Advanced Compression System for Radionuclide Monitoring

Radioxenon monitoring systems are an important tool for detecting nuclear weapon tests around the world. These systems must be reliable and have low contamination potential because nuclear detonations can occur without warning and the opportunity to detect these events is relatively brief. Additionally, mobile systems must be compact, lightweight, and efficient to support onsite inspection and near-site monitoring. Currently, there are no commercially available compressors that are suitable for these systems. Our team is developing an innovative, oil-free, gerotor compression system that is extremely compact, lightweight, efficient, reliable, and robust. During the Phase I project, we demonstrated the feasibility of our approach by optimizing design trades, creating a preliminary design for a complete compression system, and fabricating a compressor assembly for initial characterization testing. During the Phase II project, we will create detailed fabrication drawings, fabricate a prototype compression system, and characterize its operation and performance at prototypical conditions. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits The technology we are developing can be used for compressors, expanders, and engines. Although radioxenon monitoring is the designated primary application, we are also aggressively pursuing several other applications with significantly greater market potential.