News
New for 2010, PSC will be presenting a regular feature discussing benefits and applications of key technologies. This month we present SuperHENC.
Featured Application: SuperHENC
The SuperHENC is a high–efficiency passive neutron coincidence counting system for the rapid assay of transuranic waste in large containers including Standard Waste Boxes.
The system can be trailer–mounted and integrated with a Gamma Energy Analysis system for isotopic measurement.
The SuperHENC incorporates state–of–the–art hardware and software (developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory) designed to minimize cosmic ray interactions, resulting in a very low limit of detection. This enables the system to perform Low–Level Waste (LLW) ⁄ Transuranic (TRU) segregation.
In January 2001, the Rocky Flats system was the first boxed waste assay system to be certified for disposal to the WIPP site. Over the past decade PSC has commissioned SuperHENC systems at four locations in the US DOE complex, dealing with WIPP and Safeguards requirements for diverse range of matrix and container types. The SuperHENC has now become a routine standard instrument for characterization of large containers.
Key to the success of the SuperHENC is the robust Add–A–Source (AAS) matrix correction method. A small Cf–252 source is placed into the assay chamber to acquire neutron coincidence data with and without the waste container loaded. This ratio allows a correction factor to be applied to the measured Pu240 effective mass result for matrix interferences.
At the WM 2010 Symposium in Phoenix, AZ, (March 7–11, 2010), PSC will be presenting a paper on the performance of the SuperHENC’s matrix correction technique. This study demonstrates the versatility and flexibility of the system in characterizing a diverse range of matrix materials including combustibles, plastics, metals, compacted pucks, and sludge.
To discuss this product or any other PSC technology, please email your enquiry to info@pajaritoscientific.com, call our US office (505–424–6660) or stop by the PSC booth at Waste Management 2010 for further information.
PSC Releases New TechniCART™ Product Range
The TechniCART™ family is engineered to ingeniously adapt to support various types of detection and measurement equipment. The revolutionary design results in high performance, multi–detector, multi–terrain platforms that are rugged, affordable and ergonomically efficient.
TechniCART™ provides a high strength stainless steel frame accommodating payloads of up to 500 lb, with the option of accommodating two detectors at the same time using a base plate adapter.
For users who wish ultra–portability with a single detector, the TechniCART™ II has a light weight aluminum frame that accommodates 200 lbs of equipment. Both models can be supplied with an extension arm that allows a vertical reach of 96 inches. An outrigger arm provides additional stability for extended heights.
These platforms are specifically designed to allow rapid and easy transportation of an entire portable assay system including HPGE detector, shield and collimator together with laptop and acquisition electronics. The flat–free large caster wheels permit movement through warehouse, dirt and gravel type terrain.
TechniCART™ UTV 600 is a fully integrated motorized utility vehicle for nuclear materials detection. The system is uniquely suited to meet the needs of professionals in fields such as Portable Non–Destructive Assay, emergency response and homeland security. High resolution gamma identification is combined with He–3 neutron counting and dose measurement to alert operators to the presence of radioactive materials including uranium and plutonium within vehicles ⁄ containers in diverse locations.
Radiological mapping can be performed with the on–board GPS tracking capability. The system allows the operator to position the detector system beside a vehicle or container of interest and displays results to the operator on the onboard computer within seconds. This makes it quick and easy for operators to identify nuclear ⁄ radioactive materials in vehicles, containers and other suspect cargo without the need for an expert in the field.
PSC Expands in the UK
Pajarito Scientific Corporation is expanding its capabilities in the United Kingdom to serve new markets including Nuclear Decommissioning Authority sites.
PSC will be working closely in the UK and Europe with VT Group plc.
PSC’s UK based consultant, Alan Simpson, has established a new office near Northallerton in North Yorkshire. This region, conveniently located for the UK’s road, rail and air links, provides an excellent hub for access to British and European client sites.
Northallerton is 2 hours from Manchester (by road), and 3 hours from London (by rail). Sellafield can be reached in just over 2 hours on the A66. The area is also served by domestic and international flights from nearby Durham Tees Valley and Leeds-Bradford airports.
