Development of Constancy Control and Calibration Protocols for ...
Development of Constancy Control and Calibration Protocols for ...
Development of Constancy Control and Calibration Protocols for ...
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Master Thesis<br />
RF9300, 30 HP<br />
VT 08<br />
<strong>Development</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Constancy</strong> <strong>Control</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>Calibration</strong> <strong>Protocols</strong> <strong>for</strong> Radiation Monitor<br />
Devices <strong>and</strong> Estimations <strong>of</strong> Surface Dose Rates<br />
from Radioactive Waste Containers Used at<br />
University <strong>of</strong> Gothenburg.<br />
Dan Thorelli<br />
Supervisors:<br />
Mats Isaksson <strong>and</strong> Annhild Larsson<br />
Department <strong>of</strong> Radiation Physics<br />
University <strong>of</strong> Gothenburg 2008
Abstract<br />
Radiation monitor detectors are the most important tool available <strong>for</strong> evaluating <strong>and</strong><br />
examining the workplace. It is important to only use the detector <strong>for</strong> measurements<br />
in situations it is designed <strong>for</strong> <strong>and</strong> to have an accurate calibration.<br />
The regulation SSI FS 2000:7 [12] states, in 9 § regarding quality assurance, that a<br />
quality h<strong>and</strong>book should be available. In dealing with extensive laboratory work,<br />
defined in 2 §, the h<strong>and</strong>book should contain routines <strong>for</strong> calibration <strong>and</strong> constancy<br />
control <strong>of</strong> radiation monitoring devices. This thesis deals with a development <strong>of</strong> a<br />
simple constancy control routine. As a result a correctly calibrated radiation monitor<br />
that measures or should not give a reading that is lower than E. E is calculated<br />
<strong>for</strong> a few sources <strong>of</strong> interest.<br />
The maximum amount <strong>of</strong> radioactivity allowed to be disposed <strong>of</strong>, depending on the<br />
nuclide, <strong>and</strong> the maximum surface dose rate allowed <strong>for</strong> waste containers is given<br />
by the regulations in SSI FS 1983:7 [13]. This thesis deals with a few estimations <strong>of</strong><br />
surface dose rates from waste containers filled with gamma or beta emitting<br />
nuclides.<br />
The investigated instruments that measure the ambient dose equivalent could not<br />
be said to give a reading that is lower than the calculated effective dose, taking<br />
statistical factors in mind. This is an important result as it means that they will not<br />
underestimate the effective dose that is related to the risk <strong>of</strong> the exposure.<br />
Un<strong>for</strong>tunately none <strong>of</strong> the used sources are an ideal constancy control source. A<br />
more appropriate constancy <strong>and</strong> control source could be a Cs-137 source with an<br />
activity <strong>of</strong> 4 MBq. The effective dose from the new source could be calculated, <strong>and</strong><br />
the instruments could be re-measured with the new source by following the general<br />
measurement steps.
Introduction 1<br />
Working with radionuclides 1<br />
Radiation protection 3<br />
Units <strong>and</strong> concepts 4<br />
Disposal <strong>of</strong> radionuclides 6<br />
Microshield 7<br />
Radiation Detectors 7<br />
Detector efficiency 12<br />
Energy response 14<br />
<strong>Calibration</strong> <strong>of</strong> radiation monitoring instruments 14<br />
Material <strong>and</strong> methods 16<br />
Point dose estimations method 16<br />
Volume source estimations method 18<br />
General measurement steps 22<br />
<strong>Constancy</strong> control <strong>and</strong> calibration method 23<br />
Results 26<br />
Dose levels around waste containers 26<br />
<strong>Calibration</strong> <strong>and</strong> constancy control 29<br />
Discussion 32<br />
References 38<br />
Appendix<br />
Nuclides used at Gothenburg University<br />
Volume source definitions in Microshield<br />
Investigated detectors with spread sheet results<br />
2
1. Introduction<br />
When ionizing radiation is used in laboratory work, or other purposes, it is important to<br />
make sure that the workplace is safe <strong>and</strong> to minimize the risk to the worker, as in any<br />
other field <strong>of</strong> work. Radiation monitor detectors are the most important tool available<br />
<strong>for</strong> evaluating <strong>and</strong> examining the workplace. A single type <strong>of</strong> detector that could<br />
measure all <strong>for</strong>m <strong>of</strong> radiation with the same accuracy would be convenient,<br />
however no such radiation detector exists. Instead a number <strong>of</strong> detectors, all with<br />
different properties, are used to measure the radiation from different <strong>for</strong>ms, at<br />
different intensities <strong>and</strong> from different nuclides. This makes it important to only use the<br />
detector <strong>for</strong> measurements in situations it is designed <strong>for</strong> <strong>and</strong> to have an accurate<br />
calibration. The regulation SSI FS 2000:7 [12] states, in 9 § regarding quality assurance,<br />
that a quality h<strong>and</strong>book should be available. In dealing with extensive laboratory<br />
work, defined in 2 §, the h<strong>and</strong>book should contain routines <strong>for</strong> calibration <strong>and</strong><br />
constancy control <strong>of</strong> radiation monitoring devices. This thesis deals, in part, with<br />
development <strong>of</strong> a simple constancy control <strong>and</strong> calibration method <strong>for</strong> radiation<br />
monitoring devices, with the main focus set on a simple constancy control. The<br />
method needs to be simple not to be skipped or ignored.<br />
At laboratories or institutions that deal with radioactivity, there will eventually be a<br />
need <strong>for</strong> disposal <strong>of</strong> some radioactivity. If the disposal is solid waste <strong>and</strong> packaged in<br />
a container, a measurement <strong>of</strong> the surface dose rate needs to be done. The<br />
measurement is made to make sure the dose rate is below the legal limit, be<strong>for</strong>e the<br />
container is sent away. The maximum amount <strong>of</strong> radioactivity allowed to be<br />
disposed <strong>of</strong>, depending on the nuclide, <strong>and</strong> the maximum surface dose rate<br />
allowed is given by the regulations in SSI FS 1983:7 [13]. This thesis deals with a few<br />
estimations <strong>of</strong> surface dose rates from waste containers filled with gamma or beta<br />
emitting nuclides.<br />
2. Working with radiation<br />
2.1 Radiation<br />
An unstable nucleus can, in every moment, decay by emission <strong>of</strong> radiation with a<br />
certain probability. The emitted radiation is nuclide specific, <strong>and</strong> can be gamma,<br />
beta or alpha radiation. The probability <strong>for</strong> decay cannot be influenced in any<br />
physical or chemical <strong>for</strong>m. The decay modes <strong>of</strong> interest, in this thesis, are gamma<br />
<strong>and</strong> beta decay. Alpha radiation will not be considered due to the measurement<br />
setup requirements to get a satisfactory measurement.<br />
2.1.1 Gamma radiation (γ)<br />
Photons travelling in a material, with energies <strong>of</strong> interest in laboratory work, are<br />
subject to an interaction by either photoelectric absorption, compton scattering or<br />
pair production. The sum <strong>of</strong> the probability <strong>for</strong> each interaction is included in the<br />
linear attenuation coefficient, µ.<br />
1
If a shied is placed between an emission point <strong>and</strong> a measuring point , the number<br />
<strong>of</strong> transmitted photons (N) relative to incoming number <strong>of</strong> photons ( ) without the<br />
shield, is given by equation (1)<br />
(1)[1]<br />
Where µ is the linear attenuation coefficient, x is the thickness <strong>of</strong> the material, N is the number <strong>of</strong><br />
transmitted photons <strong>and</strong> is the number <strong>of</strong> incoming photons.<br />
Equation (1) show that the photons are subject to an exponential attenuation. Thus a<br />
fully absorbing shield cannot be constructed. The shield has to be designed to<br />
reduce the photon fluence to an acceptable level instead. When half <strong>of</strong> the number<br />
<strong>of</strong> incoming photons has interacted in the material, a useful expression in radiation<br />
protection can be derived. Equation (2) gives the half value layer (HVL).<br />
Where µ is the linear attenuation coefficient<br />
(2)[2]<br />
This is the thickness <strong>of</strong> a material that will reduce the photon fluence by half <strong>of</strong> its<br />
original value, <strong>and</strong> is a useful guide when deciding shield dimensions.<br />
2.1.2 Beta radiation (β)<br />
There are two types <strong>of</strong> beta decay;<br />
- , electron decay<br />
- , positron decay<br />
decay occurs in nuclides with an abundance <strong>of</strong> neutrons <strong>and</strong> decay occurs<br />
in nuclides with an abundance <strong>of</strong> protons. The beta particle share the energy<br />
released (in a decay) with a neutrino, that is created alongside the particle. The<br />
energy distribution between the particles is governed by statistics. There are two<br />
energies <strong>of</strong> interest <strong>for</strong> the beta particle;<br />
• The maximum beta energy<br />
A beta particle emanating with maximum energy occurs when it receives all <strong>of</strong> the<br />
energy released in a decay. The maximum energy can be used to calculate the<br />
particles maximum range. When the range is known it can be used to construct<br />
appropriate shielding. If the dimensions <strong>of</strong> the shield exceed the maximum range <strong>of</strong><br />
the beta particle, in the material, no beta particles will emanate from the surface <strong>of</strong><br />
the shield. Equation (3) can be used to estimate the range <strong>for</strong> beta particles with<br />
maximum energy between 0.01 to 2.5 MeV.<br />
Where R is the range in mg/ <strong>and</strong> E is the maximum beta energy in MeV<br />
(3)[3]<br />
2
When the beta particle interacts in the shield there is a chance <strong>for</strong> a bremsstrahung<br />
photon to be produced. The probability, P, <strong>for</strong> the emission can be approximated by<br />
the expression;<br />
Where Z is the atomic number <strong>of</strong> the material <strong>and</strong> m is the mass <strong>of</strong> the particle.<br />
(4)[1]<br />
Equation (4) show that the probability <strong>for</strong> emission increases with decreasing particle<br />
mass. This makes the probability <strong>for</strong> emission higher <strong>for</strong> beta particles, compared with<br />
other more massive charged particles. Equation (4) also shows that a shield should<br />
be constructed in materials with low atomic numbers, to decrease the probability <strong>for</strong><br />
photon contribution.<br />
• The mean beta energy<br />
The mean beta energy is approximately a third <strong>of</strong> the maximum beta energy [11].<br />
The mean beta energy is used in dose calculations.<br />
2.2 Radiation protection<br />
The recommendations made by the ICRP (International Commission on Radiation<br />
Protection) have a pr<strong>of</strong>ound influence on radiation protection all over the world.<br />
One important presumption made by the ICRP, is that even small radiation doses<br />
can cause harmful effects. The three main principles <strong>of</strong> radiation protection are;<br />
• Justification<br />
To prohibit practices involving additional exposures unless they produce sufficient<br />
societal benefits. The benefits should be weighed against the risks.<br />
• Optimization<br />
The optimization principle requires the radiation exposure, to the worker, to be as low<br />
as reasonably achievable, or ALARA. Implementing ALARA in practice involves;<br />
- Reducing the source<br />
A way <strong>of</strong> eliminating the radiation source can be done by using ultrasound instead<br />
<strong>of</strong> diagnostic x-ray wherever possible. Source reduction is also a reduction <strong>of</strong> the<br />
dose rate, <strong>and</strong> can be done in several ways. One way is to properly ventilate areas<br />
where airborne radioactivity is present.<br />
- Source containment<br />
To make sure that proper containment, ventilation <strong>and</strong> filtration is used.<br />
- Time<br />
The minimization <strong>of</strong> the time that radioactive materials are h<strong>and</strong>led, less time leads<br />
to a lower dose. This can be achieved by practice the procedures without activity<br />
present. The work should be per<strong>for</strong>med quickly, but without rushing.<br />
- Distance<br />
3
Maximization <strong>of</strong> the distance from the source. For a gamma point source, the dose is<br />
inversely proportional to the square <strong>of</strong> the distance. A significant dose reduction can<br />
be achieved with increased distance, <strong>for</strong> example by using distance tools<br />
- Shielding<br />
Shielding should be used wherever it is necessary to reduce or eliminate the radiation<br />
exposure to the worker. By placing a shield between the source <strong>and</strong> the worker, the<br />
exposure can be reduced to an acceptable level. The type <strong>and</strong> thickness <strong>of</strong> the<br />
