Recovery of Scrap/Residue

DOE-HDBK-1132-99

are combustible-- rubber gloves, plastic bags, polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

pipes, etc. Thus, the glovebox is vulnerable to involvement in fire, which,

in turn, could cause the loss of glovebox integrity.

Facility design should provide for the continuous monitoring of external

radiation exposure levels in process areas (e.g., hot cells and canyons)

during maintenance or repair operations. Neutron shields in the form of

water jackets should be capable of being monitored for water loss.

Gloveboxes should be equipped with quick couplings for dry chemical-

type extinguishers.

Recovery of Scrap/Residue . Plutonium scrap and residue should be

recovered, processed, and accounted for-- to the extent practical-- according to

the special nuclear material (SNM) accounting requirements. To prevent the

accumulation of plutonium-containing scrap or residue, space should be provided

for expeditious treatment or processing of these materials to allow their return to

the main process.

Plutonium could be recovered using various methods, depending on the

chemical process employed. For the aqueous process, plutonium could be

recovered by means of leaching and dissolution, followed by purification,

evaporation, and concentration. For pyrochemistry, the recovery process would

include salt flux remelting, hydriding, oxidation, and/or anion exchange.

The following features should be considered to address the recovery and

handling of scrap and residue:

Equipment for recovery and handling of scrap/residue should be

designed to minimize dusting and physical losses or spillage. Vessels

used for solution treatment, assay, or storage should be of geometrically

safe design to preclude accidental nuclear criticality.

I-55