Application of Improved Radiation Monitoring and Decontamination ...
2016 EPRI IINTERNATIONAL LOW‐LEVEL WASTE CONFERENCE AND DECOMMISSIONING WORKSHOP Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando, Orlando FL, USA June 20‐23, 2016, Session #8
Application of Improved Radiation Monitoring and Decontamination Techniques to Significantly Reduce The Cost and Volume of Radioactive Waste Via Recycling Kent Anderson Director, Canadian Operations UniTech Services Group, Inc.
Table of Contents
• UniTech Services Group • Monitoring Criteria and Risk • Evolution of Automated Monitoring Equipment • Improvements with Decontamination Processes • Materials/Projects Completed – Waste Saved • Ways to Reduce Radioactive Waste Generation • Summary
UniTech Services Group Servicing US/Canada/Europe Nuclear Markets. Specialize in:
• Clothing, respirator and equipment decontamination, and monitoring
• Clothing, specialty bag, and equipment cover design & manufacture, sales and lease.
• Tool and metal monitoring & decontamination services
UniTech 9 North American & 2 European licensed facilities 1961 – First NRC license to decontaminate PPE Parent Company: UniFirst, 1.5B, Traded on NYSE, ISO 9001 & 14001 Certified
Monitoring Criteria and Risk The Human Factors associated with Hand Frisking increase risk due to: • inconsistent detector to item distance • difficult to obtain 100% item coverage • difficult to maintain consistent scan speed • difficult to determine if “clicks” could be at alarm limit • difficult to determine optimum alarm limit in fluctuating background
With automated monitors, risk is significantly reduced due to: • fixed detector to item distance • 100% item coverage w/detector overlap • computer controlled belt speed • computer controlled/calculated MDA • user selectable confidence levels and isotopic relative efficiency
Who cares if you can get it clean. If you can’t properly monitor to verify the absence of radioactivity, then it just doesn’t matter.
Monitoring Criteria and Risk • Monitor to requirements of Nuclear Regulatory Commission: Inspection and Enforcement Circular 81‐07 “Control of Radioactively Contaminated Material” • For DOE facilities, NRC Regulatory Guide 1.86: “Termination of Operating License for Nuclear Reactors (1974)” • 81‐07 and RegGuide 1.86 are equivalent. • UniTech Process Procedure RP‐062: “Unrestricted Release of Materials” documents our compliance program and highlights requirements • Process procedures are controlled under our ISO 9001 quality program
Strategy is to clearly outline what we do and how we do it, summarize the results, maintain enough documentation for proof of survey.
Evolution of Automated Monitoring Equipment
Personnel Contamination Monitors • Common boundary egress control. • Relatively simple – no or minimal moving parts. • Automation is limited to a timed count. • Evolved to Conveyor Monitor
Evolution of Automated Monitoring Equipment Conveyor Monitor ‐ Fixed Surface Monitoring (ABALM) • 600cm2 Alpha detectors • 100cm2 Beta detectors • 2500 dpm, Cs‐137, point source geometry, 95% confidence level, beta • 600 dpm Am‐241, point source geometry, 95% confidence level, alpha • Limits could be expressed as 2500 dpm/100cm2 beta and 100 dpm/100cm2 alpha • Human factors are significantly reduced Efficiency: 17% Am‐241 Efficiency: 21% Cs‐137
Upper Detector Housing, 72" active width, 600cm2 Alpha Detectors, 100cm2 beta/gamma detectors
Alpha Detectors
10" by 12"
Alpha Detectors
Beta Detectors
4" by 6"
Beta Detectors
Evolution of Automated Monitoring Equipment Pipe Monitors – Basic Idea • • • •
Automation 101 Conventional meters in a jig to fix geometry Scan speed can be easily automated Human factors still apply, such as meter observation • Evolved to Pipe Monitor
Evolution of Automated Monitoring Equipment Pipe Monitor ‐ Generation I Round Scaffold Monitor (RSM) Pipe goes through detector bank on conveyor
Pipe Monitor – Generation II (RSC) Pipe rotates in front of fixed detector bank
Evolution of Automated Monitoring Equipment Pipe Monitor Generation III: – 2,500 dpm/point source Beta, 95% confidence level, Cs‐137 point source geometry – Average efficiency over 800 arc, with 50 count update, 16 data points, box car average
This survey cannot be duplicated with hand held detectors.
