International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Research Applications and Utilization of Accelerators

4-8 May 2009, Vienna

Low Cost Combined Systems for Detection of Contraband Hidden in Cargo Containers

R. M. Megahid, A. M. Osman and W. A. Kansouh

Reactors and Neutron Physics Department, Nuclear Research Centre, Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, Egypt

Corresponding Author: rmegahid2573@hotmail.com

The fruitful cooperation between Egypt and the International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA through the Coordinated Research Project (Contract No.13497/RO) which is concerned with the use of neutron based techniques for the detection of illicit materials and explosives tends to design and construct combined systems to search the contents of cargo containers for illicit trafficking. The systems consist of a scanner based on using gamma-rays emitted from ⁶⁰Co source to locate the position of contraband hidden within the payload and an identifier based on using neutrons emitted from Pu-α-Be source to distinguish the suspected object through elemental analysis by fast and thermal neutrons. The systems include as well a especially mechanical system to move the inspected container between the radiation sources and detector. The mechanical system is equipped with an electrical controller unit to adjust the movement increment of the inspected container and time of measurement.

A gamma-ray measuring system with NaI(Tl) detector is used to measure the gamma-rays transmitted through the container during the scanning process. The same gamma detector is used to measure the gamma spectrum resulting from neutron interrogation. The measured gamma-rays are fed to two counting stations, the first station is used to count gamma-rays transmitted through the container during the scanning process, while the second one is used to record the spectrum of gamma-ray emitted from the suspected object during the identification stage. Results obtained from the primary tests are presented in the form of 2D image for the suspected object and in the form of displayed gamma spectra for gammarays emitted from the suspected objects by neutron interrogation analysis. The constructed 2D images and gamma-ray spectra measured for different hidden illicit materials clearly indicate that the system is of low scanning cost, very fast and efficient for detecting contraband screened by steel shield of 1 cm thick. In addition, the system weight is very low compared with other scanners and therefore can be used as mobile or fixed system and can be easily installed at different locations.

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