ML20205N839
| ML20205N839 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 07001113 |
| Issue date: | 03/20/1987 |
| From: | Mcalpine E NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | Lewis K ENERGY, DEPT. OF |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8704030116 | |
| Download: ML20205N839 (10) | |
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- ,.n, MAR 2 01987 Department of Energy
' ATTN: Mr. K. Lewis, Chief Safeguards Measurement Technology Branch Chicago Operations Office New Brunswick Laboratory, D-350 9800 South Cass Avenue Argonne, IL 60439 Gentlemen:
SUBJECT:
INVESTIGATION OF GE UO2 POWDER MEASUREMENTS Enclosed is a detailed sampling plan, subject as above, for evaluating uranium assay differences on UO2 powder samples between NBL and General Electric Company, Wilmington, North Carolina.
The plan was formulated after extensive dicussions between you and John Bates of this office.
The samples will be taken during the week of March 22, 1987 and forwarded to you during the week of April 19, 1987.
The samples are to be analyzed in accordance with the following schedule as shown in the enclosure.
In addition to the standard analytical request form, we will provide three U02 Powder Data Sheets. The data sheets will be filled out except for columns 5 and 9 though 12 and will be the same as enclosed. For the purpose of selecting the sample size to use for analysis, please assume the powder is 87.7 percent,
Please enter the measured data in columns 9 through 12 as it is available and return the data sheets to us.
If you need any further information, please contact John Bates at FTS 242-5622.
Sincerely, i
Edward J. McAlpine, Chief Material Control and Accountability Section Nuclear Materials Safety and Safeguards Branch Division of Radiation Safety and Safeguards cc:
Preston Winslow, GE bec: Document Control Desk W. Brown, NMSS G. Sjoblom, IE State of North Carolina RIIM JBates 16 870320
$0hcK0700h3 03/m/87 C
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ENCI.0SURE Analytical Performance Plan Dates or Analysis Samples to be Ana3 zed at GE Samoles to be Analyzed 4/27 101, 103, 105, 107, 109 and 111 102, 104, 106, 108, 110 and 112' 4/29 113, 115, 117, 119, 201 and 203 114, 116, 118, 120,'202 and 204.
5/4 205, 207, 209, 211, 213 and 215 206, 208, 210, 212, 214 and 216 5/6 217, 219, 301, 303, 305 and 307 218, 220, 302, 204, 306 and 308 5/11 309, 311, 313, 315, 317 and 319 310, 312, 314, 316, 318 and 320 e
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1 Investigation of GE UO2 Powder Measurements Based on independent analyses of U02 from the General Electric, Wilmington fuel fabrication facility, Region II identified a positive bias in U02 powder measurements between GE and the New Brunswick Laboratory.
This bias was reported in Inspection Reports 70-1113/86-07 and 70-113/86-11 (see Attachments 1 and 2 for data).
This plan has been developed to resolve the observed bias (<0.2%) in the uranium assay of UO2' powder by conducting a controlled experiment which will involve gravimetric measurements by both GE and the New Brunswick Laboratory (NBL).
The experiment will permit removal of any sample integrity effects which could occur between the time of sampling and the time of analysis.
The percent uranium in UO2 will be corrected for non-volatile metal impurities af ter the UO2 is ignited to U308 in a muffle furnace at 900 C.
Qualification tests have been performed on the muffle furnaces at both GE and NBL to assure that the furnaces are operating at design temperature (900 C). Also standards have been previously analyzed at various positions within the furnaces and no significant differences have been observed in the results.
The following is a description of steps to be taken by Region II to resolve the issue.
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2 1.
Fifteen large samples (200-225 grams) will be withdrawn from separate containers of UO2 powder. These will involve five samples from each of three UO2 powder lots.
2.
General Electric will tare weigh glass sample vials fitted with a plastic cap containing a cone seal on a calibrated analytical balance to the nearest 0.1 mg.
Gloves will be worn to preserve the tare weight.
3.
Each large sample will be blended and four subsamples (45-50 grams) will be withdrawn for a total of 60 samples. These subsamples will be packaged in the preweighed glass sample vials with minimum void volume.
4.
After filling, each vial will be reweighed and inserted in an outer plastic vial on which the identification label data will be placed.
Two of the four subsamples from each container will be held at GE and two will be transferred to NBL for analysis.
The samples will be tampersafed to 4
maintain sample integrity.
5.
NBL will weigh each vial upon receipt.
The weights will be used to establish accountability and enable a comparison of sample weights between GE and NBL.
6.
On specified dates, both GE and NBL will perform gravimetric analyses of the samples.
Region II will provide each laboratory with a list of samples to be analyred on specific days.
3 7.
Six samples and two standards will constitute one analytical data set and five such data sets will be required to complete the analytical tests.
