Chapter 1, Problem 1CS

Summary Introduction

To determine:

The test to be designed by the scientists to determine the level of radiation exposure from the power plant fallout.

Introduction:

Nuclear fallout from power plant gives out radioactive material that is expelled into the upper atmosphere when there is a nuclear blast. It is mostly referred to as radioactive dust as the ash is created when there is an explosion of a nuclear weapon. The fallout can be entrained using pyrocumulus cloud which comes as black rain. But the fallout is a highly dangerous radioactive contamination as it contains fission products with neutron activated atoms.

Explanation of Solution

In case there is radiation detection to be arranged, it is often a direct wipe that is always envisaged. For this purpose, the scientists would be required to perform using the leak test kit. As per this procedure, the sample should be collected from the nearest point and the sample should be analyzed for 185 Bq (Becquerel) of radioactive material on the test sample. The wipe sample must be analyzed for radioactive contamination at regular intervals.

In case the scientists intend to determine the level of radiation exposure from the power plant fallout, it is necessary to make use of scintillation detectors for tritium detection. They need to detect moisture content as well. But the effective way is to sample water from the locality for an inadvertent release of radioactive material.

Besides, they should involve radiation sensors as well to detect beta or gamma radiations. Other than scintillators, they have to include gas-filled sensors. They should include moisture and temperature sensors into their schedule. The moisture detectors help in identifying water leaks.

All the sensors and detectors need to be calibrated at regular intervals. But if their detectors include a 2D and 3D imaging technique coupled with it, it would provide images of the leak point and its proximity. If they could include an array of moisture sensor devices in their wide area detection system, it would be very helpful.

Conclusion

The radiation from power plant leaks is to be taken most care of, as it would harm the environment surrounding it. Hence, in-situ calibrated radiation detectors that include solid state, gas-filled proportional and ionization, passive integration need to be the part of their schedules. But real-time in-situ sub-surface leak detection and monitoring system must be in place.