CONTAMINATION CONTROL OF PLUTONIUM-241 BY MEASUREMENT OF THE LOW ENERGY BETA RADIATION

Journal Article · Sun Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1963 · Physics in Medicine and Biology (England)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1088/0031-9155/8/3/306· OSTI ID:4647257

Gale, H J; Peaple, L H.J.

Plutonium-241 (a BETA -emitter of maximum energy 20 kev) occurs with other Pu isotopes ( alpha -emitters) in irradiated reactor fuel and in laboratories using material enriched in Pu/sup 241/, contamination control must be based on BETA -ray measurement. Direct monitoring of contaminated surfaces is impracticable, but smears from such surfaces, and samples of airborne dust collected on filter paper may be measured either with an internal gas-flow proportional counter or a thin plastic scintillation phosphor. To detect the 20- kev B radiations, high amplification has to be used and accompanying alpha radiation then gives rise to several interfering effects which have been investigated. The gasflow proportional counter cannot measure filter papers directly, and sample preparation is necessary; a concentration in air of about 0.2 of the maximum permissible value is detectable. To avoid the delay in ashing the scintillation system may be used, in which the limit of detection is about one maximum permissible concentration in air. Smear sampling of clean surfaces can enable contamination of about 0.2 of a maximum permissible level to be detected with the scintillation counter, and somewhat greater sensitivity with the less convenient proportional counter. (auth)

• Research Organization: Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell, Berks, Eng.
• NSA Number: NSA-17-037377
• OSTI ID: 4647257
• Report Number(s): AERE-R-4113; 0031-9155
• Journal Information: Physics in Medicine and Biology (England), Journal Name: Physics in Medicine and Biology (England) Vol. Vol: 8; ISSN PHMBA
• Country of Publication: United Kingdom
• Language: English

Related Subjects

AEROSOLS
AIR
ALPHA PARTICLES
AMPLIFIERS
BETA PARTICLES
BURNUP
CONTAMINATION
DUSTS
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY LEVELS
ENRICHMENT
FILTERS
FUEL ELEMENTS
GAS FLOW
HEALTH AND SAFETY
LUBRICATION
MEASURED VALUES
MONITORING
MPC
PAPER
PLUTONIUM 241
PLUTONIUM ISOTOPES
POLYMERS
PROPORTIONAL COUNTERS
RADIOACTIVITY
SAFETY
SAMPLING
SCINTILLATION COUNTERS
SENSITIVITY
SPENT FUEL ELEMENTS
STANDARDS
SURFACES