A Monte Carlo study of an energy-weighted algorithm for radionuclide analysis with a plastic scintillation detector

Nuisance and false alarms due to naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) are major problems facing radiation portal monitors (RPMs) for the screening of illicit radioactive materials in airports and ports. Based on energy-weighted counts, we suggest an algorithm that distinguishes radioactiv...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied radiation and isotopes 2015-07, Vol.101, p.53-59
Main Authors: Shin, Wook-Geun, Lee, Hyun-Cheol, Choi, Chang-Il, Park, Chang Soo, Kim, Hong-Suk, Min, Chul Hee
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Energy-weighted algorithm
Monte Carlo simulation
Plastic scintillator
Radiation portal monitor
Radionuclide analysis
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Summary:Nuisance and false alarms due to naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) are major problems facing radiation portal monitors (RPMs) for the screening of illicit radioactive materials in airports and ports. Based on energy-weighted counts, we suggest an algorithm that distinguishes radioactive nuclides with a plastic scintillation detector that has poor energy resolution. Our simulation study, using a Monte Carlo method, demonstrated that man-made radionuclides can be separated from NORM by using a conventional RPM. •Radiation portal monitor using plastic scintillator was modeled and the energy spectra of six radionuclides were assessed.•Energy-weighted algorithm which enables radionuclide analysis with plastic scintillator was suggested and evaluated.•The cases of moving and shielding effect were evaluated and simultaneous radionuclide identification was carried out.•Analysis of the simulated spectra with suggested method shows clear results to enable the radionuclide identification.
ISSN:0969-8043
1872-9800
DOI:10.1016/j.apradiso.2015.03.014