Propane as an alternative gas in a constant flow proportional counter
Abstract
The purpose of this project was to determine if a low cost hydrocarbon gas could be successfully used in a constant flow proportional counter rather than a traditional gas such as P10. Portable propane commonly used for welding or cooking in small disposable containers was chosen to be tested. Four beta sources, carbon-14, technetium-99, strontium-90/yttrium-90, and tritium, were tested in a constant flow proportional counter with both P10 gas as well as propane. The propane gas tests showed a clear increase in count rate as a function of voltage for three of the sources. This supports that there is gas multiplication from propane, and it is possible substitute for P10 gas. The resolution of the spectra however, is not as clear as the P10 gas.