Gross Alpha-Based Continuous Air Monitor: Mathematical Modeling, Measurements and Interpretation

The detection and measurement of transuranic activity in ambient air by counting alpha particles is confounded due to the presence of short-lived alpha-emitting isotopes due to radon and thoron. This paper describes an algorithm intended for use in a gross alpha-based continuous air monitor. The algorithm is capable of generating the variation of gross alpha count rate with time from air filter samples using in situ-measured radon progeny data. The required input of atom concentration can be obtained from a simple experimental technique, which is discussed here.

Automated summary

This paper presents an algorithm designed for a continuous air monitor based on gross alpha counts, which can generate the variation of gross alpha count rate with time using in situ-measured radon progeny data. The required atom concentration input can be obtained through a simple experimental technique discussed in this paper.