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#1 Posted : 10 July 2007 10:06:00(UTC)
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Posted By Ogo A
Pls I need to purchase a portable and basic radiation meter which is capable of measuring radio-activity in counts per seconds (cps) or Bq. Can anyone pls point me in the right direction or advise where I can get one-possibly within the UK or europe.
All help is appreciated.
Thanks
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#2 Posted : 10 July 2007 11:04:00(UTC)
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Posted By Taff
Hi What are you measuring ? source type, activity etc.?

Would suggest that you contact the your RPA for advice.

Instruments can be found here:

http://www.perspectiveinstruments.co.uk/

Taff
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#3 Posted : 10 July 2007 14:13:00(UTC)
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Posted By Ogo A
Thanks for the link.
I'm looking to measure the activities in cps but the meters displayed at the site you recommended measure in sieverts. I'm still searching pls
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#4 Posted : 10 July 2007 15:28:00(UTC)
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Posted By Kevin Drew
Radiation meters are used to measure radiation levels, typically measured in micro Sieverts per hour.

Radiation meters do not measure radioactivity levels. You can use a contamination monitor to measure surface radioactivity levels but you need to know the relationship between the count rate (cps) and quantity of radioactivity (Bq), eg. the efficiency. The efficiency will be critically dependent on the isotopes present - there is no universal factor that fits all.

There are numerous UK companies that can provide the type of instruments that you require and a simple Google search should produce several results. However, you will then need to get the instrument calibrated so it brings you back around to knowing what isotopes are likely to be present.

I defer to the advice above that you need to discuss this with and RPA and qualified person.

Kevin Drew
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#5 Posted : 10 July 2007 16:24:00(UTC)
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Posted By Ogo A
Thanks for your advise. Maybe I need to put it more clearly. I basically want to measure contamination levels from LSA scales so I need a GM counter which can just record background radiations.
I also know how complicated it is to convert from Bq (activity) and sieverts (absorbed dose)., so meters which read in cps will just do and not a costly type too
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#6 Posted : 10 July 2007 16:51:00(UTC)
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Posted By Kevin Drew
I presume that by LSA scales that you are dealing with NORM from the oil industry. LSA scale from different geological formations can vary significantly from location to location. For example, NORM from the South North sea contains almost no gamma emitters and you will not measure the emissions that are there using a basic GM type detector. NORM from the North North sea contains significant gamma emitters which are detectable with a GM type detector.

So I'll say this once again, you really do need to talk to an RPA and qualified person as defined in IRR99.

I am both these things but my advice is very expensive!

Kevin Drew
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#7 Posted : 10 July 2007 16:59:00(UTC)
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Posted By Ogo A
Thanks Kevin,
I'm not an RPA but am a qualified occupational hygienist and can advise on protection against radiation exposure. the NORM are from oil field and produced water. we are operating based on an exemption order so not handling a great deal of scale-so considering cost and periodic use but hoping to stop recieving LSA scales.
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#8 Posted : 10 July 2007 18:55:00(UTC)
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Posted By Rachel West
Hi:

St. Gobain detectors are pretty nifty. Harwell Instruments and Canberra Instruments are also very reliable. Most basic GM detectors will give you an option of a CPS readout.

CPS is definitely a lot easier to relate to source size than mSv (or, more likely, microSv).

Depending on your application, you may be better off considering a basic hand held gamma spec for LSA scales.

You would be better contacting your company's RPA for direct advice however. They'll be able to give you much more specific advice on the specs which will give you the best results.


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#9 Posted : 10 July 2007 18:57:00(UTC)
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Posted By Rachel West
Sorry: I just noticed that you're operating under an exemption order and therefore won't have access to an RPA.

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