Purpose - std301320000026

DOE-STD-3013-2000

content. This Standard does not restrict the isotopic composition of plutonium, but relies

instead on the 19-watt heat generation limit to cap the content of short half life radionuclides.

238

241

Pu content to approximately 33 grams and the

Am content

The 19-watt limit restricts the

to approximately 165 grams, assuming in each case that no other significant heat generating

species are present. This makes the percentage limits redundant for purposes of this standard.

233

U concentration has been taken directly from the MD Acceptance Criteria.

The limit on

Sealed sources and irradiated fuels are excluded from the scope of this Standard, as are

unstabilized forms such as solutions.

Even though the DOE Fissile Materials Disposition Program expects to begin processing

plutonium-bearing materials for disposition within about 15 years, it is recognized that various

factors could potentially delay disposition. Fifty years was selected as a reasonable upper limit

to the time that material might have to be stored because of such delays.

A.2. Purpose

This Standard updates DOE-STD-3013-99 [USDOE 1999], which replaced DOE-STD-3013-96

[USDOE 1996]. It changes the allowable contamination on the outer surface of the inner

container from that specified in 3013-99. That Standard (3013-99) updated the guidance given

in DOE-STD-3013-96 to include a broader concentration and classification range of plutonium-

bearing materials. Information developed since issuance of 3013-96 has led to changes

implemented in 3013-99 that improve the assurance of safety, and/or improve practical aspects

of stabilization, packaging and storage without compromising safety. Among those changes are

the following (note that the stabilization process, the stability criterion and the container have

all remained unchanged from DOE-STD-3013-96):

Research supporting DOE-STD-3013-96 was performed using pure plutonium dioxide and

those results were extrapolated to 50 wt% plutonium content. This Standard includes in its

basis considerable research on actual site oxide materials covering the full range of actinide

content specified in the scope statement.

A critical assumption in pressurization analysis for DOE-STD-3013-96 is the reaction with

plutonium dioxide that fixes oxygen from adsorbed water and leaves a hydrogen-rich

atmosphere. The research supporting this Standard has shown that a second reaction, the

recombination of oxygen and hydrogen to form water, is also very effective in removing