ML20248G231
| ML20248G231 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Westinghouse, 070***** |
| Issue date: | 10/14/1968 |
| From: | Nussbaumer D US ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION (AEC) |
| To: | Rich Smith US ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION (AEC) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20248G118 | List: |
| References | |
| FOIA-98-19 NUDOCS 9806050158 | |
| Download: ML20248G231 (5) | |
Text
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UNITED STATES
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ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION g ;
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WASHINGTON. D.C. 20545 s'orn
- DCT 1.; 333 R. W. Smith, Director R,egion V Division of Compliance U. S. NUCLEAR CORPORATION, PACKAGING FO.. SHIP;ENT OF PU-238-DE NEUTRON
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SOURCES AND GLOVF90X LINE - DOCKET NO. 70-1051 This is to provide you with our comments regarding the proposed packaging for shipment of the Pu-238-Ec neutron sources by U. S. Nuclear Corporation (USNC) to Iiound Laboratory. Also noted are the results of a tolophonc conversation with Mr. James Harvey, President of the Naclear Engineering Co., on the packaging being considercC for the USNC alovebox line.
In crder that this information be availabic to Rc; ion V personnel for your planned
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meeting with USNC manage cat on Octobcr 15, 1963, L. Rouse of this offico and Gen Roy, CO:Hqs, ' discussed cach of the co ments in the attachment with Messrs. Book and Metzer of your offico during a telephone conversation on l
Octobol 14, 1968.
1 If you have any questions or suggestions regarding these matters, please I
let me know.
A Donald A. Nussbaumor, Chief Source G Special Nuclear Materials Branch Division of Materials Licensing cc:
L. D. Low, CO:Hqs (2) e#
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9806050158 900601 EXHIBIT AhP49es) l PDR FDIA l
FRIEDMAN 98-19 pog
ATTACDiENT U._S. Nuclear Corp. - Packaging of Pu-Bo Neutron Sources and G;cycbox Line USNC has described the proposed packaging for shipment of the Pu-23S-Bo neutron
. the sources, ages 19-23 of the procedures dated Septenber 6,1968.
In each case, sources on p (identified by USNC as lto 1 through 10) are to be contained in a steel, 2R pipe with welded closure on one end 'and a threaded steel cap cc. the other end. USNC states that these 2R containers fulfill the requircnents of 10 CFR 71 for special form.
h'c consider tr.is acceptabic with the following stipulations:
(1) The pipe threads of the 2.1 co;. tai /.crs.:.:s; ba lu cd with a high temperature " tape dope" (Tcf2 n base). Enclosed is a.
copy of an undated memo to files frca X. A. Simmons, CONS, which will provide you with back;rcund information on this material for discussion with USNC.
(2) The pipe cap must engage at Icc.st 5 threads when securely tightened.
We note that for Item 2 (~30-gram Pu-Be source, singly encapsulated in stainicss steel) and Items 4 through 10 (-13 grams of Pu in 7 sources, encapsulation " tack welded" only), USNC proposes packaging in a double pipe configuration, the innor pipe closed with a slotted,' head 1'ess' pipe plug and an outer pipe of the typo r.
described above.
It is the outer pipe that must incorporate the closure stipulations noted above. This outer pipe also cust be free of contamination (i.e., e 100 d/m per 100 cm2 smearable). The 2R containers for Item 1 (-30-gran Pu-Be source doubly encapsulated in tantalua and stainicss steel) and item 3 (the
" ruptured" Pu-Be source cont.'iningu3.6 grams of Pu) are each to be scaled in a No. 2 can. The No. 2 can, of course, should be free of contamination as noted above. We also believe that the outer surface of the 2R containers should be as free from removable. contamination as possiblo. This consideration will probably require some decontamination of the 2R container for the ruptured sourco following its loading. USNC states that steel wool packing will be used to restrict movement of the 2R pipe inside the No. 2 can. USNC shou'Id demonstrate to Region V personnel, prior to any handling of the sources, that the dimensions of the sources, primary containers, cans, and shipping containers are such to permit the packaging as described i
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l Acceptance of USNC's statement that the 22 ccntainers for the sources fulfill the requirements of Part 71 for speci:.1 ferr. mer.ns that this material may be delivered to a carrier for tre.nsport under the exemptions and/or general license provisions of Part 71. liowever, transport of the sources will be subject to Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations. USNC has stated that the sources are to be shipped in containcrs having Durcau of Explosives (BE) Permits.
