Tracer, radioactive

Radioactive isotopes show excellent properties as tracers since they are detectable in very low concentrations (i.e. high dilution) and with high specificity. Further y-emitting radioactive tracers can be measured in situ, through pipe and vessel walls which enables e.g. studies of processes under high pressures, and processes involving a gaseous phase. 

The method is based on the international standard ISO 4053/IV. A small amount of the radioactive tracer is injected instantaneously into the flare gas flow through e.g. a valve, representing the only physical interference with the process. Radiation detectors are mounted outside the pipe and the variation of tracer concentration with time is recorded as the tracer moves with the gas stream and passes by the detectors. A control, supply and data registration unit including PC is used for on site data treatment... 

The method implies injection of a mixture of 3 radioactive tracers each being distributed into one of the 3 phases. The tracers must show such differences in the emitting y-radiation energy spectra that they can be simultaneously detected by on line y-spectrometry. Candidate tracers are Br-82 as bromobenzene for oil, Na-24 or La-140 for water, and Kr-85 for gas. The tracers are injected simultaneously at a constant rate into the flow in the pressurised pipe, and the concentration is detected as series of instantaneous measurements taken downstream as illustrated in figure 2. 

In situ measurement of the concentration of radioactive tracers in the different phases requires that the phases are separated and arranged according to density difference over the measurement cross section in a horizontal pipe. In general, the measurements are performed with two spectral gamma radiation detectors placed on top and bottom of the pipe respectively. 

The most widely used experimental method for determining surface excess quantities at the liquid-vapor interface makes use of radioactive tracers. The solute to be studied is labeled with a radioisotope that emits weak beta radiation, such as H, C, or One places a detector close to the surface of the solution and measures the intensity of beta radiation. Since the penetration range of such beta emitters is small (a ut 30 mg/cm for C, with most of the adsorption occurring in the first two-tenths of the range), the measured radioactivity corresponds to the surface region plus only a thin layer of solution (about 0.06 mm for C and even less for H). 

The slightly different physical properties of deuterium allow its concentration in ordinary hydrogen (or the concentration of a deuterium-containing compound in a hydrogen compound) to be determined. Exchange of deuterium and hydrogen occurs and can be used to elucidate the mechanism of reactions (i.e. the deuterium is a non-radioactive tracer). Methanol exchanges with deuterium oxide thus ... 

Cm.OROCARBONSANDCm.OROHYDROCARBONS - BENZYL Cm ORIDE, BENZAL Cm ORIDE AND BENZOTRICm ORIDE] (Vol 6) -additive for radioactive tracers [RADIOACTIVE TRACERS] (Vol 20)... 

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