Open AccessX-ray K-edge analysis of drain lines in Wilhelm Hall, Ames Laboratory
Author(s) -
T. Jensen,
C. Whitmore
Publication year - 1999
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/348894
Subject(s) - thorium , uranium , contamination , mercury (programming language) , metal , enhanced data rates for gsm evolution , environmental science , depleted uranium , mineralogy , environmental chemistry , materials science , geology , chemistry , metallurgy , engineering , telecommunications , biology , ecology , computer science , programming language
From August 12--27, 1998 X-ray K-edge measurements were made on drain lines in seven rooms in Wilhelm Hall, Ames Laboratory. The purpose of these measurements was to determine the extent of thorium (and other heavy metal) contamination inside these pipes. The K-edge method is a noninvasive inspection technique that can provide accurate quantification of heavy metal contamination interior to an object. Of the seven drain lines inspected, one was found to have no significant contamination, three showed significant thorium deposits, two showed mercury contamination, and one line was found to contain mercury, thorium and uranium. The K-edge measurements were found to be consistent with readings from hand-held survey meters, and provided much greater detail on the location and amount of heavy metal contamination