium in 200L drums by HRGS measuring Am-241 and client supplied nuclide fingerprint;

- Analysis of reactor graphite to determine activation products and U-235 content. Over 200 drums measured to date;

- Whole room measurements for de-licensing using HRGS

GroundhogTM

GEM System

HiRAM

Portable HRGS

GroundhogTM – Provides a range of radiation monitoring tools and services that encompass all gamma emitting contamination that can be detected in the field. Core Features:

- The collection of a high density of survey measurements; - Generally more than one measurement per square metre; - Readily deployed systems from fully portable for use in compact areas through to large area

surveys using banks of detectors mounted on vehicles; - Automatic recording of all measurement data; - Maintenance of quality assurance provides a complete audit trail; - Use of database and GIS to provide high-quality analysis and presentations.

Goundhog ‘Fusion’: - General purpose technology for use as portable or vehicle mounted systems. - Sodium Iodide detectors coupled to an advanced gamma radiation spectrometer mounted in

carbon fibre composite cases to reduce weight and improve the transmission of low-energy photons.

- Detector and spectrometer are connected to an Ultra-Mobile PC carried by the operator or fitted to the vehicle.

- Mapping grade GPS used to calculate the position of every radiation measurement with sub-metre accuracy.

- Typically used in projects to detect Caesium-137 distributed in soils at levels of 200-400 Bq/kg.

Groundhog ‘Insight’: A Field Instrument for the Detection of Low Energy Radiation (FIDLER) detector used for measuring low-energy radiation and is ideal for Amercium-241 and can detect Plutonium-239. The carbon fibre case is just 0.4 mm thick. Groundhog ‘Evolution2’ and ‘Synergy’: Systems are designed for the detection of particles of radioactive material typically the size of a grain of sand or smaller.

- Evolution2 comprises five large NaI detectors arranged to survey a 2 metre strip in each sweep. Detection of Cs-137 particles typically 103-105 in the top 100-200mm of sand.

- Synergy as above but also equipped with eight Insight detectors to improve the efficiency of Am-241 typically to levels of 104-105 Bq in the surface layer of sand.

- Systems are fitted with advanced ‘alarm’ mechanisms allowing particles to be removed as detected.

Groundhog surveys also support remediation strategies based on in-situ selective sentencing of waste. Survey results can be ‘turned around’ in less than an hour.

Gamma Excavation Monitor (GEM) - a gross gamma system capable of real-time assay of excavated materials in support of clearance initiatives. This bulk monitoring system has gained Environment Agency approval for effective material segregation of volumes up to 1m3.

- Utilises a battery-operated CsI detector, shielded in a heavy duty frame, and calibrated using a mathematical modelling code.

- Involves positioning an excavator bucket of material over the detector triggering a proximity switch to initiate the counting routine. Each bucket requires a few seconds to complete a measurement dependent on detection requirements. Once complete, a coloured light is automatically illuminated on the display to indicate the correct waste steam for the load.

- Approximately 350 tonnes of material can be measured and segregated each day. - Data for each bucket is downloaded onto a laptop keeping a record of the radioactive

inventory and quantities of material. High Resolution Assay Monitor (HiRAM) – trailer mounted system for the assay of waste materials at the customer’s site.

- The HiRAM utilises a trailer mounted turntable, portable High Resolution Gamma Spectrometer (HRGS) and PC, with a weatherproof cabin and standalone electrical supply.

- The system can be transported easily to the customer’s site and remain outdoors during the measurement campaign.

- Typical count times of 15 minutes for 1m3 bags of rubble or soil achieving limits of detection of 0.007 Bq/g for Cs-137 and 0.003 Bq/g for Co-60.

- Over 20,000 bags measured to date. - Results analysed immediately enabling the operator to sentence as out of scope, VLLW

or LLW immediately. All results stored on a laptop PC and backup up regularly ensuring excellent record keeping.

Portable High Resolution Gamma Spectrometry (HRGS) – measures a wide variety of wastes including out of scope, VLLW and LLW and plutonium and uranium contaminated waste.

- Rapid mobilisation time - Fast turnaround – calibrations carried out at the site providing the client with immediate

results allowing rapid management decisions - Experienced and professional operators - Complex scenarios e.g. measurement of plutonium in drums - Advice regarding purchase of new systems and assistance

commissioning - Traceable QA standards - Assessments of drums, rooms, land and single items such as oil

samples, source tubes. Nuvia have used the HRGS in tandem with Groundhog on a number of nuclear site delicensing projects. The HRGS is used in a downward configuration with quoted MDA’s of 0.01 Bq/g 137Cs, 0.01 Bq/g 60Co and 0.04 Bq/g 241Am.

Nuvia offers a full range of services for both the characterisation and remediation of land, and characterisation of waste materials. Services have been provided to both nuclear and non-nuclear customers for over fifteen years giving us a wide range of experience and solutions.

GroundhogTM – Provides a range of radiation monitoring tools and services that encompass all gamma emitting contamination that can be detected in the field. Core Features:

- The collection of a high density of survey measurements; - Generally more than one measurement per square metre; - Readily deployed systems from fully portable for use in compact areas through to large area

surveys using banks of detectors mounted on vehicles; - Automatic recording of all measurement data; - Maintenance of quality assurance provides a complete audit trail; - Use of database and GIS to provide high-quality analysis and presentations.

