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Encapsulation & Packaging

Field-Sealable Special Form Encapsulation

Certification for the Model II and Model III SFCs has been transferred to Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) to enhance commercial availability. Special Condition 4.b. of each certificate states that capsule components must be sourced from "either SwRI or an SwRI approved vendor. For inquiries regarding pricing, availability, ordering, training, and assembly procedures, please contact Michael Dammann at SwRI directly. OSRP does not sell or otherwise distribute these special form capsules. OSRP does not sell or distribute these special form capsules.

According to the certifications, the encapsulation materials are restricted to solid forms within stainless steel capsules, positioned between layers of non-radioactive stainless steel, or affixed to non-radioactive stainless steel by electroplating or other means.

Multifunction Containers for Transuranic Sources

OSRP utilizes three variations of a multifunction container known as the Pipe Overpack Component (POC) to meet the requirements for U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) 7A Type A containers. These containers are also qualified for use in the TRUPACT II overpack used to transport material to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in Carlsbad, New Mexico, and serve as interim storage containers until final disposition.

Each POC is designed with neutron and/or gamma shielding to maintain radiation dose rates at minimum levels. In addition, the containers:

  • Provide standardized packaging for transportation, storage, and disposition in one unit
  • Allow consolidation of large number of sealed sources in a single drum to minimize volume
  • Address the physical needs of a wide variety of sealed sources
  • Reduce operational dose to workers at every stage of recovery operation

Type B Packagings for Removal of High-Activity Beta/Gamma Devices

In support of high-activity device removal activities, OSRP personnel at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and Idaho National Laboratory (INL) operate approved Type B packagings to ensure compliance with shipping regulations. These include the 435-B (USA/9355/B(U)), 380-B (USA/9370/B(U)), and CNS 10-160B (USA/9204/B(U)F) packagings. These solutions are commonly utilized for the removal of Category 1 and 2 devices, such as self-shielded irradiators or teletherapy devices containing significant quantities of cesium-137 and cobalt-60.