METHOD OF DETECTING NUCLEAR RADIATION OR RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL IN A CONTAINER

摘要

A method of analysis for detecting and reporting the presence of low levels of ionizing radiation in spaces such as cargo shipping containers. Radiation detectors are placed inside the containers and the method is invokable while the containers are in transit. The difference between radiation emanating from inside the container and radiation emanating from outside the container is determined to detect and identify low levels of radiation. The detected and identified radiation is comparable with the container manifest to determine whether the radiation is from sources identified in the manifest or is likely to be contraband.

主权项

1. A device for detecting radioactive contraband located in confined spaces of shipping containers, storage containers and/or other cargo containers and secure spaces, the device comprising:
(a) one or more shielded radiation detectors inside a shipping container for detecting nuclear radiation originating outside the container, the one or more shielded radiation detectors being shielded such that radiation originating from inside the container is not detected by the one or more shielded radiation detectors; (b) one or more unshielded radiation detectors inside the container for detecting nuclear radiation originating from both inside and outside the container; (c) a radiation detection system communicatively coupled with the one or more shielded radiation detectors and the one or more unshielded radiation detectors, the radiation detection system comprising: a processor for executing instructions; and a computer readable storage medium storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
generate a background radiation level signal based on input from the one or more shielded radiation detectors,generate a total radiation level signal based on input from the one or more unshielded radiation detectors,generate an adjusted radiation level signal based on subtracting the background radiation level signal from the total radiation level signal, andanalyze the spectroscopy energy distribution and intensity of the adjusted radiation level signal to allow identification of the radioisotope or radioisotopes that emit the adjusted radiation level signal.