material needed to reduce the dose to a safe level varies with the type <strong>and</strong> amount<br />
<strong>of</strong> the nuclide.<br />
• Dose limits<br />
Limits <strong>of</strong> radiation exposure to individuals. SSI issues regulations regarding dose limits<br />
in Sweden, where the most important are<br />
- SSI FS 1998:4<br />
States that the dose limit <strong>for</strong> workers, <strong>and</strong> public, exposed to ionizing radiation<br />
from the workplace is 50 mSv per year <strong>and</strong> a maximum <strong>of</strong> 100 mSv <strong>for</strong> five<br />
consecutive years. The dose limits does not apply <strong>for</strong> patients subject to<br />
medical radiation treatments, people helping patients during medical<br />
radiation treatments (<strong>of</strong> their free will), voluntary test-subjects <strong>and</strong> in<br />
emergency rescue situations.<br />
- SSI FS 1998:3<br />
Regulations <strong>for</strong> categorizing the worker in two categories, A or B. If the risk is<br />
not insignificant on an annular basis <strong>for</strong>: the effective dose to exceed 6 mSv,<br />
the equivalent dose to one eye lens exceeding 45 mSv or the equivalent<br />
dose to the h<strong>and</strong>s, <strong>for</strong>earm or skin exceeding 150 mSv the worker should be<br />
placed in category A. The effects <strong>of</strong> accidents that can lead to high<br />
exposures that could justify the placement in category A has also been taken<br />
into mind. Workers that are not placed into category A are placed into<br />
category B<br />
- SSI FS 1998:6<br />
States that a worker classified as category A should be subject to regular<br />
medical examinations <strong>and</strong> wear a radiation dosimeter. If the result from the<br />
medical examinations is not satisfactory the worker can be limited or<br />
<strong>for</strong>bidden to work with radiation as a category A worker.<br />
2.3 Units <strong>and</strong> concepts<br />
2.3.1 Units<br />
4
The absorbed dose (D) is a measure <strong>of</strong> the energy absorbed per unit mass from<br />
ionizing radiation in a medium. Different types <strong>of</strong> radiation can cause different<br />
amount <strong>of</strong> damage. The absorbed dose does not take that into account. To<br />
calculate the total biological effective dose <strong>for</strong> different types <strong>of</strong> radiation, the<br />
differences must be considered.<br />
The equivalent dose (H) is given when the absorbed dose is multiplied by a weighting<br />
factor that reflects the radiations ability to cause damage, equation (5). The<br />
weighting factor is dependent on the ionization density, <strong>for</strong> gamma radiation the<br />
factor is set to unity, <strong>and</strong> other types <strong>of</strong> radiation are related to the value according<br />
to their ionization densities.<br />
(5)[4]<br />
Where is the weighting factor <strong>for</strong> the radiation type <strong>and</strong> is the absorbed dose in the organ <strong>of</strong><br />
radiation type .<br />
All organs <strong>and</strong> tissues do not have the same sensitivity when exposed to the<br />
radiation. And in most cases the body is not uni<strong>for</strong>mly irradiated. The effective dose<br />
(E) takes this into account <strong>and</strong> is given as the equivalent dose multiplied by a organ<br />
weighting factor, equation (6)<br />
Where is the weighting factor <strong>for</strong> different types <strong>of</strong> organs.<br />
(6)[3]<br />
One <strong>of</strong> the main advantages <strong>of</strong> using the effective dose is that the risk <strong>of</strong> a radiation<br />
exposure to one specific organ can be compared with the risk <strong>of</strong> a whole body<br />
exposure.<br />
Ambient dose equivalent, [Sv]<br />
The ambient dose equivalent is the dose equivalent in a point in a radiation field that<br />
corresponds to the dose in an exp<strong>and</strong>ed <strong>and</strong> parallel radiation field (see figure (1))<br />
at the depth <strong>of</strong> 10 mm in the ICRU sphere [5]. Instruments that measure the ambient<br />
dose equivalent should be directional independent.<br />
Personal dose equivalent, [Sv]<br />
Figure (1). An exp<strong>and</strong>ed <strong>and</strong> parallel radiation field<br />
5
is the dose at a depth d under the placement point <strong>of</strong> the meter. The readout<br />
from the meter should be directional dependent. The depths most commonly used<br />
are 0.07 mm <strong>and</strong> 10 mm, to simulate skin or organ exposure.<br />
Relationships between units in radiation protection<br />
Figure (2) show the quotient between the effective dose, (E), <strong>and</strong> the ambient dose<br />
equivalent, ( ), <strong>for</strong> photon radiation in different geometries.<br />
Figure (2). The quotient between E <strong>and</strong> plotted versus photon energy <strong>for</strong> several different<br />
geometries. [5]. AP: Parallel radiation field, directed as figure (1); ISO: Isotropic radiation field.<br />
Figure (2) show that is larger than E in many different geometries. Similarly it has<br />
been shown that is larger than E in most geometries [5]. As a result a correctly<br />
calibrated radiation monitor that measures or should not give a reading that is<br />
lower than E.<br />
2.3.2 Concepts<br />
-<br />
ALI st<strong>and</strong>s <strong>for</strong> Annual Limit on Intake, <strong>and</strong> is defined, in ICRP 30 [14], as the annual<br />
intake <strong>of</strong> a nuclide that would lead to an effective committed dose equivalent<br />
below or equal to 50 mSv <strong>and</strong> an annual dose equivalent to any organ or tissue<br />
below or equal to 500 mSv. The definition can be expressed as equation (7) <strong>and</strong><br />
equation (8)<br />
Sv (7)<br />
Where is the tissue weighting factor <strong>and</strong> is the total committed dose equivalent in tissue T<br />
Sv, <strong>for</strong> all T (8)<br />
Where is the total committed dose equivalent in tissue T<br />
6
Different values exist <strong>for</strong> inhalation <strong>and</strong> ingestion, is the lowest <strong>of</strong> these values<br />
<strong>for</strong> the nuclide <strong>of</strong> interest.<br />
- DAC<br />
The ALI value only gives an intake limit <strong>for</strong> a specific nuclide. No considerations <strong>of</strong> the<br />
intake rate or the atmospheric/environmental concentrations that leads to the<br />
intake limit are made. For airborne contaminations <strong>of</strong> radioactivity the Derived Air<br />
Concentration (DAC) takes these effects in mind. The DAC, <strong>for</strong> any radionuclide, is<br />
that concentration in air (Bq/ ) which, if worked <strong>for</strong> a year, would result in the<br />
ALI value <strong>for</strong> inhalation. The DAC can be calculated according to equation (9)<br />
(9)[3]<br />
Where ALI is the intake limit <strong>for</strong> the nuclide [13] <strong>and</strong> 2400 is the volume <strong>of</strong> air a st<strong>and</strong>ard person will<br />
inhale during a year at work.<br />
- Radiotoxicity<br />
For laboratory work with unsealed substances, the regulation SSI FS 2000:7 classifies<br />
nuclides into four categories dependent on their radio toxicity (A to D). Where class<br />
A is highly toxic <strong>and</strong> class D is the least toxic. The amount <strong>of</strong> activity that is allowed to<br />
h<strong>and</strong>le during extensive laboratory work is given in [13]<br />
2.4 Disposal <strong>of</strong> radionuclides<br />
A certain amount <strong>of</strong> radioactive waste can be disposed <strong>of</strong> at the local l<strong>and</strong>fill or in<br />
the sewer. The amount depends on the radioactive nuclide, <strong>and</strong> is defined by the<br />
nuclides value. This is regulated by SSI FS 1983:7 [13]. The limitation does not<br />
apply to waste from patients subject to treatment or diagnostics with radioactive<br />
substances.<br />
2.4.1 Regulations <strong>for</strong> solid waste<br />
The maximum amount <strong>of</strong> activity, per month, allowed to be disposed <strong>of</strong> at the local<br />
l<strong>and</strong>fill is 10 .<br />
The maximum amount <strong>of</strong> activity placed in one waste container should not exceed<br />
1 , <strong>and</strong> the maximum surface dose rate should not exceed 5 µGy/h. The waste<br />
containers should not contain any sealed source with an activity above 50 kBq.<br />
2.4.2 Regulation <strong>for</strong> liquid waste<br />
The maximum amount <strong>of</strong> activity that can be disposed <strong>of</strong> in the sewer, per month, is<br />
10 ALImin. The maximum activity per disposal should not exceed 1 or 100<br />
MBq. After each disposal significant amount <strong>of</strong> water should be used to flush the<br />
system.<br />
7
2.5 Microshield<br />
Microshield is a radiation shielding <strong>and</strong> dose assessment program <strong>for</strong> gamma<br />
emitting nuclides. Microshield is written by Grove S<strong>of</strong>tware Inc, situated in the USA.<br />
The version used in this thesis is 6.20.<br />
Microshield is used to estimate the value <strong>of</strong> the effective dose <strong>for</strong> the gamma<br />
emitting calibration <strong>and</strong> constancy control sources at the measurement points.<br />
Microshield is also used to estimate the surface dose rate from the waste containers<br />
filled with gamma emitting nuclides.<br />
3 Radiation detectors<br />
The human body lacks a sense <strong>for</strong> detecting radiation. Instead the detection is<br />
based on physical <strong>and</strong> chemical effects produced by radiation in the exposed<br />
material, other than man. Common effects produced by the radiation are ionization<br />
in gas, ionization <strong>and</strong> excitation in solids, chemical changes <strong>and</strong> neutron activation.<br />
A detector is usually constructed with one <strong>of</strong> these effects in mind.<br />
3.1 Gas detectors<br />
When the gas is exposed to ionizing radiation it produces ionization <strong>and</strong> excitation<br />
effects in the detector gas. This is the principle on which the gas filled detectors are<br />
based. If the detector is exposed to steady state irradiation, the created ion-pairs will<br />
be kept constant. Commonly used gas-filled radiation detectors, like ion chambers,<br />
proportional counters <strong>and</strong> GM-tubes, then makes use <strong>of</strong> the direct ionization created<br />
by the radiation.<br />
To be able to collect the ion pairs, an electric field is used. When the electric field is<br />
present, the electrostatic <strong>for</strong>ce start to move the particles (electrons <strong>and</strong> ions) away<br />
from the point <strong>of</strong> creation. With the applied electric field the moving particles<br />
creates an electric circuit, <strong>and</strong> a current can be measured. Without the electric field<br />
the net current is zero. The created ions can be lost due to either recombination or<br />
diffusion out <strong>of</strong> the volume. With increasing electric field, less <strong>of</strong> the original charge is<br />
lost to recombination effects. At a certain level the electric field is strong enough to<br />
reduce the recombination to a minimal level <strong>and</strong> all <strong>of</strong> the created charge is<br />
measured. Further increasing the strength <strong>of</strong> the electric field, up to a certain<br />
strength, has no effect. This is due to the constant <strong>for</strong>mation the ion pairs <strong>and</strong> an<br />
efficient collection <strong>of</strong> the charge created. This plateau is called ion-saturation <strong>and</strong> is<br />
the area where ion chambers are operated. See figure (3).<br />
8
Figure (3). The pulse amplitude plotted versus the applied voltage <strong>of</strong> the electric field <strong>for</strong> two different<br />
energies. [6]<br />
One important application <strong>for</strong> the ion chambers is to measure the absorbed dose in<br />
different materials. The absorbed dose can be measured using the Bragg-Gray<br />
principle that states that the absorbed dose in a material can be given from the<br />
ionization that is produced in a small gas filled cavity, the ion chamber, in the<br />
material. Several conditions need to be met <strong>for</strong> the principle to hold. One important<br />
condition is that the cavity, ion chamber, needs to be small compared with the<br />
primary <strong>and</strong> secondary range <strong>of</strong> the radiation, to minimize the effect it poses on the<br />
particle flux.<br />
If the detector gas is air <strong>and</strong> the detector walls are air equivalent, the chamber can<br />
be used to measure the absorbed dose in air. A measurement <strong>of</strong> the absorbed dose<br />
in air is equivalent with a measurement <strong>of</strong> the gamma ray exposure, which is another<br />
important application <strong>of</strong> ion chambers.<br />
If the electric field is further increased, it will cause an effect called gas<br />
multiplication. In the ion saturation region, the electrons <strong>and</strong> ions simply drift to their<br />
collecting electrodes. On their way the particles frequently collide with neutral gas<br />
molecules. The ions gain little average energy between the collisions due to their low<br />
mobility. The electrons can easily be accelerated in the electric field, due to their low<br />
mass, <strong>and</strong> have high kinetic energy when colliding with a neutral gas molecule. If<br />
this energy is high enough to cause ionization in the neutral gas molecule, a second<br />
