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Release limits and decontamination efficacy for tritium: lessons learned outside nuclear power operations
Edward J Waller1, David Cole, Terry Jamieson
1University of Ontario Institute of Technology, School of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, Ontario, L1H 7K4. ed.waller@uoit.ca
Health Physics
|December 12, 2007
Summary
Canadian military equipment, including light artillery sight knobs, were decontaminated to remove tritium paint. This process ensured safety and compliance with nuclear regulations for over 300 components.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Safety
- Materials Science
- Environmental Decontamination
Background:
- Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) equipment utilizes components with radiation-emitting properties.
- A specific concern involved luminous tritium-impregnated paint strips on sight knobs for light artillery.
- The DND's Director General Nuclear Safety (DGNS) requested the removal of these radioactive components.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail the decontamination of over 300 tritium-painted sight knobs used by the DND.
- To establish and refine a protocol for safely removing radioactive paint from military equipment.
- To provide a rationale for the release limits set for decontaminated items.
Main Methods:
- Physical characterization of the sight knobs containing tritium paint.
- Development and implementation of a decontamination protocol for tritium removal.
- Establishment of criteria and limits for releasing decontaminated equipment.
Main Results:
- Successful removal of tritium-impregnated paint from over 300 sight knobs.
- A robust decontamination protocol was established and validated through practical application.
- Experience gained allowed for modifications to optimize the decontamination process.
Conclusions:
- The decontamination protocol effectively removed tritium paint from DND sight knobs.
- The established release limits ensured the safe handling and repurposing of equipment.
- The project provided valuable insights into managing radioactive components in military assets.
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