Re: DOE's decision on MOX fuel

[Doug Turner <turners@earthlink.net>]

Bob, 
Mixed oxide fuel was used in the mid 1970's in some commercial BWR reactors
with NO apparent problems ( in region I). Within a short period of time
(weeks) the Pu content of a standard uranium dioxide reactor core is
significant.  This is not new technology we are talking about, and the
"problems" are mostly political.

Doug Turner <turners@earthlink.net>

At 06:57 AM 12/18/96 -0600, you wrote:
>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
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>_/_/_/       _/_/     _/_/_/_/   loesch@spok.eh.doe.gov
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> "The definition of a public health disaster is a catastrophe so large
>     that an epidemiologic study can detect it."    David Ozonoff
>
>