ML20052A962

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Application to Amend License SNM-1154 to Authorize Possession & Use of 26 G Pu-238 for Environ Test of Clad Pure Pu Oxide Fuel.Supporting Info Encl
ML20052A962
Person / Time
Site: 07001216
Issue date: 11/11/1974
From: Coulter G
NAVY, DEPT. OF
To:
US ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION (AEC)
Shared Package
ML20049A233 List: ... further results
References
FOIA-81-428 1104-33, NUDOCS 8204290473
Download: ML20052A962 (6)
v • d • e


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.g DEP ARTMENT OF THE N AVY

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SA N DIEGO, CA LIFORNI A 92132 m mEpty neren To:

1104/ALS:vt 10330 Ser: 1104-33 11 NOV 1974 From:

Commander, Naval Undersea Center To:

Deputy Director for Fuels and Materials, U. S. Atomic Energy Commission, Washington, D. C.

20545 Via:

Comander, Naval Facilities Engineering Command (042)

Subj:

Special Nuclear Material License No. SNM-ll54; request for amendment Ref:

(a) NUC ltr 1104/ALS:vt 10330 Ser 1104-34 of 26 Dec 1973 (b) NUC ltr 1104/ALS:vh 10330 Ser 1104-31 of 3 Nov 1972 (c) NUC ltr 1104/ALS:vh 10330 Ser 1104-26 of 30 Aug 1971' Encl:

(1) Test Program - Environmental Test of Clad Pure Plutonium Oxide Fuel 1.

The technical program for the marine environment tests of radioisotopic heat sources, as described in references (a), (b) and (c) is being expanded to include addigional tests.

The program will involve exposure to the marine environment of one clad pure plutonium oxide (PPO) pellet containing 26 grams of plutonium-238.

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The test procedure will involve implantment in the tidal area at the shore line of San Clemente Island 7

instead of ocean bottom implantment as in reference (c).

The details of containment, safety, security and inspection procedures are submitted as enclosure (1).

3.

It is requested that SNM-ll54 be amended to authorize the possession and use of 26 grams of plutonium-238 as PPO pellets in the manner described herein, in addition to the quantity now authorized.

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TEST PROGRAM ENVIRONMENTAL TEST OF CLAD PURE PLUTONIUM' OXIDE FUEL m

1.

General Information Under the sponsorship of the Space Electric Power Office (SEPO), AEC, the Naval Undersea Center is conducting a test program to determine the effects of the ocean environment on the physical and chemical characteristics of pure plutonium oxide (PPO) fuels used as radioisotopic heat sources.

A general objective of the program is to evaluate the conse-quences of the entry into the ocean environment of a radio-isotopic thermoelectric generator fueled with PPO.

The ocean tests introduce temperature, tidal, wave, and biotic

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effects not available in the laboratory.

It is planned that the phase of the program described herein will be extended over a period of two years, starting late in calendar year 1974 or early in calendar year 1975.

These fuels are in the form of 40 10 micron particles of PU-238 oxide, hot-pressed into pellets, prepared.by the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory.

The pellet to be tested is 0.92 inch'in diameter by 0.361 inch thick, is clad with 10 mils of platinum,'ir,idum alloy and has a 10 mil hole with a platinum-iridum mesh filter for the release of helium The pellet contains 26 grams of Pu-238 with a thermal ou, gas.

tput of approximately 15 watts.

Preliminary tests have been conducted by LASL to det' ermine the release of Pu-238 to the ocean environment.

An immersion test in simulated sea water has indicated no detectable release after 270 days of test.

2.

Test Site Description The program will be conducted at the Wilson Cove area, located on the protected (mainland) side of San Clemente Island, C.alifornia.

Figure 1 shows the Wilson Cove area of San Clemento Island with the implantment area indicated.-

3.

Test Program:

The program involves implantment of the PPO pellet in-a perforated cage to be suspended in the tidal area'.

The pellet will be located approximately the mean tide water surface level The perforated cage will be secured in a secondary cage which will be suspended in the center of an outer fenced enclosure.

The outer fenced enclosure, shown in Figure 2, is constructed of channel iron and chain link fencing and is designed to provide security and protection for the test sample while permitting exposure to tidal flows and marine biota.

Enclosure (1)

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The cage assembly will be suspended in the center of the fenced enclosure by cables from the eight corners of the enclocure.

The fenced enclosure, now in place for observation of wave, tido and sand movement effects, is shown at a time near high tide in Figure 3.

At 2 month intervals the test sample will be inspected, photographed, marine biota samples recovered for Pu-238 analysis, and the sample reimplanted if it appears normal.

If the sample appears abnormal, it will be returned to LASL.

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Rad-Safety Measures i

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surveywillbemade,includingneutronandgammadoserates,(J3 Upon receipt of the test sample a complete monitoring 6 ;T

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surface and removeable alpha activity and air sampling.

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,x Each time the sample is inspected a complete monitoring survey for surface, removeable and airborne alpha contam-(f ination will be' made including plutonium analysis of sand, water and biological material recovered from the area.

Safety Office personnel will be present for monitoring service during sample inspection.

Upon completion of the test program, the test sample will be packaged in accordance with Department of Trans-portation requirements and returned to LASL.

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