Real-time, in situ detection of {sup 90}Sr and {sup 238}U in soils via scintillating-fiber-sensor technology
A revolutionary sensor has been developed for observing the highly energetic beta particles that originate from the decay daughters of {sup 238}U and {sup 9O}Sr. This is accomplished through (1) constructing flat ribbons that are each composed of numerous square scintillating fibers, (2) stacking these ribbons and coupling each bundled end to a photomultiplier tube, and (3) using custom-designed electronic circuitry to measure both interlayer and intralayer coincident events. By observing the relative penetration depths of incident particles, this sensor is able to discriminate between the highly energetic betas of interest and those of lower energy. After placing the sensor on the target surface and initiating data acquisition, one obtains in a few seconds to a few minutes an accurate indication of the contaminant activity per unit weight of material (in the uppermost millimeters) directly below the sensor. This combination of speed and efficiency allows rapid surface coverage in a relatively short period of time, thereby facilitating the timely removal of these contaminants. Laboratory evaluations of a prototype version of this sensor have indicated that contamination levels less than 5 pCi/g (1.8 x 10{sup 2} Bq/kg) can be determined within a few minutes.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 10175363
- Report Number(s):
- PNL-SA-24120; CONF-940524-15; ON: DE94016987; TRN: 94:015665
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 8. symposium on radiation measurements and applications,Ann Arbor, MI (United States),16-19 May 1994; Other Information: PBD: May 1994
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
BETA DETECTION
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
REAL TIME SYSTEMS
SOILS
CONTAMINATION
BETA DECAY
STRONTIUM 90
URANIUM 238
REMEDIAL ACTION
BETA SPECTROMETERS
540230
440103
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS MONITORING AND TRANSPORT
NUCLEAR SPECTROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTATION