Calculating radiation dose rate from online real-time environmental γ-spectrum using NaI(Tl) detector

Abstract

Calculating gamma radiation dose rate from online real-time environmental gamma spectrum using NaI(Tl) detector has been developed into a software named RADAPROC V.1 in the Center for Operating the National Network of Environmental Radiation Monitoring And Warning (CONNERMAW). Currently, hundreds of online gamma spectra per day from online monitoring stations are processed to calculate the total ambient dose equivalent rate and the ambient dose equivalent rate of typical natural radioactive isotopes such as K-40, Bi-214, Tl-208 according to the method of using the function G(E) and the photo-peak area method. The calculated results have been compared with the results of calculating the dose rate from the specific activity of radioactive isotopes in soil samples collected at the same monitoring location and analyzed in the laboratory. The difference between the methods is less than 25%. The ambient dose equivalent rates of typical natural radioactive isotopes are a bit higher than those calculated with SARA-NMC software. The software will be improved shortly for better results.