Seismic prediction with decay products
AssigneeNew York University
InventorNaomi H. HARLEY
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and methods relating to the detection of unattached radioactive particles. Seismic events are correlated with an increased release of radon and related decay chain products. An apparatus is described for determining the increase in the unattached particles as an indicator for seismic activity. The apparatus may be used with fracking rigs or petrochemical wells to provide controls responsive to predicted seismic events.
Claims24
An method for predicting seismic activity, comprising:
- determining a current amount of unattached 218Po;
- comparing the amount of unattached 218Po to a baseline of unattached elements selected from the group consisting of 218Po, 214Pb′ and 214Bi;
- and
- detecting an increase from the baseline of unattached 218Po to the concentration of attached elements selected from the group consisting of 218Po, 214Pb′ and 214Bi.
A system for predicting seismic activity comprising:
- a collection vessel having an inlet and outlet;
- at least one filter positioned within the collection vessel between the inlet and the outlet;
- a scintillation screen positioned between the inlet and the outlet.
A method for monitoring the real-time concentration of an unattached radioactive material:
- collecting a sample of air from an environment in a collection vessel;
- filtering the sample of air to remove attached particles;
- screening the unattached particles through a scintillation screen;
- and
- counting alpha particle emissions from the unattached radioactive material.
A non-transitory computer-readable memory having instructions stored thereon, the instructions comprising:
- instructions for determining a current amount of unattached 218Po;
- instructions for comparing the amount of unattached 218Po to a baseline of unattached elements selected from the group consisting of 218Po, 214Pb′ and 214Bi;
- and
- instructions for detecting an increase from the baseline of unattached 218Po to the concentration of attached elements selected from the group consisting of 218Po, 214Pb′ and 214Bi.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.