Test plan for rapid transuranic monitoring of soil and air dusts by direct large-area alpha spectrometry and L-shell x-ray spectrometry
This test plan defines experimental parameters for evaluating rapid techniques for monitoring transuranic (TRU) nuclides in soils, smears, and air dusts in a field application setting. The monitoring techniques include direct alpha spectrometry using a large-area detector and direct measurement of x-rays to determine quantitatively the activity present. The direct alpha spectrometry employs a circular ionization chamber 35 cm in diameter which accommodates a sample holder 25 cm in diameter. Experimental conditions necessary to obtain sufficient spectral resolution to permit identification of the alpha emitters present are described. The x-ray method involves the counting of L x-rays emitted in the alpha decay of plutonium radionuclides with a thin-window, high-resolution Ge spectrometer. By optimization of the spectrometer, including detector dimensions and resolution of the sample container diameter and thickness and of the methods of analysis, measurements of activities as small as 30 pCi/g for soil and 3 {times} 10{sup {minus}4} pCi/L for air dusts collected for 1 hour at 20 cfm might be achieved in a 1-hour count. These test plans define objectives, instrumental and experimental procedures, and requirements for data quality and safety. 12 refs., 1 fig.
- Research Organization:
- EG and G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC07-76ID01570
- OSTI ID:
- 5062752
- Report Number(s):
- EGG-WTD-9735; ON: DE91018829
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Rapid monitoring of soil, smears, and air dusts by direct large-area alpha spectrometry
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Related Subjects
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
ENVIRONMENTAL MATERIALS
ALPHA SPECTROSCOPY
X-RAY SPECTROSCOPY
SPECTROMETERS
DESIGN
FIELD TESTS
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS
DETECTION
ALPHA-BEARING WASTES
CALIBRATION
DATA ANALYSIS
EXPERIMENT PLANNING
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
OPTIMIZATION
PARTICULATES
QUALITY CONTROL
RADIATION MONITORING
SAFETY
SENSITIVITY
SOILS
CONTROL
ELEMENTS
MATERIALS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MONITORING
PARTICLES
PLANNING
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
SPECTROSCOPY
TESTING
WASTES
540230* - Environment
Terrestrial- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
540130 - Environment
Atmospheric- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
440101 - Radiation Instrumentation- General Detectors or Monitors & Radiometric Instruments