BSU scientists develop radiation monitoring system

Specialists of the scientific team from the Sevchenko Institute of Applied Physical Problems at the Belarusian State University (BSU), under the leadership of Director Piotr Kuchinsky, have developed a multi-channel system for monitoring the radiation situation at large facilities. Today, it is installed on the territory of our country along the perimeter of the Belarusian nuclear power plant (BelNPP), as well as in the direction of the Smolensk, Chernobyl, Ignalina and Rovno nuclear power plants – as reported in the BSU press service.

The system enables to record the slightest changes in the radiation background in the designated areas and promptly transmit information via the GSM channel to the Republican Centre for Hydrometeorology, Control of Radioactive Contamination and Environmental Monitoring (Belhydromet). It is built on a modern element base and has a multi-level structure. This refers to the transmission of the data received from each automated point in a particular territory to the regional level and the national level: Belhydromet.

“The operation of the system is provided by high-speed dosimetric and spectrometric units for detecting gamma radiation,” the press service explains. “These are sensors that record the results of background radiation every minute. Unlike existing analogues, the development of the BSU enables to conduct the spectrometry of radionuclides, e.g., to measure, identify and determine the level of strontium, caesium and potassium. The system also includes meteorological stations that measure temperature, wind direction, air humidity, etc.”

The work is currently underway to expand the functionality of the complex. The scientists plan to equip it with additional submersible and soil sensors, filter-ventilation installations to measure the background level of radiation.