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- Title
Performance of a portable, electromechanically-cooled HPGe detector for site characterization.
- Authors
Keyser, R. M.; Hagenauer, R. C.
- Abstract
Characterization is a first step to site cleanup or decommissioning of a disused nuclear facility. Good knowledge of the inventory of nuclides present, both type and location, is important in the design of an effective plan of remediation. Several systems based on HPGe detectors have been developed, both commercially and at laboratories, and are already in use for this purpose. Their use is somewhat complicated by the need for cryogenic cooling of the HPGe detector. Handling of liquid nitrogen in field situations is always difficult. Recent developments in low-power electromechanical cooling for HPGe detectors have made possible the construction of low weight, portable HPGe spectrometers with sufficient efficiency to perform the needed measurements in reasonable count times, without the need for liquid nitrogen. A mobile system was modified to use a battery-powered, Sterling-engine cooler on a nominal 40% relative efficiency detector. This system was characterized for efficiency and uniformity of response. The baseline spectra were analyzed using the DOE EML 1-meter methods to obtain representative MDA values for several nuclides of interest and typical counting times.
- Subjects
RADIOACTIVE waste characterization; CLEANUP of radioactive waste sites; HAZARDOUS waste site remediation; RADIOISOTOPES; RADIOACTIVE tracers; HIGH performance liquid chromatography
- Publication
Journal of Radioanalytical & Nuclear Chemistry, 2008, Vol 277, Issue 1, p149
- ISSN
0236-5731
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s10967-008-0723-6