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Dynamic Radioactive Source for Evaluating and Demonstrating Time-dependent Performance of Continuous Air Monitors.
Thomas D McLean1, Murray E Moore, Alan L Justus
1*Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545; †RGM Watch Company, Mount Joy, PA 17552.
A novel Dynamic Radioactive Source simplifies continuous air monitor testing, replacing expensive plutonium aerosol challenges. This reusable system accurately simulates airborne particulates for enhanced radiation detection development.
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Area of Science:
- Nuclear Engineering
- Environmental Monitoring
- Radiation Detection
Background:
- Continuous air monitors (CAMs) are crucial for detecting airborne radioactive particulates.
- Traditional testing with plutonium aerosols is costly, time-consuming, and requires specialized facilities.
- Existing methods lack the flexibility for real-time, adaptable challenge testing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a Dynamic Radioactive Source (DRS) as a safer, more efficient alternative to plutonium aerosol testing for CAMs.
- To enable in-house, benchtop testing of CAMs with realistic temporal release simulations.
- To facilitate the iterative development and validation of CAM alarm algorithms.
Main Methods:
- The DRS utilizes an electroplated alpha-emitting disk source and a rotating mask driven by a wristwatch motor.
- The rotating mask progressively reveals the source, simulating increasing airborne radioactivity over time.
- The system is designed for direct insertion into the filter chamber of standard CAMs.
Main Results:
- The DRS successfully mimics temporal release conditions (puff and chronic) without radioactive aerosols.
- It provides configurable, repeatable, and reusable testing without contaminating the CAM.
- Data generated aided in refining alarm algorithms and comparing the response times of commercial CAMs.
Conclusions:
- The Dynamic Radioactive Source offers a cost-effective, versatile, and safe method for evaluating continuous air monitors.
- This technology enhances in-house testing capabilities, allowing for direct user control and iterative algorithm development.
- The DRS represents a significant advancement in radiation detection system validation and performance assessment.