Goundhog ‘Fusion’: - General purpose technology for use as portable or vehicle mounted systems. - Sodium Iodide detectors coupled to an advanced gamma radiation spectrometer mounted in

carbon fibre composite cases to reduce weight and improve the transmission of low-energy photons.

- Detector and spectrometer are connected to an Ultra-Mobile PC carried by the operator or fitted to the vehicle.

- Mapping grade GPS used to calculate the position of every radiation measurement with sub-metre accuracy.

- Typically used in projects to detect Caesium-137 distributed in soils at levels of 200-400 Bq/kg.

Groundhog ‘Insight’: A Field Instrument for the Detection of Low Energy Radiation (FIDLER) detector used for measuring low-energy radiation and is ideal for Amercium-241 and can detect Plutonium-239. The carbon fibre case is just 0.4 mm thick. Groundhog ‘Evolution2’ and ‘Synergy’: Systems are designed for the detection of particles of radioactive material typically the size of a grain of sand or smaller.

- Evolution2 comprises five large NaI detectors arranged to survey a 2 metre strip in each sweep. Detection of Cs-137 particles typically 103-105 in the top 100-200mm of sand.

- Synergy as above but also equipped with eight Insight detectors to improve the efficiency of Am-241 typically to levels of 104-105 Bq in the surface layer of sand.

- Systems are fitted with advanced ‘alarm’ mechanisms allowing particles to be removed as detected.

Groundhog surveys also support remediation strategies based on in-situ selective sentencing of waste. Survey results can be ‘turned around’ in less than an hour.

Gamma Excavation Monitor (GEM) - a gross gamma system capable of real-time assay of excavated materials in support of clearance initiatives. This bulk monitoring system has gained Environment Agency approval for effective material segregation of volumes up to 1m3.

- Utilises a battery-operated CsI detector, shielded in a heavy duty frame, and calibrated using a mathematical modelling code.

- Involves positioning an excavator bucket of material over the detector triggering a proximity switch to initiate the counting routine. Each bucket requires a few seconds to complete a measurement dependent on detection requirements. Once complete, a coloured light is automatically illuminated on the display to indicate the correct waste steam for the load.

- Approximately 350 tonnes of material can be measured and segregated each day. - Data for each bucket is downloaded onto a laptop keeping a record of the radioactive

inventory and quantities of material. High Resolution Assay Monitor (HiRAM) – trailer mounted system for the assay of waste materials at the customer’s site.

- The HiRAM utilises a trailer mounted turntable, portable High Resolution Gamma Spectrometer (HRGS) and PC, with a weatherproof cabin and standalone electrical supply.

- The system can be transported easily to the customer’s site and remain outdoors during the measurement campaign.

- Typical count times of 15 minutes for 1m3 bags of rubble or soil achieving limits of detection of 0.007 Bq/g for Cs-137 and 0.003 Bq/g for Co-60.

- Over 20,000 bags measured to date. - Results analysed immediately enabling the operator to sentence as out of scope, VLLW

or LLW immediately. All results stored on a laptop PC and backup up regularly ensuring excellent record keeping.

Portable High Resolution Gamma Spectrometry (HRGS) – measures a wide variety of wastes including out of scope, VLLW and LLW and plutonium and uranium contaminated waste.

- Rapid mobilisation time - Fast turnaround – calibrations carried out at the site providing the client with immediate

results allowing rapid management decisions - Experienced and professional operators - Complex scenarios e.g. measurement of plutonium in drums - Advice regarding purchase of new systems and assistance

commissioning - Traceable QA standards - Assessments of drums, rooms, land and single items such as oil

samples, source tubes. Nuvia have used the HRGS in tandem with Groundhog on a number of nuclear site delicensing projects. The HRGS is used in a downward configuration with quoted MDA’s of 0.01 Bq/g 137Cs, 0.01 Bq/g 60Co and 0.04 Bq/g 241Am.

Nuvia offers a full range of services for both the characterisation and remediation of land, and characterisation of waste materials. Services have been provided to both nuclear and non-nuclear customers for over fifteen years giving us a wide range of experience and solutions.

Nuclear Technology and Innovation

Land & Waste Characterisation Services

For more information please call us on +44(0)1235 514891 or email helen.beddow@nuvia.co.uk

www.nuvia.co.uk

Recent Project Experience

- Containment of sub-surface contamination using specialist technologies at CP7 Hunterston A. GEM and HiRAM used to support Cognition Land & Water. Total volume of material monitored 1900m3.

- LLWR characterisation framework utilised for measurements of drummed waste from cell walls using portable HRGS at Berkeley.

- HiRAM used to sentence the first shipments of VLLW from RSRL Harwell to the ENRMF Augean site, large volumes of drain and excavated materials monitored.

- Site delicensing at LLWR and Oldbury using Groundhog and HRGS;

- Large area Groundhog surveys for Sellafield and Dounreay;

- Use of GEM and HiRAM at several large land remediation projects in the UK;

- Trench monitoring and conveyor systems to ensure remove hotspots before bulk monitoring;

- HRGS to assay 10,000+ drums, 1m3 bags and single items;

- Determination of plutonium in 200L drums by HRGS measuring Am-241 and client supplied nuclide fingerprint;

- Analysis of reactor graphite to determine activation products and U-235 content. Over 200 drums measured to date;

- Whole room measurements for de-licensing using HRGS

GroundhogTM

GEM System

HiRAM

Portable HRGS