Technical Training for Radionuclide Station Operators with SPALAX NG Equipment

LOCATION
TeST Centre
Seibersdorf, Austria 

DATES
3-6 November 2025

LANGUAGE
The working language will be English.
 

OBJECTIVES
To provide IMS station operators with the required knowledge and technical understanding of SPALAX NG noble gas monitoring systems in order to perform operations and maintenance tasks.

AGENDA
The course shall cover the following topics:

Introduction and General Concept of the noble gas system SPALAX NG
Difference with previous SPALAX system ((sampling, processing, measurement, archive, etc.). 

SPALAX NG software

• Explanation of the basic structure of the SPALAX software modules and communication between them;
• Software procedures for non-routine operations, such as manually start/stop SPALAX process and acquisition;
• Resending spectrum upon request from the PTS;
• Practical exercise and examples of operations in the “Maintenance Mode” of SPALAX software.

SPALAX NG process analysis and diagnosis 

• Process data analysis: detecting, understanding, and resolving problems–interpreting SoH-patterns and relating them to specific operational issues;
• Case Studies of operational problems.

Spalax NG detector

• HPGe and beta detector system, MCA, hardware, and software related issues;
• Calibration of the detector system;
• Practice;
• Explain Detector Background measurement.

Thermal conductivity detector (TCD) and SPALAX NG electronics

• TCD replacement and calibration;
• Diagnosis and replacement of electronic cards;
• Practice

Compressor

• Replacement of compressor and compressor head;
• Maintenance Procedures level 3 on Air Compressor.

Procedure to inject a radioxenon spike into the SPALAX NG system
Theory 
 

PARTICIPANTS PROFILE

Station operators who will be responsible for the daily operation and maintenance of SPALAX NG noble gas monitoring systems at IMS stations.  Invited State Signatories should nominate participant(s) who are station operators involved in the operation and maintenance of the following stations:  

CAX16, CAX17, DEX33, FRX29, FRX31, MNX45, PAX50.

To ensure that relevant technical training is provided to the appropriate persons, individuals who will be directly responsible for your IMS SPALAX NG noble gas system facilities should be nominated

Candidates must be proficient in English.
 

APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Nominations together with the registration forms should be ‎submitted only through established official channels (‎Permanent Missions to the ‎CTBTO or Ministries of Foreign Affairs) to the Point of Contact of the Provisional Technical Secretariat (PTS) no later than 31 August 2025.‎

Applicants are requested to use the following registration form: 

However, pending the official nomination, participants may email the registration upon its approval by the Director of the Institution or firm, to allow for timely travel and accommodation arrangements to be made by the Provisional Technical Secretariat (PTS).

Please note that applications which are not received through the registration form will not be considered. 
 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION
In accordance with the Staff regulations and rules and Administrative Directives, the PTS will provide a Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) and financial support to cover travel costs, encompassing:  

• A DSA that is sufficient to cover related expenses during the training programme;
• The PTS travel agent will reserve, issue and send the flight tickets to the participants for the most direct and economic route;
• Funded participants are not allowed to purchase their own tickets unless, under exceptional circumstances, they are authorized to do so and only if this proves to be the most cost effective way for the PTS;
• The PTS will make the hotel reservations and participants will pay the hotel themselves using their DSA which they receive upon arrival in Vienna; and
• Health insurance will be provided for the duration of the training.

Requirement: Scanned passport copies.

OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION

Visas
Participants should apply for visas, if needed, at the corresponding Embassy/Consulate upon receipt of an Acceptance Note Verbale from the PTS, in order to ensure timely processing.

Participation
The training program is open only for station operators from invited countries.