Evaluation of Monte Carlo-based calibrations of HPGe detectors for in situ gamma-ray spectrometry

The aim of this work was to evaluate the use of Monte Carlo-based calibrations for in situ gamma-ray spectrometry. We have performed in situ measurements at five different sites in Sweden using HPGe detectors to determine ground deposition activity levels of ¹³⁷Cs from the 1986 Chernobyl accident. Monte Carlo-calculated efficiency calibration factors were compared with corresponding values calculated using a more traditional semi-empirical method. In addition, results for the activity ground deposition were also compared with activity densities found in soil samples. In order to facilitate meaningful comparisons between the different types of results, the combined standard uncertainty of in situ measurements was assessed for both calibration methods. Good agreement, both between the two calibration methods, and between in situ measurements and soil samples, was found at all five sites. Uncertainties in in situ measurements for the given measurement conditions, about 20 years after the fallout occurred, were found to be in the range 15–20% (with a coverage factor k = 1, i.e. with a confidence interval of about 68%).     

Characterization of phosphogypsum wastes associated with phosphoric acid and fertilizers production

The present work is directed to characterize the phosphogypsum (PG) wastes associated with phosphoric acid produced by the wet process in industrial facility for the production of fertilizers and chemicals in Egypt. The PG waste samples were characterized in terms of spectroscopic analysis (X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, IR spectra) and radiometric analysis (γ- and α-measurements). The γ-ray measurements showed that the average activity concentrations are 140 ± 12.6, 459 ± 36.7, 323 ± 28.4, 8.3 ± 0.76 and 64.3 ± 4.1 Bq/kg for U-238, Ra-226, Pb-210, Th-232 and K-40, respectively. The α-particle measurements of uranium isotopes showed that the average activity concentrations of U-238, U-235 and U-234 were 153 ± 9.8, 7 ± 0.38, 152 ± 10.4 Bq/kg, respectively. The average radiochemical recovery (%) of the destructive α-particle measurements is ∼70% with a resolution (FWHM) of ∼30 keV. Activity ratios of U-238/Ra-226 and U-238/Pb-210 were less than unity (i.e., <1) and equal to 0.31 ± 0.02 and 0.47 ± 0.16, respectively. The isotopic ratios of U-238/U-235 and U-238/U-234 (in PG and PR samples) were close to the normal values of ∼21.7 and ∼1, respectively and are not affected by the wet processing of phosphate rock (PR). The obtained results of PG waste samples were compared with phosphate rock (PR) samples. The radiation hazard indices are namely, radium activity index (Ra-Eq > 370 Bq/kg), total absorbed gamma dose rate (D_γr > 5 nGy/h) and radon emanation fraction (Rn-EF > 20%). Uncertainty of the sample counting was 95% confidence level of σ. The results indicated the necessity to find suitable routes to decrease and/or redistribute the radionuclide of environmental interest (i.e., Ra-226) in PG wastes, consequently to reduce its radiation impacts in the surrounding environment.     

水下航行器舱室内CO2的去除及O2再生工艺系统设计

水下航行器长航时,如何改善舱室内大气环境,持续地提供呼吸的氧气一直困扰着人类。在分析了大量国内外技术的基础上,采用固态胺吸附解吸CO₂技术、Sabatier还原CO₂技术、固体聚合物水电解技术相互结合的环控生保系统,处理座舱内的CO₂2并制取一定数量的氧气。实验对CO₂吸附、还原及电解制氧3个系统进行了设计。实验证明,所研制的环控生保系统满足所设计的人数需求,CO₂脱吸发生在反应开始的5～8 min,Sabatier反应器中主反应发生在前段,SPE电解系统稳定,并能将CO₂浓度控制在0.2%以下,此系统能够满足水下航行器航行过程中人员对氧气和水的需求。     

An approach to the subslab depressurization remedial action in a high Rn concentration dwelling

Galicia (NW Spain) is a radon-prone area in the Iberian Peninsula. Measurements were carried out at a rural dwelling, with an annual average of radon concentration over 4000 Bq m⁻³ and a maximum of 9000 Bq m⁻³, found during a radon screening campaign held in the Autonomous Community of Galicia. We performed a detailed study to identify the main contamination source and the behaviour of the radon concentration, in which a linear dependence with temperature was verified, once corrected for relative humidity. We used different passive methods (charcoal canisters and two types of etched track detectors) as well as a radon concentration monitor that provided continuous measurement. Subsequent to this characterization, and in order to reduce the high radon concentration, a remedial action was developed using different passive and forced ventilation methods. A modified subslab depressurization technique was found to be the most effective remedy, providing a radon concentration reduction of around 96%. This method also has the advantages of being inexpensive and reliable over time.     

