Radiation Monitoring System in Helsinki Airport - Lessons Learned

摘要

In 2008, the Finnish government decided to provide funding to a project for upgrading the radiationdetection systems at the Finnish borders. The project was scheduled for the years 2009-2014. Theobject of the project is to improve the ability to detect illicit trafficking of nuclear and other radioactivematerials. The project is implemented in cooperation with Finnish Customs and Radiation and NuclearSafety Authority, STUK.In 2011, the project plan included equipping the major airport of Finland, Helsinki-Vantaa, with acomprehensive radiation detection network. The system was installed and upgraded during 2012, andnow the first experiences are received and operational procedures are being developed. In this paperboth technical solutions, concept of operations and practical experiences are being discussed.The system covers passenger terminals, Cargo terminals, Aviation mail terminal and Courierterminals. Altogether about 30 radiation detection instruments are installed. The devices are gammaspectrometric NaI detectors. Neutron detection is achieved indirectly through detection of high energyphotons. For improving neutron detection efficiency, the spectrometers are equipped with PCV-PEmoderator-converter, which increases the detection capability by a factor of two, at least. Thedetection efficiency is as good as the efficiency of ~3He detector.The detectors are connected to central software and database, located in the Command center. Thealarms from the detectors will be redirected to mobile terminals carried by Customs officers. Thesystem is complemented with cameras for visual recognition of the alarming object.The architecture of the system allows the spectra to be delivered to the experts for more detailedanalysis. Reachback support for Customs Officers will be organized by STUK. The data from allspectrometric devices, including mobile screening systems, are transferred to the database, which isaccessible by STUK’s experts at any time. Experiences of the system will be discussed.