GB2298269A

GB2298269A - Radioactivity tester

Info

Publication number: GB2298269A
Application number: GB9503371A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gordon Gerald Gregory; Wlodzimierz Joseph Szulakowski
Original assignee: GORDON GERALD GREGORY; WLODZIMIERZ JOSEPH SZULAKOWSKI
Current assignee: GORDON GERALD GREGORY; WLODZIMIERZ JOSEPH SZULAKOWSKI
Priority date: 1995-02-21
Filing date: 1995-02-21
Publication date: 1996-08-28
Also published as: GB9503371D0

Abstract

This invention relates to testers enabling to define radioactivity for solid substances, fluids, and gasses. These substances, to be tested against radioactivity, should be placed into the radioactivity tester for some period of time. A "charge wire net" conducts a discharge in the ionizing chamber (16) to an opto-electrometer transducer (12). There is an arrangement for an adjustment of the time period of the test by means of an adjustable capacitor (13) incorporated in the charge wire net. These radioactivity testers can be easy adapted for the radioactivity test from below the background radioactivity level of the natural surrounding (as ground, water or air) and a cosmic radiation, to the highest radioactivity level which might be caused by a radioactive contamination.

Description

RADIOACTIVITY TESTER FOR FOOD, WATER, SOIL, AIR, AND OTHER CHEMICALS, MATERIALS OR GASSES.

This invention relates to testers enabling to define radioactivity for solid substances, fluids, and gasses.

These substances, to be tested against radioactivity, should be placed into an ionizing chamber of the radioactivity tester for some period of time.

Radioactivity testers are well known in research, investigation, and protection against radioactive sources.

The construction of existing radioactivity testers is, however, very expensive and often restricted to the higher levels of radioactive sources which are knawn as dangerous for work and habitation in the contaminated areas.

According to the presented invention there is provided optoelectrometer transducer module enabling the radioactivity test from below the background radioactivity level of the natural surrounding (as ground, water or air) and a cosmic radiation, to the highest radioactivity level which might be caused by a radioactive contamination.

This invention also enables the construction of cheap radioactivity testers designed for the people who would like to control food for their everyday diet menu.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of an example with references to the accompanying drawings in which : Figure 1 shows diagrammaticly the radioactivity tester for food, water, soil, air, and other chemicals, and materials or gasses, as an example of an arrangement for the highest sensitivity test and below radioactivity level of the natural surrounding; Figure 2 illustrates in perspective diagrammaticly, as an example, the radioactivity tester for food, water, soil, air, and other chemicals, and materials or gasses.

Referring to the drawing Fig 1, the radioactivity tester 19 is surrounded around by lead-bricks 15, and screened from top by lead-roof 12 and from bottom by lead-flc.or ib. If the surrounding atmosphere is suspected to be polluted by radioactive dusts or gasses then all the arrangement must be sealed for instance under a plastic tent 10, and the space under tent 11, and inside lead-bricks 14, must be filled by a non radioactive gas. Gas for radioactive test to be put inside of the ionizing chamber of the radioactivity tester 13 directly or in a suitable container.

Referring to the drawing Fig 2 the radioactivity tester comprises a ionizing chamber 16, an opto-electrometer transducer module 12 equipped with a hermetically sealed window 11 for optical reading of an electrometer, and a digital display 10 controlled by the microprocessor unit inside of the module 12.

The ionizing Chamber 16 is also equipped with a tray 14 for testing materials. The tray 14 together with a locking handle 15 seals hermetically the ionizing chamber 16 when test to be run.

The ionizing Chamber 16 is also equipped wit an electrostatic charge wire net leading to the optoelectrometer transducer module by a sealed bush, and in this way enabling a discharge of the electrometer in the module 12. The electrostatic charge wire net can be constructed in section either vertically or horizontally and be equipped with an adjustable capacitor tuning by knob 13 and by this enabling the adjustment of the continuation time for the optimal precision test.

Claims

1 A radioactivity tester for food, water, soil, air, and other chemicals, and materials or gasses, comprising an ionizing chamber, an opto-electrometer transducer module and an electrostatic charge wire net, means are provided for enabling the radioactivity test control optically or by a microprocessor module.

2 A radioactivity tester as claimed in Claim 1 wherein an electrostatic charge wire net means are provided to send an electrostatic discharge from the ionizing chamber to the opto-electrometer transducer module via a sealed bush, thereby enabling the radioactive test to be measured and controlled optically or by the microprocessor module.

3 A radioactivity tester as claimed in Claim l or Claim 2, wherein means are provided to control the capacitance of the electrostatic charge wire net, and by this to enable adjustment of the time period for the optimum precision of the test.

4 A radioactivity tester as claimed in Claim l to Claim 3, wherein the guide means and sealing means are provided for hermetical lock of the tray for testing materials in the ionizing chamber.

5 A radioactivity tester as claimed in Claim l to Claim 4, wherein means for convenient lifting, transport, and levelling are provided on sides, top, and bottom of the radioactivity tester housing.