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External radiation problems in the manufacture of high burn-up plutonium fuel elements in glove boxes

Conference ·
OSTI ID:4310322
From third Health Physics Society midyear topical symposium; Los Angeles, California, USA (29 Jan 1969). See CONF-690103P1. The manufacture of high burnup plutonium fuel elements in glove boxes raises new problems in determination and control of external exposure. NUMEC's experience in manufacturing Pu-U-Mo (28.4%) ZPPR fuel elements is described. The plutonium contained 11.5% /sup 240/Pu and 1.6% /sup 241/Pu. Only complete characterization of the radiation, complete evaluation of dose, and prompt implementation of control measures prevented overexposure of a large work force. Data presented include characterization of gamma and neutron radiation sources, gamma and neutron spectra from exposure locations and different fuel materials, shielding evaluation, comparison of LiF TLD and film for gamma exposure measurement, evaluation of the deficiencies of NTA film for neutron exposure measurement, and studies of dose inhomogeneity. (auth)
Research Organization:
Nuclear Materials and Equipment Corp., Apollo, PA
NSA Number:
NSA-29-030203
OSTI ID:
4310322
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English