ML20128M856

Safety Evaluation Supporting Amend to License SNM-1107 Re Addition of Uranyl Nitrate Storage Tanks

ML20128M856
Person / Time
Site:	Westinghouse
Issue date:	07/18/1985
From:	Bidinger G, Crow W NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS)
To:
Shared Package
ML20128M836	List: ML20128M831 ML20128M856 ML20128M875
References
NUDOCS 8507260086
Download: ML20128M856 (2)

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JUL 18 1985

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DOCKET: 70-1151 LICDiSEE: Westinghouse Electric Corporation Columbia, S.C.

SUBJECT:

SAFETY EVALUATION REPORT, AMEllDMENT APPLICATION DATED JUNE 25,1985, RE ADDIT 10ti 0F URANYL NITRATE STORAGE TANKS BACKGROUND On March 29, 1985, Westinghouse informed the I.RC of its intent to install new facilities, including two additional uranyl nitrate storage tanks. By letter dated May 2,1985, the 'liRC staff notified Westinghouse that construction of the facilities could be done but that a license amendrent would be needed prior to use of the storage tanks. In the subject amendment application, Westinghouse has responded to the Hay 2,1985 letter.

DISCUSSION Westinghouse has requested authorization to use two additional 7,500 gallon-tanks for the storage of uranyl nitrate solution. The two tanks will be installed inside a curbed concrete pad adjacent to the existing four storage tanks. The curbing is high enough to contain 15,000 gallons of solution. The tanks are not interconnected so that the complete failure of two or more tanks is unlikely.

The licensee has justified use of nonfavorable geometry storage tanks because over 500 favorable geometry tanks would be needed to replace the six (four existing and two new) storage tanks. Nuclear criticality safety controls for the two new tanks, i.e., concentration control, will be the same as for the existing tanks. Westinghouse has presented an analysis of twelve events which could af fect concentration control and shown that administrative and process controls would ensure criticality safety, in addition, Westinghouse has analysed 15 recognized f actors contributing to previous criticality accidents in large nonfavorable geometry vessels and has shown that controls or conditions exist to ensure criticality safety.

In addition to authorizing the use of the nonfavorable geometry storage tanks, license conditions will be revised to require justification for future use of nonfavorable geometry as well as analyses of causes which have contributed to accidents in nonfavorable geometry containers.

8507260086 850718 PDR ADOCK 07001151 C PDR c

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RC FORM 3181tO/80lNRCM O240 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY c. u.s. cno 1983-40o.247 I

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y JUL 18 1985 2-The existing radiation protection program will be extended to the new tanks. No unusual radiation protection risks are involved in storing uranyl nitrate solution.

FINDINr,S/ CONCLUSION The NRC staff finds that no undue risk to the public health and safety or to the environrent would exist if the license amendment application were approved.

Approval is recorrended.

The Region II Project Inspector has no objection to this action.

Original signell by Ge o"~ 1 M 'M"C#

G. H. Bidinger Uranium Process Licensing Section Uranium Fuel Licensing Branch Division of Fuel Cycle and origina1 Signed By: Material Safety, NMSS

. W. T. Crcr Apprc"ed by:

W. T. Crow, SectfonTeader s

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