ML20211B051

SER Supporting 860212 Application to Amend License SNM-1227, Limiting Use of Pu & Authorizing New Storage Location

ML20211B051
Person / Time
Site:	Framatome ANP Richland
Issue date:	05/30/1986
From:	Bidinger G, Crow W NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS)
To:
Shared Package
ML20211B032	List: ML20211B029 ML20211B051 ML20211B109
References
NUDOCS 8606110462
Download: ML20211B051 (2)

Text

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lWmf 3 01986 DOCKET N0: 70-1257 APPLICANT: Exxon Nuclear Company, Inc. (ENC)

FACILITY: Richland, Washington

SUBJECT:

SAFETY EVALUATION REPORT, LICENSE AMENDMENT APPLICATION DATED FEBRUARY 12, 1986, RE PLUT0NIUM LIMITS AND CONTROLS

Background

In 1975, production of mixed oxide fuel was terminated. In 1985, the mixed oxide process area was decontaminated and the remaining process equipment was sent to a waste disposal site. On November 25, 1985, ENC submitted a decontamination report for the mixed oxide areas in the Specialty Fuels Building. The report was proceeded by a Decommissioning Survey Plan which ENC submitted on October 8, 1985. The wastes resulting from the decontamination are stored in sealed drums at ENC. In the subject application, ENC proposes to revise license conditions to reflect the current and future status of plutonium operations.

Discussion ENC proposes to limit the use of plutonium to possession, storage, repackaging, and shipment of plutonium (Pu09 or Pu0,-U0 ) contaminated waste and to possession, storage, and use of 1.5 millicuries for se$ led sources and standards. The possession limit would be 500g of plutonium.

The plutonium contaminated wastes are stored in drums on the second level of the Specialty Fuels Building vault. The rest of the Specialty Fuels Building, particularly Room 173, will be deleted as a place of use for plutonium.

Conditions 6.B.2, 7.B.2, and 8.8.2 are revised to read as follows:

Condition 6.B.2 Condition 7.B.2 Condition 8.8.2

2. Plutonium 2. Pu0 r 2. 500g 2

Pu02 - UO2 Note: A typographical mistake in the application appecrs to request a smaller possession limit in 8.A.I. By telephone, Mr. Malody, ENC, confirmed that there was no intent to modify Condition 8.A.1.

F60611o462 86053o PDR C

ADOCK 07001257 PDR

e-2 MAY 3 01986 Nuclear Criticality Safety The authorized possession limits for the plutonium as contaminated waste is less than 500 grams. This quantity of plutonium scattered in several drums is insufficient to form a criticai mass. Accordingly, criticality safety criteria for plutonium is not needed in the license.

Radiation Protection ENC has revised a number of pages in Section 3 to remove requirements for plutonium workers from the radiation protection program. All safety requirements are now in Appendix I of the application.

The drums containing the plutonium contaminated waste are in an unoccupied area of the vault. Air will pass over the drums and be exhausted out of the vault through a HEPA filter. A continuous air sample from in front of the HEPA filter will be analyzed weekly for plutonium.

Visual inspections and smear surveys will be conducted on a semi _ annual basis.

Any evidence of plutonium alpha on the samples will be investigated and corrective action taken.

Environmental Protection There should be no adverse effect on the environment from this proposed action. The uranium is now confined in sealed drums. Effluent air from the vault will continue to pass through two stages of HEPA filtration.

Conclusion / Recommendation The staff concludes that the proposed amendment to the license will have no adverse effect on the health and safety of the public or on the environment.

Approval of the application, which limits the possession and place of use for -

plutonium, is recommended.

Original sicnod 4.y Geo co,'f,p: ,

George H. Bidinger Uranium Process Licensing Section Uranium Fuel Licensing Branch Division of Fuel Cycle and aterial Safety, M Original Signed By:

• U" Approved by:

W. T. Crow, Acting Chief 0FC: FCUP  : FCUF  :  :  :

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NAME:GHBidinger/ks :VLTharpe : WTCrow :  :  :  :

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