Efficiency analysis of facility air monitoring systems at the Nuclear Science Center /
The facility air monitors (FAMS) at the Texas A&M graphics.
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| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
[Place of publication not identified] :
[publisher not identified] ;
1998.
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| Subjects: |
| Summary: | The facility air monitors (FAMS) at the Texas A&M graphics. University Nuclear Science Center (NSC) sample the effluent air in the last portion of the ventilation duct and in the stack to detect airborne emissions of radionuclides. FAM 1 samples the air though a simple pipe probe in the ventilation duct. FAM 2 samples the effluent air 6.4 m up the stack with a shrouded probe. Routine measurements uncovered a lower aerosol transport in FAM 2 compared to FAM 1. even though FAM 2 was designed to have a more efficient transport system. As per regulations of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Nuclear Regulatory Agency. the two FAM sampling locations were tested for single point sampling suitability under the EPA Alternate Reference Methodology (ARM). The FAMS were tested for velocity profile uniformity, flow swirl, and tracer gas concentration profile uniformity. Additionally, a model of the stack was tested at the FAM 2 sampling site for the same conditions plus aerosol concentration profile uniformity. The tests on FAM 1 indicated that the sampling site met the Criteria for Single point sampling pending the aerosol test. FAM 2 also met all the test requirements, with all tests showing coefficients of variation (COV) less than 20%. The model verified the FAM 2 results and indicated a satisfactory COV for the aerosol concentration profile uniformity test. Neither FAM system transported at least 50% of 10 [tm] aerodynamic equivalent diameter (AED) aerosol particles that entered the FAMS as required by the EPA ARM and the proposed changes to ANSI N 1 3. l . FAM l needs a complete redesign to comply, while the problems with FAM 2 lie within the Nuclear Research Corporation's CAM- IOOP detector unit. By replacing the small tubing and three bends inside the CAM-IOOP with larger diameter straight tubing, the penetration of the 10 gm AED aerosol particles increases ten-fold. This change would allow FAM 2 to meet the criteria for single point sampling. Additional testing should be performed on the bends in the FAM 2 transport system to understand the effects of the ripples in the bends on the penetration of aerosols. |
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| Item Description: | "Major subject: Safety Engineering". Vita. |
| Physical Description: | xii, 118 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references: pages 64-65. |