Regional accounting and control of radioactive substances, ionizing radiation sources and radioactive wastes

Law No. 190-FZ “On the Handling of Radioactive Waste and on Making Amendments to Selected Enactments of the Russian Federation” dated 11 July 2011, which governs the relations in the field of radioactive waste (RW) and radioactive substance (RS) handling, introduces the notion “criteria of radioactive waste acceptability for disposal”. These criteria are based on requirements to the physicochemical characteristics of RW and packages thereof, have been established for the purpose of safe RW disposal and are binding.
The successful accomplishment of the tasks at hand requires specific knowledge and skills, as well as the possession of the equipment enabling reliable operation of the RS and RW accounting and control system.
The following nondestructive techniques are used at FSUE Radon for RW characterization:

• radiological control of RW;
• accurate weighing of RW;
• introscopic control of RW;
• γ-spectrometric analysis;
• an item labeling system.

A variety of instruments and facilities is employed to identify the spectral composition, the gamma radiation intensity and the activity (specific, gross) of gamma emitting nuclides in RW packages. The major devices used by the RW accounting and control department include DKS-AT 1123 dose meters (Atomtech), X-ray units, high-accuracy scales, turntables, an InSpector-1000 (Canberra) portable gamma spectrometer, and fixed and mobile gamma spectrometry units (Canberra, ORTEC, Envinet, Doza).
The following depends on the accurate measurement of RW characteristics:
- accuracy of RW categorization;
- selection of the efficient and safe processing technique;
- target warehousing with the most efficient filling pattern selection leading subsequently to a reduced storage maintenance cost;
- detection of discrepancies between the RW characteristics declared and those actually measured, with operationally made decisions on the package withdrawal from the waiting list for respective processing;
- the capability for making decisions on the RW control exemptions;
(SPORO-2002, p. 5.7. Short-lived waste with the radionuclide decay time of less than one year for the values of below the minimum significant specific activities, are permitted to be stored within the organization on an interim basis, without being removed for disposal, and be subsequently handled as nonradioactive waste.)
- timely accounting with respect to the formation of radioactive substances and radioactive wastes, receipt of these from one and handover to other organizations, transfer between the organization’s departments, consumption and other operations;
- support of corporate and state information systems by providing reliable data on all RW and RW handling operations;
- collection of statistical data for prediction of the situation on the site or within the organization in future.
The major measurement errors occur because of inaccurate characterization values recorded for the item measured, and irregular matrix activity and density distributions within the package.
The measurements made at different facilities using auxiliary equipment under the expert guidance enable sufficiently reliable and accurate characterization of RW. All operations satisfy to the requirements of regulatory documents that govern the RS and RW handling processes.
We offer you cooperation in the following fields:

• all types of nondestructive gamma-spectrometric examination and express analysis;
• technical consultations on nuclear spectrometry;
• consultations on document circulation in RW and RW handling;
• development and introduction of RS and RW databases given the customer specifics;
• development of the RS and RW storage and package labeling and sealing system fully in accordance with NP-067-11;
• assistance in testing, adjustment and calibration of gamma spectrometry equipment based on developed and approved techniques.

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