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INSTITUTIONAL PRESENTATION OF THE CRCN-CO/CNEN

(APRESENTAÇÃO INSTITUCIONAL DO CRCN-CO/CNEN )

CNEN authority is a direct consequence of Law 4118/62, which created CNEN, and its alterations determined by Laws 6189/74 and 7781/89. These laws established that CNEN has the authority “to issue regulations, licenses and authorizations related to nuclear installations”, “to inspect licensed installations” and “to enforce the laws and its own regulations”.

Effective separation between the functions of the regulatory body (CNEN) and the organization in charge of the promotion and utilization of nuclear energy for electric power generation (ELETRONUCLEAR) is provided by the structure of the Brazilian Government in this area. While CNEN is linked to the Ministry of Science and Technology (MCT), ELETRONUCLEAR is fully owned by ELETROBRAS, a state holding company of the electric system, which is under the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME).

The structure of CNEN is presented in Figure 1. The organizational unit involved with the licensing of nuclear installations is the Directorate for Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety (DRS). Review and assessment is performed mainly by the divisions of the General Coordination for Reactors and Fuel Cycle (GCRC) and the Coordination for Safeguards and Physical Protection (COSAP). CODRE (Reactor Coordination) is in charge of nuclear power plants and research reactors. CODIN (Nuclear Installation Coordination) is in charge of other nuclear installations. CGMI (General Coordination for Medical and Industrial Installations) is in charge of radioactive installations and medical uses. DIREJ (Waste Division) is in charge of waste disposal facilities. In the areas of radiation protection and environmental monitoring, technical support is obtained from the Institute for Radiation Protection and Dosimetry (IRD). The necessary regulations and standards are developed by working groups under the coordination of the Norms Division (DINOR).

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Figure 1. Simplified CNEN Organization Chart.

Deliberative Commission

PRESIDENT

DRS Nuclear and

Radiation Safety

IRD Institute for Radiation

Protection and Dosimetry

IEN Institute of Nuclear

Engineering

IPEN Institute of Nuclear and

Energy Research

CDTN Center for Development of Nuclear Technology

CRCN-CO Midwest Regional Center for Nuclear

Sciences

CRCN-NE Northeast Region. Center for Nuclear

Sciences

COREJ Radioactive Waste

Coordination

ESBRA Brasilia Office

CGRN General Coordination of

Nuclear Reactors

CGIN General Coordination of

Nuclear Installations

COSAP Safeguards and

Physical Protection Coordination

COMAP Mineral and Material

Coordination

LAPOC Poços de Caldas

Laboratory

DINOR Norms Division

CGMI General Coord of

Medical & Industrial Installations ESPOA

Porto Alegre Office

DICAE Caetité District

DIFOR Fortaleza District

DIRES Resende Office

DIANG Angra District

DGI Infrastructure Management

DPD Research and Development

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Midwest Regional Center for Nuclear Science

(CENTRO REGIONAL DE CIÊNCIAS NUCLEARES DO CENTRO-OESTE – CRCN- CO)

The Midwest Regional Center for Nuclear Science (CENTRO REGIONAL DE CIÊNCIAS NUCLEARES DO CENTRO-OESTE – CRCN-CO) - National Register of Legal Juridical person CNPJ No. 00.402.552/0009-83-administrative unit of the NATIONAL NUCLEAR ENERGY COMMISSION federal authority-CNEN, linked to the Ministry of science and technology – MCT was created on 1 June 1989, with the purpose of representing regionally the CNEN with a view to monitoring of the activities arising from the radiological accident with cesium-137, occurred in the State capital of Goiás, in September 1987. The Midwest Regional Center for Nuclear Science - CRCN-CO, subordinate to the Directorate of research and development-DPD spent Managing Unit condition, with financial and administrative autonomy, patrimonial, with editing the gatehouse-PR No. 073, 23 October 2006, published in DOU No. 205, 25/10/2006. Located in the municipality of Abadia de Goiás in Southwest Goiás State, Brazil (Figure A.1).

