Selective flow path alpha particle detector and method of use

Patent · 01 January 2002

OSTI ID:874764

Orr, Christopher Henry ^[1]; Luff, Craig Janson ^[1]; Dockray, Thomas ^[1]; Macarthur, Duncan Whittemore ^[2]

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1. Sellafield, Seascale, Cumbria, GB
2. P.O. Box 1663, Los Alamos, NM 87545

A method and apparatus for monitoring alpha contamination are provided in which ions generated in the air surrounding the item, by the passage of alpha particles, are moved to a distant detector location. The parts of the item from which ions are withdrawn can be controlled by restricting the air flow over different portions of the apparatus. In this way, detection of internal and external surfaces separately, for instance, can be provided. The apparatus and method are particularly suited for use in undertaking alpha contamination measurements during the commissioning operations.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• Assignee: Orr; Christopher Henry (Sellafield, Seascale, Cumbria, GB); Luff; Craig Janson (Sellafield, Seascale, Cumbria, GB); Dockray; Thomas (Sellafield, Seascale, Cumbria, GB); Macarthur; Duncan Whittemore (P.O. Box 1663, Los Alamos, NM 87545)
• Patent Number(s): US 6455859
• OSTI ID: 874764
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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air
air flow
alpha
apparatus
commissioning
contamination
controlled
detection
detector
distant
external
external surface
flow
flow path
generated
instance
internal
item
location
measurements
method
monitoring
moved
operations
particle
particles
passage
path
portions
provided
restricting
selective
separately
suited
surfaces
surrounding
undertaking
withdrawn