ion pair can be <strong>for</strong>med. A threshold exists when this second ionization event can<br />
take place, due to electrons gain increased kinetic energy with increased electric<br />
field. The second electron created in the collision is accelerated in the electric field<br />
<strong>and</strong> can also create new ion pairs; this process is called a Townsend avalanche. The<br />
9
avalanche will terminate when all electrons are collected at the electrode. Using the<br />
effects <strong>of</strong> the Townsend avalanche, given the right circumstances, the secondary<br />
ionizations can be kept proportional to the primary ionization events, but the total<br />
numbers if ionizations can be increased significantly. This is the region called the<br />
proportional region where the proportional counters are used, see figure (3).<br />
Proportional counters are more sensitive to impurities in the detector gas than<br />
ionization chambers, which can cause problems due to the <strong>for</strong>mation <strong>of</strong> many<br />
excited molecules or atom states created during the avalanche. The excited<br />
molecules decay by photon emission which can cause new ionizations by either<br />
photoelectric interaction in the gas or releasing electrons when interacting in the<br />
detector wall. In a proportional counter these effects will cause a loss <strong>of</strong><br />
proportionality, increased dead time <strong>and</strong> reduced spatial resolution <strong>for</strong> positioning<br />
sensing detectors. By adding another gas, a fill gas, the effects can be reduced by<br />
absorbing the photons in a way that does not cause new ionizations. The amplified<br />
charge gained when using a proportional counter requires less external amplification<br />
<strong>of</strong> the signal, which makes the proportional counter have an increased SNR (signal to<br />
noise ratio) compared with an ion chamber.<br />
Further increasing the electric field will generate a linear amplified response from the<br />
detector in a certain region; this is the region <strong>of</strong> true proportionality. Increasing the<br />
electric field beyond this region will cause a non-linear response. The most important<br />
contribution to this effect is caused by the slowly moving positive ions. During the<br />
time it takes to collect the electrons the ions has hardly moved at all. The slowly<br />
drifting ions creates a cloud <strong>of</strong> positive charge in the detector, if the numbers <strong>of</strong> ions<br />
is high enough they can alter the shape <strong>of</strong> the electric field. This will cause nonlinear<br />
effects to occur; due to the gas multiplication dependence <strong>of</strong> the strength <strong>of</strong> the<br />
electric field. This region is called limited proportional region <strong>and</strong> is not a desirable<br />
region <strong>of</strong> operation <strong>for</strong> any detector. See figure (3).<br />
If the electric field is increased above the limited proportional region, the space<br />
charge created by positive ions will determine the output pulse from the detector.<br />
The high electric field is used to intensify the avalanches. In ideal conditions one<br />
avalanche can trigger another avalanche at another point in the detector. This<br />
chain reaction leads to an exponential growth <strong>of</strong> avalanches in the detector, called<br />
a Geiger discharge. The avalanche will continue to a point where the space charge<br />
from the ions reduces the electric field below the limit <strong>for</strong> continued gas<br />
multiplication, thus making the process self limiting. The same number <strong>of</strong> positive ions<br />
will be <strong>for</strong>med to cause the electric field to drop below the threshold <strong>of</strong> gas<br />
multiplication, independent <strong>of</strong> the number <strong>of</strong> primary ionization events in the<br />
detector. The output pulse from the detector will then be <strong>of</strong> the same magnitude<br />
<strong>and</strong> all properties <strong>of</strong> the radiation are lost. This makes the detector only function as a<br />
counter. This is the GM-region, see figure (3).<br />
In the GM tube the effects <strong>of</strong> the excited molecules <strong>and</strong> atoms, that caused<br />
problems <strong>for</strong> proportional counters, are desirable. The propagation <strong>of</strong> the Geiger<br />
10
discharge is made possible by the photon emissions. In proportional counters each<br />
avalanche is <strong>for</strong>med in a position that corresponds with the original position <strong>of</strong> the<br />
ionization event. In the GM tube the discharge grows due to r<strong>and</strong>om <strong>for</strong>mations <strong>of</strong><br />
avalanches, caused by the emissions <strong>and</strong> interactions <strong>of</strong> the emitted photons by to<br />
cover the entire collection wire. This produces a massive amount <strong>of</strong> positive ions that<br />
need to be collected which leads to a high dead time in GM tubes, see figure (4).<br />
The increase in signal strength leads to less requirements <strong>of</strong> external amplification.<br />
Figure (4). The propagation <strong>of</strong> a Geiger discharge [6]<br />
Special precautions must be taken in Geiger counters to avoid creating a<br />
continuous output loop <strong>of</strong> pulses. When the positive ions arrive at the collecting<br />
electrode they are neutralized when combining with electrons from the electrode; in<br />
this process energy is released. If this energy exceeds the energy needed to extract<br />
an electron from the electrode surface, it is possible that a new free electron can be<br />
released <strong>and</strong> create another Geiger discharge. This effect would then produce a<br />
continuous output <strong>of</strong> pulses from the GM tube. To avoid this effect either external or<br />
internal quenching can be used.<br />
Internal quenching is done by adding an additional gas, quench gas, to the<br />
detector gas. The quench gas prevents the continuous output by using the effect <strong>of</strong><br />
change transfer collisions. The quench gas has a lower ionization potential <strong>and</strong> more<br />
complex molecular structure than the detector gas. When the positive ions collide<br />
with the quench gas <strong>and</strong> transfer the charge, the ions are neutralized <strong>and</strong> the<br />
quench gas molecules start to drift to the collection electrode instead. If the<br />
concentration <strong>of</strong> the quench gas is sufficiently high all <strong>of</strong> the positive ions arriving at<br />
the collection electrode will be <strong>of</strong> the quench gas. When they are neutralized the<br />
energy released may go to dislocating the more complex molecular structure<br />
instead <strong>of</strong> releasing an electron from the surface.<br />
External quenching can be done by reducing the high voltage <strong>for</strong> a specific time<br />
after each pulse, below the value <strong>for</strong> the gas multiplication to take effect.<br />
11
For almost any detector system there will be a minimum amount <strong>of</strong> time needed <strong>for</strong><br />
two separate events in the detector to be recorded as two separate pulses. In some<br />
detectors the limits are set due to processes intrinsic to the detector itself, in others<br />
the surrounding electronic sets the limit. The minimum time needed to separate the<br />
two events is called dead time. There is always a probability that true events may be<br />
lost due to the r<strong>and</strong>omness <strong>of</strong> radiation, dead time losses. At high counting rates<br />
these losses can become severe, <strong>and</strong> methods <strong>for</strong> compensation have to be used<br />
to get any accuracy in the measurement. These dead time losses affect almost any<br />
detector system, but especially the GM-tube due to its design. The methods <strong>of</strong> dead<br />
time compensation depend on the behavior <strong>of</strong> the detector system. There are two<br />
common models used, a paralyzable or nonparalyzable detector system. The<br />
nonparalyzable detector system can give a reading in high intensity radiation fields,<br />
the paraplyzable detector system can fail to give a reading at all. The models<br />
represent two extreme behaviors <strong>of</strong> an idealized detector system, where one, or the<br />
other, usually describes the true detector system adequately. The two models differ<br />
greatly from each other at high dead time losses but predict the same amount <strong>of</strong><br />
losses at low levels. Measurements taken under conditions with high dead time losses<br />
should be avoided, to avoid the increasing error in the correction. When the dead<br />
time losses are at 30 to 40 % the uncertainty is high, <strong>and</strong> ef<strong>for</strong>ts should be made to<br />
reduce the dead time losses [6]. This can be done by either changing the measuring<br />
conditions or by changing the detector system.<br />
3.2 Scintillation detectors<br />
Scintillation detectors are based on the principle <strong>of</strong> induced luminescence that is<br />
produced from the detector material when exposed to ionizing radiation. In<br />
scintillation detectors composed <strong>of</strong> organic materials the molecules are excited<br />
through the kinetic energy absorbed from electrons that are released from photon<br />
interactions in the detector material. The excited molecules, in the detector, return to<br />
their original state by photon emission, <strong>and</strong> these photons are then collected. In<br />
scintillation detectors <strong>of</strong> inorganic materials the atoms are arranged in a crystal<br />
structure, <strong>and</strong> the crystal is excited by the energy absorbed in the passage <strong>of</strong><br />
electrons.<br />
The requirements <strong>for</strong> a good scintillation material are:<br />
• High probability <strong>for</strong> interaction with photons.<br />
• Proportionality between the light emitted <strong>and</strong> the energy deposited in the<br />
detector<br />
• Efficient conversion from kinetic energy to emitted light.<br />
• Transparency <strong>for</strong> the light emitted in the material.<br />
• The decay time <strong>for</strong> the induced luminescence should be short.<br />
• A refraction index close to that <strong>of</strong> glass.<br />
• Good optical quality <strong>and</strong> be able to manufacture in practical detector sizes.<br />
12
The detector material should also be able to respond quickly to radiation. Be<strong>for</strong>e the<br />
next photon strikes the detector all light from the previous interaction should have<br />
been converted. This is essential to get a correct measurement.<br />
The light emitted from the material then strikes the surface <strong>of</strong> a photo multiplier tube<br />
(PM-tube). The front part <strong>of</strong> the PM-tube, facing the scintillation material, is coated<br />
with a light sensitive material. When the photons, produced in the detector material,<br />
strike the surface electrons are released. The electrons are then accelerated through<br />
the PM-tube by an electric field. During the acceleration the electrons collide with<br />
plates, called dynodes, where each collision releases additional electrons. As a result<br />
an amplified signal is produced that can be further processed <strong>and</strong> amplified.<br />
3.2.1 NaI(Tl) scintillation detectors<br />
The NaI(Tl) scintillation detector is used <strong>for</strong> detection <strong>of</strong> photon radiation. The<br />
detector has a relatively good energy resolution, which makes it possible to<br />
distinguish between photons with different energies. The photoelectric effect is the<br />
dominating way <strong>of</strong> interaction <strong>for</strong> low energy gamma rays <strong>and</strong> the probability <strong>for</strong><br />
interaction can be approximated by the expression<br />
Where z is the atomic number <strong>of</strong> the absorption material <strong>and</strong> hf is the photon energy.<br />
(10)[1]<br />
Iodine has a high atomic number, this makes interaction by photoelectric absorption<br />
significant <strong>and</strong> gives a high probability that the total photon energy gets stored in<br />
the detector. With decreasing energy the probability <strong>for</strong> interaction also increases.<br />
This inherent property makes the NaI(Tl) scintillation detector useful in situations where<br />
the GM-tube will fail to give a reading. To increase the probability that the emitted<br />
photons lies in the visible spectrum, a small amount <strong>of</strong> thallium is added to the<br />
detector. NaI is sensitive to moisture, thus an enclosure <strong>of</strong> metal is <strong>of</strong>ten used. The<br />
added metal will attenuate some <strong>of</strong> the incoming radiation, <strong>and</strong> reduce the<br />
detection efficiency.<br />
3.2.2 Liquid scintillation detectors<br />
The scintillation material in a liquid scintillation detector is composed <strong>of</strong> a liquid <strong>and</strong><br />
the sample is mixed with the scintillation liquid. The light emitted from the solution is<br />
then registered by a PM-tube in the same way as the other scintillation detectors. The<br />
main advantage with a liquid scintillation detector is that samples containing low<br />
energy beta <strong>and</strong> alpha particles can be measured. can be measured with an<br />
efficiency <strong>of</strong> about 50% [7].<br />
Mixing the sample with the scintillation liquid can be complicated, not all samples<br />
