Design and fabrication of a 200 litres capacity waste drum assaying system by simultaneous gross-gamma and gross-neutron counting in α-active solid wastes

The α-active solid waste generated from fume-hoods and glove-boxes in PuO2-based fuel fabrication plant, is generally doubly sealed in small PVC-bags and stored in 200 litres capacity mild steel drums. The specified limit for disposal of such waste is <100 nCi / gm. One needs the assaying and certifying these as-stored 200 litres capacity waste drums, prior to their disposal, since it is risky for workers to open them, if stored for long. So, an assaying system consisting of a drum rotating and lifting mechanism along with gross-gamma and gross neutron detectors has been designed, fabricated, assembled and used at AFFF. (author)