Presentation Information
[1B08]Development of a low-cost and disposable virtual impactor for particle-size-dependent radioactivity assessment at Fukushima Daiichi NPS
*Hugo Laffolley1, Youichi Tsubota1 (1. JAEA)
Keywords:
radioactive aerosol,particle-size-selective sampling,Fukushima Daiichi decommissioning,3D-printed instrumentation,virtual impactor
The decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS) requires improved characterization of airborne radioactive particles, whose health impact depends strongly on aerodynamic size. This work presents the development of a low-cost, disposable virtual impactor optimized for size-resolved radioactivity assessment. The device employs a novel flat, 3D-printed geometry enabling efficient separation into three size classes (<1 µm, 1–10 µm, >10 µm) while allowing direct integration with real-time radiation detectors. Anticipating particle generation during upcoming dismantling operations, the system’s disposability minimize contamination risks and remove decontamination procedures, which is essential in the FDNPS context. In-house design, CFD optimization, and preliminary laboratory testing collectively demonstrate the feasibility of this approach.