PSC is proud to offer its world class professional science and engineering capabilities to global markets including Europe and Asia in addition to its well established market base in the USA and Canada.
The new office is located at the Crab Tree Hall Business Centre which provides an ideal meeting venue near to the A1/A66.
Crabtree Hall Business Centre Little Holtby Northallerton North Yorkshire DL7 9LN United Kingdom Phone: +44 (0) 7522 372 510 Link to map
PSC 12 Month Safety Award
Pajarito Scientific Corporation's Idaho Falls, Idaho office has received the Perfect Record award from the National Safety Council. This award represents twelve consecutive months without occupational injury or illness involving days away from work.
"We are very committed to protecting the safety, health and welfare of our staff and this award is another example of PSC’s cultural awareness."
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) First Shipment to WIPP
Pajarito Scientific Corporation (PSC) along with Mobile Characterization Services (MCS) supports the first ORNL shipment of waste to WIPP, providing Non Destructive Assay (NDA) instrumentation and services required for WIPP certification. A mobile PSC Imaging Passive Active Neutron/Segmented gamma scanner (IPAN/SGS) was mobilized to Melton Valley ORNL, along with PSC physics and technical staff required to certify and perform NDA operations. The neutron/gamma integrated IPAN/SGS process has provided multiple modes of analysis that have allowed the certification of a wide variety of difficult types of laboratory waste expected at ORNL. In addition, the technical staff has provided the necessary expertise for initial WIPP certification and continued compliant operations. With all the rigor of WIPP certification, and the short time to put the processes in place, the initial certification audit performance was considered excellent, due to the small number of concerns found during the audit.
This shipment is considered a major milestone toward environmental clean up for DOE (http://www.em.doe.gov/pdfs/R-08-42.pdf) and a major milestone for PSC to WIPP certify a sixth PSC developed IPAN system, along with providing complete NDA technical support for ongoing WIPP shipments.
Million Work Hours Award
On September 30, 2008, Pajarito Scientific Corporation’s (PSC) facility in Santa Fe, New Mexico achieved a significant milestone – one million work hours without experiencing a lost time accident. "PSC is extremely proud of our safety efforts with the million-hour mark being our latest achievement," said Robert Hanson, Environmental, Safety, Health and Quality Manager. "We are committed to providing a safe working environment and will continue to integrate "best safety practices" into our everyday working culture. PSC employs 45 people, so this is a very significant achievement. Reaching one million man hours without a lost time accident is the direct result of employees and management being committed to a safe work place."
LRQA Audit Results
Pajarito Scientific Corporation (PSC) just completed a three-day certificate renewal assessment (conducted by Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance (LRQA)) of their ISO 9001:2000/TickIT Quality Management System. As a successful conclusion, PSC will retain their current certification. No non-compliances, major/minor, were identified. LRQA stated that PSC's internal audit and management review processes are solid and underline management's commitment to quality.
David Heath, President of PSC, stated that "retaining PSC's certification gives clear demonstration of our commitment to quality. This ISO 9001:2000 certification is very important in helping drive our business forward in a measurable and verifiable way. PSC is very committed to maintaining this internationally recognized quality management system (QMS) certification."
Quality Assurance Management System External Audit Feedback
One of Pajarito Scientific Corporation's (PSC) NRC regulated customers noted the following Positive Observations after completing an audit based on the regulatory provisions of 10CFR50 App. B, 10CFR Part 21, and requirements for commercial grade dedication:
» A strong sense of customer focus was evident among management.
» Procedural document control practices found robust (preparing, reviewing, approving, issuing, documenting employees required reading/acknowledgement, and changes thereto).
» Good thorough flow-down and control of customer purchase order/project requirements.
» Good system and control of design requirements for each customer project.
