The use of ionization methods in industry

The class of radioisotope application based on the interaction of radiation with gases has resulted in the most widespread distribution of radioisotopes into the community, although the general application of the techniques is not uniformly spread throughout the world. In some countries these particular techniques are responsible for a significant proportion of the economic savings from isotope use, in other countries there are virtually no applications based on ionization in gases. In the United Kingdom the present survey, covering the year 1961-1962, indicates that 14% of all isotope applications fall into this category. Apart from direct industrial savings, the value of techniques such as gas chromatography in scientific experiments in widely diverse fields is considerable and not likely to decrease in the future. There appears to be an increasing awareness of the benefits from using radioisotopes in problems concerning gases and it is likely that, with further development, there will be a substantial increase in the number and range of applications of this type. The present paper reviews the various applications of isotopes using ionization in gases and includes their use in: (1) Smoke detection; (2) as chromatography; (3) old-cathode gas discharge tubes; (4) as flow measurement; (5) Lightning conductors; (6) Static charge eliminators; (7) Vacuum measurement