Open AccessTesting of the Eberline PCM-2
Author(s) -
K.L. Howe
Publication year - 1994
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/231425
Subject(s) - whole body counting , ibm , plutonium , alpha (finance) , environmental science , software , computer science , computer hardware , simulation , engineering , operating system , physics , radionuclide , nuclear physics , mathematics , statistics , construct validity , optics , psychometrics
The PCM-2 manufactured by Eberline Instruments is a whole body monitor that detects both alpha and beta contamination. The PCM-2 uses an IBM compatible personal computer for all software functions. The PCM-2 has 34 large area detectors which can cover approximately 40% of the body at a time. This requires two counting cycles to cover approximately 80% of the body. With the normal background seen at Rocky Flats, each count time takes approximately 15--20 seconds. There are a number of beta and gamma whole body monitors available from different manufacturers, but an alpha whole body monitor is a rarity. Because of the need for alpha whole body monitors at The Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site, it was decided to do thorough testing on the PCM-2. A three month test was run in uranium building and a three month test in a plutonium building to verify the alpha capabilities of the PCM-2