PSC's Atlanta Office Moves Locations
Pajarito Scientific Corporation (PSC) – Atlanta office has moved locations in order to better service our current and potential new clients. PSC has been a part of the nuclear industry and in the Atlanta and southeastern region of the US since 2002. Throughout our presence, PSC-Atlanta have serviced our clients with amazingly talented individuals with a passion for technology and success. PSC-Atlanta is now poised to provide critical support as our industry is shifting focus from remediation to reprocessing and nuclear energy generation, while domestically and internationally stressing the importance of nuclear security and safeguards. PSC is an American-Owned Small Business, dedicated to the missions of the various entities throughout the world who are in one way or another driven by or engaged in the nuclear industry. We are excited about developing the next generation of products to support the world's needs and aiding in the management of the direction in which we head as a global community.
1010 Huntcliff Suite No. 1350 Atlanta, GA 30350 PH: +1.770.643.5325 FX: +1.770.643.5326 link to map
PSC Hosts ORTEC / LANL training class
PSC's Santa Fe Headquarters were the ideal venue for LANL's recent ORTEC Program Isotope training course. LANL's scientists were joined by PSC's Portable NDA Services team in a three-day class given by ORTEC's Rich Hagenauer. The syllabus included classroom training and "hands-on" drum measurements with Isotopic V4.1 using the new PSC TechniCART™. Trainees were introduced to new advanced features in the software that provide for high quality field characterization essential to the clean-up mission at Los Alamos and other DOE facilities.
Richard Hagenauer (ORTEC), Randy Lucero (PSC) and Kathleen Gruetzmacher (LANL), at the Isotopic training class.
PSC in Beijing
PSC attended the NIC show in Beijing, March 25th thru March 28th. NIC is China's premier nuclear industry event for the past 20 years and is strongly supported by the world's leading nuclear industry manufacturers and suppliers. NIC 2008 creates optimum business and trade opportunities with major end users and buyers.
(photo credit: Alan Simpson)
PSC exhibits new product at WM08
PSC exhibited the TechniCART™ at the new-look WM08 conference in Phoenix , AZ , February 24th thru February 27th 2008. TechniCART™ is a multi-purpose, rugged platform for deployment of portable NDA equipment and Nuclide Identifier Systems such as the Micro-Detective widely used by Homeland Security agencies. As a world expert in the detection and characterization of nuclear materials, PSC can provide engineered solutions for interdiction and detection of illicit nuclear materials trafficking and radiological threats.
PSC unveils new product
PSC unveiled its latest new product, the TechniCART™ at its Open House on August 16th. The TechniCART™ is a robust mobile platform for deployment of radiometric equipment such as HPGe detectors and neutron counters. The TechniCART™, which holds up to 500 lbs of equipment, offers a versatile ruggedized solution for in-situ characterization and can be rapidly setup for multiple assay configurations with and without collimators. The system has been recently demonstrated at LANL.
PSC Holds Open House
Pajarito Scientific Corporation (PSC) held an open house on August 16th to celebrate the launch of PSC and the transition of the Company from the former name of BIL Solutions, Inc. PSC, now an American owned small business and a leading supplier of radiometric instrumentation and services, located at 2532 Camino Entrada, Santa Fe, NM welcomed original PSC founders John Caldwell and Mike Bieri to help introduce the new Company to many attending customers and suppliers including numerous engineers and scientists from National Laboratories and industries across the country.
PSC Announces New Neutron System
PSC is proud to announce the roll-out of its new Passive Active Neutron Differential Die-Away (PANDDATM) system. The PANDDATM with imaging system uses advanced imaging software and high performance electronics for rapid, accurate, high sensitivity assay of plutonium & uranium waste. PANDDATM can measure a diverse range of container sizes including small packages, 200 liter drums and large waste crate. The system's combined active and passive neutron assay modes make it well suited for both homogeneous waster (e.g. sludges, concrete) and heterogeneous debris waste (paper, plastics, combustibles etc). In addition to performing fast, reliable TRU / LLW sorting, the PANDDA's ruggedized electronics make it ideally suited for assay of more challenging streams including remote handled waste. PSC President David Heath remarked that "The release of this innovative, exciting new product makes Pajarito Scientific Corporation well positioned to solve the future generation of worldwide nuclear waste characterization challenges. As always we remain fully committed to supporting our customers' existing equipment from our previous product lines including the IPAN drum and box counters and we are looking forward to supplying new generation of systems such as PANDDATM with imaging."
