[ RadSafe ] Re:EMIS silver

[Bernard Cohen]

There were no neutrons produced in the plants and hence there could be 
no activation. The only radioactive material present was uranium, which 
is very weakly radioactive. The coils were encased so there is no easy 
way for contamination to reach them - I worked in one of these plants 
(9201-2) for eight yeard, passing these coils many times every day, and 
I never saw a coil exposed.

Shawn Hughes (Road) wrote:

> At 14:36 3/24/05 +0100, you wrote:
>
>> The electromagnetic urnaium enrichment process at Oak Ridge used all 
>> of the US silver reserves during WWII for wiring.  After the war, the 
>> silver was returned to government vaults.
>
>
>
> Susan, while I have photos and anecdotal stories about the 
> installation, I hadn't heard that any of the Alpha One racetracks were 
> ever dismantled. Can you cite anything for that, I'd like to read / 
> learn further.....
>
>> Silver from the US reserves was used to fabricate the magnets for the 
>> electromagnetic diffusion plant.The chance of getting it contaminated 
>> with the radioisotopes of Uranium was minimum. No one refers to such 
>> a possiblity in the literature.
>
>
> While it may not have been discussed in unclassified literature, I 
> respectfully disagree. The 'chance' of things being contaminated 
> anywhere in the Y-12 plant where the racetracks are housed is quite 
> good, actually. I base my opinion on living within 20 miles of the 
> plant, having all of my extended family work there, and most of my 
> friends not in Law Enforcement are in D&D work at 'the plants'.
>
> However, I think Susan refers to activation, instead of contamination. 
> While neutron-induced activation is entirely over my head, I believe 
> its' a distinct possibility. Can anyone tell me why not? Is it because 
> of the lower levels of activity that 235U possesses, over, say, 
> reactor fuel at the end of its' burnup?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Shawn
>
> ====================================
> Shawn Hughes
> Special Projects Consultant and Subcontractor
> Harriman (near Oak Ridge), TN 37748 USA
> (865) 335-7992 Voicemail
> srh at esper.com
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