Quantitative evaluation of an air-monitoring network using atmospheric transport modeling and frequency of detection methods
- K-Spar Inc., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- Bechtel BWTX, Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
A methodology to quantify the performance of an air monitoring network in terms of frequency of detection has been developed. The methodology utilizes an atmospheric transport model to predict air concentrations of radionuclides at the samplers for a given release time and duration. Frequency of detection is defined as the fraction of “events” that result in a detection at either a single sampler or network of samplers. An “event” is defined as a release of finite duration that begins on a given day and hour of the year from a facility with the potential to emit airborne radionuclides. Another metric of interest is the network intensity, which is defined as the fraction of samplers in the network that have a positive detection for a given event. The frequency of detection methodology allows for evaluation of short-term releases that include effects of short-term variability in meteorological conditions. The methodology was tested using the U.S. Department of Energy Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Site ambient air monitoring network consisting of 37 low-volume air samplers in 31 different locations covering a 17,630 km2 region. Releases from six major INL facilities distributed over an area of 1,435 km2 were modeled and included three stack sources and eight ground-level sources. A Lagrangian Puff air dispersion model (CALPUFF) was used to model atmospheric transport. The model was validated using historical 125Sb releases and measurements. Relevant one-week release quantities from each emission source were calculated based on a dose of 1.9 × 10–4 mSv at a public receptor (0.01 mSv assuming release persists over a year). Important radionuclides considered include 241Am, 137Cs, 238Pu, 239Pu, 90Sr, and tritium. Results show the detection frequency is over 97.5% for the entire network considering all sources and radionuclides. Network intensities ranged from 3.75% to 62.7%. Evaluation of individual samplers indicated some samplers were poorly situated and add little to the overall effectiveness of the network. As a result, using the frequency of detection methods, optimum sampler placements were simulated that could substantially improve the performance and efficiency of the network.
- Research Organization:
- Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security (AU)
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC07-05ID14517
- OSTI ID:
- 1357244
- Report Number(s):
- INL/JOU-15-35776
- Journal Information:
- Health Physics, Vol. 110, Issue 4; ISSN 0017-9078
- Publisher:
- Health Physics SocietyCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Web of Science
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air monitoring
atmospheric emissions
atmospheric transport
meteorological modeling
radiation monitoring