ML20147C937

NRC Has Contracted Mound Lab,Monsanto Res Corp,To Prepare a Handbook of Nuc Safeguards Measurement Methods.Requests Facil Cooperation W/Mound Inquiries Re Special Nuc Matl. W/O Encl Project Description

ML20147C937
Person / Time
Site:	07000734
Issue date:	12/08/1978
From:	Partlow J NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS)
To:	Mowry W GENERAL ATOMICS (FORMERLY GA TECHNOLOGIES, INC./GENER
References
NUDOCS 7812190003
Download: ML20147C937 (2)

Text

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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMisslON WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555

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SGMC:EJM DEC 8 1978 70=734 General Atomic Company.

ATTH: Mr. William R. Mowry Licensing Administrator P. O. Box 81608 San Diego, California 92138 Gentlemen:

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has contracted Monsanto Research Corporation (Mound Laboratory) to prepare a Handbook of Nuclear Safeguards Measurement Methods. The scope of the handbook is to cover all applicable chemical assay, active NDA, passive NDA, and bulk measurement methods for all types cf SNH bearing materials commonly encountered in the nuclear fuel industry (See Enclosure).

The purpose of the handbook is to meet the needs of both NRC and licensee safeguards management.. It will provide the information necessary forJa safeguards designer, manager, and/or regulator to select or evaluate SNM measurement method visuaavis specific material types. The handbook will not contain detailed experimental procedures but will cite key literature references to specific studies and procedures for implementation of the methods selected.

The handbook will be based on a Users and Literature Survey of SNM measurement methods. The users survey of NRC licensee and DOE contractor facilities will be conducted to determine the state =of=the= practice applications and performance of SNM measurement methods under routine in= plant conditions.

To assure that the users-survey is conducted in a manner which will have minimum impact on licensees, Mound Laboratory personnel have obtcined as much information as possible from documents possessed by l NRC. To complete the handbook, additional information is needed and selected licensees will be visited by Mound personnel to obtain this information. The Mound personnel will contact you directly if a

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visit is necessary.

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The handbook ~will neither identify which licen' sees are using particular measurement methods for specific material types nor contain any classified information. We will appreciate any cooperation that you afford the Mound Laboratory personnel should they contact you for additional information. The Division of Safeguards believes that this document will be a valuable resource to both licensees and the NRC. I have been assured that the Mound personnel will confine their activities so as not to cause any disruption of your plant operations during their visit.

Sincerely, sG.)Partlow, Chief Jame Matpri,al Control Licensing Branch Division of Safeguards

Enclosure:

Project Description l

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