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Real Time Monitoring of Alpha Emissions

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Tech ID: 114
Project Overview
The public is demanding real-time, high sensitivity, continuous monitoring of any facility or operation that can potentially release radionuclides to the environment. While the technology exists for long-term monitoring to ensure total emission compliance, most systems are poorly suited to monitoring at low levels on a real-time, fast response basis. A new real-time, continuous monitor for alpha emissions was being developed with Mixed Waste Focus Area funding.

Technology Description
The Flow-Through Alpha Monitor (FTAM) uses a stack of scintillating plates sensitive to alpha decays, through which the entire gas stream to be measured flows. This detector is unique in that it can measure on-line, in real-time, a complete effluent stream without having to use sampling techniques or long measuring times. This technology provides a robust and fault-tolerant real-time safety monitor (i.e., a sort of "smoke alarm") that can signal the need to shut down a malfunctioning operation before the public is exposed to significant amounts of radioactive material. While the FTAM is designed for treatment system monitoring, it will be useful in any application where airborne alpha activity is possible. With the promise of providing the treatment site a comprehensive, fast responding, on-line alarm, the FTAM technology will establish the state of the art of incinerator monitoring for radioactive materials. The purpose of this project has been to develop, test, and commercialize this new technology.

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