Portable real time in-situ gamma-ray analysis system

A portable analytical apparatus comprising:

• a modular frame that is scalable;
• a modular shield assembly that is scalable for accommodating different geometries and sizes of samples and coupled to the modular frame, the modular shield assembly comprising a middle portion defining a chamber for receiving a sample container having a sample therein, a top portion including a rotatable cover in communication with the chamber of the middle portion for opening and closing access to the chamber by the rotatable cover, and a bottom portion defining a central bore in communication with the chamber of the middle portion;
• a detector arrangement coupled to the modular frame and received within the central bore of the bottom portion for the modular shield assembly, the detector arrangement including a detector in communication with the sample container disposed within the chamber of the modular shield assembly for detecting any radioactive emissions from the sample contained therein;
• and a controller for receiving data from the detector arrangement related to any radioactive emissions emitted from the sample.

A method for detecting gamma-ray radiation in a sample in situ comprising:

• providing a portable analytical apparatus comprising:
• a modular frame;
• a modular shield assembly coupled to the modular frame, the modular shield assembly defining a chamber for receiving a sample container having a sample therein and being made of a material that shields the chamber from any emissions from the outside environment;
• a detector arrangement coupled to the modular frame and the modular shield assembly, the detector arrangement including a detector in communication with the sample container disposed within the chamber of the modular shield assembly for detecting any gamma-ray emissions from the sample contained therein;
• and
• a controller for receiving data from the detector arrangement related to any radioactive emissions emitted from the sample;
• conducting a background check for the presence of background radiation interference proximate the portable analytical apparatus;
• conducting a calibration check of the portable analytical apparatus;
• disposing a sample within the sample container and inserting the sample container within the modular shielding assembly for the detection of radioactive emissions from the sample by the detector arrangement;
• and
• transmitting the data related to the detection of the radioactive emissions to a central laboratory for analysis.

A portable analytical apparatus comprising:

• a central laboratory controller;
• and
• a portable field unit in operative communication with the central laboratory controller, the portable field unit comprising:
• a modular frame that is scalable;
• a modular shield assembly that is scalable and coupled to the modular frame, the modular shield assembly defining a chamber for receiving a sample container having a sample therein and being made of a material that shields the chamber from any emissions from the outside environment;
• a detector arrangement coupled to the modular frame and the modular shield assembly, the detector arrangement including a detector in communication with the sample container disposed within the chamber of the modular shield assembly for detecting radioactive emissions from the sample contained therein;
• and
• a controller for receiving data from the detector arrangement related to gamma-ray emissions emitted from the sample;
• wherein the controller runs a software application that transmits the received data in digital format to a remote central location for further processing and analysis;
• and
• the portable analytical apparatus further comprising:
• a camera in operative communication with the controller for taking a picture of the sample before or after testing of the sample;
• and
• a global positioning system (GPS) in operative communication with the controller for transmitting the location of the field unit to a central laboratory.