Design Considerations - hdbk1132990085

DOE-HDBK-1132-99

2.6.2

Design Considerations . The design of reprocessing facilities should consider

inclusion of the features described below. Design requirements vary significantly

depending on the material (fuel) characteristics, the reprocessing technique, and

the characteristics of the site.

Process system and auxiliary system differential pressure should be

maintained to inhibit back-flow of contamination into auxiliary systems.

The process equipment for transferring toxic and corrosive fluids should

use vacuum and gravity where possible. Pumps and jets should have

pressure capacity no greater than 10 percent above needed transfer

capacity.

The integrity of process equipment off-gas treatment systems should be

ensured for normal operations, anticipated operational occurrences, and

accidents.

The use of directed airflow and back-flow prevention features to feed

areas (i.e., shear and dissolver areas) should be considered.

Mechanical chopper and dissolver off-gas and other process vents should

be treated by an off-gas treatment system for removal of nuclides. As a

minimum, the treatment system should be designed for particulate

removal and should control the release of airborne radionuclides. In

addition, the design should incorporate ALARA concepts to minimize

impacts on operators and the public/environment.

Radioiodine adsorber units in the exhaust ventilation/off-gas system

should be considered to reduce the radioiodine concentration in the

effluent. Additionally, these releases should be ALARA. (See ASME

AG-1 for adsorber selection considerations.)

To reduce the amount of hazardous material that can be released if the process

equipment fails, the following design provisions should be considered:

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