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Industrial Uses of Nuclear MaterialsOn this page:
Regulatory authority over the use of ionizing radiation in industry is shared among several Federal, State, and local government agencies. NRC (or the responsible Agreement State) has regulatory authority over the use of byproduct material (radioactive material generated by a nuclear reactor) in industry. The remainder of this page describes the different types of industrial use regulated by NRC. Industrial RadiographyIndustrial radiography is the use of radiation to produce an image of internal features on photographic film; it is used to inspect metal parts and welds for defects. Look up information in the Industrial Radiography Licensee Toolkit. IrradiatorsIrradiators are devices or facilities that expose products to radiation to sterilize them, such as spices and some foods, milk containers, and hospital supplies. Self-shielded irradiators are constructed so that there is no external beam during use and there is "usually a small cabinet type device that is not built in." Non-self-shielded irradiators do not provide shielding from the radiation beam, therefore, additional shielding needs to be provided and special radiation protection precautions need to be taken. Look up information in the Irradiator Licensee Toolkit. Well LoggingWell logging is a process used to determine whether a well drilled deep into the ground has the potential to produce oil. This process uses byproduct or special nuclear material tracer and sealed sources in connection with the exploration for oil, gas, or minerals in wells. Look up information in the Well-Logging Licensee Toolkit. Gauging DevicesGauging devices are used to measure, monitor, and control the thickness of sheet metal, textiles, paper napkins, newspaper, plastics, photographic film, and other products as they are manufactured. Nonportable gauging devices (i.e., gauges mounted in fixed locations) are designed for measurement or control of material density, flow, level, thickness, or weight, and so forth. The gauges contain sealed sources that radiate through the substance being measured to a readout or controlling device. Portable gauging devices, such as moisture density gauges, are used at field locations. These gauges contain a gamma-emitting sealed source, usually cesium-137, or a sealed neutron source, usually americium-241 and beryllium. Look up information in the Gauging Devices Licensee Toolkit. Other Measuring SystemsOther measuring systems includes analytical systems such as x-ray fluorescence analyzers, gas chromatographs used for quality control testing in industrial processes, instrument calibrators, krypton leak detectors, and other "non-gauge" measuring systems. Look up information in the Other Measuring Systems Licensee Toolkit. Research and DevelopmentResearch and development involves the possession and use of radionuclides in industrial facilities for research and development. Look up information in the Research and Development Licensee Toolkit. Service Providers
Look up information in the Service Providers Licensee Toolkit. Source MaterialSource material licenses are issued for the possession and use of refined uranium or thorium for fabrication, research, and manufacture of consumer products such as ceramics and glassware; manufacture of refractories; uranium shielding; analytical standards; military munitions; and other uses. A small number of these licenses are issued to allow the use of uranium in subcritical assemblies. Look up information in the Source Material Licensee Toolkit. Special Nuclear MaterialSpecial nuclear material licenses are issued for the possession and use of small quantities of Plutonium, U-235, and U-233 (less than 200 grams total) for purposes such as biological and 'chemical testing; calibration of instruments; neutron sources for use in industrial applications; power sources to generate heat or power for remote weather stations, space satellites, and other special applications; and sealed sources in devices such as gauges. Look up information in the Special Nuclear Material Licensee Toolkit. |
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