Scientific and Technical Reports

Browse

Browsing Scientific and Technical Reports by Author "Australian Atomic Energy Commission Research Establishment Lucas Heights"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open days Lucas Heights 1969
    (Australian Atomic Energy Commission Research Establishment Lucas Heights, 1969-09-10) Australian Atomic Energy Commission Research Establishment Lucas Heights
    The Chairman, Commissioners and Staff of the Atomic Energy Division Commission welcome you to this Open Day at the Research Establishment. We have made special arrangements to open many areas not usually available for inspection and have arranged exhibits to show the great variety of research and production activities in which the Commission is engaged. The staff will answer your enquiries and try to make your visit both instructive and enjoyable. The most tangible benefit to Australia to date from the work at Lucas Heights is the production of radioisotopes for medical diagnosis and treatment, for application in industrial production techniques, for research in our own and other laboratories throughout the country, and for export to nearby countries. But it must be emphasised that this is only a part of our work. We have here a team of experts skilled in all aspects of nuclear science and engineering and ready to play their part in establishing a nuclear power industry in Australia. The buildings, plant, special facilities unique in Australia, and the novel pieces of equipment on display make up a significant investment in an advanced technology. In our research program we are preparing for the role of the atom in assisting our national development. In the time available you will not be able to see all the displays. We hope you will use this booklet to select those displays of special interest to you, together with others which will extend your knowledge of the Commission's work.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Report of the committee of inquiry into a fire which occurred on 18 March 1987 in a radioisotope processing cell, Building 54 at the Lucas Heights Research Laboratories
    (Australian Atomic Energy Commission Research Establishment Lucas Heights, 1987-03-25) Australian Atomic Energy Commission Research Establishment Lucas Heights
    l. At about 1745 hours on Wednesday, l8 March 1987 a fire occurred in a small charcoal filter inside a processing cell (hot cell) in Building 54 at the Lucas Heights Research Laboratories (LHRL). This cell was being used to process irradiated uranium to separate the radioactive isotope molybdenum—99. 2. The fire was not related to either of the two research reactors at the LHRL site. It was confined to the charcoal filter in the above mentioned cell, which is about 500 metres from the nuclear reactor HIFAR. 3. Some radioactive contamination escaped from the hot cell into the operating area and three AAEC officers were found to have minor radioactive contamination on their skin/hair. A fourth AAEC officer had a spot of contamination on his trousers. The contamination was short-lived and was quickly and easily removed by washing with soap and water. 4. The majority of the radioactive material released from the fire was trapped by the main filters outside the cell. The total amounts of radioactive noble gas and of radioiodine released to the environment during the week in which the fire occurred were within the normal range of discharge and were 53% and 2.1%, respectively, of the weekly limit authorised by the NSW Department of Health. 5. Early advice on the accident was provided to the Minister for Resources and Energy and to relevant State and Local Government Authorities. A representative of the NSW Department of Health was present at the Lucas Heights Research Laboratories on the evening of 18 March. 6. The Committee noted that the response to the accident by personnel of the AAEC and of NSW emergency organisations was prompt and effective. 7. A number of recommendations have been made by the Committee to avoid a similar occurrence and to make further improvements in the effectiveness of the emergency response. 8. On the evidence available to it, the Committee: . concludes that the fire was caused by spontaneous combustion in the charcoal filter used to trap radioactive gases released by the operations in the hot cell, . concludes that the mechanism causing the fire cannot be clearly established at this stage and some further research and investigation is necessary to clarify the mechanism, . believes that no member of AAEC staff, NSW emergency services personnel or the general public suffered, or will suffer, any adverse health effects from radioactivity as a result of the accident.