A distributed and interconnected network of sensors for environmental radiological monitoring. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gallego Manzano, L.; Bisegni, C.; Boukabache, H.; Curioni, A.; Heracleous, N.; Murtas, F.; Perrin, D.; Silari, M.
• Is Part Of: Radiation measurements. Volume 139(2020:Aug.)
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: Radioactive waste monitoring -- Internet of Things -- LoRa -- Environmental radiation monitoring; Nuclear emulsions -- Periodicals; Particle tracks (Nuclear physics) -- Periodicals; Thermoluminescence -- Periodicals; Cosmic rays -- Periodicals; Radiation -- Measurement -- Periodicals; Radiometry -- Periodicals; Radiation Monitoring -- Periodicals; Émulsions nucléaires -- Périodiques; Particules (Physique nucléaire) -- Traces -- Périodiques; Thermoluminescence -- Périodiques; Rayonnement cosmique -- Périodiques; Radiométrie -- Périodiques; 539.77
• DOI: 10.1016/j.radmeas.2020.106488
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1350-4487

Abstract

Abstract: The W-MON project aims to improve and automatize the control of the presence of radioactive material in conventional waste containers at CERN using a distributed network of interconnected low-power radiation sensors. The key development is the integration of a lightweight but sensitive radiation sensor in a powerful network that allows continuous data recording, transfer and storage in a database for alarm triggering and subsequent data analysis. The Chiyoda D-shuttle personal dosimeter was used as proof-of-concept. Extensive tests performed with the commercial version of the D-shuttle showed that its robustness, stability under variable thermal conditions, high sensitivity and hourly dose logging capabilities make it a strong candidate for the project. To comply with the requirements of remote operation and wireless data transmission to a central server, a customized version of the D-shuttle has been developed. Two additional radiation sensors are also currently being considered. The sensors have been coupled to a custom-made communication board allowing for long-range low-power LoRa wireless data transmission. A centralized IoT (Internet of Things) end-to-end data architecture has been developed for real-time monitoring and visualization of the radiation level in waste containers before the final integration into REMUS, the overall CERN Radiation and Environment Monitoring Unified Supervision service. Highlights: Environmental radiological monitoring for conventional waste. Lightweight and smart radiation sensors for real-time monitoring of the radiation level in waste containers. Distributed network of interconnected low-power radiation sensors with LoRa wireless data transmission.