Design Considerations cont'd

DOE-HDBK-1132-99

process being confined should be designed to prevent or reduce the

potential for flammable or explosive conditions. Confinement enclosures

for flammable metals should be designed with self-contained fire

protection and extinguishing equipment; in some cases, inert

atmospheres may be desirable within the enclosures.

Work that could subject personnel to possible inhalation exposures

should be performed in process confinement enclosures. Gloveboxes

should be the preferred enclosure, but are not always practical.

Alternative systems may have to be considered.

To the extent practical, discrete processing steps should be performed in

individual process confinements to reduce the amount of hazardous

material that can be released by a single or local failure of the

confinement system. Process and auxiliary system differential pressure

should be maintained to inhibit back-flow of hazardous materials into

auxiliary systems.

Equipment design should include appropriate interlocks to prevent spills

The design of process systems should minimize the production of scrap

and waste.

Geometric restrictions for nuclear criticality safety should apply to various

units of equipment for the different processes used. In addition, other

considerations, such as sufficient agitation in a process vessel to prevent

the settling of uranium material, should be considered for nuclear

criticality safety.

Leakage of enriched uranium material from processing equipment should

be prevented. Design considerations should include, but not be limited

to, the use of corrosion-resistant construction materials and features less

vulnerable to leakage (e.g., of flanged and/or welded construction).

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