ML20136H812

Discusses Review of 850528 & 0729 Applications to Amend License SNM-1168,authorizing Receipt,Possession & Outside Storage of Natural U Oxides.Issuance of Amend Recommended W/Listed Condition

ML20136H812
Person / Time
Site:	07001201
Issue date:	08/15/1985
From:	Crow W, Ketzlach N NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS)
To:	NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS)
Shared Package
ML20136H733	List: ML20136H729 ML20136H812 ML20136H862
References
NUDOCS 8508200515
Download: ML20136H812 (2)

Text

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, AUG 15 1985 FCUP:NK 70-1201 LICENSEE: Babcock & Wilcox, Commercial Nuclear Fuel Plant (CNFP)

FACILITY: Lynchburg, Virginia

SUBJECT:

REVIEW 0F LICENSE AMENDMENT APPLICATION DATED MAY 28, 1985, and ITS SUPPLEMENT DATED JULY 29, 1985 Packground Babcock & Wilcox (CNFP), by application dated May 28, 1985, ano its supplement dated July 29, 1985, requested authorization for the receipt, possession, and outside storage of natural uranlun oxides (e.g., powder, pellets) in the general area now authorized only for the storage of UF6 CYIIAd'IS containing natural uranium. Neither the oxides nor the UF 6is owned by Babcock & Wilcox. The oxides are packaged in 55-gallon drums which are in turn loaded inside 20-foot freight containers. Although the oxides will be stored in the same general area as the UF6 , the storage areas for the two types of packages will be kept segregated f rom each other. Moreover, the UFg storage area will be enclosed by a barrier when the cylinders are not being loaded or unloaded from the area. Both types of material are stored within the existing perimeter fence. There may or may not be a separate barrier surrounding the oxide section of the storage area.

Discussion A. Radiation Safety The 20-foot freight containers in which the 55-gallon drums containing the uranium oxides are enclosed serve the purpose of a secondary barrier for both potential spills and personnel access. The freight containers will be monitored quarterly to detect any leakage and on a monthly basis to assure adequate storage conditions. The freight containers will be shipped to the CNFP in accordance with 49 CFR 173.425(b)(1). This regulation requires the materials (e.g., unirradiated natural or depleted uranium) to be packaged in strong, tight packages so that there will be no leakage of radioactive material under conditions normally incident to transportation. Sincc r.he licensee did not commit to storing the oxides in this type container, it is recomended Condition 26 be added as follows:

Condition 26: The freight containers in which the drums of natural uranium oxides are stored shall meet the requirements of strong, tight packages required by 49 CFR 173.425 (b)(1) for low specific activity (LSA) radioactive naterials.

With the addition of Condition 26, the staff believes radiation safety ~

, and the envi ronment will t e assured.

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-2 AUG 15 1985 B. Nuclear Criticality Safety Since natural uranium oxides in the forms stored cannot be made critical independent of the degree of water moderation and reflection, there is no potential for criticality resulting from authorization to store these mate rials. Therefcre, there is no need for a criticality alarm system to cover the storage area.

C. Environmental Effects Since the requested authorization is for the storage only of packaged oxides, no effluents will be generated for offsite release. Therefore, there is no increase in the potential for or consequences from radiological accidents; and in accordance with 10 CFR 51.22(c)(11), neither an Environmental Assessment nor an Environmental Impact Statement is warranted for this proposed action.

D. Ceneral The amendnent application dated May 28, 1985, was discussed with Mr. G. L. Troup, Region II Inspector of the facility, on July 26, 1985. He foresaw no safety or environrental problem with the requested authorization since the licensee corrected its application with the supplement dated July 29, 1985.

Conclusion Issuance of the amendrent authorizing the receipt, possession, and storage of natural uranium oxides, subject to the following condition, is recounended:

Condition 26. The freight containers in which the drums of natural eranium oxides are stored shall meet the requirerents of strong, tight packages required by 49 CFR 173.425 (b)(1) for low specific activity (LSA) radioactive materials, c 4i:21 Signo4 by &

N.Kotzlach ."~

Norman Ketzlach Uranium Process Licensing Section Uranium Fuel Licensing Branch Division of Fuel Cycle and i g origiroi signed ay: Material Safety, HMSS i W. T. Cror Approved by: .

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