Figure 2 – Information Center. Figura 3 – Radioecology Laboratory.

Figure 4 – Radioprotection Laboratory. F igure 5 – Center for Studies and Administration.

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Company Size

Built up area of 5.638 m2 including final radioactive Waste Repository closed (large Container and repository) and Interim storage facility. Currently the number of employees of the CRCN-CO is 33 servers direct autarchy and 23 indirect servers.

Waste Repository at Abadia de Goiás

Following the 1987 accident with a disused 137Cs source that resulted in the contamination of a significant part of the city of Goiânia, two near surface repositories containing 3.500 m3 of radioactive waste were constructed in Abadia de Goiás in 1995.

A long-term safety assessment of both repositories was done at that time confirming the safety of the two repositories. According to the requirements of the final safety assessment report, the long-term safety assessment must be repeated as part of the institutional control reporting requirements. After seven years of disposal, a second safety assessment was performed by CNEN to verify again the safety of both systems.

Product Range

The activities developed in the following listed CRCN-CO:

- Interim storage facility for radioactive waste collected.

-Customer service (visits, lectures, research, and etc..)

-Monitoring in Radiative Facilities.

-Calibration of equipment (monitors radiation and TLD)

-Analysis and study of radionuclides in water and vegetation.

-Study of applications of ionizing radiation in medicine at Mastologia.

-Promotion of the applications of nuclear energy and ionizing radiation.

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-Promote courses for related areas-response to radiological emergency

-Radioproteção occupational, public and Individual Environment.

Production Capacities

-Storage capacity of radioactive Interim storage facility at CRCN-CO of low and medium level in deposit intermediary, the intermediary in tank capacity CRCN-CO is 5 m ³ to low and medium waste radioactive (Am-241, Ra-226, U-238, Sr-90).

-Customer service-about 10,000 people per year are met by the information centre.

-Are held two regular annual courses.

-Trainings held annually-research and development.

-radionuclide Scans are performed on average 208 analyses per year in various radiation monitoring equipment.

-Indicators of quality and dose in mammography examinations: Are held on average 175 reviews per year.

Internal Services: calibration of TLD, Calibration of radiation Monitors.

Calibration of dosimeters reading and calibration of portable radiation monitors are conducted in CRCN-CO.

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Waste Management in CRCN – CO

WASTE REPOSITORY AT ABADIA DE GOIAS (Closed)

The waste generated in the decontamination process following the radiological accident with a 137Cs medical source in Goiânia are currently stored in a final repository at Abadia de Goiás, a small town circa 23 km from Goiânia.

Approximately 3,500 m3 of waste were generated, with an estimated overall activity lying between 47.0 TBq (1270 Ci) and 49.6TBq (1340 Ci). The waste was temporarily stored in open-air concrete platforms, occupying an area of about 8.5 x 106 m2 at a site near the village of Abadia de Goiás. (Fig. A.1)

Figure 6 - Temporary storage

The drums and the metal boxes containing waste were classified into five groups, taking into account the decay period needed for the contents of the package to reach a Cs137 concentration level not greater than 87 Bq/g, as described on Table 1.

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Table 1 - Waste from Goiânia Accident

GROUP (Time - years)

Number Metallic Boxes

Volume

(m3)

Number of Drums

Volume

(m3)

Storage Activity *

(TBq)

Total Volume

(m3)

Current Activity (TBq)

I (t=0) 404 686.8 2710 542 0,06 1228,80 0,03

II (0 < t < 90) 356 605.2 980 196 0,476 801,20 0,250

III (90 < t < 150) 287 487.9 314 62.8 1,44 550,70 0,76

IV (150< t <300) 275 467.5 217 43.4 13,67 510,90 7,19

V (t > 300) 25 42.5 2 0.4 30 42,90 15,80

Total 1347 2289.9 4223 844.6 45,71 3134,50 24,03 NOTE: * Storage Activity: at the time of storage / ** Current Activity: as of March 2008.

