Size estimation of radioactive particles released in the chernobyl accident

Publisher Summary The activity, size, and number concentration of radioactive particles released in a nuclear accident have an essential influence on the radiological consequences. The number concentration and activity of the particles can be easily measured, whereas tedious procedures are needed for size estimation. The activities per unit volume of the particulate matter detected after the Chernobyl accident are compared with those of irradiated uranium fuel. Nuclides of the nonvolatile elements, Zr and Ce, can be used for size estimation of uranium fuel fragments. Ruthenium particles have considerably higher specific activity than uranium fuel particles. Size of the particles can be estimated from the activity, if the activity per unit volume of the specified nuclide is known.