Conditioning disused sealed radioactive sources at the Institute for Nuclear Science and Technology

     Within the framework of the IAEA TC Regional Project RAS/9/085 “Enhancing the Radioactive Waste Management Infrastructure in the Asia - Pacific Region”, three IAEA experts were dispatched to Vietnam in order to assist the Institute for Nuclear Science and Technology (INST) in conditioning of Category 3-5 disused sealed radioactive sources (DSRSs) (at low danger level) from11 to 15 June 2018.

     The aim of this task is to enhance the security and safety management of DSRSs at the INST storage for long-term control. During the week, the INST and the Vietnam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety (VARANS) assigned their staff to attend the conditioning operations and accumulate good experience in the practical source conditioning process from the IAEA experts.

Discussion on the field operations to be conducted during the week

       After five working days, hundreds of radioactive sources were dismantled from the disused devices and put into stainless steel capsules approved by IAEA. These capsules were kept in the suitable shielded tanks at the storage in safe condition. 

A shielded container for storing the neutron sources

       In addition to the safety purpose, the conditioning of DSRSs helps the INST to make space at the storage for accepting more DSRSs from other radiation facilities in the country.

       The task was successfully completed with the assistance of IAEA experts and the VARANS team. The INST staff got hands-on training and gathered valuable experience during this first-ever conditioning operation.