DOE's decision on MOX fuel

["Robert M. Loesch" <loesch@spok.eh.doe.gov>]

Before I begin, this is my personal opinion and not that of the
Department of Energy or my management - just mine!!!

I've read with interest the Administration's potential decision 
for the destruction of weapon's plutonium - the use of mixed oxide
fuel (MOX).  There has been much discussion in the Post and on the
tube about security, non-proliferation, etc., but nothing about what
I believe is a bigger concern, from our profession's standpoint.

First, before one can manufacture MOX, someone would first have to
process the Pu into an oxide form or pellets (most likely DOE, and in
either a new or totally renovated facility) and then ship the Pu to
a fuel manufacturer.  This means that either DOE gets into the fuel
business (NOT) or involves a commercial fuel manufacturer.

Second, I don't believe that any commercial facility currently has the
capability, the experienced personnel, or the bioassay programs to
handle large quantities of Pu-oxide.  We (DOE) have enough of a problem
and we've been doing it for decades.  In addition, I believe that the 
FDA's approval of the Investigational New Drug Protocol for chelation
agents used for Pu intakes is only for valid for DOE.  Regardless of the
efforts in cleanliness and fuel integrity, there will always be "tramp Pu?"
on the bundles and an occasional pin hole leak resulting in Pu contamination
of the primary coolant.  This will certainly affect the smear surveys,
air sampling, waste water analysis, radwaste, etc., at commercial power Rx's.

I'd like to hear the thoughts of the many hard working HP's at commercial
fuel and power Rx facilities on how this apparently good idea on the surface
could affect them.

Bob Loesch



========================================================================
      _/_/        _/_/      _/_/_/_/   Robert M. Loesch
     _/  _/    _/   _/     _/         US Department of Energy
    _/	  _/  _/      _/   _/         EH-52, GTN, 270CC
   _/	  _/ _/       _/  _/_/_/_/   19901 Germantown Road	
  _/    _/  _/      _/  _/         Germantown, MD  20874-1290
 _/    _/    _/   _/   _/         Tel: 301 903-4443;  Fax: -7773
_/_/_/       _/_/     _/_/_/_/   loesch@spok.eh.doe.gov
========================================================================
 "The definition of a public health disaster is a catastrophe so large
     that an epidemiologic study can detect it."    David Ozonoff