With the Co-60 radiation source level gauge, the level drops by more than 10 units during heavy rain. Is this because rainy weather affects the distribution of radioactive elements?
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Has any senior researcher worked on this? Please provide an answer. Thank you
It is estimated that the heavy rain caused a slight decrease in the intensity of the rays at the receiving end; rainwater forming a layer of liquid along the walls of the container or on the windows through which the rays pass leads to a reduction in ray intensity, and this reduction is directly converted into a measurement of the liquid level.
That’s the reason. I conducted an experiment here: I placed the receiver in a rainproof location. In reality, there was no radiation source present. This receiver is used to measure the count rate in the atmosphere. It was found that even during rainfall, the liquid level still decreased. Upon consulting relevant literature, I learned that on rainy days, the distribution of uranium elements tends to be concentrated at lower altitudes.
It is indeed possible that such a situation might occur; then, would installing rainproof measures on the source and the receiver reduce the impact somewhat?
Personally, I recommend checking whether the rain protection measures for the radiation source receiver are adequate. If water gets inside the receiver, it will most likely become unusable over time. The electronic components inside the receiver are very sensitive and delicate; therefore, do not attempt to replace them yourself. I’ve learned this from experience. The installation of photomultiplier tubes and coupling agents must be carried out in a dust-free environment
Um, there’s no water inside the header. After taking it apart, I saw that it was sealed using instant sealant.
A rain cover has been installed over the insulation layer; the impact of external water flow can be ignored. However, it still has an effect when it rains, as water inevitably seeps into the insulation material, and this in turn affects the counting rate