Evaluation of passive alpha detectors for sensitive/inexpensive/fast characterization of radiological contamination on surfaces and in soils
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
- Rad Elec Inc., Frederick, MD (United States)
- Landauer Inc., Glenwood, IL (United States)
Passive alpha-particle detectors, originally developed for indoor radon measurements, offer the potential for cost-effective and sensitive measurements of radiological contamination in soils and on surfaces for field screening and radiological survey applications. We have carried out field demonstrations of electret ionization chambers (EIC`s) and alpha track detectors (ATD`s). The EIC`s offer the advantages of immediate on-site readout, good sensitivity, ruggedness, and simplicity of operation. The use of parallel screened and unscreened EIC measurement allows the separation of alpha-particle response from radon/gamma/beta response. The advantages of the ATD`s include the potential for hot-particle counting, permanent records of contaminated and post-remediation activity levels, and inexpensive depth profiling of contamination in soil. At this time, the ATD`s are routinely shipped to the vendor after exposure in the field for processing and readout. It is feasible that the necessary processing and readout equipment could be deployed in a mobile laboratory for fast on-site analysis. We will present results from environmental measurements at the Nevada Test Site and indoor surface contamination measurements carried out at ORNL.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OR21400
- OSTI ID:
- 10143226
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-940178-1; ON: DE94010123; TRN: 94:005018
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 2. international conference on on-site analysis and field-portable instrumentation,Houston, TX (United States),24-26 Jan 1994; Other Information: PBD: [1994]
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Field tests of passive alpha detectors at the Nevada Test Site for screening of radiologically contaminated soils
Monitoring of surface alpha contamination with inexpensive passive monitors
Related Subjects
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
IONIZATION CHAMBERS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
SOILS
CONTAMINATION
ALPHA DETECTION
DIELECTRIC TRACK DETECTORS
SENSITIVITY
EVALUATION
SURFACE CONTAMINATION
ELECTRETS
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
540230
053000
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS MONITORING AND TRANSPORT
ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS