The article focuses on the study of the possibilities of a microwave radiometer for remote detection of increased radioactivity in the plume of gas-aerosol emissions from nuclear power plants caused by fast neutrons. This is a highly relevant issue due to the recent commissioning of new reactors using fast neutrons and the high number of accidents at nuclear facilities. The technical characteristics of the radiometric system are presented, and a quantitative analysis of radioactive emissions from nuclear power plants with fast neutrons is conducted. A slight decrease in the total amount of radioactive emissions is observed. The physical and chemical interactions between the released radionuclides and atmospheric components are also investigated. The maximum distances within line-of-sight at which gas-aerosol radioactive emissions can be detected in real-time mode in the frequency range of 1.4-1.8 GHz are determined.
Methods for remote monitoring of plumes of radioactive releases are considered. The process of track ionization by electrons in the radioactive plume of the emission is considered in detail. Analysis of ion formation in the troposphere was carried out. The effect of secondary radiation on the kinetics of ions in the troposphere has been studied. High-energy electrons appear as a result of the decay of beta-radioactive radionuclides released into the atmosphere. It is shown that the methods based on secondary radiation are the most promising. The main atmospheric reactions leading to the appearance of free electrons are considered. The influence of track ionization under the influence of radioactivity in the standard atmosphere is determined.
The indispensability of rare earth elements for global markets cannot be overestimated. The use of rare earth metals is found in any high-tech industry. Most deposits of rare earth metals are open. The remaining part is a placer or is located in places inaccessible for development. The development of remote methods for the exploration of deposits of rare earth metals in hard-to-reach places and their placers will reduce the financial costs of the economy, increase the country's raw material potential and help reduce carbon emissions. The article attempts to analyze the possibility of detecting the desired rare earth elements based on the remote method for secondary radiation generated by the alpha decay of uranium-238 and thorium-232. The results of the research will provide an opportunity to map local changes in the radiation background of the earth's surface based on the measurement of weak electromagnetic radiation in the frequency range of 1.4 - 1.7 GHz.
Rare earth metals comprise 19 elements that have vital uses in modern technology. Their applications can be found from mobile phones, fuel cell electric vehicles to nuclear power, and aerospace components. The relevance of research is due to the need to improve methods for remote detection of rare-earth metal deposits in hard-to-reach places, as well as their placers, which are of interest for the processes of exploration and production of minerals. Remote sensing methods significantly reduce the ecological footprint of mining operations by saving resources, they can reduce the financial costs of geological exploration, and their development will increase the country's raw material potential. The use of remote sensing methods improves resource management, contributes to the study and restoration of the ecology of the region. The research results will make it possible to carry out mapping of local changes in the radiation background of the earth's surface based on the measurement of weak electromagnetic radiation in the frequency range 1.3 - 1.7 GHz. In this article, we show field measurements of the K, U, and Th content in the soils of the southeastern, most densely populated, part of the Tomsk region. The estimates obtained show the possibility of creating an onboard device for remote monitoring of radioactive contamination of the area.
In the paper, the radioactive situation in the southeast of the Tomsk region is analyzed. The Siberian chemical combine has the greatest impact in environmental radioactivity. Areas with increased radionuclide concentrations are identified. On the example of the Tugansk deposit in the Tomsk region, the analysis of "radioactivity markers" is carried out according to data of various sources. The energy characteristics of potassium-40 in the subsoil layer of the air have been calculated. The method of remote detection of placers of uranium-thorium deposits is theoretically justified.
The analysis of the atmospheric model can be represented as a homogeneous surface layer and another one homogeneous layer 10 km has been performed. Parameters of the layers were defined for the standard atmosphere under the condition that the contribution of the outgoing radiation from the atmosphere in the studied spectral section of absorption lines of methane 1240.980 -1241.020 cm-1, 1240.901 -1240.949 cm-1 is equal to the sum of deposits for the outgoing radiation emitted by the Earth all mixed layers. The system of two equations interconnecting the changes of methane content in each homogeneous layer with the changes of outgoing radiation power for each spectral section was considered.
The paper provides the details about atmospheric emission content from Siberian Chemical Enterprises located in Tomsk city, Russia. The actual radioactive emission (90Sr, α- and β- active radionuclides) from Siberian Chemical Combine is shown. The questions about factual limiting value of UHF-radiometer antenna, distance between the radio receiver equipment and radioactive emission plume (10-km3 volume), and antenna diameter are investigated.
