ML20058P959
| ML20058P959 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 07000025 |
| Issue date: | 08/14/1990 |
| From: | Rutherford P ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL CORP. |
| To: | Haughney C NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9008210029 | |
| Download: ML20058P959 (2) | |
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Rock.Wyn. Div6elon nook n ini.rn ima i corpora'*a Rockwell InterndODM Canoga P k Cal fo nia 91303 ROCKET Y P
August 14, 1990 In reply refer to 90RC10655 Mr. Charles Haughney, Chief Fuel Cycle' Safety Branch Division of Industrial & Medical Nuclear Safety U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C.
20555
Subject:
Request for Exemption of Criticality Control Requirements in Part I of the SNM 21 License (Application).
Rockwell International
)
Docket No. 70 25.
I I
Reference:
C. J. Haughney (NRC) to P. D. Rutherford (RI), Untitled, July 30, 1990.
Dear Sir:
In the subject letter you confirmed that because of the 400 grm possession limit for SNM, Rocketdyne is not subject to the requirement of 10CFR70.24 pertaining to criticality alarms. However, you also indicated that our request to delete all requirements related to criticality controls established 1
in Part I of the license was still under staff review. Subsequent discussion with George-Biddinger of your staff on August 6,1990 disclosed that NRC was concerned that the potential for discovery of large (unknown)-quantities of SNM during D&D activities would require retention of criticality controls.
He also said that if Rocketdyne could provide assurance that no'such undiscovered cache of SNM existed, NRC would reconsider deleting the criticality control requirements.
The facilities in question are Buildings 20, 9, 5 and the sodium dispasal facility.
The principal facility is Building 20 (Hot Lab). This building is currently undergoing D&D. All locations have been physically inspected and surveyed.
It is estimated that less than three curies of. activity ramain as contamination, mostly $,
7, of which approximately 0.03 curies is a activity, indicative of uranium isotopes and transuranics.
No unknown quantities of SNM material in the form of discrete items, j
(pellets, slugs, etc.) were found.
Building 9 (ISI Development). A physical and radiological survey of i
Building 9 was performed in 1988 to assess the level of contamination i
remaining _ af ter removal of all-equipment associated with prior I
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e 90RC10655 August 14, 1990 i
Page 2 operations.
It was deduced that the only remaining contamination j
occurred in a hold up tank and drain lines and these were removed in 1989. No unknown quantities of SNM material in the form of discrete items (pellets, slugs, etc.) were found.
Building 5 (Uranium Carbide Pilot Plant).
Following cessation'of e
operations at this facility, it was decontaminated. A radiological survey done in 1987 indicated that the only remaining contamination l
(principally uranium) was in the ventilation ducts and filters and some underground piping. No unknown quantities of discrete SNN material (pellets, slugs, etc.) were found.
This facility will be completely decontaminated in the near future.
Sodium Disposal Facility. The concrete lined pit has been cleaned out and resurfaced, and the basins are now dry. Several areas of the contaminated basin have been dug out. Total estimated contamination in i
the Sodium Disposal Facility is 1 mci of mostly mixed fission products (Csl37 and Sr90). Of this, less than 10 pCi is in the form of U235 and l
U234. This facility will be completely decontaminated in the near future.
l l
The foregoing discussion provides assurance that no previously unknown amounts of SNM in the quantities requiring a criticality control program (450 grm SNM per 100FR70.24) exist at any NRC licensed facility at the SSFL. 'Rocketdyne, therefore, requests exemption from all criticality control program requirements of Part I of the SNM 21 license (application).
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned
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at (818) 718-3413.
Very truly yours, ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL Rocketdyne Division M
P. D. Rutherford, Manager Nuclear Safety & Reliability Engineering PDR:dr i
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