Radiation protection of melting of radioactive contaminated metal

Abstract

An integral component of modern technogenic activities using nuclear energy is the accumulation of radioactively contaminated metals. Solving the issues of recycling or returning these metals to reuse is inextricably linked to ensuring the radiation safety of people and the environment at all stages of the technological cycle using radioactive metal. Possible consequences of the effect of ionizing radiation on the human body are considered, the features of radioactively contaminated metal as a possible source of radiation for production personnel are investigated, as well as the analysis of radiation safety of the utilization of radioactively contaminated metal by its melting using self-deactivation effect. It is noted that an important element of the complex of measures for radiation safety of production personnel is the assessment of the radiation situation, and its main purpose and overall content is indicated. The basic principles of radiation safety are formulated. The choice of rational options for the actions of production personnel in the disposal of radioactive contaminated metal eliminates the exposure of people to radiation levels that exceed standard values. Additional radiation exposure to the environment is also excluded. It is shown that the criterion of radiation safety of a metal is the maximum dose rate of gamma radiation from its surface, which ensures that the limit of the individual annual effective radiation dose is not exceeded. It is reasonable to review the permissible levels of radiation exposure of personnel performing operations with radioactively contaminated metal in accordance with the procedure established by the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. A multistage system for cleaning ventilation emissions from a melting furnace using an electrostatic filter at the last stage, which directly cleans gas aerosol emissions from radionuclides, is proposed. The results of the study can contribute to the return to production of large volumes of radioactively contaminated metal, significantly improve the technical and economic performance of metal production and help to prevent environmental disturbances.