ML20210A284
| ML20210A284 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Framatome ANP Richland |
| Issue date: | 11/07/1985 |
| From: | Bidinger G NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20210A283 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8511140423 | |
| Download: ML20210A284 (2) | |
Text
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m;;;p HOV 7 1985 DOCKET NO:
70-1257 LICENSEE:
Exxon Nuclear Cogany, Inc. (EhC)
FACILITY:
Richland, Washington
SUBJECT:
SAFETY EVALUATION REPORT, AMENDMENT APPLICATION DATED JUNE 12, 1985, AND SUPPLEMENT DATED AUGUST 29, 1985, RE DRY CONVERSION OF LOW-ENRICHED UFs to UO ; AND 2
AMENDHENT APPLICATION DATED AUGUST 27, 1985, RE REVISED EMERGENCY AND RADIOLOGICAL CONTINGENCY PLAN.
Background
ENC is currently authorized to convert UF to U0, by the wet ADU conversion 6
process.
In the June 12 application, ENC requests authorization to operate a dry conversion process. The applicant claims that part of the application contains proprietary information. By letter dated July 19, 1985,.the NRC informed ENC that the document will be withheld from public disclosure.
The August 29 supplement provides additional safety and environmental information.
ENC's license requires EhC to notify the NRC of changes to the Radiological Contingency Plan within 6 months of authorized changes. The August 27 submittal provides an updated version which supersedes previous submittals.
Discussion I.A.
Dry Conversion of UF to U0 g
2 The dry conversion system has been installed in the U0 Plant adjacent to 2
the Line 2 vaporization room. The vaporization system is similar to the existing ADU system. Any leaks of UF will be detected by the existing Line 6
2 system. The conversion system has Deen operated with depleted uranium under the Agreement State License.
The UF6 gas will be r.eacted with superheated steam to form U0 F and HF.
2 The UO F will be reacted with hydrogen from cracked ammonia do form UO 2
2 and HF. 2The U0, will be processed into reactor fuel using conventional equipment at ENC.
Process off-gases include H, steam, HF, and N. The off-gases will be filtered and cooled. Th$ condensate from the heat exchanger will be monitored for uranium, collected in a receiver tank, be neutralized, and stored in an existing lagoon. The uncondensed off-gases will be scrubbed and vented into the Line 2 off-gas scrubber and f11tration system.
Radiation Safety The dry conversion process for low-enriched uranium presents no unusual radio-loaical ornt ortion nenblomc _ The ad ctinn carit a ti nn nrntortinn nennram can ha omce>.....used for the protection of workers.
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.~nw N0y 7 1985 Nuclear Criticality Safety The primary nuclear safety control for the dry conversion system is moderation control whereby k-infinity is less than unity. The applicant controls the primary potential source of moderation by terminating UF, steam and H flow if the reactor temperature is not above a specified temperature t$ prevent 6
condensation of steam. Backflow of off-gas condensate or scrubber solution is prevented by an overflow line in the scrubber tank.
The heat exchanger, condensate receiver tank, and venturi scrubber use safe geometry design for criticality control.
If uranium above a preset value is detected in the condensate, the conversion process will be terminated.
The condensate neutralization tank will be subject to concentration control.
The applicant has demonstrated a " dual contingency" for the dry conversion reactor.
In the reat. tor, the 00 would have to exceed the upper level limit and 7
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water would have to fill the reactor. This is not considered to be credible.
Valves are designed to open or close in a " safe" position when primary power is
' lost. The inline steam trap should prevent water from entering the reactor.
Environmental Safety An Environmental Assessment was performed. As a result, a Finding of No Significant Impact was made and will be published in the Federal Register in October 1985.
II.
Radiological Contingency Plan (RCP)
ENC has submitted a revised RCP which reflects changes in the ENC organization, other agencies, and a new hard wired telephone system. The revisions do not decrease the effectiveness of the RCP.
Results/ Conclusions Operation of the dry conversion system will not constitute an unreasonable risk to the health and safety of the public or to the environment. Approval of the application is reconnended.
The Region V Project Inspector has no objection to this action.
Original Signed y Georgen,31g1gg,7 George H. B1dinger Uranium Process Licensing Section Uranium Fuel Licensing Branch Division of Fuel Cycle and Material Safety. NMSS ippM by;
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