Beta detection of strontium-90 and the potential for direct in situ beta detection for nuclear decommissioning applications

Turkington, G., Gamage, K. A.A. and Graham, J. (2018) Beta detection of strontium-90 and the potential for direct in situ beta detection for nuclear decommissioning applications. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors, and Associated Equipment, 911, pp. 55-65. (doi: 10.1016/j.nima.2018.09.101)

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Abstract

Strontium-90 is one of the primary beta-emitting radionuclides found at nuclear decommissioning sites. Monitoring its activity in the environment is of utmost importance given its radiotoxicity. Current procedures for the beta detection of strontium-90 are time consuming, produce secondary waste and expensive. There is a demand for real-time in situ radiostrontium monitoring in groundwater at nuclear decommissioning sites. This paper presents a review of existing techniques for strontium-90 monitoring and examines a novel approach through direct beta detection with a gallium arsenide photodiode based detector. A proof of concept detector was modelled in the physics simulation software, Geant4, and evaluated as candidate for in situ detection of beta emitting radionuclides. The simulation results indicate that the detector is physically capable of counting 89.86% of incident 0.546 MeV electrons from a 1 mm range in water. This validation will provide the basis for further development of an in situ beta detector.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Gamage, Professor Kelum and Turkington, Mr Graeme
Authors: Turkington, G., Gamage, K. A.A., and Graham, J.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
Journal Name:Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors, and Associated Equipment
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0168-9002
ISSN (Online):1872-9576
Published Online:06 October 2018
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2018 Elsevier
First Published:First published in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors, and Associated Equipment 911:55-65
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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