Year
1970
Abstract
Current emphasis on development of fuels for breeder reactor application has necessitated frequent intermixing and copressing of 233U, 235 U, and 239Pu isotopes. To provide the highly accurate control system that assures safe operation of the facilities, all criticality, account- ability, and radiation safety controls were integrated into a centralized system managed \"by a coordinator designated the Nuclear Materials Controller. Emphasis was placed on minimizing the spread of contamination and reducing the potential for a nuclear incident while at the same time maintaining a smooth, uninterrupted flow of materials with a minimum of paper work. The centralized system is composed of three integrated units: (1) the Criticality Control Board - a visible, current record of all nuclear materials under control of the system, with magnetic, color-coded indicators that reflect values, location, and type of isotope in each approved labora- tory to the nearest 1/2 g; (2) the Nuclear Materials Flowboard — a modified, color-coded, industrial indicator that visibly reflects each temporary movement of the materials and their current location during processing; and (3) the Flip-Sheet Ledger system - a concise version of the columnar accounting sheet that permits a great number of accounts to be filed and worked on over- lays in an 8 1/2 x 11-in. ledger book. The system has effectively and efficiently met all control requirements and provided both necessary and desirable safeguards without hindering the processing of materials; in several instances it has expedited production. The detailed records of materials on hand by type and location provide a detailed, current inventory that has resulted in savings of time and money on materials procurement and that has brought to attention valuable, inactive quantities that could be returned to production channels.