The following packages were also used in Goiânia:

• 1 metal package for the headstock, with the remaining source (4.4 Tbq and with 3.8 m3, of Group V);

• 10 ship containers (374 m3, with 0.4 TBq, from Group I); and

• 8 special concrete packages (1.4 m3, with 0.7 Bq, from Group V)

According to the IAEA classification, all the radioactive waste collected in Goiânia fall into the category of “low level – short lived” waste and this allows its disposal at shallow depths, in engineered storage facilities. The Group I waste, having specific activities below 87 Bq/g, could actually be exempted from regulatory control – which means that it could effectively have been released into ordinary waste systems. Nevertheless, it was decided to build in Goiânia two repositories: a more simplified one, called Great Capacity Container (Figure 7) for the disposal of Group I waste (about 40% of the total) and a repository with more elaborate engineered barriers for the disposal of Groups II to V waste, called Goiânia Repository (Figure 8).

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Figure 7 - Great Capacity Container

Figure 8 - Repository at Abadia de Goiás

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In conclusion, the problem of providing final disposal for the waste generated in the Goiânia Accident is thoroughly addressed. All the waste has been disposed in two near surface repositories, which have already been closed and with environmental restoration performed.

INTERIM STOREGE FACILITY AT CRCN-CO

CRCN-CO has also a small interim storage facility for radioactive waste collected in the Midwest region (see Fig. 4). This waste is periodically transferred to CDTN (see Fig. 1).

Figure 9. Interim storage facility at CRCN-CO.

Figure 10 - Data about the expedition (transfer) of Radioactive Material

Atividade Total (mCi) dos rejeitos radioativos expe didos no CRCN-CO e suas respectivas datas

27/06/96

29/04/97

26/10/98

30/05/01

31/08/04

01/07/08

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

2000

jun/96

out/9

6

fev/9

7

jun/97

out/9

7

fev/9

8

jun/98

out/9

8

fev/9

9

jun/99

out/9

9

fev/0

0

jun/00

out/0

0

fev/0

1

jun/01

out/0

1

fev/0

2

jun/02

out/0

2

fev/0

3

jun/03

out/0

3

fev/0

4

jun/04

out/0

4

fev/0

5

jun/05

out/0

5

fev/0

6

jun/06

out/0

6

fev/0

7

jun/07

out/0

7

fev/0

8

jun/08

Data

Ativ

idad

e (m

Ci)

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Figure 11 – Visitations to closed repository. F igure 12 – Disclosure of nuclear technologies.

Figure 13 – Promoting training of military and ci vilian entities to reply and response to a radiological emergency.

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Research and Development

The projects developed in CRCN-CO: studies on the quality of water and food (Fig. 13, Fig. 14, Fig. 20) as regards the radionuclide concentrations present in these arrays in the Central-West region; study on radioactive waste storage (Fig. 9) in Interim storage facility and study of the effect of doses in image quality in mammography (Fig. 16). Study areas impacted with radiological accidents by taking as a model urban accident in Goiânia in 1987 and the final intermediate Depot and Abadia de Goiás (Fig. 15 and Fig. 17).

Figure 14 – The area intended for planting food for study of concentration of radionuclides in water, plants and fruits.

Figure 15 – Effective Dose due to ingestion of 40 k by plant mid-western region.

Figure 16 – Laboratory of Radioecologia – Develops the work of monitoring of radioactive waste reposit ory CRCN-CO and developing PMRA programs (Program of Ra diological and Environmental Monitoring).

Figure 17 – Image lab – studies on the impact of do simetry in mammography examinations in the mid-west ern region.

Figures 18 – Remediate areas in Goiânia accident in 1987, which are objects of study of environmental impact through PMRA (Radiological an d environmental monitoring).

Services Rendered

The CRCN-CO develops activities internal calibration (dosimeters Fig. 19) and radioprotection services can extend public companies that are accredited with the CRCN-CO as well as the strategic sectors of export and development of the region West of Brazil. It is also carried out CRCN-CO promoting regular courses for the development and formation of new expertises in radiological and nuclear industry (Fig. 22).

