ML19274D618
| ML19274D618 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Lynchburg Research Center |
| Issue date: | 11/29/1978 |
| From: | Reid R Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19274D615 | List: |
| References | |
| CX-10-A-010, CX-10-A-10, NUDOCS 7902140354 | |
| Download: ML19274D618 (2) | |
Text
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UNITED STATES
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMisslON
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{MO W ASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 SAFETY EVALUATION BY THE OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION SUPPORTING AMENDMENT NO.10 TO FACILITY LICENSE NO. CX-10 THE BASC0CK & WILCOX COMPANY CRITICAL E7PERIMENT FACILITY DCCKET NO. 50-13 Introduction By letter dated June 25, 1978, the Babcock and Wilcox h mpany (the licensee) requested an amendment to License No. CX-10 which would per-mit the use of a sealed americium-beryllium neutron source in place of the sealed plutonium-beryllium neutron sources now being used.
Discussion The licensee intends to discontinue the use of plutonium-beryllium neutron sources at the Critical Experiment Facility and this change to the license will permit the use of americium-beryllium as the reactor source material.
The total amount of americium in the source will be 5 curies or less.
The licensee has been using plutonium-beryllium neutron sources in the amount of 10 curies for laboratory instrument calibration as well as the source for reactor operation. The plutonium-beryllium sources for lab-orator / instrument calibration have been replaced by americium-beryllium which ir carried under a byproduct material license for the site.
Evaluation The Critical Experiment Facility is presently authorized to possess up to 10 curies of plutonium in the form of sealed plutonium-beryllium neutron sources.
The licensee desires to replace these neutron sources with a source made of americium-beryllium.
Inasmuch as the total amount of radio-activity will be less than the ten (10) curies, which is currently authorized under this license, and the two types of sources are very similar radio-logically, we conclude that the substitution of a sealed americium-beryllium source will be acceptable.
We have determined that the amendment will not result in any significant environmental impact and that it does not constitute a major Comission action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. We have also determined that this action is not one of those covered by 10 CFR 151.5(a) or (b). Having made these determinations, we have further concluded ho2 } C o359
that, pursuant to 10 CFR 851.5(o d4' an environmental impact statem<ent, or negative declaration and envit unesntal impact appraisal need not be prepared in connection with the issuance of this amendment.
Conclusion We have concluded, based on the considerations discussed above, that: (1) because the change does not involve a significant increase in the probability or consecuences of accidents previously consicered and does not involve a significant hazards consideration, (2) there is reasonable assurance that the health and safety of the public will not be endangered by operation in the proposed manner, and (3) such activities will De conducted in ccmpliance with the Commission's regulations and the issuance of this amencment will not be inimical to the common defense anc security or to the health and safety of the public.
Dated:
fiovember 29,1978 4
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