Fermi is in the process of putting the Canberra iSolo alpha/beta counter into service. We plan to use it only for determining compensated alpha activity on air sample filters. It looks like we will only use it if the air sample has been taken on a PTFE filter: our testing has shown that iSolo radon rejection is greatly superior using a PTFE filter compared to that of glass fiber filters. Another advantage is that the iSolo alpha background appears to be lower than that of other alpha counters, corresponding to a lower MDA and smaller required sample volumes. The iSolo spectrum display also provides a qualitative indication of alpha energy which should be helpful in distinguishing natural from plant related alpha activity. We also have a surveillance every refueling outage in which we take high activity smears for sendout to GEL for analysis for specific alpha isotopes. Tom VanderMey, CHP Principal Radiological Engineer DTE Energy, Fermi 2 734-586-1539
-----owner-power...@hps1.org wrote: ----- To: "'powernet@hps1.org'" <powernet@hps1.org> From: "Holmes, Stephen J" <stephen.hol...@cengllc.com> Sent by: owner-power...@hps1.org Date: 05/04/2012 12:41PM Subject: Powernet: Benchmark: Alpha Spec At Ginna, we are evaluating purchasing Alpha Spec equipment (such as the Canberra Alpha Analyst with Alpha Apex software). Part of our justification for this expense would be to reduce our reliance on independent laboratories for performing alpha characterization (i.e. per the EPRI alpha monitoring guidelines). We currently have Ludlum 3030Ps and MGPI ABPMs which use alpha spec in a limited manner to perform radon rejection, but no true alpha spectroscopy equipment. We would like to know what the rest of the industry is doing; any experience, comments, or feedback are appreciated. Do you have Alpha Spec capabilities at your facility? If so, what equipment do you use? What do you use the equipment for (e.g. radon rejection or a quantitative alpha spectrum of individual nuclides)? If using for alpha spectrum analysis, what energy resolution can you achieve? What type of sample preparation is required? Any other equipment strengths/limitations or lessons learned you would like to share? Thanks, -Steve Stephen J Holmes, PE Sr. Plant Health Physicist, CENG-RE Ginna NPP stephen.hol...@cengllc.com 585-771-3577; 585-545-1661 (cell) >>> This e-mail and any attachments are confidential, may contain legal, professional or other privileged information, and are intended solely for the addressee. If you are not the intended recipient, do not use the information in this e-mail in any way, delete this e-mail and notify the sender. -IP2
