Performance of a portable, electromechanically-cooled HPGe detector for site characterization.

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Title:	Performance of a portable, electromechanically-cooled HPGe detector for site characterization.
Authors:	Keyser, R. M.¹ ron.keyser@ametek.com, Hagenauer, R. C.¹
Source:	Journal of Radioanalytical & Nuclear Chemistry. Jul2008, Vol. 277 Issue 1, p149-153. 5p. 1 Black and White Photograph, 3 Diagrams, 1 Chart, 3 Graphs.
Subjects:	Radioactive waste characterization, Cleanup of radioactive waste sites, Hazardous waste site remediation, Radioisotopes, Radioactive tracers, High performance liquid chromatography
Abstract:	Characterization is a first step to site cleanup or decommissioning of a disused nuclear facility. Good knowledge of the inventory of nuclides present, both type and location, is important in the design of an effective plan of remediation. Several systems based on HPGe detectors have been developed, both commercially and at laboratories, and are already in use for this purpose. Their use is somewhat complicated by the need for cryogenic cooling of the HPGe detector. Handling of liquid nitrogen in field situations is always difficult. Recent developments in low-power electromechanical cooling for HPGe detectors have made possible the construction of low weight, portable HPGe spectrometers with sufficient efficiency to perform the needed measurements in reasonable count times, without the need for liquid nitrogen. A mobile system was modified to use a battery-powered, Sterling-engine cooler on a nominal 40% relative efficiency detector. This system was characterized for efficiency and uniformity of response. The baseline spectra were analyzed using the DOE EML 1-meter methods to obtain representative MDA values for several nuclides of interest and typical counting times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
	Copyright of Journal of Radioanalytical & Nuclear Chemistry is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database:	Engineering Source

Description
Abstract:	Characterization is a first step to site cleanup or decommissioning of a disused nuclear facility. Good knowledge of the inventory of nuclides present, both type and location, is important in the design of an effective plan of remediation. Several systems based on HPGe detectors have been developed, both commercially and at laboratories, and are already in use for this purpose. Their use is somewhat complicated by the need for cryogenic cooling of the HPGe detector. Handling of liquid nitrogen in field situations is always difficult. Recent developments in low-power electromechanical cooling for HPGe detectors have made possible the construction of low weight, portable HPGe spectrometers with sufficient efficiency to perform the needed measurements in reasonable count times, without the need for liquid nitrogen. A mobile system was modified to use a battery-powered, Sterling-engine cooler on a nominal 40% relative efficiency detector. This system was characterized for efficiency and uniformity of response. The baseline spectra were analyzed using the DOE EML 1-meter methods to obtain representative MDA values for several nuclides of interest and typical counting times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	02365731
DOI:	10.1007/s10967-008-0723-6