普光气田开发对地下水环境的影响分析

为最大程度缓解工程实施对当地地下水环境的破坏,文章在综合分析普光气田地质和水文地质特征的基础上,开展现场水质监测工作,选用内梅罗指数法评价区域地下水质量现状。结果表明:普光气田开发建设工程对区域地下水环境质量影响较小,地下水水质良好。在此基础上,探讨项目建设过程中的地下水环境影响因素,据此提出针对性的环境保护措施,以期为研究区地下水环境保护提供科学参考依据。     

工作场所手传振动测量

在职业卫生领域中,振动加速度有效值是最常用的测量值,振动加速度级的运用方便了运算和表述。给出频率计权和时间加权的计算公式和方法、加速度与加速度级间的换算。测量中强调了传感器定位和紧固方法会影响测量结果。     

非色散红外CO2飞机火警探测技术研究

提出了基于非色散红外吸收原理(NDIR)实时监测环境中CO2气体浓度变化进行火警探测的方法。根据高空大气环境的特殊性,探讨了基于NDIR的CO2气体探测技术应用于飞机上所面临的低温低压难题。进行了基于NDIR的红外CO2飞机火警探测器的两种结构设计,提出了基于CO2气体浓度监测的红外CO2飞机火警探测器的主要参数要求,研究了基于CO2浓度变化速率与变化值的火灾报警算法。     

Integrating Large Wood Jams into Hydraulic Models: Evaluating a Porous Plate Modeling Method

Large wood (LW) jams are key riverine habitat features that affect hydraulic processes and aquatic habitat. The hydraulic influence of LW jams is poorly understood due to the complexity of fluid dynamics around irregular, porous structures. Here we validated a method for two‐dimensional hydraulic modeling of porous LW jams using the open‐source modeling software Delft3D‐FLOW. We sampled 19 LW jams at three reaches across the Columbia River Basin in the United States. We used computer‐generated porous plates to represent LW jams in the modeling software and calibrated our modeling method by comparing model outputs to measured depths and velocities at validation points. We found that modeling outputs are error‐prone when LW jams are not represented. By representing LW jams as porous plates we reduced average velocity root mean square error (RMSE) values (i.e., improved model accuracy) by 42.8% and reduced average depth RMSE values by 5.2%. These differences impacted habitat suitability index modeling. We found a 15.1% increase in weighted useable area for juvenile steelhead at one test site when LW jams were simulated vs. when they were ignored. We investigated patterns in average RMSE improvements with varying jam size, bankfull obstruction, porosity, and structure type, and river complexity. We also identified research gaps related to field estimation of LW jam porosity and porous structure modeling methods.     

机场原因航空器受损事件防控风险评价*

为有效提高机场风险管控能力并保障航空器安全运行,建立科学的机场原因航空器受损事件防控风险评价方法。通过分析航空器过站机场保障作业识别风险因素,采用事故树分析法构建出共包括107个中间事件和207个基本事件的9个机场原因航空器受损事故树;根据机场原因航空器受损事件的千架次风险值确定出整体防控风险等级;应用事故树分析法（FTA）-优劣解距离法（TOPSIS）构建防控风险贴近度指标,对机场各业务风险防控现状进行评价。结果表明:机坪引导工作的防控风险最大,机场原因航空器受损整体防控风险等级评价结果符合机场的整体防控风险状况,与FTA法相比,FTA-TOPSIS法能够更准确地对机场各业务的防控风险进行区分及排序。     

Exposure to fall hazards and safety climate in the aircraft maintenance industry

PROBLEM: Falls represent a significant occupational hazard, particularly in industries with dynamic work environments. This paper describes rates of noncompliance with fall hazard prevention requirements, perceived safety climate and worker knowledge and beliefs, and the association between fall exposure and safety climate measures in commercial aircraft maintenance activities. METHODS: Walkthrough observations were conducted on aircraft mechanics at two participating facilities (Sites A and B) to ascertain the degree of noncompliance. Mechanics at each site completed questionnaires concerning fall hazard knowledge, personal safety beliefs, and safety climate. Questionnaire results were summarized into safety climate and belief scores by workgroup and site. Noncompliance rates observed during walkthroughs were compared to the climate-belief scores, and were expected to be inversely associated. RESULTS: Important differences were seen in fall safety performance between the sites. The study provided a characterization of aircraft maintenance fall hazards, and also demonstrated the effectiveness of an objective hazard assessment methodology. Noncompliance varied by height, equipment used, location of work on the aircraft, shift, and by safety system. DISCUSSION: Although the expected relationship between safety climate and noncompliance was seen for site-average climate scores, workgroups with higher safety climate scores had greater observed noncompliance within Site A. Overall, use of engineered safety systems had a significant impact on working safely, while safety beliefs and climate also contributed, though inconsistently. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: The results of this study indicate that safety systems are very important in reducing noncompliance with fall protection requirements in aircraft maintenance facilities. Site-level fall safety compliance was found to be related to safety climate, although an unexpected relationship between compliance and safety climate was seen at the workgroup level within site. Finally, observed fall safety compliance was found to differ from self-reported compliance.