Method of determining whether radioactive contaminants are inside or outside a structure
Abstract
A measure is obtained of the relative quantities of radioactive material inside and outside a structure such as a pipe by obtaining two spectra of gamma radiation on a dummy structure of the same shape and composition. A first spectrum is obtained with a quantity of the radioactive element to be measured located inside the structure and a second spectrum is obtained with a quantity of the same contaminant located outside the structure. The two spectra are normalized to the same equivalent value in a portion of the spectrum that does not reflect the presence of gamma rays resulting from Compton scattering in the structure. Comparison of that portion of the spectra obtained where Compton scattering is a factor gives a measure of the relative amounts of contaminants inside and outside the structure on a spectrum obtained from a test structure. The invention may also be practiced by obtaining a plurality of spectra at varying known concentrations inside and outside the dummy structure.
- Inventors:
-
- Richland, WA
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- United Nuclear Industries, Inc., Richland, Wash. (USA)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 862865
- Patent Number(s):
- 4031387
- Assignee:
- United States of America as represented by United States Energy (Washington, DC)
- Patent Classifications (CPCs):
-
G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01N - INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01T - MEASUREMENT OF NUCLEAR OR X-RADIATION
- DOE Contract Number:
- AT(45-1)-1857
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- method; determining; radioactive; contaminants; inside; outside; structure; measure; obtained; relative; quantities; material; pipe; obtaining; spectra; gamma; radiation; dummy; shape; composition; spectrum; quantity; element; measured; located; contaminant; normalized; equivalent; value; portion; reflect; presence; rays; resulting; compton; scattering; comparison; factor; amounts; practiced; plurality; varying; concentrations; material inside; compton scattering; radioactive contaminants; located inside; radioactive material; gamma rays; gamma ray; active material; gamma radiation; located outside; active element; relative amounts; equivalent value; compton scatter; radioactive contaminant; radioactive element; relative amount; /250/
Citation Formats
Lattin, Kenneth R. Method of determining whether radioactive contaminants are inside or outside a structure. United States: N. p., 1977.
Web.
Lattin, Kenneth R. Method of determining whether radioactive contaminants are inside or outside a structure. United States.
Lattin, Kenneth R. Sat .
"Method of determining whether radioactive contaminants are inside or outside a structure". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/862865.
@article{osti_862865,
title = {Method of determining whether radioactive contaminants are inside or outside a structure},
author = {Lattin, Kenneth R},
abstractNote = {A measure is obtained of the relative quantities of radioactive material inside and outside a structure such as a pipe by obtaining two spectra of gamma radiation on a dummy structure of the same shape and composition. A first spectrum is obtained with a quantity of the radioactive element to be measured located inside the structure and a second spectrum is obtained with a quantity of the same contaminant located outside the structure. The two spectra are normalized to the same equivalent value in a portion of the spectrum that does not reflect the presence of gamma rays resulting from Compton scattering in the structure. Comparison of that portion of the spectra obtained where Compton scattering is a factor gives a measure of the relative amounts of contaminants inside and outside the structure on a spectrum obtained from a test structure. The invention may also be practiced by obtaining a plurality of spectra at varying known concentrations inside and outside the dummy structure.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1977},
month = {Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1977}
}