Evolution of Automated Monitoring Equipment Pipe Monitor ‐ Generation 3 Excel Scaffold: Detectors shaped to meet unique geometry 2,500 dpm/point source Beta, 95% confidence level, Cs‐137 point source geometry
5,000 dpm SAM Wedge point source Cs‐137 fixed, pre war steel w/1.5” poured lead.
Evolution of Automated Monitoring Equipment FSA Alpha Beta Plank Monitor • 2500 dpm, Cs‐137, point source geometry, 95% confidence level, beta • 500 dpm, Am‐241, point source geometry, 95% confidence level, alpha
Evolution of Automated Monitoring Equipment New equipment was built to increase the monitored area from 35% for alpha and beta to 90% alpha and 95% beta.
Evolution of Automated Monitoring Equipment Specialty Tools – Cable monitor – 2 miles of 1” cable from the large crane – Pipe Splitter – demobilize old galvanized steel pipe. Split in half, flatten, monitor for release.
Evolution of Automated Monitoring Equipment Fixed Surface Monitoring, The Next Generation New detectors built to ensure optimum monitoring for heavy and odd shaped items
MJM Beta Jigs • 2500 dpm, Cs‐137, point source geometry, 95% confidence level
Minimize Human Factors W/Hand frisking •Computer controlled alarm points •Fixed detector to surface distance •Scan speed calculated by computer •Ensures 100% item coverage
Evolution of Automated Monitoring Equipment MJM Beta Jigs • 2500 dpm, Cs‐137, point source geometry, 95% confidence level, beta
Evolution of Automated Monitoring Equipment MJM Beta Jigs • 2500 dpm, Cs‐137, point source geometry, 95% confidence level, beta
Detector is 42” by 2” (500cm2 active area) can monitor the inside of pipes with a 4” to 8” diameter.
More Jigs under development as new shapes are identified
Improvements with Decontamination Processes • • • • • •
Low pressure steam High pressure wash w/soap and chemistry Ultrasonic Sink Co2 Multi‐Media ChemClean Process
R&D at UniTech, ongoing since 2009, expanded to metal decontamination (aluminum, stainless steel, carbon steel, etc.).
Without automated monitoring, survey risk is high.
Materials/Projects Completed – Waste Saved/Avoided Ladders Hand Tools Electric tools Extension cords Welders Drill Presses Fork lifts PHT Motor
Scissor lifts Scaffolding Chain Falls Computers HX Plates Machine tools Transformers Air Hoses
Pipe hangers Electrical Cables Structural Steel Refuel drive motors Instrument Cable Vent Fans Power Panels Rad Boots
Materials/Projects Completed – Waste Saved/Avoided
Materials/Projects Completed – Waste Saved/Avoided
Materials/Projects Completed – Waste Saved/Avoided Candu Tool Set (2.6M pounds – was G2 set)
Materials/Projects Completed – Waste Saved/Avoided Extensive disassembly was required
Materials/Projects Completed – Waste Saved/Avoided • 85% pass monitoring w/2 pressure washes, 15% require ChemClean Process.
Ways to Reduce Radioactive Waste Generation 1) Waste Avoidance through launderables: A Continuous Improvement Process
Ways to Reduce Radioactive Waste Generation 2) Tool/Scaffold/Equipment, Verify Absence of Activity: survey only and return equipment using state of the art monitoring equipment. 3) Ongoing demobilization of construction debris (structural steel, cabling, motors, etc.) using off‐ site decontamination/monitoring services. 4) Off‐site Waste Sorting: A) BSFR, B) reusable items, C) recyclable materials, D) incinerable above BSFR, E) volume reduce solid materials, F) identify new launderable item opportunities
UniTech Services Group Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Some of the methods outlined can be performed onsite. However, it is typically more important to focus on the project or task and outsource responsibility. Available facilities, equipment, manpower, and stable backgrounds can also present onsite challenges.
