The use of a radioactive tracer (iodine-131) in the investigation of a power station cooling pond at Maitland, N.S.W.
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Date
1958-09
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Australian Atomic Energy Commission
Abstract
Radioactive iodine 131, as iodide in solution, was used to trace the flow of power station condenser water through a cooling plant. The station has rating of 20 MW and the circulating water is cooled in a pond of approximately 2 X 108 gallons capacity and 40 acres area. By labeling the warm water with 473 millicuries of iodine 131 in potassium iodide carrier, introduced at the power station outlet, and using underwater scintillation and Geiger counters, it was possible to follow quantitatively the horizontal and vertical spread of water over a period f eight days after which mixing was complete. The results gave valuable information on the pond performance under weather conditions prevailing during the test period and indicated some possibilities for improvement of performance. Further tests with iodine 131 are contemplated with modification of pond conditions
Description
Keywords
Iodine 131, Cooling ponds, Nuclear power plants, Tracer techniques, Radiopharmaceuticals
Citation
Ellis, W. R., Fookes, R. A., Gardner, M. E., Gregory, J. N., Kirkwood, J. B., Lamb, G. N.,
& Watt, J. S. (1958). The use of a radioactive tracer (iodine-131) in the investigation of a power station cooling pond at Maitland, N.S.W. (AAEC/E8). Lucas Heights, N.S.W.: Research Establishment, Australian Atomic Energy Commission.