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) | |
U.S. ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSIONREGULATORY GDIRECTORATE OF REGULATORY STANDARDSDecember 1974UID EREGULATORY GUIDE 5.40METHODS FOR THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF PLUTONIUM DIOXIDE POWDER
A. INTRODUCTION
Paragraph 70.22(b) of 10 CFR Part 70, "SpecialNuclear Material," requires, among other things, that anapplicant for a license to possess certain quantities ofspecial nuclear material in an unsealed form describe hisprocedures for control of and accounting for specialnuclear material. This regulatory guide identifiesmethods and criteria acceptable to the Regulatory stafffor the sampling, subsampling, sample handling,dissolution, chemical and isotopic analysis, and erroranalysis for the accountability of plutonium dioxidepowder.
B. DISCUSSION
The i*awrence Livermore Laboratory and the U.S.Atomic Energy Commission have recently published adocument (WASH 1335) entitled -Methods for theAccountability of Plutonium Dioxide Powder." Thisdocument describes methods for the sampling, sub-sampling, sample handling, dissolution, chemical andisotopic analysis, and error analysis of plutoniumdioxide powder. Topics included in the report under thesection on sampling methods are general principles andprecautions of sampling, homogeneity problems, and thechemical and physical characteristics of PuO2 powderswhich influence sampling. The sections on samplehandling and subsampling include discussions oncontainers, labeling, and sources of error. Both acid andfusion techniques are covered in the section ondissolution. The analytical procedures presented anddiscussed are (1) controlled-potential coulometry,amperometry, and modified amperometry as assaymethods; (2) ion exchange cleanup, spectrographicanalysis and iron determination by spectrophotometryfor impurity removal or determination; and (3) isotopicanalysis by mass spectrometry and aipha-plus-heightanalysis (Pu-238). The criteria for the selection of thedestructive analytical methods described in this docu-ment are as follows:1. High precision and accuracy combined with ease ofuse and low cost.2. Broad applicability to various types of plutoniumoxide material and relative freedom from interferingsubstances.3. The extent that the methods have been studied byvarious research laboratories, the success of their useunder actual plant conditions, and the historicaievaluations that have been performed on them undervarious exchange programs.
C. REGULATORY POSITION
The accountability methods and related criteria forthe sampling, subsampling, sample handling, dissolution,chemical and isotopic analysis, and error analysis ofplutonium dioxide powder contained in WASH i335,"Methods for the Accountability of Plutonium DioxidePowder,"* are generally acceptable and provide anadequate basis for the accountability of plutoniumdioxide powder.
D. IMPLEMENTATION
The purpose of this section is to provide informationto applicants and licensees regarding the Regulatorystaff's plans for utilizing this regulatory guide.This guide reflects current regulatory practice.Therefore, except in those cases in which an applicant orlicensee proposes an alternative method for complyingwith specified portions of the Commission's regulations,the methods described herein will be used immediatelyin the evaluation of applications for licenses to possess atany one time special nuclear material in a quantityexceeding one effective kilogram as described in§ 70.22(b) of 10 CFR Part 70 and in the evaluation ofthe performance of holders of such licenses.*Copies may be obtained from the Superintendent ofDocuments, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.20402.USAEC REGULATORY GUIDES Copies of published guides may be obtained by request indicating the divisionsdesired 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 formethods acceptable to the AEC Regulatory staff of implementing specific parts of improvements in these guides are encouraged and should be sent to the Secretarythe 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 compliancewith 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 basis for the findings requisite tothe issuance or continuance of a permit or license by the Commission. 1. Power Reactors 6. Productt2. Research and Test Reactors 7. Transportation3. Fuels and Materials Facilities 8. Occupational HealthPublished guides will be revised periodically, as appropriate, to accommodate 4. Environmental and Siting 9. Antitrust Reviewcomments and to reflect new information or experience. 5. Materials and Plant Protection 10. General