ML19207A448
| ML19207A448 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 07000572 |
| Issue date: | 02/10/1972 |
| From: | Gibson J MONSANTO CO. |
| To: | Allen J US ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION (AEC) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19207A429 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7908170564 | |
| Download: ML19207A448 (5) | |
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4 10 February 1972 Mr. Jim Allen U. S. Atomic Energy Commission Division of Compliance - Region 3 799 Roosevelt Road Glen Ellyn, Illinois 60137
Subject:
Plutonium-239 Beryllium Source Leased to Deltron, Inc.
Reference:
RLS-1026, dated 27 December 1971
Dear Mr. Allen:
This letter confirms my conversation with you on 31 January 1972 stating that we have received the subject source from Deltron.
We have transferred this source to our Mound Laboratory for dis-posal consistent with AEC instructions regarding sources of this type.
The source was wiped prior to shipping to Mound Laboratory and the surf ace contamination was found to be satisfactory (27 cpm).
Nothing abnormal was noted during an inspection of the source whicn included measurement of cuter diameter a.J overall length with comparison to original measurements.
Respe:; fully yours, James R. Gibson Operations Mana^er JRG:jl 79081 70 3"04 7,0E.. 0 87 _.
s, a
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v fluclear Products Dept.
Dr.
E. liardy
' r bruary 1972 e
Pu-239Be Control Source Problems fleeting Friday, January 28, 1972 Mound 1.aboratory RLS-1049 File Attending:
Dr. Hardy -
Full Time R. Schimmel -
Full Tine Dr. Cave -
Full Time H. Malson -
First Half R. Madding -
First Half H. Nason -
Second Half R. Fliteraft - Second Half Technical discussions were first held with Messrs. Hardy, Cave, Schimmel, Madding, and Maison concerning the results of the Mound 's program of evaluation of Pu-239 neutron sources.
Apparently there is suspected to be a high incidence of failure of Pu-239Be s;urces as a result of observing bulging and/or weld joint radiographs of the sources.
Some 80 sources are available for checking at the Moun d, and possibly 40-50% have been found to be questionnable.
Several comments were made by Schimmel and Hardy concerning the inaccuracies in data reported in Mound internal correspondence.
It was pointed out that the Mound program should use t'.<
terminology, Pu-239Be neutron sources, in order not to implicate specific other neutron sources for which there is no evidence of failure.
'..l s o, the reported methods of testing that MRC Dayton follens are of actual testing were elaborated on.not correctly understood by the Mound La It was our opi? ion that radiography would in no way assure integrity of the sources for re-use which seens to be implied by their acceptance criteria.
Just indicated poor coverage of velds.the fact of using only two 90 degree radicgraphs Also, pinholes are not detected on radiographs.
Though a complete source would pass all Mound is doing, the tests it would not be 100% assurance that the inner capsule is not leaking. It was our recommendation that no more capsules be sent out into the field unless the outer stainless is removed and the inner tantalum capsule thoroughly leak andsteel enclosure tested.
wipe At the meeting with Messrs. Jason, Hardy, Schimmel, Cave, and Flitcraft the over-all politics of the subject were discussed.
It p b: l'
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V Pu-239Be Control Source Problems 7 February 1972 Page 2 was pointed out that the condition of these sources was known (as documented by prior correspondence) clear back in 11 arch of 1971.
For this reason it was felt that immediate action should be taken tofforce the withdrawal of Pu-239Be sources from use.
It was noted that in 1961 a recall program was funded by the AEC to re-encapsulate the Pu-239Be sources in existence at that time.
The question of how to implement the call-back was discussed, and it was decided that the best approach would be to apprise the AEC Area Office of our recommendations and to have them initiate necessary action to have the Commission request return.
In addition it was agreed that MRC Dayton would investigate a small number, that is two or so, of the Pu-238Be and/or Am-241Be type sources.
The sources will be called in and radiographed to determine if there is any defect present.
A meeting was held between Dr. Cave, Mr. Schimmel, and the manager of the AEC Area Office to apprise him of HRC's interest in recalling the Pu-230Be sources.
The reception was quite cordial and the AEC expressed coricern for the problem but was also quick to point out they felt it best to carry out an orderly program of analysis before going out to industry and requesting that sources be pulled in.
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It was left that Dr. Cave would forward a letter of recommendation to the Area Office for their action.
Such a letter was scheduled to be 1ssued by sometime early in February.
It was interesting to note that the AEC area manager was confused in that he thought the program covered all neutron sources.
Robert L. Schimmel RLS/ss 7 ' L.
O'b
/Us
V SUICIARY NEUTP.ON SOURCE SURVElLLANCE PROGRAM ON MRC MOUND FABRICATED SOURCES January 28, 1972 Cl3 ",'o '.' n{.
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{ ~C. :. u.*. -
L
- .2 PnASE,
J' A.
Non-Destructive Tests :
Number of Test Sources Radiography 53 Leak Check 24 Visual 13 Dimensional 13 Dose Rate 32 Neutron Emission 25 For the purposes of Phase V, " Evaluate data and make recommendations," Phase I-A is essentially complete.
B.
Destructive Tests:
1)
Facilities essentially complete 2)
Test apparatus is undergoing checkout 31 Destructive tests to begin when manpower is available PHASE II A.
Letters were sent to all customers on original log.
B.
Customer response:
1)
Approximately 50% responded to questionnaire providing the data shown below.
Located No Resconse Yet Neentive Response No. of Kg.
No. of Kg.
No. of Kg.
Sources Pu-239 Sources Pu-239 Sources Pu-239 734 29.5 476 18.2 15 1.1 e
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SUBMARY OF NEUTRON SOURCES NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING AT MOUND January 28, 1972 r--
MRC MOUND FABRICATED SOURCES (Loan Program Inventory) 3' Not Satisfactory Satis factory Total Tj:s t for DNET for DN'ET Remarks Teste-Radiography 20 53 2
Outer liner open 3
Outer liner bulging 20 Inner liner open 5
Inner liner bulging 9
Fuel-liner corrosion 1
Leak > 3x10-6 cc/sec Visua1-Dimensiona1 13 13 Dose Rate 53 53 Neutron Emission 25
,25 Totals 20 33 53 MRC DAYION FABRICATED SOURCES (Loan Program Inventory)
Norma 1 Abnorra1 2
Outer liner open 13 Inner liner open 11 Inner liner bulging 1
Leak > 3x10-6 cc/see Dose Rcte 32 32 32 Totals 8
24 7
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