Fun Facts • UniTech has managed nearly 4,500 cross border shipments since 2001 (Canada to US) • UniTech Canada has a WNSL and ERAP. Responsible for materials from site. UniTech has all transport risk. • UniTech has a BSFR license that can permanently dispose of Canadian waste
Application of Improved Radiation Monitoring and Decontamination Techniques to Significantly Reduce The Cost and Volume of Radioactive Waste Via Recycling Kent Anderson Director, Canadian Operations UniTech Services Group, Inc.
Table of Contents
• UniTech Services Group • Monitoring Criteria and Risk • Evolution of Automated Monitoring Equipment • Improvements with Decontamination Processes • Materials/Projects Completed – Waste Saved • Ways to Reduce Radioactive Waste Generation • Summary
UniTech Services Group Servicing US/Canada/Europe Nuclear Markets. Specialize in:
• Clothing, respirator and equipment decontamination, and monitoring
• Clothing, specialty bag, and equipment cover design & manufacture, sales and lease.
• Tool and metal monitoring & decontamination services
UniTech 9 North American & 2 European licensed facilities 1961 – First NRC license to decontaminate PPE Parent Company: UniFirst, 1.5B, Traded on NYSE, ISO 9001 & 14001 Certified
Monitoring Criteria and Risk The Human Factors associated with Hand Frisking increase risk due to: • inconsistent detector to item distance • difficult to obtain 100% item coverage • difficult to maintain consistent scan speed • difficult to determine if “clicks” could be at alarm limit • difficult to determine optimum alarm limit in fluctuating background
With automated monitors, risk is significantly reduced due to: • fixed detector to item distance • 100% item coverage w/detector overlap • computer controlled belt speed • computer controlled/calculated MDA • user selectable confidence levels and isotopic relative efficiency
Who cares if you can get it clean. If you can’t properly monitor to verify the absence of radioactivity, then it just doesn’t matter.
Monitoring Criteria and Risk • Monitor to requirements of Nuclear Regulatory Commission: Inspection and Enforcement Circular 81‐07 “Control of Radioactively Contaminated Material” • For DOE facilities, NRC Regulatory Guide 1.86: “Termination of Operating License for Nuclear Reactors (1974)” • 81‐07 and RegGuide 1.86 are equivalent. • UniTech Process Procedure RP‐062: “Unrestricted Release of Materials” documents our compliance program and highlights requirements • Process procedures are controlled under our ISO 9001 quality program
Strategy is to clearly outline what we do and how we do it, summarize the results, maintain enough documentation for proof of survey.
Evolution of Automated Monitoring Equipment
Personnel Contamination Monitors • Common boundary egress control. • Relatively simple – no or minimal moving parts. • Automation is limited to a timed count. • Evolved to Conveyor Monitor
Evolution of Automated Monitoring Equipment Conveyor Monitor ‐ Fixed Surface Monitoring (ABALM) • 600cm2 Alpha detectors • 100cm2 Beta detectors • 2500 dpm, Cs‐137, point source geometry, 95% confidence level, beta • 600 dpm Am‐241, point source geometry, 95% confidence level, alpha • Limits could be expressed as 2500 dpm/100cm2 beta and 100 dpm/100cm2 alpha • Human factors are significantly reduced Efficiency: 17% Am‐241 Efficiency: 21% Cs‐137
Upper Detector Housing, 72" active width, 600cm2 Alpha Detectors, 100cm2 beta/gamma detectors
Alpha Detectors
10" by 12"
Alpha Detectors
Beta Detectors
4" by 6"
Beta Detectors
Evolution of Automated Monitoring Equipment Pipe Monitors – Basic Idea • • • •
Automation 101 Conventional meters in a jig to fix geometry Scan speed can be easily automated Human factors still apply, such as meter observation • Evolved to Pipe Monitor
Evolution of Automated Monitoring Equipment Pipe Monitor ‐ Generation I Round Scaffold Monitor (RSM) Pipe goes through detector bank on conveyor
Pipe Monitor – Generation II (RSC) Pipe rotates in front of fixed detector bank
Evolution of Automated Monitoring Equipment Pipe Monitor Generation III: – 2,500 dpm/point source Beta, 95% confidence level, Cs‐137 point source geometry – Average efficiency over 800 arc, with 50 count update, 16 data points, box car average
This survey cannot be duplicated with hand held detectors.
