Installing the first radioactive source locating system in Vietnam

(Dan Tri) – On the morning of April 17 in Vung Tau City, the first radioactive source monitoring and management system manufactured in Vietnam was officially installed for equipment containing radioactive sources. This is also the first monitoring system installed on radioactive equipment in Vietnam.

Following the direction of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, the Department of Science and Technology of Ho Chi Minh City, the ICDREC Research and Training Center (ICDREC) has conducted research and testing of a radioactive source monitoring and management system. After many studies, starting from September 2014, this device is now ready for use.

Intelligent Radiation Supervisor (iRS) is a device using chip SG8V1 manufactured in Vietnam. This device is mounted close to the body of the radioactive source for the purpose of monitoring the location of the radioactive source and measuring the surface dose rate of the radioactive source. From there, the data source will be transmitted to the center by GPRS.

According to a representative of ICDREC, this monitoring system is divided into two parts, including: a steel frame designed by the Center for Research and Development of the Hi-Tech Park around the radioactive device and the box. plastic rectangular locator (size 5×12 cm). However, producing suitable steel frames for each radioactive device is also a difficult point in production.

Mr. Ngo Duc Hoang, Director of ICDREC Research and Training Center

Talking to Dan Tri, Mr. Ngo Duc Hoang, director of ICDREC, said: “Currently, there are 124 radioactive devices in Ho Chi Minh City that are regularly moved during use, under the management of Ho Chi Minh City. However, each radioactive device has a different design with all sizes and shapes… Therefore, making a frame to hold the device is extremely difficult because the quantity is too small, the cost is high and different. with mass production. However, basically, it is almost completed, but by the beginning of May this year, 124 sets will be enough to install 124 radioactive equipment in Ho Chi Minh City.

After being installed, the device containing the radioactive source will be managed by an online software to locate and check the movements based on the GPS system, the GSM/GPRS notification system… integrated on the system. monitor.

Specifically, when the device is stationary, every 10 hours, the locator will send a notification to the center. At the same time when moving, the online software also redraws the device’s journey to manage. At the same time, this software can manage 10,000 or even 50,000 devices. If this system is disassembled from the device or removed, the system will immediately send an urgent alarm to the center. At that time, the authorities will take action.

According to a representative of the Center for Research and Development of the Hi-Tech Park, installing the system into a device containing a radioactive source with dead rivets, the installation time is quite fast, only taking less than 1 minute 30 seconds. The disassembly is not difficult, however, with just a slight shaking movement on the device, the system will immediately send an emergency alert to the center for timely intervention and management. This will help control equipment containing radioactive materials better.

Video of installing the first radioactive source locating system in Vietnam

In addition, the first radioactive source monitoring and management system produced in Vietnam is divided into two types, including “iRS-0415A with the function of locating radioactive sources and the more advanced iRS-0415B when integrated. added dose rate measurement function (radioactive source surface dose rate monitoring).

Based on incomplete statistics, currently in Vietnam there are nearly 4,000 radioactive devices being used in many fields such as industry, healthcare, customs… Therefore, it is extremely important, especially after the loss of a radioactive source in Ho Chi Minh City in September 2014, or most recently, the loss of a radioactive device in Vung Tau that was discovered on April 1, 2015. have not been found yet. Not even mentioning that radioactive devices have also occurred some related incidents such as: False source alarm incident, Radioactive source detection incident out of control, Source jam incident, falling the source…

Therefore, it is necessary and urgent to install a radioactive source monitoring and management system to help ensure that radioactive equipment is protected and strictly inspected, against theft and damage. affect the well-being of society.

Some pictures of the installation of the first radioactive source locating system in Vietnam

Tools for technicians to install a positioning system for equipment containing radioactive sources