NukeWorker Forum

Reference, Questions and Help => Nuke Q&A => Topic started by: LouDog777 on Mar 31, 2008, 04:41

Title: Leaded Glass
Post by: LouDog777 on Mar 31, 2008, 04:41: This might seem a silly question to some "veteran" glovebox operators, but is there a quick and dirty way to tell if a glovebox window was made with leaded glass? We don't use it here at the NTS, but the gloveboxes we are going to repackage from LLNL "might" have used them.

Thanks in advance,

Lou
Title: Re: Leaded Glass
Post by: spentfuel on Apr 02, 2008, 12:46: Most I have dealt with has had an amber to yellowish tint to it. And the other distinction is of course the weight compaired to normal glass.

I your talking about a "glove box" then my guess would be non leaded glass because the intended use of a glove box is contamination control and not for shielding.

If what you are referring to is an actual hot cell then Ill bet its leaded.

In either case I would try to find out and contact the manufacturer.

If repacking for shipment then not sure it would be a concern, if repacking for disposal then perhaps a concern

hope that helps

sf
Title: Re: Leaded Glass
Post by: LouDog777 on Apr 02, 2008, 02:53: Thank you for the information. From what I can tell on RTR, they are gloveboxes. We have pretty good AK documents and there isn't any mention of hot cells. Most of the gloveboxes were removed back in the 70's and 80's that we are going to be repacking. We have buyoff from our state regulators to remove the EPA codes from certain materials, so if the glass isn't leaded, we can dispose of as straight LLW and not mixed. Unfortunately, we don't have any manufacturer data on them either. ::)
Title: Re: Leaded Glass
Post by: Marlin on Apr 02, 2008, 03:49: I'm not sure that disposal would be an issue, I'm pretty sure that leaded glass would pass a TCLP for lead as it is already stablized in the glass. I could be wrong not having disposed of any but that would be my guess.
Title: Re: Leaded Glass
Post by: spentfuel on Apr 03, 2008, 12:44: May want to try these folks as a resource

http://www.raybar.com/

They make a lot of the leaded glass used in calibrators and since there in CA may have supplied LLNL or may be able to give you a good answer

sf
Title: Re: Leaded Glass
Post by: stownsend on Apr 03, 2008, 02:43: We still have and use hotcell windows with oil filled glass which also gives them a yellow tint.
Title: Re: Leaded Glass
Post by: vikingfan on Apr 03, 2008, 05:34: when I worked at battelle labs, we contracted with a company called hot cell services for guidance etc in removal and disposal of our hot cell windows. they may be able to assist you in your quest for answers. www.hotcell.com

:):)
Title: Re: Leaded Glass
Post by: LouDog777 on Apr 07, 2008, 10:47: Thanks all for the information, I will use it all. ;D
Title: Re: Leaded Glass
Post by: raymcginnis on Apr 09, 2008, 01:07: I had a photo of one that I helped dispose of in a previous project. This is one of the hot cell types, 3 or 4 feet thick, filled with oil to improve clarity. The lead glass all has a characteristic yellow tint.

(http://www.radprocalculator.com/images/LGW.jpg)
Title: Re: Leaded Glass
Post by: LouDog777 on Apr 09, 2008, 02:02: From the information that folks have posted here and some of the stuff I've found online, it makes more sense. I've had some folks here at the NTS come up with some pretty stupid explanations. The gloveboxes that we will be repacking used the thinner glass panes.

Thanks again. ;D
Title: Re: Leaded Glass
Post by: cwo4gatz on Jul 02, 2008, 03:46: lead glass is solf, scraches just looking at it, almost, if it has been around for awhile you may see lots of scraches on the outter face.