Strontium and cesium radionuclide leak detection alternatives in a capsule storage pool
A study was performed to assess radionuclide leak-detection systems for use in locating a capsule leaking strontium-90 or cesium-137 into a water-filled pool. Each storage pool contains about 35,000 L of water and up to 715 capsules, each of which contains up to 150 kCi strontium-90 or 80 kCi cesium-137. Potential systems assessed included instrumental chemical analyses, radionuclide detection, visual examination, and other nondestructive nuclear-fuel examination techniques. Factors considered in the assessment include: cost, simplicity of maintenance and operation, technology availability, reliability, remote operation, sensitivity, and ability to locate an individual leaking capsule in its storage location. The study concluded that an adaption of the spent nuclear-fuel examination technique of wet sipping be considered for adaption. In the suggested approoch, samples would be taken continuously from pool water adjacent to the capsule(s) being examined for remote radiation detection. In-place capsule isolation and subsequent water sampling would confirm that a capsule was leaking radionuclides. Additional studies are needed before implementing this option. Two other techniques that show promise are ultrasonic testing and eddy-current testing.
- Research Organization:
- Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, WA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 6354128
- Report Number(s):
- PNL-3844; ON: DE81023611; TRN: 81-014974
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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CAPSULES
LEAK TESTING
RADIOACTIVE WASTE STORAGE
CESIUM 137
STRONTIUM 90
COST
RADIATION DETECTION
REMOTE HANDLING
SENSITIVITY
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
WATER
ALKALI METAL ISOTOPES
ALKALINE EARTH ISOTOPES
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
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CONTAINERS
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INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
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MANAGEMENT
NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
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STORAGE
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WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE STORAGE
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
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