New Sensor for Measurement of Low Air Flow Velocity

This report provides key results of a six-month feasibility study to develop and test a new sensor that measures ambient air flow velocity and direction for health physics applications in nuclear facilities. Using a conventional thermocouple as its sensing element, the sensor developed in this study enables nuclear facilities to determine where to place air samplers to sample airborne radioactive material that radiation workers might inhale. The authors demonstrate that thermocouple flow sensors can be used successfully to measure low air flow rates that cannot be measured with conventional flow sensors.