Regulatory Guide 5.40
| ML13064A077 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 12/31/1974 |
| From: | US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| RG-5.040 | |
| Download: ML13064A077 (1) | |
December 1974 U.S. ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION
REGULATORY
DIRECTORATE OF REGULATORY STANDARDS
G UID E
REGULATORY GUIDE 5.40
METHODS FOR THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF PLUTONIUM DIOXIDE POWDER
A. INTRODUCTION
1. High precision and accuracy combined with ease of use and low cost.
Paragraph 70.22(b) of 10 CFR Part 70, "Special 2. Broad applicability to various types of plutonium Nuclear Material," requires, among other things, that an oxide material and relative freedom from interfering applicant for a license to possess certain quantities of substances.
special nuclear material in an unsealed form describe his 3. The extent that the methods have been studied by procedures for control of and accounting for special various research laboratories, the success of their use nuclear material. This regulatory guide identifies under actual plant conditions, and the historicai methods and criteria acceptable to the Regulatory staff evaluations that have been performed on them under various exchange programs.
for the sampling, subsampling, sample handling, dissolution, chemical and isotopic analysis, and error analysis for the accountability of plutonium dioxide
C. REGULATORY POSITION
powder.
The accountability methods and related criteria for
B. DISCUSSION
the sampling, subsampling, sample handling, dissolution, The i*awrence Livermore Laboratory and the U.S. chemical and isotopic analysis, and error analysis of Atomic Energy Commission have recently published a plutonium dioxide powder contained in WASH i335, document (WASH 1335) entitled -Methods for the "Methods for the Accountability of Plutonium Dioxide Accountability of Plutonium Dioxide Powder." This Powder,"* are generally acceptable and provide an document describes methods for the sampling, sub- adequate basis for the accountability of plutonium sampling, sample handling, dissolution, chemical and dioxide powder.
isotopic analysis, and error analysis of plutonium dioxide powder. Topics included in the report under the
D. IMPLEMENTATION
section on sampling methods are general principles and The purpose of this section is to provide information precautions of sampling, homogeneity problems, and the to applicants and licensees regarding the Regulatory chemical and physical characteristics of PuO 2 powders staff's plans for utilizing this regulatory guide.
which influence sampling. The sections on sample This guide reflects current regulatory practice.
handling and subsampling include discussions on Therefore, except in those cases in which an applicant or containers, labeling, and sources of error. Both acid and licensee proposes an alternative method for complying fusion techniques are covered in the section on with specified portions of the Commission's regulations, dissolution. The analytical procedures presented and the methods described herein will be used immediately discussed are (1) controlled-potential coulometry, in the evaluation of applications for licenses to possess at amperometry, and modified amperometry as assay any one time special nuclear material in a quantity methods; (2) ion exchange cleanup, spectrographic exceeding one effective kilogram as described in analysis and iron determination by spectrophotometry § 70.22(b) of 10 CFR Part 70 and in the evaluation of for impurity removal or determination; and (3) isotopic the performance of holders of such licenses.
analysis by mass spectrometry and aipha-plus-height analysis (Pu-2 3 8 ). The criteria for the selection of the *Copies may be obtained from the Superintendent of destructive analytical methods described in this docu- Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.
ment are as follows: 20402.
USAEC REGULATORY GUIDES Copies of published guides may be obtained by request indicating the divisions desired to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. Washington, D.C. 20545, Regulatory Guides are issued to describe and make available to the public Attention: Director of Regulatory Standards. Comments and suggestions for methods acceptable to the AEC Regulatory staff of implementing specific parts of improvements in these guides are encouraged and should be sent to the Secretary the Commission's regulations, to delineate techniques -.ed by the staff in of the Commission. U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. Washington, D.C. 20545, evaluating specific problems or postulated accidents. o, to provide guidance to Attention: Docketing and Service Section.
applicants. Regulatory Guides are not substitutes for regulations and compliance with them is not required. Methods and solutions different from those set out in The guides are issued in the following ten broad divisions:
the guides will oe acceptable if they provide a basisfor the findings requisite to the issuance or continuance of a permit or license by the Commission. 1. Power Reactors
6. Productt
2. Research and Test Reactors
7. Transportation
3. Fuels and Materials Facilities 8. Occupational Health Published guides will be revised periodically, as appropriate, to accommodate 4. Environmental and Siting 9. Antitrust Review comments and to reflect new information or experience. 5. Materials and Plant Protection 10. General