can be mixed directly without preparations. Sample containing more than one beta<br />
emitting nuclide, with similar energies, can cause problems in distinguishing between<br />
the different nuclides. This can be solved with separation methods.<br />
13
3.3 Detector efficiency<br />
If the radiation striking the detector is alpha or beta radiation, <strong>and</strong> if the particle has<br />
travelled a small range in the detectors active volume, it usually has created enough<br />
ionization <strong>and</strong> excitation to be counted. This makes it possible to arrange the<br />
detector so that is sees every particle that enters its active volume, which makes the<br />
detector have an intrinsic counting efficiency <strong>of</strong> 100%.<br />
Gamma photons must first undergo a significant interaction in the detector to be<br />
counted, making the detector have a counting efficiency less than 100%. This makes<br />
it important to have a value <strong>of</strong> the number <strong>of</strong> pulses counted relative to the incident<br />
particles striking the detector, the efficiency.<br />
Two classes <strong>of</strong> efficiency can be defined<br />
1. Absolute efficiency is defined by equation (11). The absolute efficiency is not only<br />
dependent on the detector properties but also the measuring geometry.<br />
(11)[6]<br />
2. Intrinsic efficiency is defined by equation (12). The intrinsic efficiency does not<br />
include the solid angle seen by the detector from the source.<br />
For a point source, the two efficiencies are related by the expression<br />
Where is the solid angle <strong>of</strong> the detector seen from the source.<br />
(12)[6]<br />
(13)[6]<br />
Ω is given by the integration over the detector surface that faces the source<br />
according to equation (14)<br />
(14)[6]<br />
Where r is the distance from the source to the surface element dA, <strong>and</strong> is the angle between the<br />
normal <strong>of</strong> the surface element <strong>and</strong> the source direction.<br />
The intrinsic efficiency primarily depends on the detector material, thickness <strong>of</strong><br />
detector material <strong>and</strong> radiation energy. A slight dependence on source distance<br />
remains, because the path length <strong>of</strong> the radiation, in the detector, change slightly<br />
with distance.<br />
The efficiency can also be defined by how the events are recorded.<br />
The total efficiency assumes that all pulses from the detector are accepted, no<br />
matter how low energetic the interaction was. In practice, however, any measuring<br />
14
system requires the pulse to be higher than a certain pulse-height set to discriminate<br />
against electronic noise.<br />
The peak efficiency assumes that only full energy interactions in the detector are<br />
counted. These full energy interactions are usually seen as the peak at the end <strong>of</strong> a<br />
differential pulse height distribution.<br />
The quotient, r, <strong>of</strong> the efficiencies are related by equation (15)<br />
(15)[6]<br />
The peak efficiencies are commonly tabulated, because the full energy events are<br />
not as sensitive to scattered radiation <strong>and</strong> false pulses. The detector should be<br />
specified according to both efficiency criteria. The most common efficiency<br />
tabulated <strong>for</strong> a gamma ray detector is the intrinsic peak efficiency. If the detector<br />
has a known efficiency it can be used to measure the activity <strong>of</strong> a radioactive<br />
source, equation (16).<br />
(16)[6]<br />
Where S is the number <strong>of</strong> emitted particles from the source during the measuring time <strong>and</strong> N is the<br />
number <strong>of</strong> recorded events.<br />
Equation (16) can be rewritten by using equation (13) <strong>and</strong> using that the<br />
source strength (point source) equals the activity multiplied by the sum <strong>of</strong> the<br />
branching ratio ( . The result is seen in equation (17)<br />
A = (17)<br />
Where A is the activity, N is the number <strong>of</strong> recorded events, is the efficiency <strong>and</strong> fi is the probability<br />
<strong>for</strong> decay <strong>for</strong> each emission.<br />
Equation (17) is used <strong>for</strong> calibration or constancy control purposes <strong>for</strong> calculating the<br />
activity. By solving equation (17) <strong>for</strong> the efficiency is given, equation (18)<br />
= (18)<br />
Where A is the activity, N is the number <strong>of</strong> recorded events, is the efficiency <strong>and</strong> is the probability<br />
<strong>for</strong> decay <strong>for</strong> each emission.<br />
3.4 Regions <strong>of</strong> measurement <strong>and</strong> Energy response<br />
Ion chamber detectors can be used to measure gamma <strong>and</strong> x-ray radiation down<br />
to a few tenths <strong>of</strong> a mSv/h [8]. At lower levels the chamber dimensions needs to be<br />
increased, <strong>for</strong> incased sensitivity. Although the increase would make the chamber<br />
15
too large <strong>for</strong> portable use, there is however other designs <strong>of</strong> ion chambers, like the<br />
pressurized ion chamber <strong>and</strong> liquid ion chamber that can be used at lower radiation<br />
levels where the normal ion chamber will fail to give a reading. To measure the<br />
radiation in the lower regions a GM-tube or scintillation detector can also be used.<br />
A typical photon energy response function is shown in figures (5), which show that<br />
the ion chamber gives a flat response when measuring photon energies between 0.3<br />
to 10 MeV. At low photon energies the response decreases rapidly. GM-tubes <strong>and</strong><br />
scintillation detectors have a significant peak at lower photon energies, but the<br />
response is relatively uni<strong>for</strong>m at higher energies. A uni<strong>for</strong>m response is achieved by<br />
built in energy compensation, e.g. added window material. [8]<br />
Figure (5). The relative response <strong>for</strong> different detectors plotted versus the photon energy. [8]<br />
4. <strong>Calibration</strong> <strong>of</strong> radiation monitoring instruments<br />
Radiation monitors are usually calibrated by using one well known st<strong>and</strong>ard source<br />
with a known energy. If the monitor is used to measure at a different energy, it can<br />
give a significant over- or under estimation <strong>of</strong> the measured radiation. This makes<br />
checking the monitor be<strong>for</strong>e a measurement important, to make sure that the<br />
correct monitor is used.<br />
Small quantities <strong>of</strong> radioactivity that pose an insignificant external radiation hazard<br />
can cause a significant internal radiation hazard. The amount <strong>of</strong> a radioactive<br />
substance, from a contaminated area, that is able to cause internal hazard is<br />
generally lower than a level that would cause an external hazard. Monitors used to<br />
detect contamination then needs to be more sensitive than radiation survey<br />
monitors. The contamination monitors are usually detectors with built in amplifiers<br />
(GM tubes, proportional counters or scintillation tubes). The activity is recorded as<br />
counting rate, <strong>and</strong> the monitor needs to be calibrated <strong>for</strong> the contamination to be<br />
calculated [8].<br />
16
Radiation survey monitors are usually calibrated to measure the ambient dose<br />
equivalent ( ). This makes it easy to check that the limit <strong>of</strong> radiation exposure is not<br />
exceeded when the energy or direction <strong>of</strong> the radiation is unknown [5].<br />
There are two methods commonly used when calibrating radiation monitor<br />
instruments.<br />
• Indirect calibration (intercalibration)<br />
In this method the response from the radiation monitoring instrument under<br />
calibration is compared to the response <strong>of</strong> a reference instrument, see figure (6).<br />
The reference instrument used has to be calibrated against a higher quality<br />
reference instrument [9]. Care should be taken to minimize the scattered<br />
radiation, it can cause problems when detectors have different energy response<br />
[8].<br />
Figure (6). Intercalibration [9]<br />
• Direct calibration<br />
The radiation monitor that is to be calibrated is placed in a known radiation field<br />
from known st<strong>and</strong>ard sources. A schematic setup is presented in figure (7). This is<br />
the method proposed in this thesis.<br />
Figure (7). Direct calibration [9]<br />
There are several important parameters intrinsic to the radiation monitor that has to<br />
be known. The most important that should be thoroughly examined are, sensitivity to<br />
radiation, energy response, rate response <strong>and</strong> temperature response. This is normally<br />
done by the manufacturer be<strong>for</strong>e the monitor is released to the costumer [8]. A<br />
calibration <strong>of</strong> radiation monitors in the true meaning <strong>of</strong> the word is beyond this thesis,<br />
but the calibration can be investigated, see section 2.<br />
17
The radiation monitors sensitivity is the parameter that most likely will change over<br />
time [8]. This makes it the most important parameter to check when per<strong>for</strong>ming a<br />
constancy control. This can be done by measuring the same source in the same way<br />
<strong>and</strong> recording the results. If the measured value deviates significantly from the<br />
expected decrease due to natural decay further investigations could be made.<br />
The reasons <strong>for</strong> a changed response are various, here are a few examples.<br />
- Power problems.<br />
Battery problems or damaged wires<br />
- Electric field problems<br />
The collecting electrodes could have been bent or damaged. This would<br />
alter the electric field.<br />
- Contamination problems<br />
The detector gas could have been contaminated with air from a small<br />
leak. Air (oxygen) is an electronegative gas, <strong>and</strong> could cause problems <strong>for</strong><br />
many detectors if the concentration is high enough. [6]<br />
When the detector has been repaired it should be recalibrated be<strong>for</strong>e being put to<br />
use.<br />
5. Material <strong>and</strong> methods<br />
5.1 Dose rate estimations from point sources<br />
5.1.1 Estimation <strong>of</strong> beta point dose rates <strong>for</strong> calibration <strong>and</strong> constancy control<br />
sources<br />
Estimation <strong>of</strong> the beta point dose rate in air is done to get the conversion factor from<br />
cps to dose rate in air (section 5.4). The beta particles strong dependence <strong>of</strong> air<br />
attenuation on energy makes it hard to find a simple expression <strong>for</strong> the dose rate. No<br />
programs like Microshield <strong>for</strong> beta point source were available. The calculations will<br />
only give an approximate value, <strong>for</strong> methods with higher accuracy see the<br />
discussion section <strong>for</strong> references.<br />
• Estimation by using energy fluence with beta attenuation coefficient<br />
The energy fluence at a distance d from a beta point source can be used to<br />
calculate the dose rate at a point in air, <strong>and</strong> the energy fluence is given by equation<br />
(19)<br />
(19)[3][10]<br />
Where r is the distance from the source to the measurement point, is the mean beta energy (in MeV)<br />
per decay, is the beta energy attenuation coefficient <strong>and</strong> is the areal density<br />
The areal density is given by equation (20)<br />
18
(20)[3]<br />
Where d is the distance from the point source to the dose point <strong>and</strong> is the density <strong>for</strong> NTP air<br />
The beta attenuation coefficient, in air, is given by equation (21)<br />
Where is the maximum beta energy (MeV)<br />
The beta attenuation coefficient, in tissue, is given by equation (22)<br />
Where is the maximum beta energy (MeV)<br />
(21)[3]<br />
(22)[3]<br />
To calculate the dose rate at the measuring point the energy fluence must be<br />
converted into absorbed dose rate in the medium. This is done by multiplying<br />
equation (19) with the beta attenuation coefficient <strong>of</strong> interest. The final expression <strong>for</strong><br />
the dose rate in air at distance d is;<br />
(23)[10]<br />
Where is the energy fluence a distance d from the source <strong>and</strong> is the beta attenuation<br />
coefficient in air<br />
By using the beta attenuation coefficient <strong>for</strong> tissue, the absorbed dose to tissue is<br />
given. An estimation <strong>of</strong> the dose to the skin or organs can then be done by using<br />
equation (24)<br />
(24)[3]<br />
Where is the beta attenuation coefficient, t is is the distance traveled by the radiation in tissue, D is<br />
the dose <strong>of</strong> interest <strong>and</strong> is given by equation (23).<br />
• Estimation by using the beta rate constant<br />
An estimation <strong>of</strong> the dose rate from a beta point source can be given by equation<br />
(25)<br />
(25)[2]<br />
Where d is the distance in meters from the source, A is the source activity(Bq), is the beta rate<br />
constant <strong>and</strong> is a function that compensates <strong>for</strong> the energy loss suffered by the beta particles<br />
traveling the distance d.<br />
is used as a correction function to compensate <strong>for</strong> the energy loss <strong>of</strong> the<br />
beta particles due to interactions along the path, d. is the specific beta rate<br />
