Evaluation of TAWARA Device, an On-line Alpha and Beta Radioactivity Detector for Aqueous Solutions Characterization - 23329

TAWARA - RTM (Tap Water Radioactivity - Real Time Monitor) device is a new on-line measurement detection technique developed by the company CAEN in collaboration with the University of Padova to measure alpha and beta particles in aqueous solutions. This paper evaluates and defines the performance and limitations of the device. Tests to evaluate TAWARA performance were carried out at CAEN in Viareggio (Italy) and at Veolia Nuclear Solutions (VNS) laboratory in Chasse-sur-Rhone (France). The first results are promising. They demonstrate that TAWARA can detect the presence of low-level radioactivity in natural spring water (2.7 Bq/L and 7.9 Bq/L for alpha and beta activities respectively). With advanced testing, TAWARA showed a detection limit of 0.65 Bq/L and 1.39 Bq/L for Po-209 and Sr-90/Y-90 respectively (1 hour measurement time). These values are lower than the radioactivity levels in tap water defined in an emergency situation according to the IAEA (5 Bq/L and 100 Bq/L in alpha and beta measurement respectively). (authors)