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Total tritium measurement in atmosphere.
B Brigoli1, F Campi, A Foglio Para
1CeSNEF--Istituto di Ingegneria Nucleare, Polytechnic of Milan, Italy.
Health Physics
|July 1, 1991
Summary
A new method enables the simultaneous measurement of atmospheric tritium, regardless of its chemical form, and tritiated water. This technique offers a low detection limit crucial for environmental safety monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Radiochemistry
Background:
- Atmospheric tritium monitoring is essential in areas where tritium is utilized.
- Existing methods may not comprehensively measure tritium in all its physico-chemical forms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a method for the joint measurement of burnable tritium and tritiated water in the atmosphere.
- To establish a sensitive detection limit for atmospheric tritium applicable to safety assessments.
Main Methods:
- Combustion of air samples with hydrogen to convert all tritium species to tritiated water.
- Condensation of water vapor and its addition to a liquid scintillator for measurement.
- Potential integration with filter analysis for particulate-bound tritium.
Main Results:
- Achieved an overall detection limit of approximately 64 Bq m-3.
- The method effectively measures tritium independently of its initial chemical form.
- The detection limit is significantly lower than derived air concentrations, suitable for safety applications.
Conclusions:
- The proposed method provides a robust approach for comprehensive atmospheric tritium measurement.
- This technique enhances safety monitoring capabilities by offering a low and reliable detection limit.
- The method's adaptability allows for integration into broader tritium analysis procedures.