Testing hot cell shielding in the fuel conditioning facility

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1997 · Health Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00004032-199701000-00018· OSTI ID:621391

Courtney, J C; Klann, R T ^[1]

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1. Argonne National Lab., IL (United States)

A comprehensive shield test program for a hot cell complex, the Fuel Conditioning Facility at Argonne National Laboratory, has been completed with minimum radiation exposure to participants. The recently modified shielding design for two hot cells and their associated transfer paths for irradiated materials was analyzed and tested for attenuating gamma rays from mixed fission product sources. Testing was accomplished using 0.37 TBq (10 Ci) and 518 TBq (14,000 Ci) {sup 60}Co sources. Of specific concern were radiation levels around wall penetrations and the interface between transport casks and the cell floor. Detailed measurements were made for surfaces that bound the hot cells, a transfer tunnel between the two cells, and storage pits that extend below the floors of both cells. In addition to surface measurements, dose equivalent rates in adjacent corridors were determined when the larger source was exposed. Results indicate that with some administrative controls, the facility shields are adequate to meet the design criterion that limits annual dose to less than 10 mSv (1 rem) for facility workers.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 621391
• Journal Information: Health Physics, Journal Name: Health Physics Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 72; ISSN HLTPAO; ISSN 0017-9078
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
ANL
BIOLOGICAL SHIELDING
DOSE EQUIVALENTS
HOT CELLS
PERFORMANCE TESTING