RN Wet contamination, self-decontamination and decontamination of vehicles
Publish date: 2025-08-12
Report number: FOI-R--5766--SE
Pages: 15
Written in: English
Keywords:
- decontamination
- self-decontamination
- wet contamination
- dose
- 24Na
- Na-24
- transport container
- glass powder
Abstract
This project was initiated by the Swedish armed forces tasking FOI (Swedish Defence Research Agency) to study self-decontamination of vehicles in the (simulated) fallout zone after a nuclear weapon explosion. By increasing the knowledge on selfdecontamination processes of moving vehicles, a better understanding of radiation exposure for mounted personnel is achieved. Hence adequate, evidence based, decisions regarding passive (self-) and/or active decontamination can be made and related to the acceptable dose of the mission. The radioactive fallout was simulated using an irradiated glass powder. Among the radionuclides, 24Na was used as a marker. A wet contamination of a military vehicle was performed, upon which the vehicle was driven 2 km at a speed of 15 km/h. By comparing the presence of contamination on the vehicle before and after motion, an estimation of the vehicle's self-decontamination capacity was obtained. The project spanned three years, 2022-2024. Preparatory activities were carried out during 2022. In 2023 one of the main focuses was to study the glass powder chosen for contamination of the vehicle. The chemical properties of the powder as well as the radionuclide content after irradiation were investigated. Furthermore, test methodology was developed and a field study was conducted. Based upon the experiences from the field study in 2023 the methodology was further developed in 2024 and a final field study was performed during fall 2024. This report summarizes the experiences and insights from the project, with emphasis on the field study in 2024. The activity level of 24Na was sufficient for the purposes of the project, i.e. the levels were suitable for detection and still low enough to maintain a good environment for health and safety. The simplified contamination equipment used during the field study in 2024 worked satisfactory, but with a limitation of contamination to horizontal surfaces only. It could be conluded that a vehicle operated at speeds as low as 15 km/h is not subject for noteable self-decontamination, at least when the underlaying terrain is of smoother character. In future studies, it is recommended to increase the speed of the vehicle to about 50 - 80 km/h. Further recommendations for future investigations can be seen in chapter 6.