User guide

314 Advanced User Guide
10 Detectors
isotope is ingested or inhaled. For this reason the cell must be
handled with care: Radioactive leak tests must be performed at
the required intervals, the inlet and outlet fittings must be
capped when the detector is not in use, corrosive chemicals
must not be introduced into the detector, and the effluent from
the detector must be vented outside the laboratory
environment.
• After turning off the main power and allowing the
instrument to cool, cap the detector inlet and exhaust vent
openings. Wear disposable plastic gloves and observe normal
laboratory safety precautions.
• Return the cell for exchange, following directions included
with the License Verification Form (part no. 19233- 90750).
• Include a letter stating the condition of abuse.
It is unlikely, even in this very unusual situation, that
radioactive material will escape the cell. However, permanent
damage to the
63
Ni plating within the cell is possible, and
therefore, the cell must be returned for exchange.
WARNING
Materials that may react with the
63
Ni source, either to form
volatile products or to cause physical degradation of the plated
film, must be avoided. These materials include oxidizing
compounds, acids, wet halogens, wet nitric acid, ammonium
hydroxide, hydrogen sulfide, PCBs, and carbon monoxide. This list
is not exhaustive but indicates the kinds of compounds that may
cause damage to
63
Ni detectors.
WARNING
In the extremely unlikely event that both the oven and the detector
heated zone should go into thermal runaway (maximum,
uncontrolled heating in excess of 400 °C) at the same time, and
that the detector remains exposed to this condition for more than
12 hours, take the following steps:
WARNING
Do not use solvents to clean the uECD.