Options
2004
Report
Titel
Evaluation of the IAEA-Euratom nuclear radiation test procedures version 2.0 applied to the Electronic Optical Sealing System EOSS and evaluation of EOSS test results
Titel Supplements
Joint Programme on the Technical Development and Further Improvement of IAEA Safeguards between the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany and the International Atomic Energy Agency
Task D.27/E994
Abstract
Radiation test criteria adopted by the IAEA and Euratom for safeguards equipment were evaluated with respect to reliability and safety in nuclear radiation environments. The proposed set of test criteria is not complete. The proposed irradiation values for level 1 ("standard") and level 2 ("high class") have been compared with values measured in the field and typical radiation protection limits and found to be acceptable. The proposed irradiation level 3 ("special application") seems to be arbitrary, and, therefore, further consideration is suggested. Supplements and recommendations for the test criteria and the irradiation tests are proposed. The test criteria are applicable for the EOSS seal in expected radiation environments in nuclear facilities. The Electronic Optical Sealing System (EOSS) was developed by Dr. Neumann Consultants for safeguards applications by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Euratom Safeguards Office (Euratom). The tests of the EOSS seal with fast and thermal neutrons and gammas had been carried out at the Prater Reactor in Vienna by the Vienna Technical University under contract of the IAEA without participation of FhG-INT. All the measurement records of the irradiation tests made available to FhG-INT were evaluated. According to the tester, the tested seals passed all levels for all radiation types. Because of a lack of definitions of pass and fail criteria, test parameters, dosimetry etc. FhG-INT cannot conclude that the EOSS seal can be used in the field up to the specified irradiation levels. We propose to repeat all radiation tests with 5 to 10 devices after the test criteria have been revised and detailed test specification for the test of the EOSS seal have been agreed between IAEA, the supplier and the tester. The radiation safety analysis of the seal components leads to the conclusion that in the field no problems should be encountered. The implemented lithium batteries can be used in radiation environments, because the temperature in the batteries will not rise due to radiation, no significant amount of gas will be generated, and activation will be low. The neutron-induced radioactivity of the EOSS seal will be rather low, except under accelerated irradiation tests or certain "special application" conditions in the field.
Author(s)
Organisation
Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Arbeit -BMWA-
International Atomic Energy Agency -IAEA-, Wien
Forschungszentrum Jülich, Programmgruppe Systemforschung und Technologische Entwicklung
Verlagsort
Jülich
Language
English