Packaging and Disposal of a Radium-beryllium Source using Depleted Uranium Polyethylene Composite Shielding [electronic resource].

Published: Washington, D.C. : United States. Dept. of Energy. Office of Science, 2003.
Oak Ridge, Tenn. : Distributed by the Office of Scientific and Technical Information, U.S. Dept. of Energy.
Physical Description: 2 Megabytes pages : digital, PDF file
Additional Creators: United States. Department of Energy. Office of Science and United States. Department of Energy. Office of Scientific and Technical Information

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Summary

Two, 111-GBq (3 Curie) radium-beryllium (RaBe) sources were in underground storage at the Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) since 1988. These sources originated from the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) where they were used to calibrate neutron detection diagnostics. In 1999, PPPL and BNL began a collaborative effort to expand the use of an innovative pilot-scale technology and bring it to full-scale deployment to shield these sources for eventual transport and burial at the Hanford Burial site. The transport/disposal container was constructed of depleted uranium oxide encapsulated in polyethylene to provide suitable shielding for both gamma and neutron radiation. This new material can be produced from recycled waste products (depleted uranium and polyethylene), is inexpensive, and can be disposed with the waste, unlike conventional lead containers, thus reducing exposure time for workers. This paper will provide calculations and information that led to the initial design of the shielding. We will also describe the production-scale processing of the container, cost, schedule, logistics, and many unforeseen challenges that eventually resulted in the successful fabrication and deployment of this shield. We will conclude with a description of the final configuration of the shielding container and shipping package along with recommendations for future shielding designs.

Report Numbers

E 1.99:pppl-3782
pppl-3782

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Note

Published through SciTech Connect.
02/11/2003.
"pppl-3782"
Paul Kalb; Keith Rule; Pete Kwaschyn.
Princeton Plasma Physics Lab., NJ (US)

Type of Report and Period Covered Note

Topical;

Funding Information

AC02-76CH03073

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