The objective of the course is to prepare nuclear safeguards inspectors for inspections of accountancy tanks, where the existing tank calibration must be verified. The inspectors are trained to evaluate the tank characteristics and identify possible changes in the internal tank geometry since its first calibration.
Scope:
The course starts with summarizing inspection activities on an accountancy vessel. It includes various tanks that can be found in the field, various tank measurement methods and systems of liquid transfer between tanks. The course then focuses on the dip tube level measurement technique for determining liquid mass and volume in a tank. The course also offers an extensive hands-on training on real tanks. It repeatedly goes through all steps of the tank measurement procedure, highlighting the critical parts and potential pitfalls. It makes this course very practical and focused on specific inspection activities.
The practical exercises take place in the AS3ML laboratory in Ispra, where various phenomena and influencing effects can be shown physically. The corresponding data acquired in the measurement are then processed on-line. A didactical software enables to display live measurement values, the results of tank calibration formulas, like the liquid level or density, effects of variations of such measurements (slope of the calibration curve) or changes in the tank internal geometry (changes in the tank calibration curve). Different instruments can be selected (pressure, level, slope, temperature, etc.) and shown on screen for a better understanding of the phenomena involved.
Learning outcomes:
During the course, various tanks and their calibration methods are shown. With practical exercises in data acquisition and evaluation, participants acquire the skills necessary for inspection of nuclear facilities. At the end of the course, the participants will be able to determine the tank design and autonomously verify the existing tank calibration.
Course organisation:
The course lasts 3 days. It takes place in the AS3ML laboratory of the EC Joint Research Centre (JRC) in Ispra, Italy
Organizers:
The course is organized by the JRC.GII.7 unit in collaboration with DG ENER/IAEA(customers).
Target groups:
The course is extremely suitable for safeguards inspectors who are relatively new to the tank (re)-calibration methods and techniques, or for those who want to understand better certain phenomena concerning the tank calibration.
Language of the course:
English
Fees and charges:
There is no attendance fee charged for this course. Participants’ expenses may be reimbursed by the IAEA or the European Commission (DG ENER).
Contact information:
claudio [dot] bergonzi
ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (claudio[dot]bergonzi[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)