Detection of contaminants in concrete surfaces using prompt gamma neutron activation analysis
- Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA (United States)
- Scientific Ecology Group, Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
The characterization of contaminants located at or near the surface of floors and walls is an important step in the decontamination and decommissioning (D&D) of facilities. Prompt gamma neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) is an attractive method for the characterization of contaminants with suitable nuclear characteristics (e.g., mercury and cadmium) because PGNAA is noninvasive, does not generate secondary waste, and is capable of providing results in real time. Previous PGNAA work in this area has been limited by a lack of sensitivity due to the high background levels typically encountered during measurements. However, a low-background PGNAA system (N-SCAN), developed by the Westinghouse Science & Technology Center and Scientific Ecology Group, Inc., has been able to detect small amounts of contaminants in the near-surface region of concrete (0 to 3 in. deep).
- OSTI ID:
- 411543
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-951006-; ISSN 0003-018X; TRN: 97:000796
- Journal Information:
- Transactions of the American Nuclear Society, Vol. 73; Conference: Winter meeting of the American Nuclear Society (ANS), San Francisco, CA (United States), 29 Oct - 1 Nov 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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