Engineered Materials - std3028

DOE-STD-3028-2000

A.6.1.3

Engineered Materials

1. For purposes of this Standard, fabricated fuel made from metals or high-fired oxides

are considered to be stabilized and contained if their cladding has retained its

integrity. When there is assurance of cladding integrity, the stabilization requirements

of this Standard are deemed satisfied.

2. High-fired oxide fuel pellets qualified for nuclear fuel are quite pure, have controlled

stoichiometry, and have been formed at higher temperatures than specified in this

Standard for stabilization. Consequently, unirradiated pellets need only meet

Criterion 6.1.2.1 to be eligible for packaging. Pellet materials that do not meet the

criterion should be treated according to the provisions of Criterion 6.1.2.2 of this

Standard.

A.6.1.4

Storage after Stabilization Deferred Packaging

1. The verified stabilization step provides certainty that Criterion 6.1.2.1 was satisfied at

a point in time. A high degree of confidence that the material still meets Criterion

6.1.2.1 is provided by the observation that the container and contained material

appear unchanged and the volatiles content remains acceptably low. Evidence of

change may include, for example, corrosion or substantial pitting of the container,

significant discoloration of the contents, or change in structural integrity of the

container. To provide assurance of stabilization, verification of the volatiles content is

required, by a measurement (e.g., LOI or re-weighing).

A.6.2 Containers the "Packaging"

A.6.2.1

Container Design Concept

1. A design goal for the storage Package is that it be maintenance free without further

reprocessing or repackaging.

A sealed container design, rather than a container design with a gas filter, was

selected for two reasons: 1) gas filters allow the entry of moist air which could

interact with stored materials; and 2) if the container was not always oriented

properly, stored powder could plug the filter and later "blow out" causing, at a

minimum, a local spread of contamination.