Production and release rate of 37Ar from the UT TRIGA Mark-II research reactor

Publication date: Available online 22 November 2016
Source:Journal of Environmental Radioactivity
Author(s): Christine Johnson, Steven R. Biegalski, Edward J. Artnak, Ethan Moll, Derek A. Haas, Justin D. Lowrey, Craig E. Aalseth, Allen Seifert, Emily K. Mace, Vincent T. Woods, Paul Humble
Air samples were taken at various locations around The University of Texas at Austin's TRIGA Mark II research reactor and analyzed to determine the concentrations of ³⁷Ar, ⁴¹Ar, and ¹³³Xe present. The measured ratio of ³⁷Ar/⁴¹Ar and historical records of ⁴¹Ar releases were then utilized to estimate an annual average release rate of ³⁷Ar from the reactor facility. Using the calculated release rate, atmospheric transport modeling was performed in order to determine the potential impact of research reactor operations on nearby treaty verification activities. Results suggest that small research reactors (∼1 MWt) do not release ³⁷Ar in concentrations measurable by currently proposed OSI detection equipment.



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