Timothy Amos Stone

Gap Analysis of Storage Conditions between NNSS and LANL for SAVY 4000 Use

As part of the gap analysis for utilizing the SAVY 4000® at NNSS, the hydrogen gas generation rate and the effect of atmospheric pressure changes on the maximum normal operating pressure (MNOP) of the SAVY container must be evaluated because the nuclear material characteristics and atmospheric conditions will not be the same for NNSS and LANL. This paper documents this analysis and demonstrates that the LANL SAVY Safety Analysis Report (SAR) is bounding with respect to the Nevada facilities.

Durability and field condition study of seal of SAVY-4000 storage container

Abstract The conditions of use for rubber O-rings are at least as important as their physical properties in their effect on the quality of a seal. Under normal use conditions, O-rings may be subject to wear and environmental contaminants such as hair and dirt. This study examines how these factors impact the leak tightness of a nuclear material storage container and the likelihood of the inadvertent release of radioactive material. The durability lifetime of an O-ring was explored by opening and closing four SAVY-4000 1 quart containers 100 times and periodically performing helium leak testing, though no significant change in leak rate was observed. This study also explored how the accumulation of dust or hair on the O-ring surface would affect the leak rate of the containers. A single hair crossing the seal, or a sufficient amount of particulate matter would compromise the seal, but after cleaning, the seal was re-established.

SAVY-4000 Surveillance and Life Extension Program Fiscal Year 2013 Annual Report

The Packaging Surveillance Program section of the DOE M441.1-1/sup>1, Nuclear Material Packaging Manual (DOE, 2008) requires DOE contractors to “ensure that a surveillance program is established and implemented to ensure the nuclear material storage package continues to meet its design criteria.” In order to ensure continuing safe storage of nuclear material and the maximization of risk reduction, TA-55 has established a Surveillance Program to ensure storage container integrity for operations within its specified design life. The LANL SAVY-4000 Field Surveillance Plan2 defines the near-term field surveillance plan for SAVY-4000 containers as required by the Manual. A long-term surveillance plan will be established based on the results of the first several years of surveillance and the results of the lifetime extension studies as defined in the Accelerated Aging Plan3. This report details progress in positioning the Surveillance Program for successful implementation in FY14 and status of the Design Life Extension Program in terms of its implementation and data collection for FY13.

New generation standard nuclear material container

Abstract Nuclear Filter Technology (NucFil) is working with the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) to design a nuclear material storage container that complies fully with the requirements of DOE M 441·1-1. LANL provided NucFil with a specification that outlines requirements to comply with the manual, as well as to satisfy specific needs of their own. NucFil has taken this specification and designed a container known as the new generation standard nuclear material container (NG SNMC). The premise of the design is a simple, robust container that is easy to use. The sealing mechanism is a single large cross-section, low durometer o-ring. The large cross-section provides a tight seal that has enough elastic rebound to compensate for any distortion of the sealing faces after a potential drop. The low durometer keeps the force required to open and close the container low. Once compressed, the seal is kept in place by a bayonet style closure that is locked in place by a positive mechanical engagement. The components of the container exposed to the load are manufactured of corrosion resistant 316L stainless steel. The container has a filter made of a heat resistant ceramic fibre to retain particles after a fire, and a water resistant membrane to keep moisture out of the container. Pewter shielding can be attached and is latched in place. These features are present in all seven sizes of the NG SNMCs, including 1, 3, 5, 8 and 12 quart and 5 and 10 gallon.