IDEA #1L5YXQ Tritium Static Eliminators (Tset)

NUCLEAR(cid:3)ENERGY(cid:3)AND(cid:3)SAFETY TRITIUM STATIC ELIMINATORS (TSET) Description Tritium sources for generating soft beta$radiation (BITr$M) are at the heart of the static eliminators developed by phy$ sicists at the Kyiv Institute for Nuclear Research. The sources themselves are comprised of a thin film (0,5 μm) of titanium metal impregnated with tritium deposited on mo$ lybdenum backing material. The working surface of the source is covered with a protective film made of either silicon monoxide or dioxide. Tritium used in BITr$M is a pure beta$radiator which emits the lowest maximum energy (18,6 keV) among all known isotopes. It permits and essentially unlimited use of these static eliminators in production facilities without ha$ ving to employ special radiation protection measures where, in some cases, there is no option other than the use of these static eliminators. These static eliminators operate under the principle that air flowing past the working material is ionized by the beta radiation (electrons) which is then able to attract and neutralize latent charges (of opposite polarity) accumulated in the working environment. The ionization current produ$ ced by the BITr$M is 1,5⋅10$8 A/cm2. Based on client needs, these eliminators may be con$ structed to match the specific working environment. In one example, the sources are set in proximity (1–3 cm) to elec$ trifiable material while an ionization current is maintained due to the electrostatic charge. The required ionization current from the working surface is provided by the choice of BITr$M sources. As such, static eliminators may be pro$ duced to meet the specific needs of the client. The static eliminator service life is no less than 8 year. Innovative Aspect and Vain Advantages – – – – high efficiency and complete autonomy;· compactness, simplicity and convenience in service;· reliability and durability; operation of these eliminators is possible even in explo$ sion and firehazard conditions; operate independently of power sources; – – may be used in a wide variety of industrial needs; – – inexpensive; ecological hazards are essentially nonexistent. This product is designed to eliminate electrostatic charges that arise during the treatment of materials highly susceptible to electrification. As such, these eliminators help to reduce unforeseen outages and external interference in process such as material sealing, material crushing, photo$ material exposure, etc., to increase worker safety by Fig. 1. Tritium static Elemina Tors TSET decreasing the probability of occurrence of fires and explo$ sions connected to spark formation, and to minimize elec$ trostatic field effects on workers and the working environ$ ment. Areas of Application These static eliminators may be employed in the chemical, textile, printing and other industries including the manu$ facture and treatment of film, sheet and powder materials which are susceptible to static electrification. Stage of Development Preparations are underway to create facilities for the serial production of the static eliminators in industries that work with dielectric and other static$susceptible materials. Contact Details Nicolay Kolomiets Institute for Nuclear Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine Prospekt Nauki, 47, Kyiv 03028, UKRAINE Telephones: (380$44) 525$2349, (380$44) 525$2614 Fax: (380$44) 525$4463 EMmail: interdep@kinr.kiev.ua 60 SCIENCE AND INNOVATION. № 4, 2006