The Spanish Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) just funded a new project in the Institute of Corpuscular Physics (IFIC). The project is called PROTON, an initiative aimed at developing methodologies to evaluate tomographic technology, developed at this UV institute and the CSIC, which allows to visualise, analyse and control the activity of nuclear waste. The team will take measurements and will test these assessment methodologies in the Garoņa nuclear power plant (Burgos).
The creation of this project was prompted by a collaboration in 2015 between the IFIC research group, led by CSIC scientist Francisco Albiol, and the Empresa Nacional de Residuos Radioactivos (ENRESA: National Radioactive Waste Company). The team developed a series of disruptive innovations that enable the elaboration of gamma-ray dynamic tomography from nuclear waste, thus allowing for an easier classification and reducing costs in the decommissioning process of nuclear power plants, estimated to be around 4,000 million euros in Spain.
"So far, static procedures are being used to determine the activity and dosage of a radioactive waste container. The technology developed allows a more agile tomographic reconstruction that is independent of the shape of the container and the position of the detectors, benefiting from the recognition of the environment through artificial intelligence and vision, as well as tomographic techniques adapted from medical imaging," explains Francisco Albiol. However, this technology must be assessed by the CSN-the only competent body in Spain for nuclear safety and radiation protection-before its incorporation into the industry.
The main objective of the PROTON project is for the CSN to familiarise with the use, advantages and restrictions of technology, as well as compile relevant aspects for its calibration and management. "The project aims to assess portable geometry-independent tomographic system for gamma-ray, in order to ensure their ability to accurately estimate activity distribution and quantification, as well as dosage," summarises the project coordinator at the CSN, Juan González Cadelo.
Tests at the Garoņa nuclear power plant
For the proper evaluation of the technologies developed, the team plans to visit the Garoņa nuclear power plant (Burgos) in order to take measurements and test the methodologies implemented. A prototype for the tomographic reconstruction of gamma activity and its three-dimensional distribution in nuclear waste containers has been validated, which has led to several patents for the developments.
Not only does the project aim to provide reliable criteria for technology that characterises nuclear waste, but also to meet the industry’s regulatory requirements and establish boundaries that ensure the proper operation of this innovative technology. "We hope to see a significant improvement in the assessment and management processes of nuclear waste, thanks to PROTON, thus contributing to safety and efficiency in the nuclear industry," concludes Albiol.