The paper examines an update of comparative analysis of radionuclides released into the atmosphere from Beloyarsk nuclear power plant with fast-neutron reactor for nine years in a row, from 2008 to 2016. It has been shown that the main radionuclides throw out into the atmosphere from Beloyarsk nuclear power plant are beta-active radionuclides. Based on data releases of the RPA “Typhoon”, it has been conclude that radiation situation become worse insignificantly; beside on the new reactor BN-800 was put in operation in 2016. Using Spencer-Fano’s equation, it was carried out the summary spectrum of emitted radionuclides. On example of Beloyarsk nuclear power plant, it was considered a question about ability of remote detection of raised radioactivity in the atmospheric radioactive plume. It has been shown that it possible to detect raised radioactivity in the emission plume from Beloyarsk nuclear power plant.
The paper examines location of operated Beloyarsk nuclear power plant and atmospheric stratification, various types of terrain, using gauss model of impurity propagation. In addition, the problem connected with location of radiometric system for monitoring of raised radioactive emission is discussed.
The comparative analysis of injected radionuclides into the atmosphere from nuclear power plant with advanced fast neutron reactor is carried out. On example of Beloyarsk nuclear power plant, the problem of remote detection of radioactivity in the atmospheric pollution is examined.
The paper states limited availability of the use of the automated radiation situation monitoring system and proposes radiometric complex as more reliable system in the case of an accidental release of the Siberian Chemical Enterprises.
The new diagnostic method of the influence of SHF (superhigh frequency) radiation on the atmosphere at heights 20 -
30 km is considered. By the example of AIR (artificial ionization region) make by the focused nanosecond SHF pulses
the process of atomic hydrogen generation is considered. The atomic hydrogen radiation at frequency of 1420 MHz is
used as a marker of SHF radiation.
It is determined that, thickness of the ozonosphere in the focus area changes under a variation of the electromagnetic
waves intensity which sent from ground sources.
Recombination rates of gases (in particular NO), influencing on the ozone concentration in the stratosphere are
estimated. Computer modeling an interacting of electrons with the atmospheric components into the plasma generated by
SHF is carried out and radiant power of atomic hydrogen from area adjoining to AIR is determined.
It is shown that, the combination of the received information allow to localize AIR and to estimate a level of affecting
SHF radiation. For more reliable detection of AIR in real time and at large distances the integrated approach using both
active (lidar) and passive methods of remote sensing are needed.
The problem of remote detecting of a radioactivity in emissions from atomic power stations (APS) is devoted. The basic
radionuclides contained in emissions of nuclear energy stations with various types of reactors have been analyzed. The
total power spectrum of electrons is determined taking into account their multiplication. Physical and chemical
reactions reducing to generation of atomic hydrogen are considered. For definition of the radiating volume in the
emission from APS, the spatial distribution of atomic hydrogen concentration has been calculated with the use Pasquill-
Gifford model. Power radiating by the emission plume from the APS with the BWR (Boiling Water Reactor) is
estimated. It has been shown, that for estimation of radiation effect on the atmosphere, it is necessary to take into
account many generations of electrons, because they have average energies exceeding considerably the ionization
potentials for atoms and molecules of the atmospheric components. The area of the maximum concentration of atomic
hydrogen in an emission plume can be determined by modelling the transport processes of admixture. The power
radiated at frequency 1420 MHz by the volume 1 km from the APS emissions can amount to ~10 -13 W that allows one
to detect the total level of activity confidently. The possible configuration of an emission plume has been calculated for
various atmospheric stratification and underlying surfaces.
Physical and chemical properties of the atmospheric components change under action of radioactive emissions, and, as a result, anomalous gas-aerosol and ionized areas are occurred and can be registered by remote optical and radiometric methods. One of the effects, in the view of passive detection of radioactive pollution is the dissociation of water vapor (H2O) and formation of anomalous fields with the high contents of hydrogen (H) and hydroxyl (OH), which spontaneous radiation in the microwave range can be used for identification of radioactivity in emissions. The process of electron multiplication due to degradation of energy of β-electrons, generated at decay of a radioactive isotope 85Kr in the emission stack is described in this paper. The estimation of atomic hydrogen concentration in cross-section of the stack on various distances from an emission source is carried out depending on its height and activity.
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