A preliminary report on methods of measuring and reducing Argon-41 production by a TRIGA reactor
- U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, CO (United States)
Methods to accurately determine and techniques to reduce the Argon-41 released from the one-megawatt Geological Survey TRIGA Reactor facility have been developed. Knowledge of the composition of the exhaust-gas effluent is of prime importance to the U.S. Geological Survey in minimizing all radioactive releases to the environment. The counting systems and control measures have enabled the Geological Survey TRIGA Reactor staff to reduce the amount of Argon-41 released from the facility by a factor of two, with no reduction in operation level of the reactor. The counting system has also enabled the staff to categorize the principal sources of Argon-41. Under normal conditions, a fully-loaded rotating-specimen rack is by far the largest contributor. With the current counting system, 10{sup -7} microcuries per cubic centimeter can be detected in the exhaust stack. It is intended to further improve this system to increase both the sensitivity and the reliability. The sensitivity is expected to be increased by utilizing a larger counting volume. To improve the reliability, it is planned to fabricate a loop parallel to the exhaust system, eliminating the need for a separate pump. (author)
- Research Organization:
- TRIGA Reactors, Gulf Energy and Environmental Systems Co., San Diego, CA (United States); Texas A and M University, College Station, TX (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 21156977
- Report Number(s):
- INIS-US--09N0217; T--739
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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