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S C Scarpitta

Publications and source records attributed to S C Scarpitta.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Experimental investigation of mass efficiency curve for alpha radioactivity counting using a gas-proportional detector.

Gross alpha counting of evaporated water residues offers a simple method for screening alpha radioactivity in water for both public health and emergency purposes. The evaporation process for water has been improved by using a combination of roughening of the surface of counting planchettes, two-stage evaporation, and temperature-controlled block heating. The efficiency of the gas-proportional detector for alpha-particle detection in water residues was studied as a function of sample mass-thickness in the range between 0.1 and 13 mg cm(-2). The effect of alpha energy on the efficiency, as well as moisture absorption on the samples, were studied using (230)Th, (238)U, (239)Pu, (241)Am, and (244)Cm radionuclides. Also, alpha-to-beta crosstalk was investigated as a function of sample mass for (230)Th, (238)U, (239)Pu, (241)Am, and (244)Cm. The improved method can also be applied for gross alpha detection in biological fluids.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

A new beaded carbon molecular sieve sorbent for 222Rn monitoring.

A new commercially available beaded carbon molecular sieve sorbent, Carboxen-564 (20/45 mesh), was tested and compared to Calgon-PCB (40/80) activated carbon for its adsorptive and desorptive characteristics under controlled conditions of temperature (25 degrees C) and relative humidity (RH). The amount of water vapor adsorbed by the beaded carbon molecular sieve material was typically a factor of 4 lower than the activated carbon, with a concomitant fourfold increase in the 222Rn adsorption coefficient, K(Rn). The maximum K(Rn) value for a thin layer of Carboxen-564, following a 2-d exposure at 40% RH, was 7.2 Bq kg(-1) per Bq m(-3). The K(Rn) or a 1-cm bed, following a 2-d exposure was 5.5 Bq m(-3), a 25% reduction. Under dynamic sampling conditions, where 0.4 g of the beaded carbon molecular sieve was contained in a 6 cm x 0.4 cm diameter tube, the maximum K(Rn) value was 6.5 Bq m(-3) after 2.5 h of sampling at 29% RH when the input flow rate was 4.2 x 10(-3) m3 h-1. Kinetic studies were also conducted under passive sampling conditions. The data show that the 222Rn buildup time-constant for a thin layer of the beaded carbon molecular sieve material was 1.3 h, whereas that of a 1 cm bed was 13 h. The 222Rn desorption time-constants, from gram amounts of the beaded carbon molecular sieve material into air and into a commercially available toluene based liquid scintillation cocktail, were 2 h and 3 h, respectively. Carboxen's high 222Rn adsorbing capacity, rapid kinetics, hydrophobicity and physical properties makes it an attractive alternative to other commercially available activated carbon used in passive and dynamic sampling devices.

Adsorption↗
PubMed1995

A theoretical model for 222Rn adsorption on activated charcoal canisters in humid air based on Polanyi's potential theory.

Water vapor interferes with the adsorption of 222Rn gas by passive activated charcoal devices used to estimate indoor air concentrations. The 222Rn adsorption coefficient is the fundamental parameter characterizing charcoal's ability to adsorb 222Rn. The Dubinin-Radushkevich equation, based on Polanyi's potential theory, was modified to include two terms quantifying the effect of both water vapor and sampling time on the 222Rn adsorption coefficient of passive charcoal devices. A single equation was derived that quantifies the 222Rn adsorption coefficients at any temperature, humidity and exposure time using six experimentally determined physical constants that are unique for a particular passive charcoal device. The theoretical model was verified with published experimental data, and it showed a good correlation between theory and experiment. The model proved to be consistent with experimental data, provided that the amount of water vapor adsorbed by the charcoal device during sampling remains below a critical level, termed the breakpoint.

Adsorption↗
PubMed1992

Optimum 222Rn-adsorbing activated charcoals.

Adsorptive and desorptive data are presented for 20 activated charcoal (AC) types that may be used in passive 222Rn sampling devices. Open-faced AC canisters were exposed for 3 d at room temperature to known radon and water vapor concentrations. Gamma measurements of radon progeny activity show that the optimum radon-adsorbing ACs are Calgon-PCB, Norit (RI, RBI, or PK), and, to a lesser degree, Witco-965 and ENV-EI-1220.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗
PubMed1991

An improved 222Rn canister using a two-stage charcoal system.

