Automatic Prompt Gamma-ray Analysis system; Automation of an existing large-scale analytical device

自動即発線分析装置; 既存の大規模測定装置の自動化

大澤 崇人  

Osawa, Takahito

JRR-3ガイドホールに設置されている即発線分析装置(PGA)は2012年から2013年にかけて自動化された。これは原子力施設にある、大規模だが古い測定装置の自動化の良い例であり、本稿ではこの開発内容を解説する。

The Prompt Gamma-ray activation Analysis system (PGA) installed in the Japan Research Reactor-3 (JRR-3) was automated between 2012 and 2013. This automation is a good example of a large-scale old analytical device automated in a nuclear facility. This automatic system has several useful functions, such as automatic sample exchange and analysis, automatic helium gas flow control and flow channel switching function, automatic neutron recording system, and fail-safe function using Machine Vision, and the Internet. The analysis system was automated using a vertical revolute joint robot, control programs, and data acquisition devices. The main control software named AutoPGA was developed using LabVIEW and the program can control all functions of the automatic system, capable of analysing up to 14 samples automatically. In the automation, the core of the PGA system was not modified and the extremely low background level of rays was maintained well; however, the efficiency of routine measurements dramatically increased.