• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• 제53권4호
• /
• pp.1266-1276
• /
• 2021

The mask parameters of a coded aperture are critical design features when optimizing the performance of a gamma-ray camera. In this paper, experiments and Monte Carlo simulations were performed to derive the minimum detectable activity (MDA) when one seeks a real-time imaging capability. First, the impact of the thickness of the modified uniformly redundant array (MURA) mask on the image quality is quantified, and the imaging of point, line, and surface radiation sources is demonstrated using both cross-correlation (CC) and maximum likelihood expectation maximization (MLEM) methods. Second, the minimum detectable activity is also derived for real-time imaging by altering the factors used in the image quality assessment, consisting of the peak-to-noise ratio (PSNR), the normalized mean square error (NMSE), the spatial resolution (full width at half maximum; FWHM), and the structural similarity (SSIM), all evaluated as a function of energy and mask thickness. Sufficiently sharp images were reconstructed when the mask thickness was approximately 2 cm for a source energy between 30 keV and 1.5 MeV and the minimum detectable activity for real-time imaging was 23.7 MBq at 1 m distance for a 1 s collection time.

• 방사선산업학회지
• /
• 제17권3호
• /
• pp.219-224
• /
• 2023

A high-efficiency underwater radiation monitoring system, HydroGamma, has been developed for detecting ¹³⁷Cs and ¹³¹I in the event of waterborne radiation contamination. The system consists of a 3-inch NaI (Tl) detector, solar panels for power supply, data acquisition and transmission modules, and batteries. HydroGamma also includes a ⁴⁰K calibration source for remote performance evaluation and energy calibration. In this study, some simulations and experiments were carried out to evaluate the minimum detectable activities (MDA) of HydroGamma. We installed the HydroGamma at Tapjeongho Lake in Nonsan-si and acquired background data since MDA is calculated based on the experimental background data. The results show that the minimum detectable activities for ¹³⁷Cs and ¹³¹I were 1.78Bq L^-1 and 1.81Bq L^-1, respectively even though the gamma rays emitted from ⁴⁰K(1,460 keV) affect the minimum detectable activities for them.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• 제51권4호
• /
• pp.1169-1175
• /
• 2019

The minimum detectable activity (MDA) value was derived according to the flow rate of the sample and degree of amplification of the device by sending the sample directly from the collection site to the detection part through a pump. This method can lead to reduction in time and cost compared to the existing measurement method that uses a pre-treatment process. In this study, experiments were conducted on $^3H$ and $^{90}Sr$, which are the major pure beta-emitting radionuclides, by setting the sample flow rate and the amplification gain as factors. The MDA values were derived according to the flow rates, considering that the flow rate can affect the MDA values. There were no change in the MDA under different flow rates of 0, 600, 800, and 1000 mL/min. Therefore, it was confirmed that the flow rate may not be considered when collecting samples for monitoring in actual field. As the degree of amplification of the amplifier increased, the time required to reach the target MDA decreased. When the amplification was quadrupled, the detection efficiency increased by approximately 23.4 times, and the time to reach the MDA decreased to approximately 1/550 times. This method offers the advantage of real-time on-site monitoring.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• 제29권6호
• /
• pp.1162-1166
• /
• 2008

In this paper, several parameters affecting the sensitivity and determining the minimum detectable activity (MDA) for the measurement of the Pu isotopes were investigated. Among the parameters affecting the determination of the MDA values for the Pu isotopes in the environmental samples, amounts of the samples appeared to be crucial factors in decreasing the MDA values. The MDA for the Pu isotopes in the environmental samples were calculated by varying the counting time of the samples and background. The results obtained in this study can be used for an environmental radiation monitoring program regarding the level of concern for a radionuclide beyond which some action may need to be taken.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• 제55권11호
• /
• pp.4077-4082
• /
• 2023

Large areas must be rapidly screened to monitor radiation in marine environments. For this purpose, this study developed a mobile real-time gamma-ray measurement system for shipboard use and evaluated its performance. The system was developed to measure engine or generator cooling water by installing a canister inside the ship. The minimum detectable activity of the system is about 0.8 Bq/L for a 60 s measurement period, and real-time data transmission and remote control are possible. The system was tested in the field and is currently being installed and operated on ships in service. Such a ship-based real-time gamma-radiation measurement system is suitable for a wide range of marine radiation surveillance applications and is expected to be rapidly deployed.

• 한국방사성폐기물학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 한국방사성폐기물학회 2018년도 춘계학술논문요약집
• /
• pp.379-380
• /
• 2018

• 한국방사성폐기물학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 한국방사성폐기물학회 2018년도 춘계학술논문요약집
• /
• pp.285-286
• /
• 2018

• 방사성폐기물학회지
• /
• 제19권3호
• /
• pp.367-386
• /
• 2021

The overestimation and underestimation of the radioactivity concentration of difficult-to-measure radionuclides can occur during the implementation of the scaling factor (SF) method because of the uncertainties associated with sampling, radiochemical analysis, and application of SFs. Strict regulations ensure that the SF method as an indirect method does not underestimate the radioactivity of nuclear wastes; however, there are no clear regulatory guidelines regarding the overestimation. This has been leading to the misuse of the SF methodology by stakeholders such as waste disposal licensees and regulatory bodies. Previous studies have reported instances of overestimation in statistical implementation of the SF methodology. The analysis of the two most popular linear models of the SF methodology showed that severe overestimation may occur and radioactivity concentration data must be dealt with care. Since one major source of overestimation is the use of minimum detectable activity (MDA) values as true activity values, a comparative study of instrumental techniques that could reduce the MDAs was also conducted. Thermal ionization mass spectrometry was recommended as a suitable candidate for the trace level analysis of long-lived beta-emitters such as iodine-129. Additionally, the current status of the United States and Korea was reviewed from the perspective of overestimation.

• 한국방사성폐기물학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 한국방사성폐기물학회 2010년도 추계 학술논문요약집
• /
• pp.365-366
• /
• 2010

• 분석과학
• /
• 제14권1호
• /
• pp.64-71
• /
• 2001

본 논문에서는 검출한계에 대한 기본개념을 기초로 백그라운드 측정시간과 시료측정시간을 고려한 검출한계치 유도과정을 기술하였다. 환경시료 중 Pu의 MDA값 결정에 영향을 미치는 여러인자들 중에서 시료량, 백그라운드 측정시간 및 시료측정시간 변화에 따른 MDA 변동값을 계산하였다. 환경시료에 대한 저준위 방사능 동위원소 측정시 본 연구결과를 통해 도출된 백그라운드 및 시료 측정시간의 적절한 배분에 의한 MDA 계산은 환경방사능 측정결과에 대한 신뢰도 평가에 활용이 가능하다.