Conditioning and long-term storage of spent radium sources in Turkey

Abstract

Conditioning, of radium sources is required before long-term interim storage to avoid the release of radioactive material and to limit radiation exposure. In this study, containment of the radium sources was achieved by high integrity encapsulation designed to control the radon emanation problem. The capsules were made of Type 316 austenitic stainless steel with dimensions of 22 mm diameter and 160 mm height. The gas pressures which was caused by encapsulation of different amounts of Ra-226 were determined. The maximum gas pressure found 10 atm for 900 mCi of Ra-226 in one capsule at 20 degrees C. A lead shielding device was designed to limit radiation exposure. A 2001 drum was used as a conditioned waste package for the radium sources and represents a Type A package under the IAEA transport regulations. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.