ML20003A700
| ML20003A700 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Framatome ANP Richland |
| Issue date: | 01/19/1981 |
| From: | Crow W, Stevenson R NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8102050274 | |
| Download: ML20003A700 (2) | |
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UNITED STATES P
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION o
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WASHINGTON. D. C. 20555 k
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7 JAN 191981 b;
5 DOCKET NO:
70-1257 APPLICANT: Exxon Nuclear Company (Exxon)
FACILITY:
Fuel Fabrication Plant
.Richland, Washington
SUBJECT:
REVIEW OF APPLICATION TO AUTHORIZE CALCINATION OF PLUT0NIUM OXIDE, JANUARY 9, 1981
Background
Exxon's cQrrent license (SNM-1227) authorizes possession of 100 kg plutonium in a variety of chemical and physical forms and permits repackaging for maintenance of containment or for shipment. Recently Exxon has been able to dispose of most of the allowed plutonium inventory by shipment to the Department of Energy (D0E)
Richland site. However, approximately 4 kilograms of plutonium oxide need to be calcined to meet DOE's requirements for volatile material content. Shipment of this last significant plutonium quantity would put Exxon in a position to dispose i
of the gloveboxes (and associated ductwork) where plutonium has been processed, thus eliminating all plutonium inventory.
The subject application requests an authorizing amendment and describes the proposed control on the calcining operation.
Discussion The proposed oxide calcining will be done within Station 3B glovebox, which i
was fonnerly used to load mixed oxide fuel rods. The calciner batches will be l
limited to 500 grams oxide each and the calciner will not be water cooled.
In l
the absence of water, the 500 gram oxide batch represents less than one-tenth the critical mass and the batch is well below half the minimum critical mass for con-ditions of significant accidental moderation (up to 20 H/Pu atomic ratio).
In the absence of water, the limited baten operation meets the double contingency principle of nuclear criticality safety.
The operations with the plutonium oxide will be carried out in a sealed glovebox that was successfully used in the recent fuel rod downloading and re-packaging operations and hence no contamination or other health physics problems are anticipated. The entire calcining operation should be accomplished within a week. There shculd be no significant environmental or health physics effects as a consequence of the operation, l
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2 JAN 54 t-The application was discussed in a tilecon on January 12, 1981, with Mr.
W. J. Cooley, principal inspector of the Exxon plant from Region V Office of Inspection and Enforcement. Mr. Cooley saw no 6bjection to issuance of an authorizing license amendment.
Conclusion The proposed calcining operation will be conducted with controls and equipment that have been used successfully by Exxon in past operations. There should be no significant health or environmental effects. Thus, the isssance of this license amendment is not deemed to be a major federal action signifi-the quality.of the human environment and pursuant to 10 CFR 51, cantly. affecting(4), an environmental impact statement, negative declaration, Section 51.5 (d) or an environmental appriisal need not be prepared.
Approval of the amendment application is recommended.
Sincerely, l.kJ d. / he Robert L. Stevenson Uranium Process Licensing Section Uranium Fuel Licensing Branch Division of Fuel Cycle and Approved by: !M,
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W. T. CrowL Section Leader i
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