Abstract
This research presents a design of a resilient blind-tube radiometric logging probe, which satisfies key, operational site constraints, for direct in-situ characterization of subsurface radioactivity, particularly caesium-137 and strontium-90. The probe comprises a commercially-available Ø10 mm × 9.5 mm CeBr3 scintillator detector attached to a compact digitizer unit, in a resistant and waterproof housing. The probe is designed to be lowered down into metallic Ø 75 mm blind-tubes by means of a winch system.
Highlights
THE wet interim storage of nuclear waste in ponds and silos is a common approach at nuclear licensed sites
The selection of an optimal technology for this application is a crucial step to achieve the purpose of this research, with an alternative detection material desirable to ensure quality in underground gamma-ray spectrometry
Drawing upon strands of research into the desirable properties of a gamma-ray optimal detector, this study aims to improve in-ground radiological risk assessment of long-lived gamma-emitting fission products, such as caesium-137, and energetic beta emitters, such as strontium-90
Summary
THE wet interim storage of nuclear waste in ponds and silos is a common approach at nuclear licensed sites. For scenarios comprising a mixture of radioactive materials, shielded and with a high background, a device with higher energy resolution is essential to resolve and clearly distinguish gamma lines in the associated complex spectra Another limitation of NaI:Tl detectors is their slow scintillation decay time constants. The selection of an optimal technology for this application is a crucial step to achieve the purpose of this research, with an alternative detection material desirable to ensure quality in underground gamma-ray spectrometry This will fill the gap between low-resolution scintillators and expensive semiconductor detectors. Among the many available scintillating materials (see Table 1), a small lanthanide halide cerium bromide (CeBr3) crystal was chosen as an optimal compromise with good key characteristics for this application It has good gamma-ray detection efficiency (due to a high effective atomic mass), good energy resolution, fast decay time and high radiation hardness. Another important consideration is the applicability of the CeBr3+MCA system to high radiation environment (figure 3)
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