Gamma-ray spectrometry method used for radioactive waste drums characterization for final disposal at National Repository for Low and Intermediate Radioactive Waste – Baita, Romania

• Published in: Applied radiation and isotopes Vol. 87; pp. 380 - 383
• Main Authors: Done, L., Tugulan, L.C., Dragolici, F., Alexandru, C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2014
• Subjects: Gamma-ray spectrometry; Radioactive matrix; Radioactive waste characterization; Romania, Bucharest; Radioactive waste characterization; Gamma-ray spectrometry; Radioactive matrix
• ISSN: 0969-8043; 1872-9800
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2013.11.053

The Radioactive Waste Management Department from IFIN-HH, Bucharest, performs the conditioning of the institutional radioactive waste in concrete matrix, in 200l drums with concrete shield, for final disposal at DNDR – Baita, Bihor county, in an old exhausted uranium mine. This paper presents a gamma-ray spectrometry method for the characterization of the radioactive waste drums' radionuclides content, for final disposal. In order to study the accuracy of the method, a similar concrete matrix with Portland cement in a 200l drum was used. •An equivalent matrix of a 100l radwaste cemented in a 200l drum was measured.•Vertical channels for hosting standard sources were drilled in the concrete matrix.•Drum was measured with 152Eu sources placed in different configurations in channels.•Activity was calculated assuming a homogeneous radioactive matrix.•For photons with E>444keV computed activity is relatively close to certified value.