Performance evaluation of continuous air monitor (CAM) sampling heads
- Texas A M Univ., College Station (USA)
Continuous air monitor (CAM) samplers are used to detect radioactive aerosol particles in nuclear facilities and to provide alarm signals should the concentrations exceed a multiple of the derived air concentration (DAC) of the radionuclide of concern in a set amount of time. Aerosol particles are drawn into a CAM sampler where collection is to take place upon a filter. Radioactivity of the particles is determined with a detector that is placed in close proximity to the filter face. An important determinant of CAM performance is the ability of the inlet and body of the CAM to transport particulate matter in the inhalable-size range to the filter without substantial loss or bias with respect to particulate size. Three types of CAM samplers were tested in a low-velocity aerosol wind tunnel to determine the degree to which particles penetrate through the flow systems to the collection filter under conditions typical of normal room air exchange rates. Two air velocities were used: 0.3 and 1.0 m s-1. The CAM samplers were primarily operated at a flow rate of 56.6 L min-1, although some tests were conducted at a flow rate of 28.3 L min-1. The CAM units were prototypes manufactured by Kurz Instruments, Eberline Instrument Corporation, and Victoreen Inc. These three units represent three different approaches to CAM head design. At an air speed of 1 m s-1, aerosol penetration to the filters of the Kurz unit was essentially 100% for particle sizes of 3 and 7-microns aerodynamic diameter and was 86% for a size of 15 microns. For the Eberline sampler, the penetration was over 80% for 3-microns particles but was reduced to less than 2% for 7-microns particles. The victoreen sampler showed penetration values of 98% for 3-microns aerodynamic diameter particles, 88% for 7-microns particles and 4% for a size of 15 microns.
- OSTI ID:
- 7138680
- Journal Information:
- Health Physics; (USA), Journal Name: Health Physics; (USA) Vol. 58:3; ISSN 0017-9078; ISSN HLTPA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
540130* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
AEROSOLS
AIR POLLUTION
AIR SAMPLERS
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
EQUIPMENT
FLOW RATE
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MONITORING
PARTICLE SIZE
PERFORMANCE TESTING
POLLUTION
RADIATION DETECTORS
RADIATION MONITORING
RADIOACTIVE AEROSOLS
RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
SAMPLERS
SIZE
SOLS
TESTING
TUNNELS
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
WIND TUNNELS