A comparison of desiccant materials used for monitoring atmospheric tritium concentrations in a semi-arid climate.

摘要

Atmospheric tritium monitoring involves the collection of tritiated water vapor by collecting atmospheric moisture from air that is drawn through a bed of desiccant material. This study is a comparison between molecular sieve and silica gel adsorbent media used for atmospheric moisture sampling conducted in the semi-arid climate of the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory. Water vapor was collected simultaneously using two columns containing different desiccant materials (one column containing molecular sieve and the other containing silica gel). Data collected during air sampling periods were compared with meteorological data collected, and atmospheric moisture collection efficiencies were determined. Breakthrough of atmospheric moisture past the desiccant material was suspected with both media at elevated temperatures indicating that smaller sample volumes, lower volumetric flow rates, or longer adsorbent columns should be used during summer when ambient temperatures are elevated.