Re: Pu/Be Source Service Life.

[a.zapantis@qut.edu.au (Alex Zapantis)]

>Does anyone know if the plutonium-beryllium neutron sources produced
>in the late fifties and early sixties were engineered for a specific
>service life?
>

The School of Physics here at QUT has a 10Ci Pu/Be neutron source which it
purchased from Amersham 16 years ago. I am currently arranging for integrity
testing of its encapsulation as our Licence states that sealed sources must
be tested when they reach 15 years of age.

I have approached Amersham in a vain attempt to acquire from them an
estimate of the actual service life which could be expected from this source
given the environment in which it is used. They are not prepared to offer
ANY opinion other than to take the issue up with the statutory authority.

Sorry I couldn't provide you with any useful information. If you should have
any success in finding out anything in relation to this matter I would
appreciate it if you could point me to the same source.



                        Alex Zapantis
                        Radiation Safety Officer                               
                        Queensland University of Technology          
                        Health & Safety Section                             
                        Locked Bag No.2
                        Red Hill Qld 4059
                        AUSTRALIA

                        Ph     : 61 7 864 3566
                        fax     : 61 7 864 3993
                        email  : a.zapantis@qut.edu.au