Performance Analysis of Geiger–Müller and Cadmium Zinc Telluride Sensors Envisaging Airborne Radiological Monitoring in NORM Sites
Open Access
- 10 March 2020
- Vol. 20 (5), 1538
- https://doi.org/10.3390/s20051538
Abstract
Radiological monitoring is fundamental for compliance with radiological protection policies in the aftermath of radiological events, such as nuclear accidents, terrorism, and out-of-commission uranium mines. An effective strategy for radiation monitoring is to use radiation detectors coupled with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), enabling for quicker surveillance of large areas without involving the need of human presence in the target area. The main aim of this study was to formulate the parameters for a UAV flight strategy in preparation for future field measurements using Geiger–Muller Counters (GMC) and Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT) spectrometers. As a proof of concept, the prepared flight strategy will be used to survey out-of-commission uranium mines in northern Portugal. Procedures to assure the calibration of the CZT and verification of the GMCs were conducted, as well as a sensitivity analysis of the sensors considering different acquisition times, distance to source, and detector response time. This article reports specific parameters, such as UAV distance to ground, time of exposition, speed, and the methodology to perform the identification and calculate the activity of possible radioactive sources. An effective flight strategy is also presented, aiming to use radiation detectors coupled with UAVs to undertake extensive monitoring of areas with enhanced levels of environmental radiation, which is of prime importance due to the lasting hazardous effects of enhanced environmental radiation in the nearby ecosystem and population.Keywords
This publication has 27 references indexed in Scilit:
- Evaluation of Scintillator Detection Materials for Application within Airborne Environmental Radiation MonitoringSensors, 2019
- Airborne radiation mapping: overview and application of current and future aerial systemsInternational Journal of Remote Sensing, 2016
- The use of unmanned aerial systems for the mapping of legacy uranium minesJournal of Environmental Radioactivity, 2015
- Lightweight aerial vehicles for monitoring, assessment and mapping of radiation anomaliesJournal of Environmental Radioactivity, 2014
- The National Radioactivity Monitoring Program for the Regions of Uranium Mines and Uranium Legacy Sites in PortugalProcedia Earth and Planetary Science, 2014
- Multiple UAV Formations for Cooperative Source Seeking and Contour Mapping of a Radiative Signal FieldJournal of Intelligent & Robotic Systems, 2013
- Uranium Mining in Virginia: Scientific, Technical, Environmental, Human Health and Safety, and Regulatory Aspects of Uranium Mining and Processing in VirginiaPublished by The National Academies Press ,2012
- Development of a drone equipped with optimized sensors for nuclear and radiological risk characterizationPublished by Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) ,2011
- Radiation surveillance using an unmanned aerial vehicleApplied Radiation and Isotopes, 2009
- Design of a radiation surveillance unit for an unmanned aerial vehicleJournal of Environmental Radioactivity, 2005