Review of safety issues that pertain to the use of WESF cesium chloride capsules in an irradiator

Abstract

Since the recovery of the fission product cesium-137 began in 1967, about 1500 capsules, each containing an average of about 50,000 curies of cesium chloride, have been produced. These capsules were designed to safely store this gamma-emitting fission product but are now considered to be a valuable source for irradiators. Over the years, many tests have been conducted to enable selection of a proper containment material and to ensure the safety of the capsules in the projected environment. The results indicate that the capsules can be safely used in an irradiator and for ultimate disposal as well as for storage in the and Thermal Expansion 3.1.1 Effects of Decay Products and Impurities 3. 2. 3 Volume of WESF Inner Capsules and the Annular Volume Between Inner and Outer Capsules 31 3.2.4 Accommodation of Cesium Chloride in WESF Capsules at Elevated Temperatures 31 3.2 .5 Summary of Thermal Expansion Analysis. 3.3 CAPSULE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES. 3. 3. 1 General Mechanical Properties of Capsules 3.3.1 Impact, Percussion, and Fire Tests 3.3.3 Mechanical Properties of Aged Capsules

Characterization of two WESF (Waste Encapsulation and Storage Facility) capsules after five years of service

“…The range of variance in the other capsules is not unexpected. These analyses appear to be considerably more consistent than those reviewed by Tingey, Wheelwright, and Lytle (1984) The specific activity of the samples was calculated and is shown in Table 11. Also listed in the table is the activity determined by calorimetry of the capsules, decayed to correspond to the time of the gamma count.…”

“…Therefore, it was important to attempt to analyze the salt to determine the composition. Earlier efforts to determine the composition of the salt yielded inconsistent and inconclusive reeults (Tingey, Wheelwright, and Lytle, 1984). In order to obtain more information on the composition of the salt, samples were removed from the capsules following cutting of the capsule container.…”

Deep Borehole Disposal Research: Geological Data Evaluation Alternative Waste Forms and Borehole Seals

“…The presence of impurities in CsCl depresses its melting point. A review of total impurities for selected capsules (Tingey et al 1983) shows that impurities may account for between 18-31 weight%, including significant chloride salts of aluminum, barium, iron, potassium, sodium and silicon (DOE, 1990). Additionally, CsCl undergoes a phase-change at 469°C which results in a 15% decrease in density on cooling in addition to the 9% change that occurs on solidification below the melting point (DNFSB 1996).…”

Characterization of a WESF (Waste Encapsulation and Storage Facility) cesium chloride capsule after fifteen months service in a dry operation/wet storage commercial irradiator

“…In addition to these corrosion studies, an overview of safety issues pertaining to use of WESF cesium chloride capsules in irradiators has been reported (Tingey, Wheelwright, and Lytle 1984). This report identified thermal cycling stresses as having a potential impact on the container integrity .…”