ML20052A975
| ML20052A975 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 07001216 |
| Issue date: | 11/03/1972 |
| From: | Gautier R NAVY, DEPT. OF |
| To: | US ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION (AEC) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20049A233 | List:
|
| References | |
| FOIA-81-428 1104-31, NUDOCS 8204290498 | |
| Download: ML20052A975 (5) | |
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DEPARTMENT'OF THE N AVY II NAVAL UNDERSEA RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER I,
g SAN OlEGO. CALIFORNIA 92132 IN REPLY REFER TO:
1104/ALS:vh f,
-Ja'.y 10330 SER: 1104-31 t
3 fiOV 1972 From:
Commander, Naval Undersea Center To:
Deputy Director for Fuels and Materials, U. S. Atomic Energy Commission, Washington, D. C.
20545 Via:
Commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Command (042)
Subj:
Special Nuclear Material License No. SNM-ll54; request for amendment of Ref:
(a) NUC ltr 70/WWM:lvp 8071 Ser 70-56 of 26 Sep 1970 (b) NUC ltr 703/ALS:vh 10330 Ser 703 16 of May 15, 1970 (c) NUC ltr 1104/ALS:vh 10330 Ser 1134-27 of 31 Aug 1971 Encl:
(1) Test Program - Environmental Tests of Pure Plutonium Oxide Fuel 1.
The technical programs for which Special Nuclear Material c
License No. SNM-ll54 was obtained, by reference (a), and later amended by references (b) and (c) have progressed to the point where further amendments are requested as follows:
a.
The marine environment tests of plutonium-molybdenum cermets (PMC) as described in reference (b) have been completed.
Accordingly, it is requested that the quantity of 20 grams of plutonium-238 as molybdenum clad cermets be deleted from the license.
b.
The program for use of a 160 gram plutonium-239-Beryllium source, as described in reference (c) did not develop in the direction requiring need of this type source.
Accordingly, it is requested that the quantity of 176 grams of plutonium encapsulated as Pu-Be sources be reduced to 16 grams.
c.
A new program, similar to that for the marine environment test of PMC cermets, is being planned.
This program will involve marine environment tests of two 15 gram pellets of plutonium-238 as pure plutonium oxide (PPO).
Details of the test procedure are submitted as enclosure (1).
An amendment to SNM-ll54 is requested, to authorize the possession and use of 30 grams of plutonium-238 as PPO pellets.
Rec'd w/ltr. did.
R. H. GAUTIER ppna9o0498
O, r.
,a... r TEST PROGRAM ENVIRONMENTAL TEST OF PURE PLUTONIUM OXIDE FUEL 1.
General Information:
Under the sponsorship of the Space Electric Power Office (SEPO), AEC, the Naval Undersea Center is planning a test program to measure the effects of the ocean environment on the physical and chemical ch racteristics of pure plutonium oxide (PPO) fuels used as radioisotopic heat sources.
A general objective of the program is to evaluate the consequences of the entry into the ocean environment of a radio-isotope. thermoelectric generator fueled with PPO.
The ocean tests introduce temperature, tidal current and biotic effects not available in the laboratory.
It is planned that this program will be extended over a period of two years, starting late in calcndar year 1972.
These fuels are in the form of 40 10 micron particles of Pn-238, hot-pressed into pellets, prepared by the Los Alamos 3cientific Laboratory.
The pellets to be tested will be cylindrical, 0.5 inches in diameter, 0.3 inches thick containing 15 grams each of Pu02-Preliminary tests are being conducted by LASL on physical and chemical characteristics of the pellets.
Sea water tests have indicated a solubility of 2.5 microcuries per day over a period of 45 days since the tests have started.
It is planned to use the LASL tests as a control in the conduct of the ocean environment tests.
The ocean samples will be recovered if the LASL tests indicated an increase in solubility to 5 microcuries per day.
2.
Test Site
Description:
The program will be carried out at the Marine Environment Test Station, located on the protected (mainland) side of San Clemente Island, California.
The island, itself, is located approximately 60 miles from the nearest mainland.
Figure 1 shows the location of San Clemente Island with respect to the Los Angeles area and the other channel islands.
Also shown on Figure 1 is the north end of the island where all of the facilities to be used by this project are located.
San Clemente Island is under the sole jurisdiction of the Naval Undersea Center.
Entry to the island is restricted to personnel authorized by the Navy.
The emplacement area will be the shallow water just off shore l
of the Marine Environment Test Station site, at North Light Harbor.
The waters contiguous to the North Light Harbor are not normally used for projects other than those conducted at the Marine Environ-ment Test Station.
3.
Test Program:
The test program involves immersion of two PPO Samples placed in ocean bottom material (sand, mud, organic material) in an exposure chamber which will be implanted on the ocean bottom at about a 50 foot depth of water.
A sketch of the exposure chamber is shown in Figure 2.
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a-Enclosure (1) m9
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y At 3 month intervals, an exposure. chamber'will b3 recovered, the sample visually inspected, 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.
no water will be circulated through the exposure chambers during the test.
The chambers will be ented to the ocean to permit convection interchange of sea water and biotic material between the chamber and the ocean.
4.
Rad-Safety Measures:
Upon receipt of the test samples a complete monitoring survey will be made, including neutron and gamma dose rates, surface-and removeable alpha activity and air sampling as indicated by the nature of work.
The samples will be opened in a glove box and immediately immersed, in the glove box, in sea water.
Transport of the samples to the implant area will be in water in closed bottles.
Appropriate protective clothing, including gloves, coveralls and respirators as needed, will be worn during sample handling.
Personnel will be monitored for alpha contamination during and after sample handling.
Film badges, including beta-gamma and neutron monitoring film will be worn by personnel handling samples.
Each time the exposure chamber 1s removed from the water, contamination control measures will be employed.
The chamber will be placed in a plastic wading pool, monitored for direct and removeable contamination, samples of sand, water and biological material will be collected for Pu-238 analysis, and an area survey made upon completion.
Health physics personnel (the Radiological Safety Officer) will be present for monitoring services during recovery of exposure chambers, examination and/or recovery of samples and re-placement of chambers.
T Upon completion of the test program, test samples will be package in accordance with Department of Transportation requirements and returned to LASL.
The exposure-chambers and their contents will be packaged and disposed of through a licensed waste disposal contractor.
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