Conditioning of 60Co spent sealed sources

As part of their functions, the Hot Laboratories Center, EAEA, are responsible for conditioning of different spent sealed sources which received from different end users. Regarding to the inventory of spent sealed sources in Egypt, thirty eight 60Co spent sealed sources with low radioactivity levels are needed to be conditioned according to IAEA guidelines. The method of conditioning of 60Co spent sealed sources can be achieved using 200 I drum with special lead shield and concrete as matrix material. The surface dose rate calculation reveals that when lead shield of 6.5 cm thickness (density 11.35 gm/ml), concrete shield at least 18 cm thickness (density 2.35 gm/cm3) and 200 l drum thickness is 0.14 cm, (density 7.86 gm/cm3), the surface dose rate is 0.86 mSv/ h. The data are complied with the regulation of IAEA safety standard (surface dose rate doses not exceed than 2.0 mSv/ h). (authors)