A prototype for an improved passive 222Rn canister (R-Canister) was designed and compared to conventional charcoal canisters for its adsorptive and desorptive characteristics following exposures to 222Rn at 23 degrees C in the presence of water vapor. The R-Canister, containing a two-stage charcoal system, minimizes the adverse effects of water vapor by maintaining the amount of adsorbed water vapor in the primary Rn adsorbent below the "break-point" of the charcoal. This is achieved by the placement of a desiccant charcoal cartridge 6 cm above the primary Rn adsorbent. The optimal bed depth of the primary adsorbent, determined from a diffusion study, was found to be 2.3 cm. The measured value for the effective diffusion coefficient of RN in a peat-based charcoal at 15% humidity and 25 degrees C is 7.97 x 10(-10) m2 s-1. Exposures to 70% humidity for 7 d increased the buildup time-constant of Rn in the R-Canisters by 33% as compared to R-Canisters exposed to 15% humidity. At relative humidities ranging from 15-70%, the 222Rn buildup time-constant of the R-Canister ranged from 43-94 h, whereas the desorption time-constant ranged from 46-64 h. Typical buildup time-constants and desorption time-constants for conventional fully-opened charcoal canisters currently in field use ranged from 30-43 h and 17-29 h, respectively, over the same range of humidities.

Air Pollutants, Radioactive↗
PubMed1990

Adsorption and desorption of noble gases on activated charcoal: I. 133Xe studies in a monolayer and packed bed.

Detailed desorption studies using petroleum-based activated charcoals were conducted in monolayers and packed beds. Less extensive studies were conducted on several other types of charcoal. Kinetic studies, using 133Xe, demonstrated the existence of a micropore volume with entrance capillaries that together determined the response characteristics of charcoal to external concentration gradients of tracer gases. This new two-phase model, composed of micropores and entrance capillaries, describes the desorption dynamics of an adsorbed gas in the presence of water vapor. Condensed water vapor in the entrance capillaries of the charcoal reduced the effective pore radius and increased the diffusion half-time. Water could also adversely affect the integrating capability of the charcoal dramatically if the adsorbed water completely blocked the entrance capillaries. The amount of adsorbed water required to block the capillaries varied with the charcoal type and was termed here as the "break-point." The desorption parameters measured in this work can be used to design an improved passive Rn monitor to effectively integrate during a 3-7 d exposure period by eliminating the adverse effects of water vapor. The improved canister design would provide more accurate and reproducible measurements of indoor Rn concentrations than are currently available.

Adsorption↗
PubMed1990

Adsorption and desorption of noble gases on activated charcoal: II. 222Rn studies in a monolayer and packed bed.

The adsorptive and desorptive characteristics of canisters containing a petroleum-based charcoal were investigated under controlled conditions of temperature, relative humidity, and Rn concentration. Charcoals exposed in a monolayer and packed bed during exposure intervals of 1-7 d demonstrate that Rn adsorption and desorption are dependent on bed depth and the amount of water adsorbed. Changes in the adsorptive and desorptive properties of the charcoal occurred near the break-point where the pores became occluded by water vapor that condenses in the entrance capillaries. Radon-222 adsorption is decreased by an order of magnitude as the amount of adsorbed water exceeds the break-point of the charcoal. The reduction in pore surface due to adsorbed water results in a marked increase in the rate of Rn loss from exposed canisters, accounting for reduced adsorption. The apparent desorption time-constant for a 2-cm bed of loose Witco 6 x 10 mesh charcoal containing 0.220-0.365 kg H2O kg-1 is typically between 2-8 h. The apparent desorption time-constant for an equivalent packed bed containing a water vapor content of 0.026-0.060 kg H2O kg-1, which is below the break-point of the charcoal, is about 15-30 h. Conventional charcoal canisters, if exposed in the fully-opened configuration, can achieve the break-point in less than 4 d at 70% humidity. The use of a diffusion barrier would allow for longer exposure times until the break-point of the charcoal is achieved.

Adsorption↗