19
constant, which depends on the mean beta energy. See [2] <strong>for</strong> values <strong>of</strong> the<br />
expressions <strong>of</strong> the nuclide <strong>of</strong> interest.<br />
5.1.2 Estimation <strong>of</strong> gamma point dose rates <strong>for</strong> calibration <strong>and</strong> constancy control<br />
sources<br />
• Microshield<br />
Microshield is used to calculate the effective dose (E ) (see section 2) <strong>for</strong> an isotropic<br />
geometry at the measurement point <strong>for</strong> the constancy control <strong>and</strong> calibration<br />
sources at the distances <strong>of</strong> interest.<br />
• Approximate value by gamma rate constant<br />
The dose rate from a gamma emitting nuclide can be estimated by equation (26)<br />
(26)[11]<br />
Where d is the distance from the source in meters, A is the source activity, s the gamma rate<br />
constant<br />
5.2 Estimation <strong>of</strong> surface dose rate from waste containers<br />
When measuring waste containers an estimation <strong>of</strong> the surface dose rate can be<br />
useful to know what dose level to expect. The estimation <strong>of</strong> the dose levels were<br />
made with the maximum allowed amount <strong>of</strong> activity, 1 , <strong>of</strong> each nuclide<br />
investigated.<br />
Two different waste containers are used <strong>for</strong> disposal <strong>of</strong> radioactive nuclides at the<br />
University <strong>of</strong> Gothenburg, table (1) list some general properties <strong>for</strong> the containers.<br />
These properties are used <strong>for</strong> the estimations.<br />
Table (1). Properties <strong>for</strong> the two types <strong>of</strong> waste container used at University <strong>of</strong> Gothenburg.<br />
waste<br />
container<br />
length<br />
(cm)<br />
width<br />
(cm)<br />
height<br />
(cm)<br />
volume<br />
( )<br />
mean<br />
weight<br />
(kg)*<br />
density<br />
(g/ )<br />
”large” 35 27 42 39690/38 4 0,1<br />
”small” 25 21 45 23625/22 2 0,085<br />
*the mean weight <strong>of</strong> a sealed waste container filled with radioactive waste.<br />
5.2.1 Estimation <strong>of</strong> surface dose rate from waste containers filled with gamma<br />
emitting nuclides<br />
20
The surface dose rates, in air, from a gamma emitting volume source were<br />
calculated with Microshield. Three different geometries were studied. For waste<br />
containers with homogeneously distributed activity, the geometry shown in figure (8)<br />
is used. The measurement point is placed 1 cm above the center point <strong>of</strong> the top<br />
surface. This is done to better simulate a real measurement situation. For a complete<br />
description on how the source is defined in Microshield, see the appendix.<br />
Figure(8). Geometry 1, homogeneously distributed activity. The measurement point is placed 1 cm<br />
above the surface.<br />
For waste containers where the activity has been concentrated to the bottom half <strong>of</strong><br />
the container <strong>and</strong> the measurement is made at the top, the geometry shown in<br />
figure (9) is used. The absorbing material is set to have the same density as the<br />
volume source, but contains no activity. The thickness <strong>of</strong> the absorber was set to 20<br />
cm <strong>for</strong> both waste containers. The measurement point is placed 1 cm above the<br />
center point <strong>of</strong> the top surface, to better simulate a real measurement situation. For<br />
a complete description on how the source is defined, see the appendix.<br />
21
Figure (9). Geometry 2, inhomogeneous distribution <strong>of</strong> activity. The measurement point is placed 1 cm<br />
above the surface.<br />
For waste containers where most activity has been concentrated to one end, the<br />
geometry shown in figure (10) is used. The thickness <strong>of</strong> the source is set to 10 cm <strong>and</strong><br />
the thickness <strong>of</strong> the absorber is set to 1 cm <strong>for</strong> both waste containers. This geometry<br />
should estimate the higher end <strong>of</strong> the spectrum <strong>of</strong> possible dose rates. The<br />
measurement point is placed 1 cm above the center point <strong>of</strong> the top surface. For a<br />
complete description on how the source is defined, see the appendix.<br />
Figure (10). Geometry 3, concentrated distribution <strong>of</strong> activity. The measurement point is placed 1 cm<br />
above the surface.<br />
5.2.2 Estimation <strong>of</strong> surface dose rate from waste containers filled with beta emitting<br />
nuclides<br />
The estimation <strong>of</strong> the surface dose rate is done by calculating the dose rate by<br />
h<strong>and</strong>, no programs like Microshield <strong>for</strong> beta volume emitters were available.<br />
For an infinitely thick volume source (source thickness beta particle range), the rate<br />
<strong>of</strong> energy absorption is equal to the energy emission <strong>for</strong> a point in the volume. This<br />
constitutes an equilibrium called ESE (energy spatial equilibrium). The dose rate inside<br />
the volume, figure (11), when conditions <strong>for</strong> ESE apply is given by equation (27).<br />
(27)[3]<br />
Where is the concentration <strong>of</strong> the beta emitting nuclide, tps is trans<strong>for</strong>mations per second, <strong>and</strong> is<br />
the mean energy (MeV) per beta particle<br />
22
Figure(11). The dose rate <strong>for</strong> the measurement point inside the volume under ESE conditions.<br />
Which can be reduced to equation (28)<br />
Where is the concentration <strong>of</strong> the beta emitting nuclide <strong>and</strong> is the mean energy per beta particle<br />
At the surface <strong>of</strong> such a volume source the energy absorption rate will be<br />
approximately half <strong>of</strong> what it is at a point within the volume, since source material will<br />
be present only on one side <strong>of</strong> the dose point, figure (12). Using equation (28), the<br />
surface dose rate can be written as;<br />
(28)<br />
= (29)[3]<br />
Where is the concentration <strong>of</strong> the beta emitting nuclide <strong>and</strong> is the mean energy per beta particle<br />
Figure (12). The surface dose rate at the measurement point from a beta emitting volume source<br />
If the volume source emits beta radiation with different energies or if the source is<br />
made up <strong>of</strong> multiple nuclides, equation (29) can be rewritten as;<br />
Where is the number <strong>of</strong> beta particles per decay with<br />
(30)[3]<br />
Equation (29) or (30) will estimate the beta dose rate at the surface <strong>of</strong> the volume<br />
source. The surface dose rates <strong>for</strong> different nuclides were calculated <strong>for</strong> the large<br />
waste container, since the larger waste container better fulfills the conditions <strong>for</strong> ESE.<br />
23
The bremsstrahlung produced when the beta particles interact in the volume source<br />
could be included. The fraction <strong>of</strong> beta energy converted into bremsstrahlung is<br />
given by equation (31)<br />
(31)[3]<br />
Where is the effective atomic number <strong>of</strong> the source <strong>and</strong> is the maximum energy in MeV <strong>of</strong> the<br />
beta radiation<br />
Bremsstrahlung is mostly <strong>of</strong> interest <strong>for</strong> the very low energy emitting nuclides, H-3 C-<br />
14, where the beta dose rate will be hard to measure due to the short range <strong>of</strong> the<br />
particles. The dose rate measured is primarily from bremsstrahlung contribution.<br />
Estimations <strong>of</strong> bresmsstrahlung<br />
- Approximate expression<br />
The bremsstrahlung is set to be emitted from a virtual point in the middle <strong>of</strong> the<br />
source at a distance r <strong>for</strong>m the dose point. The dose rate in air, given the<br />
conditions above, is given by equation (32)<br />
(32)[3]<br />
Where is the effective atomic number <strong>of</strong> the source, is the maximum energy <strong>of</strong> the beta<br />
radiation, is the linear attenuation coefficient <strong>and</strong> r is the distance from the virtual emission point<br />
to the dose point.<br />
- Microshield<br />
A gamma emitting source, defined according to figure (8) <strong>and</strong> equation (31),<br />
with the photon energy as the maximum energy <strong>of</strong> the beta particles could give<br />
an upper estimation <strong>of</strong> the gamma dose rate.<br />
The result from equations (32) or Microshield can be combined with the beta dose<br />
rate to give the total surface dose.<br />
5.3 General measurement steps used to measure constancy control <strong>and</strong> calibration<br />
sources<br />
1. Investigate the detector <strong>for</strong> any sign <strong>of</strong> damage, to wires or to the detector<br />
itself.<br />
Check the status <strong>of</strong> the battery or power supply. If the battery level is low most<br />
monitors will not work, or if measurements are made it will give an incorrect<br />
reading. Most instruments have a built in warning system to avoid this. Refer to<br />
the instruments manual.<br />
24
Check the monitor <strong>for</strong> a reference measurement marking, this marking should<br />
be placed facing the source at every calibration or constancy control<br />
measurement.<br />
Clear the immediate surrounding area <strong>of</strong> unnecessary objects, to reduce<br />
contribution from scattered radiation.<br />
2 Place the detector in a jig or use some other sort <strong>of</strong> fixation at the chosen<br />
calibration distances from the source, see figure (13). This is done to keep the<br />
distance as constant as possible, <strong>and</strong> make repeated measurements easy to<br />
per<strong>for</strong>m.<br />
The fixation shown on the left side <strong>of</strong> figure (13) should not be placed in a way<br />
that interferes with the radiation from the source.<br />
The fixation can, <strong>for</strong> example, be made up <strong>of</strong> a thin plastic tube. It is important<br />
that the same fixation tool is used, or that the distance is the same, when<br />
per<strong>for</strong>ming future measurements.<br />
Figure (13). The measuring setup during calibration <strong>and</strong> const. control.<br />
The distances used, <strong>for</strong> the sources, are given in table (2)<br />
3 Measure the background radiation without the source present. If the count<br />
rate is higher than normal, it can indicate that the monitor or the surrounding<br />
25
area is contaminated. The background radiation level should be recorded, <strong>for</strong><br />
future references.<br />
4 Per<strong>for</strong>m a measurement with the source properly in place. Wait at least ten<br />
seconds be<strong>for</strong>e recording the value, some detectors might respond slowly to<br />
the radiation.<br />
The results from step 4 can be recorded in a spread sheet program (see the<br />
appendix), that also can be used to evaluate the result <strong>and</strong> be used <strong>for</strong> future<br />
references.<br />
5.4. <strong>Calibration</strong> method <strong>of</strong> radiation monitor instruments measuring counting rate<br />
As mentioned in chapter 4, the manufacturer has per<strong>for</strong>med an extensive<br />
investigation <strong>of</strong> the instrument. The instruments sensitivity, energy response, rate<br />
response <strong>and</strong> sensitivity to temperature variations has usually been examined. The<br />
user is usually referred to the instrument manual <strong>for</strong> any in<strong>for</strong>mation <strong>of</strong> interest.<br />
There are two types <strong>of</strong> calibrations that can be per<strong>for</strong>med <strong>for</strong> the monitors<br />
measuring cps.<br />
-efficiency calibration<br />
The efficiency calibration is done to calculate the activity <strong>of</strong> the point source that is<br />
indicated as counting rate on the monitor. The calibration can be done by following<br />
the general measurement steps <strong>and</strong> recording the result from step 4. Using Equation<br />
(18), with the corrected count rate, gives the efficiency <strong>for</strong> the nuclide measured.<br />
With known efficiency the activity <strong>of</strong> the measured radiation can be calculated with<br />
equation (18). If multiple calibration sources are available the efficiency over a wider<br />
energy spectrum can be investigated by repeating the steps 1 to 4 <strong>for</strong> each<br />
calibration source.<br />
- Estimation <strong>of</strong> the conversion from cps to dose rate in air<br />
A calibration concerning the conversion <strong>of</strong> counting rate to dose rate in air is done<br />
by following the same general measurement steps. The counting rate given in step 4<br />
can be related to the calculated dose rate in air, at the measurement point <strong>for</strong> the<br />
source. The dose rate at the calibration point is given in table (2).<br />
5.5 <strong>Constancy</strong> control method <strong>of</strong> radiation monitor instruments measuring counting<br />
rate<br />
When per<strong>for</strong>ming the constancy controls, the measuring setup should be as close to<br />
identical as possible. The source is measured by following the general measurement<br />
steps.<br />
26
If preferred, just the counting rate could be recorded. The results from the following<br />
constancy control measurements are compared with the result from the first<br />
measurement by compensating <strong>for</strong> the decay <strong>of</strong> the source, see the appendix. The<br />
