Use of multi-element beta dosimeters for measuring dose rates in the TMI-2 containment building

Technical Report · Fri Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1983

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5953680· OSTI ID:5953680

Scherpelz, R I; Endres, G W.R.; Rathbun, L A

The use of thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) for beta dosimetry has traditionally involved inaccuracies due to the energy-dependent response of the TLDs. In order to correct for the beta energy spectrum, researchers have developed a dosimeter using TLDs under a number of different thicknesses of aluminum shields. These shields provide attenuation to the beta field that depends on the thickness of the shield and the energy of the beta particles striking the dosimeter. The type of dosimeter is able to automatically correct for the energy distribution of the beta radiation field, thus overcoming the energy-dependent inaccuracies of previous TLD-based dosimeters. The PNL multi-element beta dosimeter has been used in four-element and seven-element configurations. The seven-element configurations were developed to provide better discrimination to low-energy betas. The dosimeters are assembled and analyzed in the PNL TLD Laboratory. Design considerations, analysis procedures, quality assurance, and error determinations for the dosimeters are described in this report. The methods of data analysis used for converting TLD response to dose are also described. These multi-element dosimeters have been used to measure beta and gamma doses resulting from radioactive contaminants in the Three Mile Island Unit 2 containment building. Over 100 dosimeters have been used in three sets of experiments at a number of locations in the building. This report documents the experiments and presents the doses evaluated by the dosimeters.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 5953680
• Report Number(s): PNL-4714; ON: DE83015711
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210100 -- Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Light-Water Moderated
Boiling Water Cooled
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220900* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Reactor Safety
BETA DOSIMETRY
CALIBRATION
COMPUTER CODES
CONTAINMENT
CONTAINMENT BUILDINGS
DATA
DATA ANALYSIS
DESIGN
DOSEMETERS
DOSES
DOSIMETRY
ENRICHED URANIUM REACTORS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
INFORMATION
LUMINESCENT DOSEMETERS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
NUMERICAL DATA
POWER REACTORS
PWR TYPE REACTORS
R CODES
RADIATION DOSES
REACTORS
THERMAL REACTORS
THERMOLUMINESCENT DOSEMETERS
THERMOLUMINESCENT DOSIMETRY
THREE MILE ISLAND-2 REACTOR
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS