Radioactive Waste Issues - doe-hdbk-1108-2002

DOE-HDBK-1108-2002

Radiological Training for Accelerator Facilities

Student's Guide

Lesson Plan

Notes

Jobs/tasks (Facility-Specific)

Jobs/tasks that may require personnel contamination

monitoring include:

Machining and welding of activated materials.

Handling water used to cool accelerator components.

Handling sealed sources suspected of leakage.

Entering target rooms.

Accidental releases.

VI.

RADIOACTIVE WASTE ISSUES

Sources of Radioactive Waste

The radioactive waste from an accelerator facility tends to be mostly

machine components or experimental equipment used in or near the

particle beam. These components are often of copper, iron (steel), and

aluminum. Other items or tasks contributing to radioactive waste are:

Shielding blocks (iron, lead, or concrete).

Coolant.

Maintenance/modifications.

Cleaning materials.

Shielding blocks (iron, lead, or concrete)

Shielding blocks are quite large and their highest activity is

usually below the surface. Shielding blocks showing several

rad/hr at the surface may have no removable (wipeable)

surface contamination and can be stored without contamination

problems. Whenever possible, shielding blocks should be

stored for reuse where dose is not a problem.

If possible, cooling water should be cleaned and

recirculated/reused. The use of "pure" water minimizes the

radioactivation problems caused by impurities.