Re: incident details

[Kerimbaev <kerrembaev@YAHOO.COM>]

Paul,



1.1 I do know of the details nor I know heard of

such incident ever happening.

1.2 I also would like to learn about more it if

it has happened.

1.3 In any case, I am not petroleum refinery

technology specialist but I have some questions

about "vaporized" iridium.



2.1 As much as I know about refinery - petroleum

substances separation process, tells me that the

temperature of the process should be way below

the benzine (gasoline) ignition point.

2.2 Petroleums aspecially high octane

benzines(gasolines) are highly flammable.

2.3 Iridium as a middle periodic Mendellev table

range metal. It is unlikely that it will vaporize

by its self.

2.3.1 It may be CARRIED OUT with evaporating

petroleum fractions but then the capsule material

must be compromised in case if the source was not

in the shielded housing at the moment of the fall

into the vessel.

2.4 It is unlikely that capsule material could be

damaged by petroleum products, if they are not

chemically aggressive at refinery process

temperatures.



3. Speculations.



3.1 I would speculate that even if a source has

fallen into the vessel and some sample

measurements have shown presents of the radiation

above background levels then it is NORMs

(Normally Occurring Radioactive Materials in

Petroleum products)



3.2 I would believe in the "Vaporization Theory"

only if I've seen an Air Sample Gamma Spec

results or may be even an Oil-refinery liquid

sample and hopefully, samples counting was done

away from the vessel because an unshielded

radiography iridium source (90-150 Ci) can give

an interference at considerably long ranges.  



4.1 On the second part of your question or

question of one of your clients.



4.2 I think, they have that right, to ask you

that question because they pay you the money.



5. I am on my part also earning my money by

answering my clients questions and if they do not

like my answers they ALWAYS can look for someone

else, whose answers they may like better, 



if NOT,



Then,



My SUGGESTIONS/SOLLUTIONS WILL become DIRECTIONS.





And it is just part of the game.



Good luck with your adventures.



Emil.









Subject: incident details



Hello radsafers



I heard that about a week ago a 'serious'

incident happened at a  Refinery 

in Lake Charles.

As far as my information goes an iridium

radiography source disconnected 

into a vessel.

The message states that the source 'may have

vaporised'.

Due to environmental conditions I suppose.

NRC and Oak Ridge assisted with recovery

operations.

Further details are not available.

As this accident scenario seems new, we would be

very happy with more 

technical details and lessons learned.

One of our clients requested a statement if we

were equipped to deal with 

such an accident.

I am interested in off-line contact if preferred.



Regards

Paul van Rooijen







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