Scope - std301320040009

DOE-STD-3013-2004

Scope

This Standard provides criteria for stabilization of plutonium-bearing materials at DOE facilities

to safe and stable forms that can be packaged and placed in storage with minimal surveillance

for up to 50 years. This Standard applies to plutonium-bearing metals and oxides containing at

least 30 wt% plutonium plus uranium. For enriched uranium metal, the plutonium content must

be sufficiently high that the material is not acceptable at the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant. As a

practical limit for oxide materials containing significant quantities of uranium, the plutonium

content must be greater than the applicable Safeguards Termination Limit. There is no lower

limit for uranium. This Standard does not apply to materials destined for WIPP, such as

plutonium residues or TRU waste; Irradiated Fuels; sealed sources; materials containing greater

than 0.5 wt% uranium-233; or plutonium solutions.

A significant portion of the DOE plutonium oxide inventory contains chloride. For example, the

oxide product of oxalate precipitation can contain percent levels of chloride. The presence of

even lower levels of chloride can catalyze stress corrosion cracking in stainless steel, the

material specified in this Standard for the containers. The Standard does not impose a limit on

chloride contamination because the extent of corrosion is limited by the available moisture,

rather than the available chloride. The moisture content limitation in this Standard is considered

sufficient to avoid significant corrosion.

This Standard addresses the safety envelope of the storage package. Storage facility design,

safeguards and security interfaces, and transportation requirements are addressed in detail in

other DOE directives (e. g., policies and orders) and other agencies' regulations. Such

requirements are not repeated in this Standard. However, users of this Standard are advised to

consult and assure adherence with other applicable directives while implementing these criteria.

Purpose

These criteria provide a basis for assuring that plutonium-bearing materials will be stable forms

for safe, long-term storage at DOE facilities in sound Packages requiring minimal surveillance

under anticipated handling, shipping, and storage conditions until their final disposition.

Applicability

All DOE organizations and their contractors may use this Standard.