ML20010D591
| ML20010D591 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 07000622 |
| Issue date: | 08/11/1981 |
| From: | Kosla B NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20010D590 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8108280317 | |
| Download: ML20010D591 (2) | |
Text
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EOCKET NO: 70-622 LICENSEE:
Department of the Army j
l FACILITY:
U.S. Amy Armament Rese ch and Development Command
SUBJECT:
AMEN 0 MENT FOR SNM-561 I.
Background
The U.S. Amy Armament Research md Development Comand (ARRADCOM) submitted an application for amendment to Materials License No. SNM-561, by letter dated April 23,1981 c The request is for authorization to possess and use Pu-239 Pu-238 and Np-237 as check sources and activation fo11a. The small quantities requested have been previously carried on Department of the Anqy s'athorization pursuant to the provisions of 10 CFR 70.19(a).
Because the total quantity of materials would exceed the exempt. status, i
ARRADCOM is requesting an amendment to SNM-561 for possession of these sources.
In addition, the request is for storage only of 1716 grams of U-235 in the fom of Material Test Reactor type fuel elements (sealed source of uranium / aluminum alloy chd in aluminia).
The original license was issued in January 1962, authorizing the use of encapsulated Pu-Be neutron sources for research, and the license has remained active via renewal and amendnents.
II. Scope of Review i
The safety review of ARRADCOM's request includes a review of the application in terms of radiation and nuclear safety, a review of their compliance history, and a discussion with Region I, Inspection and Enforcement.
III. Discussion and Recoseendation A.
Radiation Safety Assessment The plutonium and neptunium requested are to be used for equipment set up and research studies subject to 50P as are the currently licensed neutron source materials. There has been a long history l
of safe operation at ARRADCOM, and the addition of these quantities of material should pose no threat to the wellbeing of the staff or i
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public if the current safe practices continue. The uranium fuel elements are for 0 storage only" under this license and therefore no radiation safety hazard from uranium should exist.
The storace area described in detail has a safety alarm system and is ur. der control and jurisdiction of the Radiation Protection Officer.
B.
Nuclear Critical',ty Safety Assessment The 1716 grams of U-235. contained in 1842 grams of uranium is in an unspecified number of MTR-type fuel elements. Storage racks or other f.torage arrangements have not been specified in the appli-cation.
It is recommended that tim fuel elements be stored in the as-received shipping containers. The possibility of nuclear criti-cality is extremely remote for 1716 grams U-235 as MTR-type fuel elements, and storage in the shipping containers adds to the margin of safety. Accordingly, good cause exists for an exemption from 10 CFR 70.24 requirements. The staff has determined that, in accordance with 10 CFR 70.14, the exemption will not endanger life or property of the common defense and security and is otherwise in the public interest.
Discussion with Region I IE on August 14,1981 elicited no objections to the amendment request.
l Approval of the amendment (No. 8) to authorize the addition of 2 mg Pu-239,1 pg Pu-238, and 15 mg Np-237, for possession and use and 1842 g. U enriched 93.17% (1716 g U-235) for storage, is recommended subject to the following conditions:
Condition 17. The licensee is hereby exempted from the provisions of 10 CFR 70.24 insofar as this section applies to materials held under this license.
Condition 18. The Itcensee shall store the U-235 con-tained in the MTR-type fuel in the closed MTR shipping containers.
original signed by B. M. Kosla B. M. Kosla Uranium Process Licei.:ing Section Uranium Fuel Licensing Branch Division of Fuel Cycle and Material Safety OrigiDal31
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