Figure 19 – Apparatus for Irradiation using Cs-137 source used for the calibration service of dosimeters type control thermoluminescent dosimeter s (TLD) and radiation Monitors.

Figure 20 – Final repository – visits are carried o ut in facilities forming part of an environmental education programme and radioprotection.

Figure 21 - Radioprotection Laboratory – develops r esearch in the area of occupational and environmental radioprotection.

Figure 22 – Center of Study and Administrated – thi s facility conducts courses and where lies the administrative sector of the CRCN-CO.

Figure A.1. Main Brazilian Nuclear Installations an d Organizations

CRCN-NE

Caetité Mining

CDTN

CIPC

CNEN IEN IRD

Angra NPP

INB NCN

IPEN

CEA

CRCN-CO Abadia de Goiás Waste Repository

CHRONOLOGY CRCN-CO

1989-2008

1989 - Creation of the District of Goiânia – DIGOI, via Ordinance No. 63 on 01 June 1989, when it transforms the CDTN, Regional Office based in Street 148, no. 100 – southern sector and another unit, headquartered at Rua 57 Qd. 121, paragraph 7 – Central Sector, in the District of CNEN. Both in Goiânia, Goiás State, performing activities within the competence of the CNEN and represent regionally, under the responsibility of the Board of Radioproteção and Nuclear Safety (DRS). http://www.mct.gov.br/index.php/content/view/18924.html?toPrint=yes

- Support for the activities of the IRD, environmental monitoring of the affected areas because of the Goiânia accident, which occurred in 1987, and next to deposit radioactive Waste provisional, located 20 km from the city centre.

1991-1996 - Period of construction of the facilities of the complex of deposit, in the same location where before the provisional understanding deposit: deposit to hold the radioactive tailings in a large Container (CGP); and a Final Deposit, together with the laboratory of Radioecologia; Center for studies and training; Information Center; Building maintenance; and Bartizans. It is located on BR-060, km 174.5, in the municipality of Abadia de Goiás, which was founded in 1995. Transfer of DIGOI to the complex area of Waste Repository occurs at the end of 1996.

1997 - Inauguration of permanent Waste Repository of Abadia de Goiás and buildings of the complex of closed storage on June 5, national day of environment.

1999 - Institutional DIGOI takes control of Radioactive Waste Repository of Abadia de Goiás.

2003 - DIGOI initiates the transfer of financial compensation to the municipality of Abadia de Goiás, in July 2003, due to the adoption of Resolution nº 010 CNEN of 18 August 2003.

http://intranet.sede/documentos/bolserv/2003/bs152003.pdf

2004 - Transfer of DIGOI, of the Directorate of Nuclear safety and Radioproteção – DRS, for Directors of research and development – DPD, via Ordinance No. 110, of 8 June 2004. http://intranet.sede/documentos/bolserv/2004/bs102004.pdf

2006 - Is created by Ordinance No. 73, 23 October 2006, under the National Nuclear Energy Commission, the Unit Manager Position – Midwest Regional Center for Nuclear Science –

CRCN-CO, with the integrated system of financial administration of the Federal Government – SIAFI. It is established that can perform actions/facts related to budgetary and financial implementation. http://intranet.sede/documentos/bolserv/2006/bs222006.pdf

- Issuance of Permit/authorization – LO 564/2006 dated 04 January 2007 and dispatched by IBAMA, authorizes the operation of the CRCN-CO, with the purpose to develop research in the area of nuclear and environmental monitoring using nuclear techniques and sheltering in its Waste Repository and a Temporary Storage of Waste of low activity. http://www.ibama.gov.br/licenciamento/index.php

2007 - Inauguration of Radioproteção lab. First in the Midwest region, the laboratory carries out studies and executes projects, environmental chemistry and radioprotection dosimetry in the areas of environment and health through partnerships with the Federal University of Goiás, Mineral Resources Company (CPRM), the Environmental Agency of Goiás and Health Surveillance.

http://www.mct.gov.br/index.php/content/view/67749.html

- Launch of the CRCN-CO Site on the Internet. http://www.crcn-co.cnen.gov.br/