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RE: incident details
Melting point of iridium: 2447 degrees Centigrade
Boiling point (Vaporization): 4428 degrees Centigrade
I don't think so ...
Dave Neil neildm@id.doe.gov
-----Original Message-----
From: Kerimbaev [mailto:kerrembaev@YAHOO.COM]
Sent: Tuesday, February 05, 2002 4:26 AM
To: radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu
Subject: Re: incident details
Paul,
1.1 I do NOT know the details nor I did NOT heard
that such incident ever happend.
1.2 I also would like to learn MORE about it if
it has happened.
1.3 In any case, I am NOT a 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.
You wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
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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