December 13, 1996
| TO: |
|
G. W. Cunningham, Technical Director |
| FROM: |
|
J. Kent Fortenberry / Joe Sanders |
| SUBJECT: |
|
SRS Activity Report for Week Ending December 13, 1996 |
Todd Davis and Ajit Gwal were onsite this week reviewing DWPF instrumentation and control.
Rocky Flats Pu Residue - A Citizen's Advisory Board subcommittee meeting and a public scoping meeting were attended this week, both on the subject of the Rocky Flats Pu Residue EIS. There was a generally favorable response to alternatives involving SRS, but concern was expressed that resources needed to stabilize Pu may disappear after the residue is transferred to SRS. This prompted discussion of assurances and guarantees. Another area of uncertainty is the current RCRA status of some of the Rocky Flats Pu residues which would probably have to be waived if the material is sent to SRS.
Weapons Usable Pu Disposition - Current plans to implement the preferred alternative sending Rock Flats metal and oxide to SRS utilize the K-Reactor facility to store plutonium until the new APSF is built and operational.
Tritium Reservoir Test Equipment - Reservoir environmental testing, some of which formerly existed at Mound, will now occur entirely at SRS. Equipment intended to simulate reservoir conditions during the launch-to-target sequence includes a flow tester, drop tester, vibration tester, centrifuge, and a thermal shock chamber. Construction is nearing completion on all of this equipment and the systems are expected to become operational in July 1997, with the exception of the flow tester which is installed and operational. All of the remaining systems will be installed in 233-H (formerly RTF). The drop tester, vibration tester, and centrifuge are all highly energetic machines which present a deflagration hazard if the contents of the reservoir were to release. A number of preventative and mitigative measures are being considered, and the site reps intend to review the hazard/safety analyses and the resolution of this issue.
Tritium Extraction Facility (TEF) Conceptual Design Review Kickoff Meeting - The site reps attended portions of this 2-day review. The intent of this meeting was to orient the Design Review Team which will subsequently provide an independent review of the conceptual design of the TEF and its systems. The Chairperson of this team is Mr. Rex Buley. An attachment to this report provides some discussion on the design of the tritium-producing targets to be irradiated in a commercial light water reactor.
cc: Board Members.