Management of spent sealed radioactive sources in Turkey

Abstract

Spent radioactive sources (SRS) have been generated from industrial applications, research, and medicine in Turkey. In this study, management of SRS (Co-60, Cs-137) at Cekmece Waste Processing and Storage Facility (CWPSF) is described. Eleven Cs-137 sources (total 851 GBq) and four Co-60 sources (total 27.75 GBq) that had been used as levels and density gauges were conditioned. Reinforced metal drums (200 L in volume) and cement matrix were used for conditioning of these sources. In this way, greater confinement was achieved for long-term storage. Maximum dose rates at the surface of the conditioned waste package were determined. In addition to information about conditioning stages of the sources, various calculations that have been done for shielding are presented. Surface dose rates of the waste packages were 1.60 mSv h(-1) for Cs-117 and 1.63 mSv h(-1) for Co-60. Measurements of the final waste packages were presented to fulfill the requirements (< 2 mSv h(-1)) of transportation according to regulations for the safe transport of radioactive material.