ML20127G129

Submits Decontamination & Surveillance Rept on Approx 5,000 Lb Molybdenum Scrap Formerly Used as Boats to Transfer Low Enriched U Pellets Through Sintering Furnaces.Release for Unrestricted Use on or After 850514 Planned

ML20127G129
Person / Time
Site:	Westinghouse
Issue date:	04/15/1985
From:	Reitler E WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC COMPANY, DIV OF CBS CORP.
To:	Crow W NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS)
References
25176, REE-EKR-85-036, REE-EKR-85-36, NUDOCS 8505200668
Download: ML20127G129 (4)

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@03) TI62610 April 15,1985 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ATTN: Mr. W. T. Crow, Section Leader Uranium Fuel Licensing Branch Office of MJclear Material Safety and SafegJards Division of Fuel Cycle and Material Safety Washington, DC 20555

Subject:

Molybdenum Decontamination and Surveillance Report, License SNM-1107, Docket 70-1151 Gentlemen:

Westinghouse Electric Corporation hereby submits the attached Molybdenum Decontamination and Surveillance Report in accordance with the requirements of Subparagraph 4.1 of SNM-1107.

The report describes the decontamination technique and surveillance of approximately 5,000 pounds of molybdenum scrap which was formerly used as boats to transfer low-enriched uranium pellets through our sintering furnaces.

The molybdenum scrap consists of approximately one half to two pound pieces of broken molybdenum boats which have been decontamimted and subject to 100% alpha and beta-gamma surveillance.

The results of this

. surveillance are provided in the enclosure of this letter.

Survey results indicate that surface contamination levels are well below acceptable levels as defined in mC docunent entitled " Guidelines for Decontamination of Facilities and Equipment Prior to Release for ByprodJct,

Source, or Special Nuclear Material,"

July, 1982.

Consequently, Westinghouse plans to release the molybdenum as scrap for unrestricted use on or after May 14, 1985.

If you have any questions regarding this matter, please write to me at the above address or telephone me on (803) 776-2610.

Very truly yours, W

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f-ENCLOSt.RE TO TRANSMITTAL OF APRIL 15, 1985 SNM-1107, DOCKET 70-1151 MOLYBDENUM DECONTAMINATION Ato SURVEILLANCE REPORT IDENTIFICATION The material consists of approximately 5,000 pounds of molybdenum metal, each piece weighing from approximately one half to two pounds.

The l

molybdenum originally consisted of boats used to transport low-enriched uranium pellets through our reduction furnaces.

During routine L

operations, boats become damaged or broken and must be scrapped.

When i

this occurs, the boats are broken in smaller pieces to facilitate storage, decontamination and surveillance.

DECONTAMINATION TECINIQUE The u*:anim surface contamination was removed by subjecting the molybdans to a vapor blasting operation in which a slurry of sand-water was 1.npinged on the molybdenum pieces, followed by a thorough rinsing with water.

These operations result in the removal of a thin layer of molybdenum from the material together with the surface layer of uranium contamination.

SW VEILLANCE PROCEDURE Each piece of molybdenum was thoroughly surveyed for total direct alpha and total direct beta-gama on all surfaces, front, back and edg's.

Removabic alpha contamination surveys were performed on a random sampling of each batch of molybdenum (

25 pounds).

Special precautions were taken to assure that all surfaces were accessible to the detector probes.

This resulted in essentially flat pieces of molybdenum with minimal surface cracks or crevices.

For total direct alpha surveys, an Eberline PAC 4G or RM-19 or equivalent with an AC-21 alpha probe was used.

For total direct beta-gamma surveys, an Eberline E-120 with an HP-210 probe was used.

Surveys were performed by slowly scanning all surfaces of the molybdenum at a scanning speed of approximately 1 cm/sec.

When contamination was detected, the probe was held stationary until equilibrim was attained.

This method provided a high degree of confidence that no contaminattun was undetected.

Instruments were calibrated with appropriate alpha and beta check sources and checked periodically during the surveillance to assure operability.

Removable contamination surveys were performed by wiping the surface of the molybdenum with a Whatman 41 filter pamt using moderate pressure and counting with approximately calibrated instrments.

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.c EN(1.05tJtE TO TRANSMITTAL OF APRIL 15, 1985 SNM-1107, DOCKET 70-1151 MOLYBDEMJM DECONTAMINATION APO StJWEILLANCE REPORT StJWEILLANCE FIPOINGS r.

Survey results are shown below:

Total Alphp Total' Beta-Gamma Removable Alpha (dpm/100 cm2)

($m/100 cm2)

(dpm/100 cm2)

Averag Maximum Averson Maximum Aerson Maximum

$ 600

$1,400 f 1,500 f7,500 17 50 Records of survey data are available consisting of the survey results, date of survey, signature of the surveyor and a certification that the surveillance was performed in accordance with the above procedure.

This information shall be retained indefinitely for your review.

For both alpha and beta-gamma, survey results are well below Subparagraph 4.1 acceptable levels.

Consequently, we feel that the molybdenum decontamination meets the ALARA philosophy.

The off-site shipment of the molybdenum Shall. meet all acceptable federal and state replations.

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