Rapid measurement of the gaseous {sup 41}Ar released from a nuclear reactor using a portable spectrometer

Journal Article · Fri Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1996 · Nuclear Technology

OSTI ID:218496

Chung, C; Tsai, C H ^[1]

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1. National Tsing Hua Univ., Hsinchu (Taiwan, Province of China). Dept. of Nuclear Science

A method to monitor in situ the dose rate from the gaseous radionuclide {sup 41}Ar is developed using a portable gamma-ray spectrometer. A high-purity germanium detector with a sensitivity of 0.358 nSv/h per count per minute is used to calibrate 1,294-keV gamma rays emitted from radioactive {sup 41}Ar. Field measurements are conducted both inside and outside of the containment of a nuclear reactor during full-power operation, and iso-dose rate contour curves are mapped. The in situ measurement can be readily performed at various locations near a nuclear reactor with a 14-kg portable spectrometric unit. The detection limit for a 1-h counting period is as low as 0.35 nSv/h for the gaseous {sup 41}Ar. One can use the method and field measurements developed in this research to quantitatively determine the gaseous fission products of krypton and xenon dispersed from a nuclear power plant.

• OSTI ID: 218496
• Journal Information: Nuclear Technology, Journal Name: Nuclear Technology Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 113; ISSN 0029-5450; ISSN NUTYBB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
ARGON 41
BIOSPHERE
CONTAINMENT BUILDINGS
FISSION PRODUCT RELEASE
GAMMA SPECTROMETERS
HIGH-PURITY GE DETECTORS
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
PORTABLE EQUIPMENT
RADIATION MONITORING