results can determine if the monitor has changed its response compared to the<br />
previous constancy control measurements.<br />
5.6 <strong>Calibration</strong> method <strong>of</strong> radiation monitoring instruments measuring dose rate<br />
An investigation <strong>of</strong> the calibration <strong>of</strong> instruments measuring ambient dose equivalent<br />
(H*) or personal dose equivalent ( ) can be done by following the general<br />
measurement steps <strong>and</strong> comparing the measured value with the calculated value<br />
<strong>for</strong> effective dose rate (E) at the measurement point, see table (2).<br />
The indicated value should be higher than the calculated value <strong>for</strong> a correctly<br />
calibrated monitor, see section 2.<br />
5.7 <strong>Constancy</strong> control <strong>of</strong> radiation monitoring instruments measuring dose rate<br />
The source is measured by following the general measurement steps. The result from<br />
the first constancy control is recorded. For following constancy controls, the result<br />
can be related to the value <strong>of</strong> the first constancy control by compensating <strong>for</strong> the<br />
decay <strong>of</strong> the source. The results can determine if the monitor has changed its<br />
response compared to the previous constancy control measurements.<br />
5.8 <strong>Calibration</strong> <strong>and</strong> constancy control sources<br />
IAEA recommend that both point <strong>and</strong> surface sources are available <strong>for</strong> monitor<br />
calibrations since they make up the extremes <strong>of</strong> the measuring geometry [9], this<br />
thesis only deals with point sources.<br />
The sources used <strong>for</strong> calibration have to be chosen carefully. The nuclide should<br />
decay in as few ways as possible, to make the measurement situation during the<br />
calibration as accurate as possible. The constancy control nuclides should have a<br />
long half-life, to make the constancy control valid over a long period <strong>of</strong> time. For<br />
convenience a single nuclide per monitor should be used.<br />
The calibration <strong>and</strong> constancy control sources chosen are presented in table (2). All<br />
sources have a relatively long half life <strong>and</strong> have a well known decay, see the<br />
appendix.<br />
Table(2). The constancy control sources, their activity <strong>and</strong> dose rate at the measuring point.<br />
nuclide activity measurement<br />
distances<br />
E ** D<br />
, 176 kBq 5 cm & 10 cm 3 µSv/h (5 cm) 4.4 µGy/h (5 cm)<br />
#1 (2008-06-<br />
01)<br />
0.83 µSv/h (10 cm) 1.2 µGy/h (10<br />
cm)<br />
nuclide activity measurement<br />
distance<br />
E ** D<br />
27
,<br />
#2<br />
183 MBq<br />
(2008-06-<br />
01)<br />
10 cm 0.87 mSv/h (10 cm) 1.26 mGy/h (10<br />
cm)<br />
Nuclide activity measurement<br />
distances<br />
D<br />
211 kBq/ml 5 cm & 10 cm No source<br />
#3 (2008-05-<br />
23)<br />
nuclide activity measurement<br />
distance<br />
D<br />
#4<br />
37 kBq/ml 1 cm No source<br />
*The source is a source shielded <strong>for</strong> beta contribution, see section 5. **Calculated value<br />
using Microshield, 1 mm pmma slab is placed over the source to remove the beta particle contribution.<br />
5.5.3 Construction <strong>of</strong> calibration <strong>and</strong> constancy control sources<br />
A point source <strong>for</strong> <strong>and</strong> has to be constructed. The sources have to be<br />
contained in a proper way to avoid unnecessary contamination <strong>of</strong> the environment<br />
or the detector itself.<br />
The sources should also be constructed to make sure that the dose level outside the<br />
container does not pose an unnecessary external radiation hazard.<br />
The source has to be unshielded under measurement. Any seal would remove<br />
the beta particles <strong>and</strong> avoid detection in the instrument. The base <strong>of</strong> the source<br />
should be constructed in aluminum to avoid the possibility that built up static<br />
electricity, generated in e.g. plastics, would be able to <strong>for</strong>ce the molecules to<br />
spread out <strong>and</strong> cause contamination. Aluminum has a low atomic number; this gives<br />
a low bremsstrahlung contribution.<br />
The base <strong>of</strong> the constructed point sources is presented in figure (14)<br />
Figure (14). The base <strong>of</strong> the source. x <strong>and</strong> y is the width, z is the thickness, d is the diameter <strong>and</strong> h is the<br />
depth <strong>of</strong> the hole.<br />
The dimensions <strong>and</strong> material <strong>for</strong> the different sources are presented in table (3)<br />
Table (3). The material <strong>and</strong> dimensions <strong>for</strong> the bases <strong>for</strong> the point sources that was considered.<br />
28
material nuclide x (cm) y (cm) z (cm) d (cm) h (cm) containment<br />
aluminium 5 5 1-2 0.4 0.4 1 mm PMMA<br />
aluminium<br />
5 5 1 0.4 0.4 N/A<br />
The nuclides <strong>of</strong> <strong>and</strong> are in liquid solutions. An appropriate amount <strong>of</strong> the<br />
solutions were placed in the base <strong>of</strong> the aluminum slab <strong>and</strong> left to dry, resulting in the<br />
final activity seen in table (2). The h<strong>and</strong>ling <strong>of</strong> the solutions was done under a closed<br />
hood.<br />
6. Results<br />
6.1 Dose levels around waste containers<br />
6.1.1 Surface dose rates from gamma emitting nuclides<br />
The results from the estimation made with Microshield are presented in table (4) <strong>and</strong><br />
table (5) . Table (4) shows the estimations <strong>for</strong> the smaller waste container <strong>and</strong> table<br />
(5) shows the estimations <strong>for</strong> the lager waste container.<br />
Table(4). The surface dose rates from the three different geometries estimated by Microshield <strong>for</strong> the<br />
small waste container.<br />
Small waste container<br />
Nuclide ( ) Geometry 1 Geometry 2 Geometry 3<br />
(µGy/h)<br />
(µGy/h)<br />
(µGy/h)<br />
206 21 277<br />
with buildup 220 28 297<br />
17 1.6 24<br />
with buildup 19 2.8 27<br />
9.7 2.3 24.7<br />
with buildup 10 2.6 25.3<br />
82 11 203<br />
with buildup 95 17 231<br />
0.59 1.4<br />
with buildup 0.67 1.7<br />
1.8 0.4 4.9<br />
with buildup 2 0.5 5.2<br />
11 2.3 29<br />
with buildup 12 2.6 31<br />
with buildup<br />
29
Table(5).The surface dose rates from the three different geometries estimated by Microshield <strong>for</strong> the<br />
large waste container.<br />
Large waste container<br />
Nuclide ( ) Geometry 1 Geometry 2 Geometry 3<br />
(µGy/h)<br />
(µGy/h)<br />
(µGy/h)<br />
133 19.7 191<br />
with buildup 146 27.5 210<br />
11 1.5 19.5<br />
with buildup 13 2.8 23<br />
8.9 2.4 21<br />
with buildup 9.4 2.7 21.6<br />
67 11 157<br />
with buildup 80 18 183<br />
0.34 0.75<br />
with buildup 0.39 0.91<br />
1.4 0.35 3.4<br />
with buildup 1.6 0.65 3.6<br />
8.7 2.2 20<br />
with buildup 9.4 2.7 22<br />
with buildup<br />
The results show that the smaller container has a higher surface dose rate <strong>for</strong> all<br />
nuclides, that the surface dose rate <strong>for</strong> <strong>for</strong> geometry 2 <strong>for</strong> both waste containers<br />
are well below the legal limit (5 µGy/h) <strong>and</strong> that the surface dose rate <strong>for</strong> e.g. is<br />
significantly above the legal limit.<br />
Table (6) shows the results <strong>for</strong> the large waste container if the density is reduced by<br />
half.<br />
Table(6). The large waste container with half the density, results are shown <strong>for</strong> geometry 1.<br />
Large waste container<br />
Nuclide (ALImin) Geometry 1<br />
(µGy/h)<br />
9.2<br />
with buildup 9.4<br />
1.5<br />
with buildup 1.6<br />
30
As seen in table (6), the dose rate <strong>for</strong><br />
rate in table (5).<br />
<strong>and</strong> is almost identical with the dose<br />
6.1.2 Surface dose rates from beta emitting nuclides<br />
Table (7) shows the beta surface dose rates calculated <strong>for</strong> the large waste<br />
container, with the activity <strong>of</strong> 1 ALImin.<br />
Table(7). The concentration, mean energy <strong>and</strong> surface dose rates <strong>for</strong> beta emitting nuclides in the large<br />
waste container<br />
Nuclide<br />
*** *<br />
1338<br />
* Calculated using equation (32). **The sum <strong>of</strong> the two dominating beta energies. *** see [11]<br />
Table (7) shows that the surface dose rate from the beta emitting nuclides is above<br />
the limit <strong>of</strong> 5 µGy/h <strong>for</strong> all nuclides except . The daughter nuclide <strong>of</strong> is<br />
however .<br />
If the mass <strong>of</strong> the waste container change, the change in dose rate will be linear<br />
(equation (30)). Due to all parameter are constant, but . A reduction in mass by<br />
50% will lead to an increase <strong>of</strong> by a factor two.<br />
If the mass is 2 kg <strong>for</strong> the large container, the ESE conditions are just met <strong>for</strong> the high<br />
energetic , see equation (3). Which gives a range <strong>of</strong> approximately 20 cm in the<br />
container.<br />
Equation (31) gives f as 0.0032 <strong>for</strong> C-14 using the effective atomic weight <strong>of</strong> 7<br />
(approximately air). The contributions from bremsstralung is low.<br />
330<br />
410<br />
595<br />
320<br />
1.3<br />
1090<br />
0.18** 52<br />
31
Instrument<br />
number<br />
6.2 <strong>Calibration</strong> <strong>and</strong> constancy control<br />
Table (8) shows the result <strong>for</strong> the instruments measuring the ambient dose equivalent<br />
using the general measurement steps with source #1.<br />
Table (8).The results from the instruments measuring the ambient dose equivalent<br />
Department Instrument<br />
type<br />
H* instruments measured with source #1.<br />
Background<br />
[µSv/h]<br />
Measured<br />
H*(10) [µSv/h]<br />
(5 cm/10 cm)<br />
Calculated<br />
E [µSv/h]<br />
(5 cm/10<br />
cm)<br />
dose error<br />
(intrinsic<br />
error)<br />
1 MFT** RNI 10/SR<br />
Intesimeter<br />
0.10 3.25/1.25 3/0.83 20% [16]<br />
2 MFT** Smart Ion 2.5 Not<br />
Not Not<br />
considered*** considered considered<br />
3 Dep. Of RNI 10/SR 0.20 3.55/1.75 3/0.83 20% [16]<br />
radiation Intesimeter,<br />
physics S/N 59855<br />
4 Dep. Of RNI 10/SR 0.21 3.69/1.55 3/0.83 20% [16]<br />
radiation Intesimeter,<br />
physics S/N 59857<br />
5 Dep. Of<br />
radiation<br />
physics<br />
SRV-2000 0.15 3.34/1.52 3/0.83 20% [16]<br />
6 Dep. Of Canberra 0.20 3.96/* 3/0.83 15% [16]<br />
radiation Radiagem<br />
physics SAC 100<br />
.*The lowest recommended dose rate <strong>for</strong> measurement was 3 uSv/h, the distance 10 cm was there<strong>for</strong>e<br />
not considered. **Dep. Of Medical physics <strong>and</strong> biomedical engineering Sahlgrenska University Hospital<br />
*** due to the high background radiation value measured. c the uncertainty in positioning is also<br />
considered (estimated to 10% <strong>for</strong> 5 cm <strong>and</strong> 7% <strong>for</strong> 10 cm)<br />
The results from table (8) show that all instruments, except instrument #2, measures a<br />
dose rate higher than the calculated effective dose at the measurement point,<br />
taking the statistical factors in mind. The instrument #2 measured a significantly high<br />
dose rate, <strong>and</strong> was there<strong>for</strong>e not considered.<br />
Table (9) shows the results <strong>for</strong> the instruments measuring counting rate using the<br />
general measurement steps with source #1.<br />
32
Table (9). The results <strong>for</strong> the instruments measuring cps.<br />
Counting rate instruments measured with source #1.<br />
Department Instrument type Background<br />
(cps)<br />
cps<br />
(5cm/10cm)<br />
ε*<br />
(5cm)<br />
Dair/cps<br />
(5 cm)<br />
[µGy/h<br />
cps]<br />
MFT** Berthold LB 1210 B 9 cps 510/260 0.0033 0.0087<br />
Dep. Of<br />
radiation<br />
physics<br />
Miniseries 900, 44B 20 cps 500/210 0.0032 0.0092<br />
Dep. Of Exploranium Gr- 320 2450/1419 0.014 0.0021<br />
radiation<br />
physics<br />
100 G NaI<br />
*calculated with equation (19) **Dep. Of Medical physics <strong>and</strong> biomedical engineering Sahlgrenska<br />
University Hospital<br />
The result from table (9) show that the instruments are relatively insensitive to the<br />
point source, the instrument Berthold LB 1210 B <strong>and</strong> Miniseries 900 with probe 15EL<br />
should be re-measured with the beta source #3 when available.<br />
Table (10) shows the result <strong>for</strong> the instruments measuring the ambient dose<br />
equivalent using the general measurement steps with source #2.<br />
Instrument<br />
number<br />
Table (10).The results from the instruments measuring the ambient dose equivalent.<br />
Department Instrument<br />
type<br />
1 Dep. Of<br />
radiation<br />
physics<br />
2 Dep. Of<br />
radiation<br />
physics<br />
3 Dep. Of<br />
radiation<br />
physics<br />
4 Dep. Of<br />
radiation<br />
physics<br />
H* instruments measured with source #2.<br />
RNI 10/SR<br />
Intesimeter,<br />
S/N 59855<br />
RNI 10/SR<br />
Intesimeter,<br />
S/N 59857<br />
Background<br />
[µSv/h]<br />
Measured<br />
H*(10)<br />
[mSv/h]<br />
(10 cm)<br />
Calculated<br />
E [mSv/h]<br />
(10 cm)<br />
dose<br />
error<br />
(intrinsic<br />
error) c<br />
0.21 1.22 0.87 20%<br />
[16]<br />
0.26 1.16 0.87 20%<br />
[16]<br />
SRV-2000 0.17 1.34 0.87 20%<br />
[16]<br />
Canberra<br />
Radiagem<br />
SAC 100<br />
0.22 1.41 0.87 15%<br />
[16]<br />
