ML20138A129
| ML20138A129 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant |
| Issue date: | 04/21/1997 |
| From: | John Miller UNITED STATES ENRICHMENT CORP. (USEC) |
| To: | Jazel Parks ENERGY, DEPT. OF |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9704250249 | |
| Download: ML20138A129 (4) | |
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2 Democracy Center 6903 Rocklecge Drwe Bethesda. MD 20817 Tel: (301)564-3200 Fax:(301) 564-3201 United States Enrichment Corporation James H. Miller Dir: (301) 564-3309 Vice President, Production Fax- (301) 571-8279 April 21,1997 Mr. Joe W. Parks Assistant Manager for Enrichment Facilities U.S. Department of Energy Oak Ridge Operations P.O. Box 2001 Oak Ridge, TN 37831-8651 United States Enrichment Corporation (USEC) - Portanouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PORTS) - Docket No. 70-7002 -X-705 Confinnatory Measurement Project
Dear Mr. Parks:
On December 30, 1996, USEC initiated a Nuclear Safety Upgrade project (the X-705 Confirmatory Measurement Project) to confirm the quantity of uranium enriched above 9.99 weight percent "'U in leased and certified areas in the X-705 Facility at the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant. The project was accomplished by performing a systematic series of Non-Destructive Assay (NDA) measurements to locate any significant quantities of uranium-bearing materials. The scannmg included both discrete, removable items and fixed, inaccessible holdup within crocess piping and systems.
Following initial NDA scanning activities, all significant quantities of uranium detected were measured to determine "5U enrichment levels. Discrete items containing uranium enriched above 9.99 weight percent "'U were either transferred to DOE-controlled areas, or the contained material was downblended to less than or equal to 9.99 weight percent "'U. Material present within process piping and systems, although inaccessible, was also measured to confirm the quantities and enrichment levels.
On February 13,1997, members ofDOE Headquarters, the Oak Ridge Operations Office, the Portsmouth DOE Site Office, and Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, Inc. were provided an overview of the X-705 Confirmatory Measurement Project. A tour of the facility was provided to allow the team to observe the actual measurement process.
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4 Mr' Joe Vd. Parks April 21,1997 Page Two The project was completed on March 17,1997. Measurement data confirm that quantities ofuranium enriched above 9.99 weight percent usU in leased and certified areas of X-705 have been reduced to acceptable levels. That is, the quantity of uranium enriched above 9.99 weight percent
"'U remaining in USEC leased and certified areas of X-705, excluding inaccessible, residual holdup, will not cause USEC to exceed NRC Category III possession limits across allleased and certified areas. USEC is in compliance with requirements described in the Safety Analysis Report (SAR),
Section 3.7.2, and the Fundamental Nuclear Material Control Plan (FNMCP).
l Enclosed are documents which contain the results of the X-705 Confirmatory Measurement Project. These results confirm that uranium enriched above 9.99 weight percent "5U remaining in USEC leased and certified areas of the facility is within limits allowed by the SAR and FNMCP. The enclosed documents include:
Volume I, titled, " Gamma Radiation Sweep," lists all areas of the facility that were scanned, and shows the background readings, as well as the actual readings, taken. Additionally, prints of the facility piping, equipment, and materials, are provided to assist in identifying the location of the deposits that were found.
Volume II, titled "usU Enrichment Measurements," lists all enrichment measurements that were performed to verify enrichment levels.
Volume III, titled, " Uranium Quantitative Measurements," identifies the items with "5U enrichment above 9.99 weight percent usU.
Volume IV, titled, " Disposition of Accessible Items Above 10 wt. % "5U Enrichment," explains how each accessible item containing "'U enrichment above 10 wt. % was accounted for and dispositioned.
It should be noted that the X-705 West Annex (Small Cylinder Cleaning Area) and the X-705E Oxide Conversion Area, will remain DOE-controlled (retained) spaces, per the " Lease Agreement Between the United States Department of Energy and the United States Enrichment Corporation,"
signed July 1,1993, as amended.
USEC plans to implement physical security and safeguards changes commensurate with operation of the leased and NRC certified and regulated portion of X-705 as a NRC Category III area instead of a DOE Category II area. Unless otherwise notified by DOE, USEC will implement these changes on April 28,1997.
4 Mr.' Joe W. Parks April 21,1997 i
Page Three There are no new commitments made in this letter. If you have any questions regarding this submittal, please contact Jean Parker at (614) 897-3424.
Sincerely, MNYN.
James H. Miller Vice President, Production
Enclosures:
as stated in letter l
cc:
R. DeVault, DOE-Orl Ridge, w/o enclosures
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T. David Taylor, DOE-Oak Ridge, w/o enclosures Gene Gillespie, DOE-PORTS, w/o enclosures NRC Resident Inspector - PORTS, w/o enclosures NRC Region III Otlice, w/o enclosures Robert C. Pierson, NRC HQ, w/o enclosures i
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J Mr: Joe W. Parks April 21,1997 Page Four i
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Robert L. Woolley - 001
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bec, w/o enclosures:
J. Adkins, HQ-R. Coriell, LMUS-PORTS J. Dietrich, LMUS R. Gaston, PORTS M. Lombard, HQ I
J. Miller, HQ J. Parker, LMUS-PORTS I
S. Polston PGDP A. Rebuck-Main, HQ D. Scott, HQ B. Sykes, PGDP
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