Development of a radiation detector for the radioactive-plume monitoring network (RPMN)

摘要

It is important to monitor the radioactive plume released from a nuclear power plant (NPP) in real time after an accident to protect the population downstream of the plume. The direction and speed of a radioactive plume is predicted by computational codes using meteorological data measured at the NPP site, but the prediction still presents significant uncertainties. To reduce such uncertainty, a radioactive-plume monitoring network (RPMN) is proposed, which consists of a central system and radiation detectors wirelessly connected and installed at designated locations around the NPP. The radiation detector for the RPMN consists of three main parts: radiation-sensing and signal processing component, power supply component, and communication component. This study developed two of these components, namely, the radiation-sensing and signal processing and supply components. The unique features of the radiation detector enable detection of both beta and gamma radiation simultaneously and help operation during loss of AC power.