Report No. 047 – Tritium Measurement Techniques (1976)

In the short time since the radioactivity of tritium was discovered by Alvarez and Cornog (1939), this radionuclide has become important in many scientific and industrial fields. Tritium occurs naturally and is also produced by nuclear fission and neutron activation. The incidental production of tritium in weapons tests and by the nuclear industry and the effects of tritium on man have received considerable attention (Jacobs, 1968). New uses of tritium in research and industry and expansion of the nuclear power industry seem certain. All of these activities encourage interest in tritium measurements. This Report describes and discusses methods for the measurement of tritium in a variety of media. It is intended to assist individuals and organizations in the selection of procedures best suited to particular problems and resources. Included are most of the important methods for the measurement of tritium and information on their advantages and disadvantages. Step-by-step procedures and detailed descriptions of equipment are beyond the scope of the Report, and the reader is advised to refer to the extensive literature cited to obtain this information.

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Table of Contents
Preface