An evaluation of radioxenon detection techniques for use with a fluid-based concentration system

Journal Article · Tue Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1999 · IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/23.775532· OSTI ID:679573

Russ, W R; Stuenkel, D O; Valentine, J D ^[1]; Gross, K C ^[2]

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1. Univ. of Cincinnati, OH (United States). Nuclear and Radiological Engineering Program
2. Argonne National Lab., IL (United States). Reactor Analysis Div.

A portable monitoring system to measure the quantity of radioxenon ({sup 131m}Xe, {sup 133}Xe, {sup 133m}Xe, and {sup 135}Xe) in the atmosphere is being developed which incorporates a fluid-based concentration system with a detection system. To this end a number of radioxenon detection techniques have been evaluated to determine the best method of analyzing the output of the concentration system, which may contain significant amounts of radon in addition to concentrated xenon. Three detector configurations have been tested to measure the characteristic electron/photon coincidence radiation: plastic scintillator/NaI(Tl), gas proportional detector/NaI(Tl), and liquid scintillator/NaI(Tl). In addition to standard coincidence measurements, some additional gating criteria were also used; pulse height discrimination, pulse shape discrimination, and delayed coincidence. While the lowest relative minimum detectable activity was achieved using the liquid scintillator with delayed coincidence gating, the best performance for fieldable detection systems depends on the ratio of xenon to radon in the output of the concentration system. A high ratio favors the use of a gas proportional/NaI(Tl) detector using coincidence gating with pulse height discrimination. The use of a plastic scintillator/NaI(Tl) detector using coincidence gating with pulse shape discrimination is preferred when the ratio is low. A portable system that monitors the abundance and ratios of atmospheric radioxenon isotopes is required for use in the field to detect nuclear weapons testing.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: FG07-97ER62521
• OSTI ID: 679573
• Report Number(s): CONF-981110-; ISSN 0018-9499; TRN: 99:009505
• Journal Information: IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science, Vol. 46, Issue 3Pt1; Conference: 1998 IEEE nuclear science symposium and medical imaging conference, Toronto (Canada), 10-12 Nov 1998; Other Information: PBD: Jun 1999
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

44 INSTRUMENTATION
INCLUDING NUCLEAR AND PARTICLE DETECTORS
35 ARMS CONTROL
45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
PORTABLE EQUIPMENT
RADIATION MONITORS
XENON 131
XENON 133
XENON 135
COINCIDENCE METHODS
RADON
PROPORTIONAL COUNTERS
NAI DETECTORS
DESIGN
NUCLEAR EXPLOSION DETECTION
CTBT
PLASTIC SCINTILLATION DETECTORS