Only one analytical data set will be analyzed by each laboratory on any given day.
NBL and GE laboratories will analyze no more than two analytical data sets during a calendar week.
In this manner, the five analytical data sets will be completed in two and one-half weeks without 4
any undue burden on the laboratories.
8.
Both GE and NBL laboratories will report all results to Region II for data analysis.
1 4
ATTACHMENT 1 86-07 LOT NO.
NBL GE DIFFERENCE %
0329
.8771
.8783
.0012 2028
.8769
.8777
.0008 2136
.8769
.8776
.0007 1740
.8760
.8768
.0008 1809
.8772
.8780
.0008 4
1944
.8766
.8776
.0010 2247
.8764
.8776
.0012 2143
.8761
.8770
.0009 2315
.8759
.8769
.0010 4862
.8764
.8773
.0009 2482
.8767
.8776
.0009 l
2549
.8766
.8777
.0011 2557
.8766
.8777
.0011 4
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l ATTACHMENT 2 86-11 LOT NO
.NBL GE DIFFERENCE %
1125 8746
.8761 0015 g
j 0107 8719
.8731 0012 0132 8730
.8738 0008 0240 8734
.8745 0015 0196 8732
.8745 0013 0241 8766
.8781 0015 0370 8770
.8780 0010 0183 8768
.8780 0012
+
0322 8768
.8784 0016 0442 8767
.8779 0012 4929 8739
.8755 0016 5088 8718
.8737 0019 e
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s 002 POWDER DATA SE.ET SAMP!1 SAMPIA SAMP11 1RC E
GE BRC GE VIAL VIAL SAMPLE VIAL SAMPLE SAMPI2 CONTAlllER C0brTAllER CONTAIIER PERCENT TARE GROSS NET GROSS NET PERCENT IMPIRITIES IRESER 1RSSER WEIGKT(l)
WIGIIT(2) 1RANIllM(1) WEIGHT (2) WEIGirT(3) WEIGHT (4J WEIGirT(5)
WEIGHT (6)
UltAN!!M(7)
PPM 101 102 103
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104 105 106 107 108 109 110 til
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112 113
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115
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116 117
!!8 119 120
( U Free GE Records Systee _.
All Weights are in Craes
-(2) !iessured Prior to Samplies Eves Numbered Samples to be Analyzed by Ncv Brunmck Laboratory
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(3) Measured Promptly Following Samplies
.d(4)'GrossIliamsTAlts odd habered Samples to be Analyzed by General Electric s
) Messered on the Day of Anelysis I,
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(6) h etity Used for Analysis
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(7) Corrected for Roa-Volatile Impurities and Bias
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U02 POWDER isATA 5HEET
';2-SAMPE SAMPE SAMPLE NRC GE GE NRC GE VIAL VIAL SAMPLE WM. s SAMPLE SAMPE CONTAINER CONTAINER CONTAINER PERCENT TARE
(; POST NET GROSS NET PERCENT IMPtBITIES NIMBER NLMBER WEIGNT(1)
WFIGliT(2)
-URANIUM (1) WEIGHT (2) WibHT(3) WEIGHT 3 WEIGHT (5)
WEICHTJ6) tmANIUM(7)
PPM 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 216 215 216 217 218 219 220 (1) From GE Records System All Weights are in Graes (2) McImred Prior to Sampling Even Numbered Samples to be Analyzed by New Brunswick Laboratory (3) Me:sured Promptly Following sampling Odd Numbered Samples to be Analyzed by General Electric (4) Gross Minus TARE (5) Mecsered on the Day of Analysis (6) Quantity Used for Analysis (7) Corrected for Non-Volatile Impurities and Bias
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l 002 POWDER DATA SMEET r
i SAMPLE SAMPLE SAMPII IIRC GE GE NRC GE VIAL VI4L SAMPLE VIAL SAMPLE SAMP!K CONTAI ER CONTAINER ColffAINER PERCENT TARE GROSS NET GROSS NET PERCENT IMPURITIES NIRSER IRAGER WEIGIf7(1)
WEIGNT(2)
URANIUM (1} WEIGHT (2) WEIGHT (3) WEIGHT (4)
WEIGHT (5}
WEIGHT (6)
URAJi!UM(7)
PPM 301.
302 303 M
i 305 307
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308 310 311
+
312 313 314 315
'316
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l 317 318 319 320 (I) From CE Records System.
All Weights are in Grams j
(2) Mer_sured Prior to Sampling Even Numbered Samples to be Analyzed by New Brunswick Laboratory (3) Me:sured Promptly Following Sampling odd Numbered Samples to be Anatyred by General Elertric (4) Gross Minus TARE (5) Me^sured on the Day of Analysis (6) Quantity Used for Analysis (7) Carrected for Non-Volatile Impurities and Blas I
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