A Fast Portable Emanometer for Field Measurement of Radon and Thoron Flux

A new emanometer for measurement of 222Rn (radon) and 220Rn (thoron) flux density, based on the flow-through accumulator method is presented. The radon and thoron buildup is measured, and the separation of their respective signals is achieved in a detection unit which consists of two scintillation c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Radiation protection dosimetry 1996-08, Vol.67 (2), p.109-120
Main Authors: Zahorowski, W., Whittlestone, S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied radiobiology (equipment, dosimetry...)
Biological and medical sciences
Biological effects of radiation
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Tissues, organs and organisms biophysics
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Summary:A new emanometer for measurement of 222Rn (radon) and 220Rn (thoron) flux density, based on the flow-through accumulator method is presented. The radon and thoron buildup is measured, and the separation of their respective signals is achieved in a detection unit which consists of two scintillation cells connected in series with a delay volume between them. An emanometer model is developed to relate the flux densities to design parameters of the instrument. Limitations of the model are discussed. The lower limit of detection (at 30% relative standard error) for a 24 min. counting period is about 4 x 103Bq.m-2.s-1 and 4 x 10-2Bq.m-2.2-1 for radon and thoron, respectively. Better lower limits of detection can be achieved by using longer counting times. The relative merits of closed and flow-through designs are discussed.
ISSN:0144-8420
1742-3406
DOI:10.1093/oxfordjournals.rpd.a031802