ML20140E868
| ML20140E868 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 06/05/1997 |
| From: | Adams M NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | Weber M NRC |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20140D874 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9706120227 | |
| Download: ML20140E868 (2) | |
Text
NOTE T0: Michael Weber FROM: Mary T. Adams yp7
SUBJECT:
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TRADE STUDY GROUP DN ALTERNATIVE CRITERIA FOR l STORAGE OF SURPLUS WEAPONS-USABLE PLUTONIUM. MEETING MAY 27-29. i 1997, AND TELECON JUNE 3. 1997 :
I attended the second meeting of this Trade Study Group at the Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site (RFETS) in Colorado. The Group was formed by !
DOE to determine whether interim storage criteria could be used in lieu of long-term (up to 50 years) criteria for storage of plutonium, in light of the DOE Record of Decision (ROD) The ROD provides for immobilization of some of the material and fabrication of metals and oxides into mixed-oxide fuel for '
use in commercial reactors, within a timeframe considerably shorter than 50 years.
Participants in the Trade Study Group include DOE and contractor personnel from DOE headquarters Offices of Environmental Management and Materials Disposition and from Savannah River Site (SRS), Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL). Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). Hanford Reservation.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and RFETS. Representatives from the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) were also present.
The Group met first on Tuesday afternoon for a videoconference briefing by i representatives of INEL about the Integrated Surveillance System (ISS) l developed by Lockheed-Martin Idaho Technologies. The ISS is being designed to sense storage area radiological conditions, internal package pressure, and package temperature, weight. radiation levels and condition. This sensing can be done remotely, thereby reducing worker exposures.
The Group then visited the British Nuclear Fuels. Ltd. . (BNFL) shop in Broomfield. CO. where BNFL has and assembled a Plutonium Stabilization and Packaging System (PuSPS), which will be moved to Rocky Flats in late summer.
This System is designed to prepare surplus plutonium metals and oxides for long-term 3013-type storage.
On Wednesday morning Mr. Howard Canter. DOE. provided a teleconference discussion of a meeting of MINATOM and the Russian Defense Council the previous week. Mr. Canter said that DOE's schedule is to begin construction of a materials disposition facility in 2001. He questioned whether the U.S.
would actually proceed with construction of a facility without a bilateral agreement with Russia. and remarked that it can take 2-3 years for a bilateral agreement to be develo)ed and signed by both countries. Mr. Canter said the U.S. would proceed wit 1 the design of an immobilization facility for poorer quality plutonium material, but would not construct it without a bilateral agreement. The mixed oxide fuel alternative for clean metal and oxide would not be implemented without a bilateral agreement. There is a plan to develop a pilot scale pit conversion facility in Russia, funded by the U.S.
The Trade Study Group discussed a comparison prepared by a representative of B&W-Hanford among the 3013 standard, the DOE Interim Storage Standard, and the Hanford storage system. The Hanford storage system includes the use of a gasketed steel can (Hanford Convenience Can - HCC). another non-gasketed steel
~
970612o227 970605 PDR ORG NOMA PDR +
9 food-pack can, a plastic bag for outloading from the glovecox. then two more food pack cans. The Hanford representatives believed that the Hanford system is adequate for interim storage of plutonium prior to future shipment to SRS.
The Group then developed a number of alternatives for evaluation, including different firing programs (450 C or 950 C) different can systems, and different vault storage and surveillance systems. These alternatives will be discussed in future meetings and in the final Trade Study Report.
The Grou) did not discuss performance measures, as shown on the agenda, but tabled tlat discussion until the July meeting. They recognize that plutonium for M0X fuel must meet ASTM C757-90. Star.dard Specification for Nuclear-Grade Plutonium D nxide Powder, Sinterable. The two important factors in the storage decision are 1) risk to workers and the public and 2) costs.
At the June 3. 1997, conference call. the Group discussed experl mental data obtained by LANL on a set of material -ad can samples sent to LANL for testing. The testing included a st . if' characteristics of the plutonium in inventory including particle size. idce area, and long-term chemical changes, and of the condition of coi.uainers and seals. LANL expects to have some data by the July meeting, which will be included in the Trade Study report. The conferees also discussed the work schedule for June, including risk and cost studies.
The next meeting of the Trade Study Group is July 8-9, 1997, in Albuquerque.
NM, to allow participation by LANL staff performing research on Richland containers. The primary purpose of the meeting is to develop and finalize acceptance criteria for materials disposition. The Agenda will include a presentation by NRC staff of regulations that would be applicable if NRC receives authority to regulate all or part of the plutonium materials disposition activities.
i i
l l
-