Electrostatic Precipitation System for Radionuclide Particle Collection (Final Report)
- Creare LLC
Purpose of Research. The overall goal of this research is to improve the performance of systems that collect radionuclide aerosols from the atmosphere to detect, locate, and characterize nuclear events. The existing collection systems consume large quantities of power and operate near the minimum required instrument sensitivity. This presents a problem in regions with higher background levels of naturally occurring radionuclides or during times when power consumption is constrained. Our approach replaces the current filter media-based collection systems with an electrostatic precipitator (ESP) that reduces the required blower power and enables sampling at higher flow rates. Our system includes an integrated sample handling system to convey samples from the precipitator volume to a detector which avoids cross-contamination between samples. Brief Description of Research Carried Out. We proved the feasibility of using an ESP system as a low-power option for radionuclide collection. During Phase I and II, we developed an analysis-based design model to estimate the performance of an ESP under different operating conditions and sizing configurations. We built a subscale and full-scale test facilities that allowed us to demonstrate the critical aspects of our design and validate our design model. The full-scale prototype facilities were designed to demonstrate sample collection and to exceed the DOE’s performance requirements while minimizing cross-contamination between successive particulate samples. The system is also compatible with the existing detector instruments for radionuclide analysis. Key Results from Phase II. The key results from our Phase II efforts are (1) demonstration of thin, flexible materials to serve as the ESP sample collection electrodes, (2) a full-scale system prototype including sample handling, particle collection, and sample folding, (3) our prototype system greatly exceeds the DOE’s performance requirements for ultrafine particles including a higher flow rate, greater collection efficiency, and lower power. This trifecta of results showed great promise for our full-scale prototype system. Published Papers/Conference Reports. In Phase II of this project, we have published two conference posters with short presentations at CTBT SnT 2019 (Vienna, Austria) and a joint publication in the Journal of Environmental Radioactivity with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). Miley, H. S., Burnett, J. L., Chepko, A. B., Devoy, C. L., Eslinger, P. W., Forrester, J. B., Friese, J. I., Lidey, L. S., Morris, S. J., Schrom, B. T., Stokes, S. D., Swanwick, M. E., Smart, J. E., and Warren, G. A., “Design Considerations for Future Radionuclide Aerosol Monitoring Systems,” Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Vol. 208–209, 2019. Miley, H. S., Burnett, J. L., Chepko, A. B., Devoy, C. L., Eslinger, P. W., Forrester, J. B., Friese, J. I., Lidey, L. S., Morris, S. J., Schrom, B. T., Smart, J. E., Stokes, S. D., Swanwick, M. E., and Warren, G. A., “Future of Aerosol Radionuclide Monitoring,” Presented at CTBT Science and Technology Conference (SnT 2019), Vienna, Austria, Poster Presentation, 24-28 Jun 2019. Swanwick, M. E., Chepko, A. B., Stokes, S. D., Devoy, C. L., and Magari, P., “Development of an Electrostatic Precipitator System for Radionuclide Particle Collection,” Presented at: CTBT Science and Technology Conference (SnT 2019), Vienna, Austria, Poster Presentation, 24 28 Jun 2019. Potential Applications. The initial commercial use of the technology will be to replace the existing, outdated radionuclide collection systems with an improved low-power, high sensitivity alternative in the current network of 80 ground radionuclide sampling stations around the world. This will have the ultimate public benefit of reducing the proliferation of nuclear weapons and will provide world leaders with detailed information regarding the capabilities of countries developing and testing nuclear weapons. Additional commercial applications of this technology that we will pursue, include both ground and drone-based airborne collection systems for capturing bioaerosols to monitor for the use of biological and chemical weapons. A network of sampling systems exists under the Department of Homeland Security’s BioWatch program. Other spin-off applications are envisioned for cleanroom monitoring and other airborne atmospheric sample systems.
- Research Organization:
- Creare LLC
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- SC0015731
- OSTI ID:
- 1601843
- Type / Phase:
- SBIR (Phase II)
- Report Number(s):
- DE-SC0015731-TM4520
- Resource Relation:
- Related Information: Published References from the supported research:Miley, H. S., Burnett, J. L., Chepko, A. B., Devoy, C. L., Eslinger, P. W., Forrester, J. B., Friese, J. I., Lidey, L. S., Morris, S. J., Schrom, B. T., Stokes, S. D., Swanwick, M. E., Smart, J. E., and Warren, G. A., “Design Considerations for Future Radionuclide Aerosol Monitoring Systems,” Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Vol. 208–209, 2019.Miley, H. S., Burnett, J. L., Chepko, A. B., Devoy, C. L., Eslinger, P. W., Forrester, J. B., Friese, J. I., Lidey, L. S., Morris, S. J., Schrom, B. T., Smart, J. E., Stokes, S. D., Swanwick, M. E., and Warren, G. A., “Future of Aerosol Radionuclide Monitoring,” Presented at CTBT Science and Technology Conference (SnT 2019), Vienna, Austria, Poster Presentation, 24-28 Jun 2019.Swanwick, M. E., Chepko, A. B., Stokes, S. D., Devoy, C. L., and Magari, P., “Development of an Electrostatic Precipitator System for Radionuclide Particle Collection,” Presented at: CTBT Science and Technology Conference (SnT 2019), Vienna, Austria, Poster Presentation, 24-28 Jun 2019.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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