MRI Decommissioning

The cryogen event

MRI decommissioning is uniquely expensive because of the superconducting magnet. Options:

1. Controlled ramp-down + helium recovery (preserves most helium for resale; takes weeks).
2. Quench (rapid helium boil-off through quench pipe; destroys magnet, wastes all helium, $30k–$60k helium loss but faster).

Ramp-down is strongly preferred if the magnet has resale value.

Disposal items

• Magnet — if working, high resale value (used magnets are sold into Open MRI retrofits, research). If damaged or ramped permanently, scrap metal recycling.
• Gradient coils — copper + epoxy; recyclable
• RF coils — multi-channel receive coils have resale value
• Cryogens — helium recovery mandatory before dismount
• Cold head + compressor — resale value

Data sanitization

Same as CT — HDDs destroyed / certified-erased per HIPAA.

Shielding

RF shielding (Faraday cage) is recyclable copper/galvanized. Removal is non-trivial (room build-out reversed).