Radon detection
Abstract
A detector for atmospheric radon using a long range alpha detector as its sensing element is described. An electrostatic filter removes ions from ambient air, while allowing radon atoms to pass into a decay cavity. Here, radon atoms are allowed to decay, creating air ions. These air ions are drawn by a fan through a second electrostatic filter which can be activated or deactivated, and into the long range alpha detector. With the second electrostatic filter activated, no air ions are allowed to pass, and the signal output from the long range alpha detector consists of only the electronic background. With the second electrostatic filter deactivated, air ions and cosmic rays will be detected. The cosmic ray contribution can be minimized by shielding. 3 figures.
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- OSTI Identifier:
- 5253609
- Patent Number(s):
- 5281824
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 7-864746
- Assignee:
- Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC ()
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 7 Apr 1992
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; 54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; RADIATION DETECTORS; DESIGN; RADON; RADIATION MONITORING; ALPHA DETECTION; COSMIC RADIATION; ELECTRIC FILTERS; CHARGED PARTICLE DETECTION; DETECTION; ELEMENTS; FILTERS; FLUIDS; GASES; IONIZING RADIATIONS; MEASURING INSTRUMENTS; MONITORING; NONMETALS; RADIATION DETECTION; RADIATIONS; RARE GASES; 440101* - Radiation Instrumentation- General Detectors or Monitors & Radiometric Instruments; 540130 - Environment, Atmospheric- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
Citation Formats
MacArthur, D W, Allander, K S, and Bounds, J A. Radon detection. United States: N. p., 1994.
Web.
MacArthur, D W, Allander, K S, & Bounds, J A. Radon detection. United States.
MacArthur, D W, Allander, K S, and Bounds, J A. Tue .
"Radon detection". United States.
@article{osti_5253609,
title = {Radon detection},
author = {MacArthur, D W and Allander, K S and Bounds, J A},
abstractNote = {A detector for atmospheric radon using a long range alpha detector as its sensing element is described. An electrostatic filter removes ions from ambient air, while allowing radon atoms to pass into a decay cavity. Here, radon atoms are allowed to decay, creating air ions. These air ions are drawn by a fan through a second electrostatic filter which can be activated or deactivated, and into the long range alpha detector. With the second electrostatic filter activated, no air ions are allowed to pass, and the signal output from the long range alpha detector consists of only the electronic background. With the second electrostatic filter deactivated, air ions and cosmic rays will be detected. The cosmic ray contribution can be minimized by shielding. 3 figures.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Jan 25 00:00:00 EST 1994},
month = {Tue Jan 25 00:00:00 EST 1994}
}