CHME 472. Detection Techniques for Radionuclides and Volatile Organic Compounds

 

1. Course number and name

CHME 472. Detection Techniques for Radionuclides and Volatile Organic Compounds

2. Credits and contact hours

3 credit hours = 45 contact hours per semester

3. Instructor’s or course coordinator’s name

 Ila Pillalamarri and Praveen Srirama

4. Text book, title, author, and year

text

a. other supplemental materials

Handbook of Trace Analysis: Fundamentals and Applications
Irena Baranowska Editor
Copyright © Springer 2016
ISBN: 978-3-319-19613-8
(2nd Preference Text book)

Nuclear Analytical Methods in the Life Sciences
Rolf Zeisler Vincent P. Guinn
Copyright © Springer 2012
ISBN: 978-1-461-26777-5

Determination of Trace Elements
Zeev B. Alfassi
Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 978-3-527-61576-6

* Methods for Environmental Trace Analysis 1st Edition
John Dean
Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
(Preferred Text book)
ISBN: 978-0-470-84422-9

Trace Elemental Analysis of Metals: Methods and Techniques
Thomas R. Dulski
Copyright © 1999 Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 978-0-824-71985-2

A Handbook of Silicate Rock Analysis
P. J. Potts
Copyright © 1987 Blackie
ISBN: 978-0-412-00881-8

Basic Gas Chromatography: Edition 2
Harold M. McNair James M. Miller
Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 978-0-470-43954-8

GC / MS: A Practical User’s Guide 2nd Edition
Marvin McMaster
Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Inc
ISBN: 978-0-470-10163-6

5. Specific course information

a. catalog description:  Basics of analytical techniques used to detect and quantify the presence of radionuclides, with focus on Lung and Whole-body Counting by Gamma –ray Spectrometry and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry techniques. Course also covers sampling techniques, chain-of-custody methods, and includes hands-on instrument experience at the Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring & Research Center (CEMRC). Course fee required for travel to CEMRC.

This course consists of three parts: 1) Introduction to basic concepts of analytical techniques for detection, measurement and monitoring of radionuclides and volatile organic compounds in environmental monitoring, 2) Lung and Whole-body Counting by Gamma –ray Spectrometry and analysis of internally deposited radionuclides, and 3) Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry analysis of volatile organic compounds

b. prerequisites: CHEM 111 or 115, PHYS 215 co-requisites: none

c. required, elective, or selected elective (as per Table 5-1): elective

6. Specific goals for the course

a. The student will be able..

1. write and explain the basic components of the analytical techniques;
2. understand how to apply an analytical technique for environmental monitoring; and
3. discuss environmental effects.

b. Criterion 3 Student Outcomes specifically addressed by this course are found in a mapping of outcomes against all CHME courses in the curriculum.

7. Brief list of topics to be covered

  • Part 1 –  Introduction to basic concepts of analytical techniques for environmental radionuclide monitoring
    • Terms and definitions in analytical chemistry
    • Units of measurement
    • Statistics
    • Detection limits
    • Sampling strategies – Inhomogeneity effects
    • Contamination effects
    • Chain of custody
    • Reporting analytical data
  • Part 2 – Lung and Whole-body Counting by Gamma –ray spectrometry and analysis of internally deposited radionuclides
    • Types of radiation
    • Radionuclides and radioactivity
    • Components of Gamma-ray Spectrometry
    • Lung and Whole Body Counting System
    • Calibration of energy and efficiency
    • Operation and principles
    • Reporting analytical data
    • Hands on experience
  • Part 3 – Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) technique for analysis of gases released from radioactive waste
    • Theory – basic principles
    • VOC generation
    • Sample Collection
    • Analytical Instrumentation – GC/MS
    • Analytical procedure
    • Application
    • Hands on experience

Common Syllabus Addendum

The NMSU Department of Chemical Engineering maintains a syllabus addendum containing course requirements common to all courses with the CH E prefix online.  This document is accessible from the URL: http://chme.nmsu.edu/academics/syllabi/chme-common-syllabus-addendum/