NUREG-1537, Part 2 - NRC

*HEU TOLEU CONVERSION
The areas of review relate to the' formation, control, release, and disposition of
radioacive waste materials'generated by reactor operations. These wastes'may be
liquid, solid, or gaseous (airborne), and all three forms should be addressed. At
non-power reactors, some of the radioactive wastes come from routine reactor
operations and some come from the experimental programs. In general, the
reviewer should examine the radiation sources and source terms for these wastes
and methods for identification, quantification, control, and disposition. Potential
or routine radiation exposure of personnel and the environment to these
radioactive wastes also are areas of review.
In addition to the control and disposition of these wastes as a result of the fiull
range of operations, if there is the possibility of an accident that could lead to an
uncontrolled release of radioactive materials to the environment, such an event
should be analyzed in the accident analysesiin Section 13.'
If the conversion of the reactor frobm'HEU to LEU fuel requires modifications to
the facility or changes to operational conditions, limits, or procedures, the licensee
must address these changes and analyze their effects on the production and
disposition of radioactive wastes at the facility.
Argon4l is a radioactive gas produced and treated as radiological waste during
routine operations at most non-power reactors. Because it could be the only
significant radionuclide released to the unrestricted environment at many nonpower
reactors, any changes to its potential radiological effect should be analyzed.
Accepkmce Criteria
Acceptance criteria should be based on the following considerations: The licensee
should show that any changes in radioactive wastes that result'from conversion
from HEEU to LEU fuel will not result in a significant decrease in the control of
these wastes. The licensee should also show that potential radiation exposures and
doses'to the facility staff and the public will not be significantly increased.
Potential releases to the unrestricted environment and exposures of personnel shall
remain below applicable limits of 10 CFR Part 20, including the facility ALARA
program guidelines.
Review Procedires
The reviewer should look for planned changes in the facility components, systems,
operating conditions, or procedures to be made in connection with BEU to LEU
conversion. The reviewer should examine the licensee's analyses of(1) any
changes in the production or control of radioactive wastes and (2) the radiological
exposure on the facility staff, the environment, and the public caused by the
conversion-related changes in the quantities or types of radioactive wastes The
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