Apparatus and method for measuring radon
AssigneeJacobsen Scientific ApS
InventorRune Shim Jacobsen
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Abstract
The disclosure relates to an apparatus for measuring Radon progeny. The apparatus moves air through a filter and thereby collects Radon progeny on the filter and detects radiation from the collected progeny using a semiconductor detector. The apparatus might use a filter that is permanently attached to a filter holder, which aids in miniaturizing the detection system. The apparatus might determine the equivalent equilibrium Radon concentration and possibly the Radon concentration. The apparatus is suited for measuring Radon relatively fast. The disclosure also relates to a method for measuring Radon using the apparatus, where a measurement is performed at a place where air movement is unlikely.
Claims15
An apparatus configured to measure decay(s) from Radon progeny, the apparatus comprising:
- an air moving device configured to create an airflow;
- a filter;
- a pathway configured to guide the airflow through the filter, wherein the filter is configured to collect at least part of the Radon progeny in the airflow;
- a semiconductor detector configured to detect alpha radiation from the Radon progeny collected by the filter, the semiconductor detector being configured to spectrally resolve the alpha radiation and output a detector signal indicative of two or more respective energy levels of the detected alpha radiation;
- wherein the apparatus comprises or is connectable to electronic circuitry configured to interpret the detected alpha radiation to thereby perform a Radon measurement;
- wherein the apparatus comprises or is connectable to an output device configured to output an equivalent equilibrium Radon concentration and/or to output a Radon concentration;
- and
- wherein the semiconductor detector has an active area less than 225 mm2, wherein the filter is supported by a filter holder, and wherein the filter holder is fixedly positionable in the apparatus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.