A novel radionuclide-specific detector system for the measurement of radioactivity at steelworks

A new instrument to detect radioactive contamination in cast steel, slag and fume dust from steelworks is proposed. It is based on an electrically cooled HPGe detector. Experimental data presented show that it matches the requirements of the European Metrology Research Project “MetroMetal” and can replace, with significant advantages, existing equipment. The advantages (energy resolution, better nuclide identification) over common systems (scintillators) as well as drawbacks (lower efficiency) are discussed and typical MDAs values are presented together with the results from measurements of reference sources.