ML20133K503
| ML20133K503 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 07000036 |
| Issue date: | 02/04/1958 |
| From: | Leaders W MALLINCKRODT, INC. |
| To: | Johnson L US ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION (AEC) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20133G976 | List:
|
| References | |
| FOIA-96-343 NUDOCS 9701210250 | |
| Download: ML20133K503 (3) | |
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i MALLINCKRODT CHEMICAL WORKS l
ht A N U F A C Y U Ft E R S O F FINE CHEMICALS FOR MEDICINAL, PHOTOGRAPHIC
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.s Mr. Qall Johnean Licensing Divisica cll j
U. 8, Atomic Enargy t'm-iamien" n
Washington, D.C.
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SUBJECT:
Special Nuclear Materisis License No. 8106 33 i
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Dear Mr. Johnson:
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This co==miention is our application far modificatica af our License S195 33 to indluie a metal producing facilitir to hand 2m enriabed usuaissa of a:F assay.
The equipment to be used in this metal production facility was designed after careful consideration at the equipment that has been and is being used ty ABC l
contract operstars for the reduction af W4 into tramitsa metal enrished in the isotope Unas in exsess af 90%. In every case whenw the utenitus metal or inter-mediate materials are hatwilasi, we have attempted to cow as elass3y as possibis j
the techniques current 3y used by these contesotors. A detailed desondption of the wrious processing steps is given belars j
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Preparation of 74 Initial operation of our p2 ant will =*ilina the pregnastica of W ly 4
hydrofinariation af Do, ne no will, in every case, be propend in our s
s ap5mwied azide facility. A furence has been designed titish essentia13y duplicates those used in the Oak Ridge ares for esagersian of UQs to W4 l
with anhydrous HF. A special roma, exterier to the saim building, houses
.the RF supply and spariser. All pipes, fittings, and valws aw:af an l
apgroved design for saf%ty using plastic endoeures around 23anges and i
splash guards on all walw stems. A safety shener.and eye fouattin are' loanted jusrb outside the door as a fortbar safeguard to protset?ene -
operators. All want in connecting 'andfiaaa==aattag EF eglimders and re-l pair of piping will regoire that the.apeusters and maphnenjpeggge wear apsewved plastis seits and air'stygG,y maks while perferstag,these i
tasks. All opeasting personnel uill be instreeted in 1he guecauttees sequired for the heutling of HF. Maag of'the"perseasel,have bed estion-sin experinnes from pawvious operatdanetwith this asterial.ithese experiaaned operatore will be. espected to assist ia19elasialag.af the i
new operators.
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9701210250 970114 l
FLOYD96-343 PDR
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i Se furnace in which the conversion of U0s to W4 will be made is housed in a total.1y enclosed hood so that any escaping HF vapars will be quick-3 3y removed from the 641dina without contaminating occupied areas, he trays are designed so that their total cross sectional area is equivalent i
l to a 5" cynnder. On this basis, we an using asafea geometry in this retert far criticality control. Se s tort is so constructed that only two trays can be accommodated and our maximum furnmos landing can be 2.8$b kg of U content. Se furnace cycle;will be esse =H-11y as followst '
After the U0s load has been introduced an. inert atmosphere (nitrogen).
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v111.be turned 'on to check the gas-tightness ~of.the~ flanged front;and also to purge the air from the retort. Se inset atmosphere willibe' maintained until the thermocowls in'the retort is above1250*F.One HF swply will then be turned on and the heating continued for sufficient i
time'to accomplish coglete conversion to W. During' the cool-down 4
oyale the inert atmosphere will again be used to sweep out the excess j
HF ami protect the We from oxidation.
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Tanding the Roduction asactor i
Following the coupletion of the We conversion, the entin retort will be removed from the furnace and hood ani physically connooted to a glove box i
so that all harviling of We will be done inside the dust control box.
j De trays will be removed from the retort, the W4 ground, weighed, and stomd in a plastic container preparatory to loading the. bomb. The quan-l tities of calcium and iodino required for the reduction will be based on j
the W4 weight obtained from the furnace..Rese ingredients v1111then j
be mixed in the proper prepartion with the W4 ami the entire charge.
j stared in a plastic container prior to loading in the reactor.
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Se reacter is of standard design utilized.b'y:AEC.conthiator's.MItaissof; I*
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heavy steel construction 5" I.D.,12-3/ft")1ong withT f3anged 11diand.an i
external thermooogle well. - A prefired high density.magnesiuin7ezide thi=hla will be used as the~ rea'otor linari "De angtGar space ?tietween j
this thimble.and the:aemator shellwill,be packed withimagnosina:endde sand. 'the b2saded obarge will be intaduced:into.the th4mble,gtgli (copper a
j analcet p2 aced'on the top of the bomb and' the lid; secure 37?bc0.ted la pasos.
2e, bomb will{jhen be. emacuated and fill,ed;with'argonitolambiantspressure, j
mied, and remover from the"gicio1 box throughian africolt? a.W4,
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1 from flange laskeJar laowoutsp:sthe?*-4.- 2 gninet'recal'addeFofithsibomb embausted to the;atmosphen' as' a precaution?d eontandmation l
Vonser' will indiantsifiring conditionsdFeElowingM
~ Joubleir1117.be; removed fron(tho'furnaes and placed'inta9;tatte tor 1hiiltatGef
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constrooted et(steel,ha hotos?so that_spacias:.baitueen!
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will be 2 ft, edge to edge.
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After coeling, the entire bomb will be p3 aced in a second glove box where i
the lid will be removed and the contents dumped and sophuted. W i=1 openings are provided in the bottom of the glove' box so that the a3ag
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liner and sand can be direct 37 dumped into a drum, the 'astal button re-moved and mechanica13y cleaned. Following aschanical cleaning, tho'
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button will be pickled in acetic acid, washed with unter and dried. A
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drill has been provided inside the g%ove box for sampling purposes.
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Buttons will be wrapped in polyethylene and shipped in a water-tight steel can rigidly fastened in the center of a birdcage.' A mv4== of 10 kg of Usse content in the natal will be shipped in agJginn birdcage.
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%ese. facilities have been adequately tested using normal isotopic assay uranium
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l without encountering av difficulty from a menhaniaal, dust control, or safety standpoint. We believe that in as much as we have essentia137 copied designs which have been operated ty Coinnission contractors for some years, we have a j
metal fhcility that is completely safe from a criticality stanipoint as well as i
from the standpoint of safety and dust control, i
j We are, ibarefore, requesting approial of this facility fcr use with av assay of uranium in accordance with.t.he operating procedures described herein.
Since we are quite anrious to be able to offer servios in the; preparation of U antal to the civilian reactor industry, we ars requesting'aiis prompt ~consid-eration to this application as is possible. 'If additional.information is j
zwquired, we *m11 be quite 'hapy to furnish it promptly$,
Since' rely yours, #
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' CAL WORES Signed before me thin 6 day i
l of February, 1958.
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