Containers designated as BE No. 920 are proposed for shipment of Items 1, 3 and 4 through 10 The container designated as O No. 415 is proposed for shipment of item 2 DUT currently accepts shipment or radioactive materials under valid BE Permits.
(USNC should be made awarc that under the revised DOT regulations published in the Federal Register on October 4,1963, all BE permits for radio-active material will expire on February 23, 1959). However, from our review of the copies of BE Permit Nos. 415 and 020 thaz Regica V obtained frce USNC, it does not appear that USNC can make tho ;a_../.,n;;,
in all cases, under authority of the BE Permits.
DE Permit No. 415, ssued to Isotopos Specialties Co.,
apparently a predecessor of USNC, appeuro ;c ac linized to shipuent of Po-3c neutron sources.
BE Permit No. 520 cuzc.orizes the shipment of neutron scurces up to 50 curies in activity. Tais apper.ru 20 _imit use of this containcr under the BE Permit to Item 3 (the " ruptured" scur:c), unicss USNC should decide to package Items 4 through 10 individually.
'?has, USNC vill have to apply for a special permit from DOT for uso of theco centainers for the shipments other than as noted above (or for use of any other cont:.iner that US:iC may wish to substitute).
It is quite probable that DOT will, apply the recently published, revised regulations in evaluating such a rep 6rt; Thus, packages of radioactive material in special form exceeding 20 curies must sect the standards prescribed for hypothetical accident conditions as well as normal conditions of transportation 1
(Type B packaging requirements). USNC will havo to show that, if the container is subjected to the accident conditions, there would be no release of the contents and that the dose rate from the surface of the package would not execed 1 rem / hour, j
If the closure of the source cavity pipe of the container is a bolted, flanged plate, as appears to be the ccse (the SE Permit information does not provido a detailed description of the containers), USNC may be able to provido an adequate analysis to DOT to demonstrate that the container will meet the requirements with-out actual tests.
(The neutron doso rato at 3 foot from an unshicided, 400-curic Pu-Be source is less than 1 rem / hour.)
In any event, before providing approval
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for transfer, Region V should be assured that USNC has roccived appropriate DOT approvals.
On October 3,1968, L. Rouse and I discussed packaging requirements for the USNC source fabrication box line with Mr. James Harvey, President, Nuclear Engineering Co. Mr. Harvey indicated that he was preparing three proposals for submission to USNC:
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(1) Fabrication of a stool box for packaging the USNC plutonium box line. USNC would perfora the loading and rigging for transport by Nuclear Engineerin;.
(2) Fabrication of the steel box with Nucicar Engineering performing the loading and rigging onto tho trailer bed.
(3) Nuclear Engineering to perfora cli decontamination and dismantling operations in the Pu Lab as well as loading the box line for transport.
We pointed out that, based on an estinate cf the quantity of Pa-233 in the boxes by USNC (10-13 grams by Dr. Koch durin; de.;2ct ~ng on August 7,195S, at Bethesda), the boxes constituted a "lars, quantity" of radioactive catcrisi cs defined by Part 71 and, thus, the pachasing uns subject to tha requireacnts of this regulation.
We also noted that ; apecial pcrait fro DCT for approvc1 to o
transport would be subject to A'iC app?cyc1 of ;he package.
Mr. liarvey indicated they 1;cro consideri.g a box.cf 3/3 inch steci plate of wolded, gusseted fabrication with the open end zo ba closed by a bolted, gasketed 21:ngo cover plate.
The stcci box would incorpcrato 20ans to securely stabilize the box line and provido protection for the pessoxes on each end of the lino.
In view of the difficulty in demonstrating that such a package would coct the hypothetical accident conditions specified for largo quantity packages, we indicated to Mr. Ilarvey that we would consider the use of appropriate controls to assure the safety of the shipment in lieu of these requirements.
Such controls would involve the use of package tie-downs to the trailor bed, the use of escort vehicles equipped with firefighting equipment, and, vehicic speed limitations.
Mr. !!arvey indicated agreement with these considerations. He also agreed to discuss with us again the ~ proposed packaging after he meets with USNC and after the details of the package construction, loading, and transport are worked out.
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