PELAN - A Transportable, Neutron-Based UXO Identification Probe
MR-200106
Objectives of the Demonstration
Boxes with different types of soil used in the measurements with PELAN.
As the ability to detect subsurface metallic objects increases, organizations that must remediate sites designated for base realignment and closure (BRAC) and Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS) face an increasing problem in the differentiation of unexploded ordnance (UXO) from other metallic clutter. The problem is further exacerbated at former ranges where ordnance filled with inert materials was fired during testing and training. Currently, it is necessary to treat every piece of ordnance found as "live," which increases costs and slows the remediation process. The objective of this project was to demonstrate that PELAN (Pulsed ELemental Analysis with Neutrons) can non-intrusively, non-destructively examine an individual ordnance and confirm whether it contains high explosive (HE).
Technology Description
PELAN is a transportable system, weighing less than 45 kilograms, for the detection of explosives. It is based on the principle that explosives contain various chemical elements such as hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen in quantities and ratios that differentiate them from other innocuous substances. Pulsed neutrons are produced with a pulsed 14 mega (million) electron-volt (d-T) neutron generator. Separate gamma-ray spectra from fast neutron, thermal neutron, and activation reactions are accumulated and analyzed to determine elemental content. Data analysis is performed in an automatic manner, and a final result of whether a threat is present is returned to the operator.
Demonstration Results
PELAN data was collected on a variety of ordnance sizes, ranging from 60-millimeter (mm) mortars to 155-mm artillary projectiles, that contained either inert or HE filler. For ordnance items greater than 90 mm, PELAN correctly identified 97% of explosive-filled rounds, with a 22% false positive rate. On smaller ordnance, the capability was significantly diminished. Data has been collected to aid future improvements.
Implementation Issues
There are both economic and safety benefits to be gained from the accurate separation of HE from training rounds. Restricting the application of demolition and associated set back and evacuation procedures to only those items that contain explosives will result in significant cost savings for the Department of Defense. Other benefits of the PELAN system are that it can identify the contents of a shell without touching the object, is not affected by the shell thickness, and can differentiate types of HE or combinations of HE and chemical agents. The signal-to-noise ratio depends on the surrounding materials, and the system relies on a computer library for proper substance identification. (Project Completed - 2004)
Project Documents
Points of Contact
Principal Investigator
Dr. Phillip Womble
Western Kentucky University
Phone: 270-781-3859
Fax: 270-781-1104
Project Documents
Document Types
- Fact Sheet - Brief project summary with links to related documents and points of contact.
- Final Report - Comprehensive report for every completed SERDP and ESTCP project that contains all technical results.
- Cost & Performance Report - Overview of ESTCP demonstration activities, results, and conclusions, standardized to facilitate implementation decisions.
- Technical Report - Additional interim reports, laboratory reports, demonstration reports, and technology survey reports.
- Guidance - Instructional information on technical topics such as protocols and user’s guides.
- Workshop Report - Summary of workshop discussion and findings.
- Multimedia - On demand videos, animations, and webcasts highlighting featured initiatives or technologies.
- Model/Software - Computer programs and applications available for download.
- Database - Digitally organized collection of data available to search and access.