Release Estimation cont'd

DOE-HDBK-3010-94

7.0 Application Examples; Seismic Release Example

Surface Area (ft2)

g Pu/ft2

Glovebox

Multiple

Contamination

(g Pu)

Feed Prep.

470

1.25

0.1

3 Dissolvers

840

1.25

0.01

Sample

560

1.25

0.01

IX and Evap.

880

1.50

0.01

H2O2 Precip.

440

1.50

0.1

Dry Line

1320

1.50

0.1

200

1400

1.25

0.1

175

Reduction

Total

531

The bounding ARF and RF values assessed for vibration-shock impact of loose

surface contamination on an unyielding surface are 1E-3 and 1.0 (subsection 5.2.3.2).

The resulting cumulative initial respirable source term in glovebox atmospheres due to

surface contamination is:

531 g * 1.0 * 1E-3 * 1.0 = 0.5 g.

Similar estimates could be made for surface contamination in a HEPA filter plenum.

For a plenum 15 ft long, 10 ft wide, and 10 ft high, the basic enclosure surface area

is 600 ft2. An individual wall for a bank of HEPA filters has a surface area,

discounting HEPA filter face area, of 100 ft2, or 200 ft2 on both sides. If there are

four banks of HEPA filters, the total additional surface area is bounded by an

estimate of 800 ft2. Given that there is not visible surface contamination in a

significant part of the plenum, the 1400 ft2 could be considered powder handling area,

yielding an overall surface contamination estimate of 140 g Pu, which would yield an

airborne source term of 0.1 g Pu in the plenum, as no release is anticipated from the

filters themselves.

The same logic could be applied to plutonium contamination in ventilation ductwork if

significant quantities are assumed or known to be present. If the material in the

ductwork was a hard, rock-like substance, or a sticky oily residue, no significant

release from the residue would be postulated. If, however, it was fine, loose surface

contamination, the source term could be estimated in the same manner it was for

gloveboxes or the filter plenum.

B. 0.26 g Event. The only significant addition to the release phenomena postulated

for the 0.13g event is the failure of one or two plutonium process solution tanks. It is

noted, however, that the failure of glovebox connections may yield a higher glovebox

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