The development of a mobile instrumentation data acquisition system for use in cask testing

Packagings for transporting radioactive materials are required to survive exposure to environments. Package designers investigate design and analysis problems through structural and thermal testing of various components or models, using instrumentation to measure physical responses. The acquisition of high quality data from instrumentation is an essential part of the testing activity. To provide this quality of data, we are developing a mobile instrumentation data acquisition system dedicated for use in cask testing. This system is designed to acquire and analyze structural and thermal test data, and to provide leakage measurement capabilities. The mobile instrumentation system is housed in a 13.4m (44-ft) trailer transporter, which is self-contained with air conditioning, heating, and halon fire protection systems. External power from a commercial or motor generator source is line conditioned prior to distribution to the data acquisition equipment inside the trailer, and lightning protection is provided at the point where the measurement devices interface to the data acquisition equipment. This system is capable of performing data analyses and display of the acquired information within thirty minutes after an experiment.