Evolution of Automated Monitoring Equipment Pipe Monitor ‐ Generation 3 Excel Scaffold: Detectors shaped to meet unique geometry 2,500 dpm/point source Beta, 95% confidence level, Cs‐137 point source geometry
5,000 dpm SAM Wedge point source Cs‐137 fixed, pre war steel w/1.5” poured lead.
Evolution of Automated Monitoring Equipment FSA Alpha Beta Plank Monitor • 2500 dpm, Cs‐137, point source geometry, 95% confidence level, beta • 500 dpm, Am‐241, point source geometry, 95% confidence level, alpha
Evolution of Automated Monitoring Equipment New equipment was built to increase the monitored area from 35% for alpha and beta to 90% alpha and 95% beta.
Evolution of Automated Monitoring Equipment Specialty Tools – Cable monitor – 2 miles of 1” cable from the large crane – Pipe Splitter – demobilize old galvanized steel pipe. Split in half, flatten, monitor for release.
Evolution of Automated Monitoring Equipment Fixed Surface Monitoring, The Next Generation New detectors built to ensure optimum monitoring for heavy and odd shaped items
MJM Beta Jigs • 2500 dpm, Cs‐137, point source geometry, 95% confidence level
Minimize Human Factors W/Hand frisking •Computer controlled alarm points •Fixed detector to surface distance •Scan speed calculated by computer •Ensures 100% item coverage
Evolution of Automated Monitoring Equipment MJM Beta Jigs • 2500 dpm, Cs‐137, point source geometry, 95% confidence level, beta
Evolution of Automated Monitoring Equipment MJM Beta Jigs • 2500 dpm, Cs‐137, point source geometry, 95% confidence level, beta
Detector is 42” by 2” (500cm2 active area) can monitor the inside of pipes with a 4” to 8” diameter.
More Jigs under development as new shapes are identified
Improvements with Decontamination Processes • • • • • •
Low pressure steam High pressure wash w/soap and chemistry Ultrasonic Sink Co2 Multi‐Media ChemClean Process
R&D at UniTech, ongoing since 2009, expanded to metal decontamination (aluminum, stainless steel, carbon steel, etc.).
Without automated monitoring, survey risk is high.
Materials/Projects Completed – Waste Saved/Avoided Ladders Hand Tools Electric tools Extension cords Welders Drill Presses Fork lifts PHT Motor
Scissor lifts Scaffolding Chain Falls Computers HX Plates Machine tools Transformers Air Hoses
Pipe hangers Electrical Cables Structural Steel Refuel drive motors Instrument Cable Vent Fans Power Panels Rad Boots
Materials/Projects Completed – Waste Saved/Avoided
Materials/Projects Completed – Waste Saved/Avoided
Materials/Projects Completed – Waste Saved/Avoided Candu Tool Set (2.6M pounds – was G2 set)
Materials/Projects Completed – Waste Saved/Avoided Extensive disassembly was required
Materials/Projects Completed – Waste Saved/Avoided • 85% pass monitoring w/2 pressure washes, 15% require ChemClean Process.
Ways to Reduce Radioactive Waste Generation 1) Waste Avoidance through launderables: A Continuous Improvement Process
Ways to Reduce Radioactive Waste Generation 2) Tool/Scaffold/Equipment, Verify Absence of Activity: survey only and return equipment using state of the art monitoring equipment. 3) Ongoing demobilization of construction debris (structural steel, cabling, motors, etc.) using off‐ site decontamination/monitoring services. 4) Off‐site Waste Sorting: A) BSFR, B) reusable items, C) recyclable materials, D) incinerable above BSFR, E) volume reduce solid materials, F) identify new launderable item opportunities
UniTech Services Group Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Some of the methods outlined can be performed onsite. However, it is typically more important to focus on the project or task and outsource responsibility. Available facilities, equipment, manpower, and stable backgrounds can also present onsite challenges.
Fun Facts • UniTech has managed nearly 4,500 cross border shipments since 2001 (Canada to US) • UniTech Canada has a WNSL and ERAP. Responsible for materials from site. UniTech has all transport risk. • UniTech has a BSFR license that can permanently dispose of Canadian waste
