ANTECH B2104 Series Fork Detectors are routinely used as inspection tools for safeguards purposes. Also to conduct non-destructive measurements to determine the radiation from reactor pond fuel rod assemblies while stored underwater.
Fork Detectors are used to measure neutron and gamma radiation activity from spent fuel assemblies. They are supplied in two different configurations:
The difference between the different types of unit is the inner distance between the tines of the detector head; the PWR option has a larger detector head and the BWR has a small detector head. All other components are identical. The detectors are designed to be portable and easy to assemble to facilitate transportation between sites and quick set-up Detector efficiencies of 2-4% (typical) are attainable, depending on the detector type and geometry.
B2104 Series Fork Detectors are manufactured to meet EURATOM’s requirements. Each unit consists of a detector head with integral electronics, a set of connection pipes with associated interconnect clamps, O-ring seals, interconnect cables, a system status indicator unit, and a mechanism for attaching the detector assembly to the pond gantry side rails.
There are three output signals: two from the neutron detectors which are combined as a single output from the two fission chambers in each tine of the detector head, and one from the two ion chambers which is combined as a single output. These three output signals are fed into the counting electronics, such as a MiniGrand or MicroMesskanal.
The status indicator box – also known as a Top Junction Box – is fitted with Health status LED’s to indicate the presence of power to the detector head, and two further LED’s to show when pulses are being received from each Fission Chamber channel, to provide the user with a visual indication that the system is counting.
Each detector can be supplied tested with nuclear sources (optional) are are delivered with full documentation and test records including a leak test report, Certificate of conformance and manufacturers test records for preamplifier and ³He tubes.
The Top Junction Box (TJB) mounts onto the lifting pipe. It regulates and transmits the 12V or 5Vdc supply – dependent on the nucleonics specified – from the system nucleonics to drive the A111A pre-amplifiers. It also drives a series of LEDs facing the user.