For more information please contact:: Alan Simpson +1.505.424.6660 ext. 107.
Tucson, AZ – New Company Introduced at 48th Annual INMM Meeting
The newly formed Pajarito Scientific Corporation was unveiled at the INMM's Exhibition Hall in Tucson, July 8th – 12th. This event is an important date in the nuclear calendar with an attendance of over 400 scientists and professionals. The Annual Meeting provides a professional forum for the exchange of the latest technical information in nuclear materials management. The meeting addresses all aspects of nuclear materials management with papers and posters organized by the INMM Technical Program Committee. PSC's Technology and Physics Manager, Alan Simpson (pictured),presented a paper on "A 3-Dimensional Method for In-Situ Characterization of Buried Transuranic Waste using a Large Area Neutron Monitor".
PSC Goes Online With New Website and Email Addresses
PSC today unveiled our new website at www.PajaritoScientific.com. This new website is intended to serve our clients with the latest information regarding our products and services.
The implementation of our presence on the internet also marks the final step in PSC's re-branding effort following David Heath's purchase of our company from BNFL, plc.
In addition to rolling out the new website, PSC has also changed our email addresses. All PSC email addresses are now on the PajaritoScientific.com domain. In general, staff email addresses are will be formatted as <First Initial><Last Name>@PajaritoScientific.com. Please update your contacts accordingly.
For more information or for our latest email contact list please contact: Al Cobb +1.505.424.6660
SuperHENC Approved for CH Waste Operations at INL
The Carlsbad Field Office (CBFO) conducted surveillance of the Central Characterization Project (CCP) waste program deployed at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). During this surveillance, the audit team evaluated the operational characteristics of the SuperHENC system.
Original certification for the SuperHENC system was issued in February 2007. Soon thereafter, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) added Tier 1 approval to the SuperHENC's impressive list of credentials.
The SuperHENC system was originally deployed at the Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site (RFETS) site by Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and PSC. Following the closure of the RFETS site, CCP contracted PSC to refurbish the SuperHENC for deployment at INL.
For more information please contact: Alan Simpson +1.505.424.6660 ext. 107.
PSC Recognizes Recent Additions to Our Management Team
PSC is pleased to announce the following new additions to our Management Team.
Dan Gilliam
Dan joined PSC on March 8, 2007 to become the Superintendent of the 300 Area D4 project for Washington Closure Hanford. Dan has been well established recently at Hanford and has positioned PSC well to capture work at the Hanford DOE site. Dan will act as our key management interface for the Hanford site and surrounding areas. Dan brings a wealth of experience in D&D activities from his work experience at Rocky Flats.
Sarah Mays
Sarah came to PSC on April 15, 2007 from Stoller where she initially managed the start of the work at Portsmouth. Sarah will be based out of Ohio to support our market expansion efforts in the Government Services sector of our business. Sarah has a proven track-record of project management and business development and is a great new resource for PSC.
For more information please contact: Al Cobb +1.505.424.6660
PSC Corporate Headquarters Move
As of April 1, 2007, PSC will be moving to a new headquarters location in Santa Fe, NM.
The new address will be:
2532 Camino Entrada
Santa Fe, NM 87507 USAThis new location will allow PSC to better serve our customer's needs.
For more information please contact: Al Cobb +1.505.424.6660
BIL Solutions Inc. sale
BIL Solutions, Inc. today announced that its parent company, UK based British Nuclear Fuels plc (BNFL), has signed an agreement to sell BIL Solutions, Inc. to an investment team led by David Heath, current President of BIL Solutions, Inc.
With headquarters in Santa Fe, New Mexico, BIL Solutions Inc. will now be a small, American owned business, employing approximately 50 instrumentation experts and holds contracts at several DOE sites and nuclear power facilities across North America and Japan.
The new operating name of the Company will be Pajarito Scientific Corporation. (PSC). PSC will continue to provide state of the art instrumentation and services in the areas of radiation detection and measurement.
For more information please contact: Al Cobb +1.505.424.6660
2532 Camino Entrada, Santa Fe, NM 87507 : phone +1.505.424.6660 : fax +1.505.424.1109 : info@PajaritoScientific.com
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