The results from table (10) shows that all the instruments indicated a measured dose<br />
rate that is higher than the calculated effective dose rate.<br />
Table (11) shows the results <strong>for</strong> the instruments measuring cps with source #2. The<br />
source was too strong <strong>for</strong> all instruments, <strong>and</strong> not considered <strong>for</strong> the Miniseries 900,<br />
15EL instrument.<br />
33
Table (11). The results <strong>for</strong> the instruments measuring cps.<br />
Counting rate instruments measured with source #2.<br />
Department Instrument type Background cps<br />
(cps) (10cm)<br />
Dep. Of<br />
radiation<br />
physics<br />
Miniseries 900, 44B 25 cps overload<br />
Dep. Of Miniseries 900, 3 cps -<br />
radiation<br />
physics<br />
15EL<br />
Dep. Of Exploranium Gr- 320 overload<br />
radiation<br />
physics<br />
100 G NaI<br />
Result from table (8) can be summated into figure (15) <strong>for</strong> the instruments measuring<br />
the ambient dose equivalent with source #1 at 5 cm<br />
Figure (15). The measured ambient dose equivalent <strong>for</strong> source #1 at 5 cm<br />
Results from table (8) can be summarized into figure (16) <strong>for</strong> the instruments<br />
measuring the ambient dose equivalent with source #1 at 10 cm<br />
34
Figure (16).The measured ambient dose equivalent <strong>for</strong> source #1 at 10 cm<br />
Result from table (10) can be summarized into figure (17) <strong>for</strong> the instruments<br />
measuring the ambient dose equivalent with source #2 at 10 cm<br />
7. Discussion<br />
Figure (17).The measured ambient dose equivalent <strong>for</strong> source #2 at 10 cm<br />
The investigated instruments that measure the ambient dose equivalent could not<br />
be said to give a reading that is lower than the calculated effective dose, taking<br />
35
statistical factors in mind. This is an important result as it means that they will not<br />
underestimate the effective dose that is related to the risk <strong>of</strong> the exposure.<br />
To better be able to evaluate the monitors measuring the ambient dose equivalent,<br />
a calibrated monitor (with traceable calibration) <strong>for</strong> one or several energies <strong>of</strong><br />
interest should be used. The evaluation is then done by the method <strong>of</strong> indirect<br />
calibration, <strong>and</strong> the calibrated monitor is used as a reference. References [9] <strong>and</strong> [8]<br />
discussed this method, <strong>and</strong> it is the recommended method if several detectors are<br />
supposed to be investigated. Care should be taken to reduce the scattered<br />
radiation if the monitors have different energy response. Another way is to order<br />
calibration nuclides that have the specified dose rate <strong>of</strong> interest given in a<br />
calibration certificate.<br />
The results from the measured instruments, Figure (15), with source #1 at 5 cm show<br />
that the deviations are quite high. If the instruments are to be controlled with the<br />
source, the distance <strong>of</strong> 10 cm is recommended, figure (16). A jig is also<br />
recommended, <strong>for</strong> complete fixation during the measurement time.<br />
The result from source #2, figure (17), gave a very stable read out <strong>for</strong> each <strong>of</strong> the<br />
instruments measured. However the activity <strong>of</strong> the source is quite high <strong>and</strong> gives an<br />
unnecessary exposure to the worker <strong>for</strong> a simple constancy control, <strong>and</strong> it needs to<br />
be h<strong>and</strong>led carefully.<br />
Un<strong>for</strong>tunately either source #1 or #2 is an ideal constancy control source. A more<br />
appropriate constancy <strong>and</strong> control source would be a Cs-137 source with about 10<br />
to 20 times the activity <strong>of</strong> source #1. The effective dose from the new source could<br />
be calculated with Microshield, <strong>and</strong> the instruments could be re-measured with the<br />
new source by following the general measurement steps.<br />
The instruments measuring counting rate was too insensitive to source #1 (except<br />
Exploranium Gr-100 G NaI) <strong>and</strong> too sensitive <strong>for</strong> source #2, the ideal source could be<br />
the one mentioned above. There is not enough data to draw any conclusions <strong>for</strong> the<br />
conversion factors from cps to dose rate in air.<br />
The beta source that would be used <strong>for</strong> most instruments measuring cps, <strong>and</strong> surface<br />
contamination, is un<strong>for</strong>tunately still in the making. The response <strong>for</strong> the beta source<br />
should be better, since it is easier <strong>for</strong> most gas based monitors to detect the<br />
radiation. To get a calibration <strong>for</strong> Bq/cm 3 the contamination measuring instruments<br />
have to be calibrated with a volume source.<br />
The equations used in this thesis just give an estimation <strong>of</strong> the beta dose rate in air. To<br />
better estimate the dose rates the ICRU report 56 [15] should be consulted.<br />
The surface dose rate <strong>for</strong> the small waste container is higher than the large<br />
container, due to the higher concentration <strong>of</strong> nuclides per unit mass.<br />
The waste container geometry 3 should give a good estimation <strong>of</strong> the possible high<br />
region doses, <strong>and</strong> the geometry 2 should give a good estimation <strong>of</strong> a low region <strong>of</strong><br />
36
possible doses. Many calculated values are above the legal limit, it can easily be<br />
reduced just by waiting <strong>for</strong> the nuclide to decay if it has a short half life. Another<br />
way is to repackage the container into a larger container <strong>for</strong> added attenuation. A<br />
split <strong>of</strong> one waste container into two separate would also reduce the dose rate by<br />
half, given a uni<strong>for</strong>m distribution.<br />
The dose rates could also be calculated with a measurement point placed on the<br />
side on one waste container, the top point was chosen <strong>for</strong> convenience <strong>and</strong> to<br />
simulate three possible types <strong>of</strong> distributions.<br />
The surface dose rates from the beta emitting nuclides is just a theoretical value, <strong>and</strong><br />
will differ significantly from the measured value <strong>for</strong> the most low energetic beta<br />
radiation (especially H-3). H-3 has an extremely short range <strong>and</strong> cannot be<br />
measured with detectors like GM-tubes or proportional counters. Even C-14 will be<br />
hard to measure; most <strong>of</strong> the signal could be a result from the low bremsstrahlung<br />
contribution.<br />
37
References<br />
[1] Joniser<strong>and</strong>e strålningens växelverkan med material, Lars Hallstadius & Sven<br />
Hertzman, radi<strong>of</strong>ysiska inst., Lund, 1983 [in Swedish]<br />
[2] The Physics <strong>of</strong> radiation protection, B Dörschel et.al, Nuclear Technology<br />
Publishing, 1996<br />
[3] Introduction to health physics, Herman Cember, Mc Graw-Hill, Third edition, 1996<br />
[4] Introduction to radiological physics <strong>and</strong> radiation dosimetry, Frank Herbert Attix,<br />
Wiley, 2004<br />
[5] Dosbestämning I strålskyddsarbete, Lennart Lindborg, SSI, Strålskyddsnytt nr 4, 1998<br />
[in Swedish]<br />
[6] Radiation detection <strong>and</strong> measurement, Glenn F Knoll, Wiley, Third edition, 1999<br />
[7] Grundlägg<strong>and</strong>e strålningsfysik, Mats Isaksson, Studentlitteratur, 2002 [in Swedish]<br />
[8] An introduction to radiation protection, Alan Martin & Sam Harbison, Hoder<br />
Arnold, Fifth edition, 2006<br />
[9] IAEA Safety report series no 16, <strong>Calibration</strong> <strong>of</strong> radiation protection monitoring<br />
instruments, 2000<br />
[10] Health Physics Society, especially<br />
http://www.hps.org/publicin<strong>for</strong>mation/ate/q3896.pdf, visited in 050508<br />
[11] Strålskydd, Curt Bergman et.al., natur och kultur, 1988 [in Swedish]<br />
[12] SSI FS 2000:7, Statens strålskyddsinstituts föreskrifter om laboratorieverksamhet<br />
med radioaktiva ämnen i <strong>for</strong>m av öppna strålkällor, SSI, 2000 [in Swedish]<br />
[13] SSI FS 1983:7, Statens strålskyddsinstituts föreskrifter m.m. om icke<br />
kärnenergianknutet radioaktivt avfall, SSI, 1983 [in Swedish]<br />
[14] ICRP 30, Limits <strong>for</strong> the Intake <strong>of</strong> Radionuclides by Workers, ICRP, 1978<br />
[15] ICRU 56, Dosimetry <strong>of</strong> External Beta Rays <strong>for</strong> Radiation Protection, ICRU, 1997<br />
[16] Inventory <strong>of</strong> Radiation Monitors at Göteborg University <strong>and</strong> development <strong>of</strong><br />
control <strong>and</strong> calibration protocol, Elen Monsen, Master Thesis, Department <strong>of</strong><br />
radiation physics, University <strong>of</strong> Gothenburg, 2007<br />
[17] Radiation safety manual, <strong>of</strong>fice <strong>of</strong> radiation, chemical <strong>and</strong> biological safety,<br />
Michigan state university, 1996<br />
[18] The Lund/LBNL Nuclear Data Search,<br />
http://nucleardata.nuclear.lu.se/nucleardata/toi/, visited in 051408<br />
38
Nuclides used at University <strong>of</strong> Gothenburg (see [11] [17] [18])<br />
Halflife 12.3 y ALImin 3000 MBq<br />
Radio toxicity D<br />
General properties<br />
decays to by emission <strong>of</strong> beta particles. The beta particles have a<br />
maximum energy <strong>of</strong> 18.6 keV <strong>and</strong> an average energy <strong>of</strong> 5.7 keV. The beta particles<br />
from has a short range, approximately 6 mm in air <strong>and</strong> 6 µm in tissue. The<br />
external dose contribution from bremsstrahlung is negligible.<br />
Detection <strong>and</strong> measurement<br />
Portable detectors like GM-tubes or NaI-detectors will not detect , due to the low<br />
energy <strong>of</strong> the beta particles. The particles cannot penetrate the entrance window<br />
<strong>of</strong> the detector. Wipes should be taken over the area <strong>of</strong> interest <strong>and</strong> measured in a<br />
liquid scintillation detector. Measurement <strong>of</strong> airborne activity can be per<strong>for</strong>med<br />
when dealing with high activity levels. The airborne activity can be measured using<br />
monitors where the air is filtered through water, <strong>and</strong> the activity in the water is<br />
measured.<br />
Radiation protection<br />
The beta particles can not penetrate the dead layer <strong>of</strong> the skin or be measured<br />
with TLD or film dosimeters, due to the short range. Thus a radiation monitoring<br />
dosimeter will not give a reading. can be hazardous if it enters the body,<br />
causing internal contamination. Many solutions marked with evaporates, this<br />
causes airborne activity <strong>and</strong> a risk to the lungs when inhaling. distributes itself<br />
evenly upon entry in the body. The critical organs are body water or tissue.<br />
The beta dose rate, from a 37 MBq point source at 2.5 mm, is 103 Gy/h. At 5 mm the<br />
dose rate has reduced to 0,3 Gy/h.<br />
39
Halflife 5730 y ALImin 97 MBq<br />
Radio toxicity C<br />
General properties<br />
decay to by emission <strong>of</strong> beta particles. The beta particles have a maximum<br />
energy <strong>of</strong> 156 keV <strong>and</strong> an average energy <strong>of</strong> 49 keV. The range from the beta<br />
particles is approximately 24 cm in air <strong>and</strong> 0,3 mm in tissue. The photon contribution<br />
from bremsstrahlung is negligible<br />
Detection <strong>and</strong> measurement<br />
Measurement can be done with a GM-tube fitted with a thin entrance window, the<br />
measurement must be per<strong>for</strong>med at close range, ca 1 cm. Wipes taken from the<br />
area <strong>of</strong> interest can be measured in a liquid scintillation detector.<br />
Radiation protection<br />
Due to the short range <strong>of</strong> the beta particles, radiation monitoring dosimeters will not<br />
give a reading <strong>and</strong> 1% <strong>of</strong> the beta particles can penetrate the dead layer <strong>of</strong> the<br />
skin. is not significantly volatile at room temperature. is hazardous if it enters<br />
the body causing internal contamination. Inhalation <strong>of</strong> airborne activity or<br />
absorption through the skin is a large risk. The critical organs are fat tissue or bone. In<br />
dealing with activity levels (above 40 MBq) should be h<strong>and</strong>led under a closed<br />
hood. Checking <strong>for</strong> contamination is important. With its long half-life, it can cause a<br />
waste management problem.<br />
The beta dose rate, from a 37 MBq point source at 1 cm, is 12,4 Gy/h. At 2 cm the<br />
dose rate has reduced to 2,5 Gy/h.<br />
40
Halflife 14.3 d ALImin 10 MBq<br />
Radio toxicity C<br />
General properties<br />
decay to by emission <strong>of</strong> beta particles. The beta particles have a maximum<br />
energy <strong>of</strong> 1,709 MeV <strong>and</strong> an average energy <strong>of</strong> 0.690 MeV. The range from the<br />
beta particles is approximately 6 m in air <strong>and</strong> 8 mm in tissue. gives an external<br />
exposure due to photon contribution from bremsstrahlung, with a HVL value <strong>of</strong> 2<br />
mm in tissue.<br />
Detection <strong>and</strong> measurement<br />
The preferred detector is a GM-tube with a thin entrance window or pancake<br />
probe. NaI-detectors can be used to detect bremsstrahlung photons. Wipes from<br />
