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EPA Airborne Spectral Photometric Environmental Collection Technology Gamma Emergency Mapper Project. 19 th National Radiological Emergency Preparedness Norfolk, VA April 21, 2009 John Cardarelli II 1 , Mark Thomas 1 , Tim Curry 1 , Scott Faller 2 , Roger Shura 2 , and David Kappelman 3
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EPA Airborne Spectral Photometric Environmental Collection TechnologyGamma Emergency Mapper Project 19th National Radiological Emergency Preparedness Norfolk, VA April 21, 2009 John Cardarelli II1, Mark Thomas1, Tim Curry1, Scott Faller2, Roger Shura2, and David Kappelman3 1 National Decontamination Team 2 Radiological Emergency Response Team, Las Vegas 3 Radiological Emergency Response Team, Montgomery
Outline • Background: ASPECT Aircraft & Program • ASPECT GEM Purpose and Goal • GEM Team • Radiation DetectionTechnology • Example Test Runs • Future Work
Program ASPECTAIRCRAFT PLATFORM • AeroCommander Platform • Base of Operation: Waxahachie, Texas • IFR/GPS Equipped • High Quality Filtered Power • STC Camera Holes in the floor • Crew: Two Pilots, One Operator, All Commercial/ATP Rated • Speeds: • Data Collection at 100 kts • Cruise at 180 – 200 kts • Range/Aloft Time: • Range 1,100 NM • Aloft Time 4 – 6 hours • Service Altitude: • Data Collection at 200 to 2,000 ft AGL • Cruise at 20,000 ft (with Supplemental Oxygen) • Ground Needs – Standard FBO
ASPECTAirborne Spectral Photometric Environmental Collection Technology • The primary mission of ASPECT is to provide information to the first responder in a form that is timely, useful, and compatible with existing infrastructures. • ASPECT can provide infrared & photographic images with geospatial chemical and radiologicalinformation. Methanol plume
ASPECT OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS • Rapid Response —Wheels-up within one hour • Direct Integration into the Local Incident Commander • Standoff Detection of Chemical Plumes and Gamma Contamination • Automatic Processing • Real (or Near Real) Time Collection of Data • Aerial Photography Capability • Basic Data Communication
ASPECTMethods of Activation CERCLA or OPA Authority National Response Center: 800 424 8802 EPA OSC Local EPA RPM State National Declaration Mission Activation FEMA ESF-10 EPA OSC Special Purpose Mission DHS RDCDS EPA OSC
ASPECT Deployments and Responses ASPECT Statistics 41 Emergency Responses 6 DHS SEAR Deployments 9 DHS NSSE Deployments 4 FEMA Activations 12 Special Projects LEGEND Responses Deployments Special Projects
EPA ASPECT– Hurricane RITA Response 9/24/2005 IR Spectral Image Visible Image N N ICI Acrylics 30.013890 N -94.02917 W Release Point Plume Identification and Classification 9/24 ASPECT Flight Passes Over Targets IR Spectrum Ammonia
ASPECTCURRENT SYSTEMS Line Scanner RS-800MSIRLS • ASPECT Uses Three Primary Sensors: • An Infrared Line Scanner to image the plume • A High Speed Infrared Spectrometer to identify and quantify the composition of the plume • A Gamma-Ray Spectrometers for Radiological Detection BomemMR-254AB FTS Radiation Solutions RSX-4 6 NaI and 2 LaBr3 detectors
Program ASPECTEquipment View Sensor Station Rear View Operator Station Camera and Sensors below Operator Station
Radiation Detection Technology • Radiation Solutions RS-500 • 3 2”x4”x16” Sodium Iodide • 1 3”x3” Lanthanum Bromide Detectors Advance Digital Spectrometers PMT
Top Ten Features • Digital Design – More stable, less drift, higher count rates, “cleaner” spectra i.e. better data. • No Internal or External Test Sources – No radioactive material transport issues. No lost or misplaced sources. • Self Diagnostic with Auto System Validation – An Advanced design enables a more self contained system requiring less operator interaction. Individual detector raw data is archived in the system 4. Multi-Peak U, K, Th Auto-Stabilization – Stabilizes in all areas, Faster, 3 min vs 30 min.
Top Ten Features 5. Individual Crystal ADC’s& Processing – The high speed sampling of pulses allows for pulse analysis and DSP processing. Resulting in improved pulse pile-up rejection, zero dead time & a higher throughput. • Wide Dynamic Range – From low level to 1,000,000+ cps for each crystal. • Individual Crystal Linearization with proper Poisson noise characteristics
Top Ten Features • Expandable Unlimited number of crystals (limited only by weight considerations) • Wide range of Connectivity options – RS232 serial, TCPIP and USB. Utilizing data compression that allows for full spectral data transfer every second over wireless devices. • Modern Compact Design – Strong & Efficient Case, Modular, Meet FAA requirements
ASPECT GEM Project Purpose: To improve the US EPA airborne gamma-screening and mapping capability of ground-based gamma contamination following a wide-area radiological dispersal device (RDD) or improvised nuclear detonation (IND) attack. Goal: To develop the most advanced gamma-radiation detection capability mountable within an Aero Command 680 FL airframe. www.epaosc.net/aspectgem
EPA Homeland Security ASPECT GEM project directly supports the EPA Office of Homeland Security focal area that directs the agency to: ”Develop appropriate/effective technologies to lessen the time frame for characterization and decontamination of contaminated widespread and populated areas following an RDD.”
NDT: National Decontamination Team RERT: Radiological Emergency Response Team ERT: Environmental Response Team ORIA: Office of Radiation and Indoor Air NHSRC: Nat. Homeland Security Research Center LANL: Los Alamos National Laboratory DOE: Department of Energy, Federal Radiological Monitoring and Assessment Center
ASPECT Open Houses March ’08: Cincinnati, OH July ’08: Las Vegas, NV April, ’09: DC June, ’09: Albany, NY Summer ’09: WPAFB
Modeling vs. Measurements EPA airborne and ground-based radiation detection technologies will provide long-term environmental measurement data.
300 km Chernobyl fallout extended for great distances; local deposition heterogeneous
ASPECT Flight Field of View h 2h
Steam Separator Replacement Old Radiation Detection Capability • Separator constantly moved during the data collection process. • Image processed and transmitted via on-board satellite communications system to Command Centerfive minutes after last pass. • Can send images to secure FTP and Blackberry. (8 passes, 50 minutes, 500 ft, 110 knots)
Future Work • Calibration • Aircraft Background (April 2009) • Exposure Rate Calibration (RERT, July 2009) • Activity Calibration (July, 2009) • Cross calibrate ASPECT GEM with DOE • Accelerated data exchange products (e.q. real-time contour mapping) • Communicating uncertainties with maps • Determine Minimum Detectable Activity for various operating conditions, and • Create or improve similar ground-based systems to be consistent with ASPECT GEM capabilities
ASPECTContact Information Primary Contacts • Mark Thomas (Primary Contact) 816-718-4271 Thomas.markj@epa.gov • Tim Curry (Primary Contact) 816-718-4281 Curry.timothy@epa.gov • John Cardarelli (GEM Contact) 513-487-2423 Cardarelli.john@epa.gov • National Decontamination Team 800-329-1841 Regional Contacts • Region I 617-223-7265 • Region II 732-548-8730 • Region III 215-814-9016 • Region IV 404-562-8700 • Region V 312-353-2318 • Region VI 866-372-7745 • Region VII 913-281-0991 • Region VIII 303-293-1788 • Region IX 415-744-2000 • Region X 206-553-1263