Large Format MicroFiber Detector for Low Energy Neutrons

65064 One of the factors that limits the productivity of DOE workers performing decontamination and decommissioning (D&D) work is the heat stress induced by the protective clothing that must be worn. Currently, there are no personal cooling products available that meet all of the needs. The product that comes closest circulates cool water through a tube-lined garment worn by the worker under the protective clothing. However, the cooling is supplied by blocks of ice that are heavy, have limited endurance, and impose significant logistic burdens on the operation. This project will develop a complete cooling system using a previously developed miniature compressor. The ice block and pumping unit would be replaced by the miniature vapor compression system. In Phase I, the requirements for a personal cooling system for the DOE¿s D&D activities will be defined. A laboratory bread board system will be designed, fabricated, and tested. A packaged prototype unit will be assembled to demonstrate feasibility. Commercial Applications And Other Benefits as described by awardee: The new cooling system should allow D&D activities to proceed more efficiently, thus reducing cost and time to complete environmental restoration, while improving worker safety. It would have commercial applications wherever heat stress is a problem, including bomb disposal, power plants, mining, steel mills, and firefighting.