the area <strong>of</strong> interest can be measured in a liquid scintillation detector to detect<br />
removable surface contamination.<br />
Radiation protection<br />
gives both an external <strong>and</strong> internal dose. Radiation monitoring dosimeters<br />
should be worn when h<strong>and</strong>ling . As well as h<strong>and</strong> dosimeters. Eyes <strong>and</strong> skin are at<br />
risk when exposed to the external radiation. Shielding should always be used <strong>and</strong><br />
protective glass should be worn to prohibit exposure to the eyes. Distance tools<br />
should be used when opening voiles, to reduce skin doses. If enters the body,<br />
causing internal contamination, the critical organs are bone (<strong>for</strong> soluble <strong>for</strong>ms), lung<br />
& GI tract (<strong>for</strong> insoluble <strong>for</strong>m) when inhaling or ingesting the nuclide.<br />
When dealing with large activities, above 400 MBq, a TLD dosimeter should be worn<br />
inside the protective glove <strong>and</strong> urine samples should be collected. An intake <strong>of</strong> 8<br />
MBq gives a dose <strong>of</strong> 50 mSv in a year.<br />
The dose rate, from a MBq point source at 1 cm is 3.48 Gy/h. At 15 cm the dose<br />
rate has reduced to 0,01 Gy/h.<br />
Halflife 87,4 d ALImin 80 MBq<br />
Radio toxicity C<br />
General properties<br />
decay by emission <strong>of</strong> beta particles. The beta particles have a maximum energy<br />
<strong>of</strong> 167 keV <strong>and</strong> an average energy <strong>of</strong> 53 keV. The range from the beta particles is<br />
approximately 26 cm in air <strong>and</strong> 0.3 mm in tissue. gives a small external exposure<br />
due to bremsstrahlung contribution.<br />
Detection <strong>and</strong> measurement<br />
A GM-Tube with a thin entrance window can be used, due to the low energy <strong>of</strong> the<br />
beta particles the measurement must be per<strong>for</strong>med at a distance around 1 cm. The<br />
detection efficiency is low, typically around 4-6%. Wipes measured in a liquid<br />
scintillation detector can be used to find removable contamination.<br />
Radiation protection<br />
beta energy is low, <strong>and</strong> the external exposure is not hazardous. Shielding is<br />
optional, a 3 mm Plexiglas shield can be used. Radiation monitoring badges will not<br />
41
give a reading, due to the low energetic beta particles. 12% <strong>of</strong> the beta radiation<br />
can penetrate the dead layer <strong>of</strong> the skin. If enters the body, causing internal<br />
contamination, the critical organs are the testis.<br />
The beta dose rate, from a Bq point source at 1 cm, is 11.7 Gy/h. At 2.5 cm<br />
the dose rate has reduced to 0,94 Gy/h.<br />
Halflife 27.8 d ALImin 700 MBq<br />
Radio toxicity C<br />
General properties<br />
decay by photon <strong>and</strong> beta emisson. The dominating beta energy has a<br />
maximum energy <strong>of</strong> 752 keV. The dominating gamma energy has a energy <strong>of</strong> 320<br />
keV.<br />
Detection <strong>and</strong> measurement<br />
The preferred detector <strong>of</strong> choice is a liquid scintillation detector, <strong>for</strong> example a NaIdetector.<br />
GM-tubes or similar detectors are very inefficient at detecting due to<br />
the low photon energies emitted. Wipes measured in liquid scintillation detectors<br />
can be used to detect removable surface contamination.<br />
Radiation protection<br />
Personal radiation monitoring dosimeters should be worn, both whole body <strong>and</strong><br />
extremity detector badges. Shielding should always be used. A 5 mm lead plate will<br />
reduce the dose rate significantly. If enters the body, causing internal<br />
contamination, it enriches in the lower large intestine.<br />
The dose rate, from a 37 MBq point source at 1 cm, is 1.6 Gy/h. At 10 cm the dose<br />
rate has reduced to 0,02 Gy/h.<br />
Halflife 64 h ALImin 20 MBq<br />
Radio toxicity B<br />
General properties<br />
decay by emission <strong>of</strong> beta particles. The beta particles have a maximum<br />
energy <strong>of</strong> 2.27 MeV <strong>and</strong> an average energy <strong>of</strong> 0.76 MeV. The range from the beta<br />
particles is approximately 1000 cm in air <strong>and</strong> 1 cm in tissue.<br />
Detection <strong>and</strong> measurement<br />
GM-tube<br />
Radiation protection<br />
Dose rate from a 37 MBq point source at 1 cm is 6.77 Gy/h<br />
Halflife 13.3 h ALImin 100 MBq<br />
Radio toxicity C<br />
General properties<br />
decay by emission <strong>of</strong> positron <strong>and</strong> gamma radiation. The beta (positron) particles<br />
42
have a maximum energy <strong>of</strong> 1.07 MeV<br />
Detection <strong>and</strong> measurement<br />
A GM-tube, scintillation, <strong>and</strong> liquid scintillation detector can be used.<br />
Radiation protection<br />
If enters the body, causing internal contamination, it enriches in the thyroid.<br />
Halflife 60.1 d ALImin 1 MBq<br />
Radio toxicity B<br />
General properties<br />
decay to an excited state <strong>of</strong> with a probability <strong>of</strong> 7%, that decays<br />
instantaneously to by emission <strong>of</strong> a photon with the energy <strong>of</strong> 35.3 keV.<br />
decay with a probability <strong>of</strong> 93 % to by internal conversion <strong>and</strong> emission <strong>of</strong> xray<br />
gamma photons with a mean energy <strong>of</strong> 30 kev.<br />
Detection <strong>and</strong> measurement<br />
Due to the low energetic photons emitted by GM-tubes become inefficient as<br />
contamination monitors, typically with efficiency around 0.1 %. A low energy<br />
scintillation detector, like NaI-detectors, is the preferred detector <strong>of</strong> choice. Wipes<br />
<strong>of</strong> the area <strong>of</strong> interest can be measured in a liquid scintillation detector.<br />
Radiation protection<br />
gives an external exposure due to photon decay. Shielding should always be<br />
used when h<strong>and</strong>ling as well as distance tools. When there is a risk <strong>for</strong> airborne<br />
activity, the work should be per<strong>for</strong>med in a fume cupboard. is hazardous when<br />
it enters the body, causing internal contamination. The critical organ is the thyroid,<br />
where enriches. This makes even small intakes leads to a high radiation dose to<br />
the organ. An intake <strong>of</strong> 40 kBq gives a radiation dose to the thyroid <strong>of</strong> 25 mSv.<br />
The dose rate, from a Bq point source, at 1 cm is 1.56 – 2.75 Gy/h. At 10 cm<br />
the dose rate has reduced to 0,15-0.27 Gy/h. HVL value <strong>of</strong> 0.022 mm.<br />
Halflife 8 d ALImin 1 MBq<br />
Radio toxicity B<br />
General properties<br />
decay by emission <strong>of</strong> beta particles <strong>and</strong> photons. The beta particles have a<br />
maximum energy <strong>of</strong> 806 keV <strong>and</strong> an average energy <strong>of</strong> 269 keV. The range from<br />
the beta particles is approximately 1.6 m in air <strong>and</strong> 20 mm in tissue. The three<br />
dominating gamma energies are 248 kev, 364 kev <strong>and</strong> 637 kev.<br />
Detection <strong>and</strong> measurement<br />
A GM-tube (or similar detectors) <strong>and</strong> Liquid scintillation detectors can be used.<br />
Radiation protection<br />
H<strong>and</strong>ling must be done with great caution since it evaporates. If enters the<br />
body, causing internal contamination, it enriches in the thyroid.<br />
43
Halflife 7.2 h<br />
Radio toxicity B<br />
General properties<br />
decay by emission <strong>of</strong> alpha particle <strong>and</strong> x-ray photons. The energy <strong>for</strong> the<br />
alpha particle is 5867 keV <strong>and</strong> the x-ray photons have a mean energy <strong>of</strong> 92 keV.<br />
Detection <strong>and</strong> measurement<br />
Liquid scintillation or NaI(Tl) detector can be used.<br />
Radiation protection<br />
does not cause an external radiation dose <strong>of</strong> radiological concern. The<br />
danger comes from internal contamination. The alpha particles are densely ionizing<br />
<strong>and</strong> can cause great damage if it enters the body.<br />
Microshield<br />
Volume source definition in Microshield<br />
Waste container large small<br />
Dimensions [cm]<br />
(length/width/height)<br />
42/35/27 46/25/21<br />
Dose point [cm] (x/y/z) 43/13.5/1.75 46/10.5/12.5<br />
Integrations (x/y/z) 50/40/40 50/40/40<br />
44
Spread sheet results<br />
Första kontrollen Efterfölj<strong>and</strong>e kontroll<br />
Datum 2008-06-03 Datum 2009-06-03<br />
Avdelning: Radi<strong>of</strong>ysik<br />
Instrument: RNI 10/SR Dagar sedan<br />
Intensimeter första kontrollen: 365<br />
S/N 59855<br />
Dosfel: (se tabell) 20% Mätt bakgrund 0,2<br />
Sönderfallskorrigerat mätutslag 1,51<br />
Källa nr: 1<br />
Mätavstånd 10 cm Instrumentet bör ha ett mätutslag som ligger mellan (95 % konfidens intervall)<br />
Steg 1 (OK/EJ OK) Ok<br />
Steg 2 (OK/beskriv fixeringen) Ok, fixerad i hållare på 10 cm<br />
Steg 3 (Indikerad bakgrund) 0,2<br />
Steg 4 (indikerad dosrat) 1,75<br />
Mätt dosrat (uSv/h) 1,55<br />
1,10 och 1,93
Första kontrollen Efterfölj<strong>and</strong>e kontroll<br />
Datum 2008-06-03 Datum 2009-06-03<br />
Avdelning: Radi<strong>of</strong>ysik<br />
Instrument: RNI 10/SR Dagar sedan<br />
Intensimeter första kontrollen: 365<br />
S/N 59857<br />
Dosfel: (se manual) 20% Mätt bakgrund 0,21<br />
Sönderfallskorrigerat mätutslag 1,31<br />
Källa nr: 1<br />
Mätavstånd 10 cm Instrumentet bör ha ett mätutslag som ligger mellan (95% koinf. intervall)<br />
Steg 1 (OK/EJ OK) Ok<br />
Steg 2 (OK/beskriv fixeringen) Ok, fixerad i hållare på 10 cm<br />
Steg 3 (Indikerad bakgrund) 0,21<br />
Steg 4 (indikerad dosrat) 1,55<br />
Mätt dosrat (uSv/h) 1,34<br />
0,90 och 1,72
Första kontrollen Efterfölj<strong>and</strong>e kontroll<br />
Datum 2008-06-03 Datum 2009-06-03<br />
Avdelning: MFT<br />
Instrument: RNI 10/SR Dagar sedan<br />
Intensimeter första kontrollen: 365<br />
Dosfel: (se manual) 20% Mätt bakgrund 0,10<br />
Sönderfallskorrigerat mätutslag 1,12<br />
Källa nr: 1<br />
Mätavstånd 10 cm Instrumentet bör ha ett mätutslag som ligger mellan (95% koinf. intervall)<br />
Steg 1 (OK/EJ OK) Ok<br />
Steg 2 (OK/beskriv fixeringen) Ok, fixerad i hållare på 10 cm<br />
Steg 3 (Indikerad bakgrund) 0,1<br />
Steg 4 (indikerad dosrat) 1,25<br />
Mätt dosrat (uSv/h) 1,15<br />
0,71 och 1,53
Första kontrollen Efterfölj<strong>and</strong>e kontroll<br />
Datum 2008-06-03 Datum 2009-06-03<br />
Avdelning: Radi<strong>of</strong>ysik<br />
Instrument: SRV 2000 Dagar sedan<br />
första kontrollen: 365<br />
Dosfel: (se manual) 20% Mätt bakgrund 0,21<br />
Sönderfallskorrigerat mätutslag 1,34<br />
Källa nr: 1<br />
Mätavstånd 10 cm Instrumentet bör ha ett mätutslag som ligger mellan (95% koinf. intervall)<br />
Steg 1 (OK/EJ OK) Ok<br />
Steg 2 (OK/beskriv fixeringen) Ok, fixerad i hållare på 10 cm<br />
Steg 3 (Indikerad bakgrund) (uSv/h) 0,15<br />
Steg 4 (indikerad dosrat) 1,52<br />
Mätt dosrat (uSv/h) 1,37<br />
0,93 och 1,75
Första kontrollen Efterfölj<strong>and</strong>e kontroll<br />
Datum 2008-06-03 Datum 2009-06-03<br />
Avdelning: Radi<strong>of</strong>ysik<br />
Instrument: RNI 10/SR Dagar sedan<br />
Intensimeter första kontrollen: 365<br />
S/N 59855<br />
Dosfel: (se manual) 20% Mätt bakgrund 0,2<br />
Sönderfallskorrigerat mätutslag 1,19<br />
Källa nr: 2<br />
Mätavstånd 10 cm Instrumentet bör ha ett mätutslag som ligger mellan (95% koinf. intervall)<br />
Steg 1 (OK/EJ OK) Ok<br />
Steg 2 (OK/beskriv fixeringen) Ok, fixerad i hållare på 10 cm<br />
Steg 3 (Indikerad bakgrund) (uSv/h) 0,21<br />
Steg 4 (indikerad dosrat) (mSv/h) 1,22<br />
Mätt dosrat (mSv/h) 1,22<br />
0,78 och 1,60
Första kontrollen Efterfölj<strong>and</strong>e kontroll<br />
Datum 2008-06-03 Datum 2009-06-03<br />
Avdelning: Radi<strong>of</strong>ysik<br />
Instrument: RNI 10/SR Dagar sedan<br />
Intensimeter första kontrollen: 365<br />
S/N 59857<br />
Dosfel: (se manual) 20% Mätt bakgrund 0,2<br />
Sönderfallskorrigerat mätutslag 1,13<br />
Källa nr: 2<br />
Mätavstånd 10 cm Instrumentet bör ha ett mätutslag som ligger mellan (95% koinf. intervall)<br />
Steg 1 (OK/EJ OK) Ok<br />
Steg 2 (OK/beskriv fixeringen) Ok, fixerad i hållare på 10 cm<br />
Steg 3 (Indikerad bakgrund) (uSv/h) 0,26<br />
Steg 4 (indikerad dosrat) (mSv/h) 1,16<br />
Mätt dosrat (mSv/h) 1,16<br />
0,72 och 1,54
Första kontrollen Efterfölj<strong>and</strong>e kontroll<br />
Datum 2008-06-03 Datum 2009-06-03<br />
Avdelning: Radi<strong>of</strong>ysik<br />
Instrument: SRV-2000 Dagar sedan<br />
första kontrollen: 365<br />
Dosfel: (se manual) 20% Mätt bakgrund 0,17<br />
Sönderfallskorrigerat mätutslag 1,31<br />
Källa nr: 2<br />
Mätavstånd 10 cm Instrumentet bör ha ett mätutslag som ligger mellan (95% koinf. intervall)<br />
Steg 1 (OK/EJ OK) Ok<br />
Steg 2 (OK/beskriv fixeringen) Ok, fixerad i hållare på 10 cm<br />
Steg 3 (Indikerad bakgrund) (uSv/h) 0,17<br />
Steg 4 (indikerad dosrat) (mSv/h) 1,34<br />
Mätt dosrat (mSv/h) 1,34<br />
0,90 och 1,72
Första kontrollen Efterfölj<strong>and</strong>e kontroll<br />
Datum 2008-06-03 Datum 2009-06-03<br />
Avdelning: Radi<strong>of</strong>ysik<br />
Instrument: Canberra Dagar sedan<br />
Radigem första kontrollen: 365<br />
S/N 59855<br />
Dosfel: (se manual) 15% Mätt bakgrund 0,22<br />
Sönderfallskorrigerat mätutslag 1,38<br />
Källa nr: 2<br />
Mätavstånd 10 cm Instrumentet bör ha ett mätutslag som ligger mellan (95% koinf. intervall)<br />
Steg 1 (OK/EJ OK) Ok<br />
Steg 2 (OK/beskriv fixeringen) Ok, fixerad i hållare på 10 cm<br />
Steg 3 (Indikerad bakgrund) (uSv/h) 0,22<br />
Steg 4 (indikerad dosrat) (mSv/h) 1,41<br />
Mätt dosrat (mSv/h) 1,41<br />
1,05 och 1,79