Non-intrusive inspection of cargo containers using the C-BORD Rapidly Relocatable Tagged Neutron Inspection System

Abstract

The European H2020 project, entitled “effective Container inspection at BORDer control points” (C-BORD), aims to develop a framework of Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) technologies, for containers and large-volume freight at the EU borders. In this article the first results of the field trials of the Rapidly Relocatable Tagged Neutron Inspection System (RRTNIS) are reported. The tests were carried out at the customs administration of the Netherlands' (DCA) facility in the seaport of Rotterdam, the Netherlands. For the tests mock-up cargo containers were prepared. The containers were analyzed using the whole set of NII subsystems of the C-BORD framework. Each container underwent a session of subsequent scans with all the subsystems, in order to realistically reproduce the normal flow of inspections at the customs facility. The RRTNIS was tested under these realistic conditions, as well. The system was able to separate and identify the target materials, in mock-up containers, and improve the state-of-the-art in terms of the detected quantities.