Gross alpha/beta measurements in water samples using liquid scintillation counter
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Date
2000-10
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Turkish Atomic Energy Authority
Abstract
Liquid scintillation techniques provide the detection and quantification of alpha and beta
emitters in aqueous sample. Liquid Scintillation Counter (LSC) techniques using Pulse Decay
Analysis (PDA) allow counting of alpha and beta radiation in the same sample simultaneously.
PDA uses special pulse decay time discrimination electronics to differentiate alpha pulses from
beta pulses in a liquid scintillator. In this experiment, Packard Tricarb 2770 TR-SL LSC has
been used. Ultima Gold LLT produced by Packard Instrument Company was used as the liquid
scintillator. The optimum counting parameters and Pulse Decay Discriminator (PDD) settings
were provided for the best alpha and beta separation. PDD was verified by counting a pure
alpha 241 Am and a pure beta 36C1. Spill of beta in alpha and alpha in beta was found around
0.1% at the optimum discriminator setting of 139. The counting efficiencies were 100% and
97% for alpha and beta counting respectively. Water samples were pre-concentrated to achieve
the Turkish maximum permissible levels of 0.037 BqL -1 for gross alpha radioactivity and 0.37
BqL 1 for gross beta radioactivity in drinking water. After counting, the alpha and beta spill
corrections were made and the gross alpha and beta radioactivities were calculated. LSC method
results were compared with the gas flow proportional counters.
Description
I. Avrasya Nükleer Bilimler ve Uygulamaları Konferansı : 23-27 Ekim 2000. İzmir, Türkiye.
Keywords
Gross alpha/beta measurements, Brüt alfa / beta ölçümleri, Liquid scintillation counter, Sıvı sintilasyon sayacı
Citation
Çelebi, N. ... [ve arkadaşları]., (2000). Gross alpha/beta measurements in water samples using liquid scintillation counter. I. Eurasia Conference on Nuclear Science and Its Application, Presentations, Vol 1, (s. 507-512). 23-27 October 2000. İzmir, Turkey.