Radioactive sources in the steelmaking process - : Simulation of the distribution of radioactivity having accidentally entered into a steelmaking shop

This report lists the relevant nuclides presently or formerly in use as radiation sources and reports on their expected distribution between steel melt, slag, dust and off-gas upon accidental meltdown. Three groups of nuclides are identified, namely (a) strong γ-emitters (Co 60, Kr 85, Cs 137, Ir 192), (b) weak γ-emitters (Ra 226, Am 241), and (c) β- and α-emitters (Ni 63, Sr 90, Pm 147, Pu 238/239, and Cm 244). Equilibrium distributions based on thermodynamic calculations and experimental investigations are presented. Combining the equilibrium partition ratios with process-specific effects leads to realistic distribution ratios: The steel melt is expected to contain about 98% of the radioactive Co, Ni, and Ir, while the dust will contain practically all the Cs and about 1% of all the other nuclides except Kr which should completely report to the off-gas. The slag is expected to contain about 99% of the nuclides Sr, Pm, Ra, Am, Pu and Cm, and about 1% of Co, Ni and Ir dissolved in the suspended metal granules. The strongly γ-emitting nuclides can be, and are increasingly, monitored quasi on-line on steel samples taken in the meltshop. The respective equipment operates reliably and efficiently. An on-line detection of weak γ-emitters and of α- and β-emitters is technically not possible at present. The steelworks can minimize the risks connected to the inadvertent melt down of a radioactive γ-source by introducing three consecutive steps of measures: Prevention (Inspection of incoming materials), Inhouse Scrap Monitoring (Inspection during transport), and Product Control (Monitoring of steel samples and in the bag-house).