ML20237G630
| ML20237G630 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 07000622 |
| Issue date: | 12/11/1985 |
| From: | Crow W, Horn M NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20237G516 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8708240162 | |
| Download: ML20237G630 (3) | |
Text
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DEC 111985 FCUP:MH j-70-622 DOCKET NO: 70-622 LICENSEE:
Department of the Army FACILITY:
U.S. Arny Armament Research and Development Command Dover, New Jersey
SUBJECT:
ENVIR0lWENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR LICENSE RENEWAL APPLICATION DATED AUGUST 22, 1984
Background
By application dated August 22, 1984, the U.S. Arny Armament Research and Development Center (ARDC) requested the renewal of Special Nuclear Materials License No. SNM-561. The special nuclear material is to be possessed, used, stored, or transferred by ARDC, Dover, New Jersey. The material will be used for military research and development projects as defined in 10 CFR 70.4(j) and Section 31 of the Atomic Energy Act.
In accordance with 10 CFR 51.21, the HRC has prenared this assessment of environmental impacts that may be caused by renewal of the license.
The Proposed Action i
The proposed action is renewal of License No. SNM-561 to authorize the contin-uance of activities under this license. This license will allow the use of uranium-235 sealed material test reactor-type fuel elements in the CFX Model-103 subcritical assembly. The fuel elenents are an enriched uranium aluminum alloy fully clad with aluminum. The CFX will be located in Building 908 in an i
experimental cell equipped with heavy concrete shielding. The system will be I
used as a tool for research and development in the area of nondestructive testing and inspection of armaments. The licensee is currently only allowed to store the fuel elements. The license will also authorize sealed sources of j
plutonium-239, plutonium-238, and neptunium-237. These sealed sources are generally used as calibration or check sources.
Need for the Proposed Action Activities under this license serve a variety of research and development needs for the military. Activities involve research programs primarily in the areas of weapons, weapon systems, and munitions for use of the U.S. Army. Deniel of the license renewal for the continued operation at the ARDC, Dover site, would reouf re that similar activities be started at another site. Although denial of renewal of,the SNM license for,the ARDC is an, alternative available to the
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. DEC 111985 Alternative t'o the Proposed Action Not granting the renewal of SNM-561 would cause the ARDC to cease oprations under this license, operations under other licenses would continue. This alternative would be considered only if issues of adverse public health and safety igacts could not be resolved or mitigated., However, as discussed in a later section, the environmental igacts associated with the current license renewal action are small and acceptable and denial of the license would result in little benefit to the environment, Environmental Impact of the Proposed Action There will be no effluents produced from normal operation of the CFX. There may be some solid waste generated from the activation of samples. Waste samples will be' stored in approved containers for disposal. The sealed sources will not generate ary waste.
The concrete walls provide shielding to reduce radiation levels from CFX operation to less than 0.5 mrem per hour at closest approach. Once the fuel l
is installed, it is not anticipated that the fuel will be removed and placed i
back in storage.
l Accident Analysis I
The CFX design is based on a requirement to preclude any credibility of an inadvertent criticality after the system has been loaded to its ' design reactivity and put into routine operation.
The maximum credible accident would be the inadvertent detonation of an explosive device in front of the radiography co111 mater. This even; could give rise to some release of gaseous fission products. The destructive force of the explosion and rossible shrapnel could damage the fuel elements allowing the gaseous fission products to escape. Assuming immediate uniform dispersion and a hundred percent release, the maximum permissible concentration would be exceeded within 300 feet. There would be no significant exposure to the general public. The primary danger would be from the explosion and this danger exists at the facility regardless of the presence of the CFX.
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. DEC 1 11985 Conclusion 3
Based upon the information presented above, the environmental impacts associated witn the proposed license renewal are expected to be insignificant. Essentially, no effluents will be released and acceptable controls will be implemented to prevent a radiological accident. Therefore, in accordance with 10 CFR 51.31, a Findina of No Significant Impact is considered appropriate for this action.
Original Signed By:
Merri Horn x
Merri L. Horn Uranium Process Licensing Section Uranium Fuel Licensing Branch I.
Division of Fuel Cycle and Original Signed By:
W. T. Crow Approved by:
W. T. Crow, Section Leader r
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