Dose-Rate Increase Resulting from the Failure of an Isotopic Level Indicator
Installed on an Equipment of Péti Nitrogénmûvek Rt.
L. Krasznai, M. Horváth, G. Szõlõsi
Tolna County Institute of State Public Health and Medical Officers’ Service,
Veszprém County Institute of State Public Health and Medical
Officers’ Service Péti Nitrogénmûvek Rt.
CEJOEM 1997, Vol.3. No.4.:334
A normal authority process revealed a disorder in the chemical plant of
Péti Nitrogénmûvek Rt. in Veszprém county.
During the pilot operation of the sealed radiation source installed
as a level indicator, the setting of the indicator had been adjusted several
times. The error was imputed to the faulty operation of the control valve.
The results obtained during the dose-rate measurements
carried out by the authority in the vicinity of the equipment motivated
to order immediate actions focused on the prevention of potential exposures.
The operation of the plant was simultaneously stopped.
On the basis of measurements it is most likely that
the fault was due to a mechanical problem, that is, the radiation source
of rod shoe had dislocated. The active and inactive parts had separated.
The active part had slid aside the inactive one resulting a part to project
out of the tank.
In order to clarify the responsibility and to perform
the inspection of the equipment, the German manufacturer and installer
of the level indicator were immediately advised and the elimination under
guarantee of the fault was ordered.
The Radiation Protection Service of the company
had prepared for the elimination of the fault in the plant, assuming also
the worst case.
The present experience is supported by a new concept
in radiation protection: the potential exposure and the safety of the sources.
| Vol.3. No.4. | Back
|