Tensioned Metastable Fluid Detectors for Spectrometric Radon–Progeny Detection and AARST-NRPP Standard Qualification

Abstract

This paper describes how the tensioned metastable fluid detector (TMFD) sensor technology was successfully configured and qualified for efficient, accurate, spectroscopic, and cost-effective radon and progeny spectroscopic detection alongside meeting/exceeding the standards set by the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists-National Radon Proficiency Program (AARST-NRPP) Device Evaluation Program (DEP). The DEP represents addressing of a challenging test matrix that assesses a radon collection and measurement device's performance over a variety of functional parameters and environmental conditions. Qualification test conditions covered in this study included performance vetting of the centrifugally tensioned metastable fluid detector (CTMFD) technology under a wide range of temperatures, noncondensing relative humidity (RH) levels, condensing conditions, atmospheric pressures, background photon radiation, nonionizing external electromagnetic (EM) fields, shock and vibration, and air movement. Of all these parameters, only the ambient temperature played a first-order role on radon collection; for this reason, a dynamic compensation algorithm was developed and successfully validated. The remaining AARST-NRPP test parameters were found to have negligible affects. In comparison to state-of-art radon detector systems, the resulting radon specific CTMFD (R-CTMFD) sensor system and protocol are shown to provide for superior sensitivity along with spectroscopic identification of radon–progeny alpha emitters while remaining 100% blind to interfering gamma–beta background radiation.