RN wet contamination, self-decontamination and decontamination of vehicles (year 2 of 3). Annual report 2023.
Publish date: 2024-12-05
Report number: FOI-R--5661--SE
Pages: 64
Written in: Swedish
Keywords:
- decontamination
- self-decontamination
- wet contamination
- TGB 152
- dose
- 24Na
- Na-24
- transport container
- glass powder
Abstract
This project was initiated by the Swedish armed forces tasking FOI (the Swedish defence research agency) to study self-decontamination of vehicles in the (simulated) fallout zone after a nuclear weapon's detonation. The goal is to minimize the dose to personnel within the vehicle, and through better knowledge of vehicles' possibility to self-decontaminate during motion, improve the ability to make correct decisions and increase the efficiency of the decontamination process. The radioactive fallout zone is simulated by using an activated glass powder. Among the consisting radionuclides 24Na is used as a marker. A wet contamination of the military vehicle TGB 152 is performed, upon which the vehicle is driven a certain distance at a certain velocity. By comparing the presence of contamination on the vehicle before and after motion, an estimation of the vehicle's ability to self-decontaminate is obtained. Possibly the results can also give an indication of more general prerequisites for self-decontamination of vehicles. The project spans over three years, 2022-2024, where preparatory activities were performed during 2022. During 2023 the glass powder was studied. The properties of the powder as well as the radionuclide content after irradiation were investigated. Furthermore, test methodology was developed and a field study was accomplished. Based upon the experiences from the field study and from the other activities during 2023, the methodology will be further developed during 2024 and a final field study will be performed. This report summarizes the experiences and insights from the 2023 activities, with emphasis on the field study. One of the purposes of the report is to serve as decision support for the continuing project activities during 2024. In conclusion, the activity level of the analysed radionuclide was sufficient for the purposes of the project, but unfortunately only a small portion of the radioactive material reached the vehicle. This likely stems from sedimentation of the glass powder in the equipment, which affected the flow times and caused inhomogenities in the dissemination/contamination.