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Sensitivities of five alpha continuous air monitors for detection of airborne sup 239 Pu

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7023664· OSTI ID:7023664
Results of measurements of the sensitivities of five alpha continuous air monitors (CAMs) for detection of airborne {sup 239}Pu are presented. Four commercially available alpha CAMs (Kurz model 8311, Merlin Gerin Edgar, RADeCO model 452, and Victoreen model 758) and a prototype alpha CAM currently in use at Argonne National Laboratory- West (ANL-W) were tested sampling natural ambient air and laboratory-generated atmospheres laden with either blank dust or dust containing nCi/g concentrations of {sup 239}Pu. Cumulative alpha spectra were stored at 30 or 60 minute intervals during each sampling and were subsequently analyzed using three different commonly used alpha spectrum analysis algorithms. The effect of airborne dust concentration and sample filter porosity on detector resolution and sensitivity for airborne {sup 239}Pu are described.
Research Organization:
EG and G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC07-76ID01570
OSTI ID:
7023664
Report Number(s):
EGG-WTD-10314; ON: DE92019688
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English