Re: Exposure from a spent fuel rod from the US supplied ResearchReactor

["Scott D. Kniffin" <Scott.D.Kniffin.1@gsfc.nasa.gov>]

>> I was a DOE sponsored training class. An instructor stated that the
>> exposure rate would be 320 REM/hr at an arms length from a spent fuel
>rod.
>> If this fuel has been in dry
>> storage for 10 years and not used, what causes that high exposure and
>> what would be main fission or activation products causing the exposure.
>> The fuel rod was 1.5 inch cylinder and about 3 feet long. I would
>> appreciate any comments. Thank you in advance.

At these dimensions, wouldn't that be a TRIGA fuel rod?  Ours were 20%
enriched 
when I operated one.  Made for some interesting work.  For my own
curisoity, did he/she say one rod or a bundle of 3 or 4?  If it is one rod,
320 R/hr isn't unreasonable.  Cs-137 would definitely be the major
contributor.  

Just my $0.03 (inflation adjusted)

Scott Kniffin

Scott.D.Kniffin.1@gsfc.nasa.gov
RSO, Unisys Corp. @ Lanham, MD
CHO, Radiation Effects Facility, GSFC, NASA, Greenbelt, MD

The opinions expressed here are my own.  They do not necessarily represent
the views of Unisys Corporation or NASA.  This information has not been
reviewed by my employer or supervisor.  

>> 
>> Myung Chul Jo <mjo@scs.unr.edu>
>> University of Nevada, Reno
>> Health Physics
>> EH&S/MS 328
>> Reno, NV 89557
>> (702) 784-4540(voice)
>> (702) 784-4553(fax)
>> 
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