Regulatory Guide 6.3
| ML003739402 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/31/1974 |
| From: | Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research |
| To: | |
| References | |
| RG-6.003 | |
| Download: ML003739402 (2) | |
March 1974 U.S. ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION
REGULATORY GUIDE
DIRECTORATE OF REGULATORY STANDARDS
REGULATORY GUIDE 6.3 DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, AND USE OF RADIOISOTOPIC POWER
GENERATORS FOR CERTAIN LAND AND SEA APPLICATIONS
A. INTRODUCTION
Manufacture or use of a radioisotopic power generator containing byproduct, source, or special nuclear material is an activity requiring a license pursuant to §}30.3,
"Activities Requiring License," of
10 CFR Part 30, §40.3, "License Requirements," of 10,
CFR Part 40, or § 70.3. "License Requirements," of
10 CFR
Part
70.
This regulatory guide presents guidelines acceptable to the Regulatory staff for the safe design, construction, and use of radioisotopic power generators (other than those capable of being carried on or used at close proximity to the person) intended for use at defined locations on land and on or under the sea.
In addition, guidance is provided for the preparation of a safety assessment report to be submitted as part of the information required by
§}30.32 for applications concerning byproduct material, by
§40.31 for applications concerning source material, or by §}70.22 for applications concerning special nuclear material to demonstrate that the applicant's proposed program is adequate to protect health and minimize danger to life or property.
B. DISCUSSION
The increase in the development and production of certain types of radioisotopic power generators and their proposed use in international waters created a need for the formulation of internationally acceptable recommendations governing the health and safety aspects of their construction and use. Accordingly, the International Atomic Energy Agency and the European Nuclear Energy Agency jointly established a Working Group to study the health and safety problems associated with such devices. In 1970, that Working Group produced the document, "Guide to the Safe Design, Construction and Use of Radioisotopic Power Generators for certain Land and Sea Applications,"
which Fv~v published1 as IýEA. Sefety Series No. 33.
Safety Series No. 32 ps frtl, t-asic safety goals for the design, nstrtction, and ut, of' generators and, in Appendix JI1, providies suggestnd format and contents of a safety assessment report to be used to demonstrate that these safety goals have been met.
C. REGIJI ATORY POSITION
1.
The guidelines set forth in IAEA Safety Series No.
33 for the safe design, c/nstruction, and use of radioisotopic power generators (other than those capable of being carried on or itsed *t close proximity to the person) intended for u-c at defined locations on land and on ov under the tea arc generally acceptable, as supplemented by the following:
a.
The requir,'aentz -'F 10
t-FR Parts 20 and 71 with respect to basic safetv standards and the transport of radioactive material should be followed in lieu of IAEA Safety Series No. 9 and No. 6.
b.
In addition to the precaiutions stated in Section
2.3.3,
"Gfner,31 Phys;cal Security,"
periodic determinations
)f fuel capsule integrity should be performed. Site s'ec;*'ic factors such as temperature and accessibility should4 br taken into account in selecting test frequency and method.
c.
In addition to the provisions in Section 2.3.4,
"Radiological Protection.," records of installation, test, repair, and nlaintet'ance 2ctivitlcs should be maintained.
d.
In lieu of tbh reference to ISO standards in Section 2.8, "Exterior Ma-king,"
the outer surface marking should include the radiation symbol prescribed by §20.203(a) of 10 CFP Part 20.
SCopies may be obtained from the IAFA Sales Agent (UNIPUIB, Inc., P.O. Box 433, N-'v York, New York 10016).
USAEC REGULATORY GUIDES
Copies of oublished c'iides may be obtained by request indicating the divisions desired to the US. Atomic Energy Commission, Washington, D.C. 20545, Regulatory Guides are issued to describe and make available to the public Attention: Director of Regulatory Standards. Comments and suggestions for methods acceptable to the AEC Regulatory staff of implementing specific parts of improvements in these guides are encouraged and should be sent to the Secretary the Commission's regulations, to delineate techniques used by the staff in of the Commission, U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, Washington, D.C. 20545, evaluating specific problems or postulated accidents, or to provide guidance to Attention: Chief, Public Proceedings Staff.
applicants. Regulatory Guides are not substitutes for regulations and compliance with them is not required. Methods and solutions different from those set out in The guides are issued in the following ten brnal divisions:
the guides will be acceptable if they provide a basis for the findings requisite to the issuance or continuance of a permit or license by the Commission.
1. Power Reacters A. P-?ducts
2. Research and T-ft Reactors
7. Transortation
3. Foels and Materials Facilitimr
9. Occupational Health Published guides will be revised periodically, as appropriate, to accommodate
4. Environmental and Siting
9. Antitrust Review comments and to reflect new information or experience.
5. Materials and Plant Protection
1
0. General
e.
In lieu of the thermal test prescribed in Section
2.3 of Appendix I, the capsule sbould be heated in air to a temperature of 800°C or to its maximum operating temperature (whichever is higher) and that temperature should be maintained for a period of 30 minutes before being allowed to cool.
1.
In lieu of the limit prescribed in Section 2.6 of Appendix I, the sensitivity of the leakage detection should be 10'8 (STP) cm 3 /sec.
2.
The suggested format and contents of a Safety Assessment Report set forth in Appendix III of IAEA
Safety Series No. 33 are generally acceptable for demonstrating that the applicant's proposed program is adequate to protect health and minimize danger to life or property, as supplemented by the following:
a.
Itr addition to the radioactive fuel properties listed in Stctýon 2.2.1 of Appendix III, the report should include the maximum am6unt of fuel in grams and curies and pertinent data on radioisotopic impurities.
b.
In addition to designating the person or orgarization to be responsible for certain activities in accore-nce with Section 2.8.1 of Appendix III, the report Thould describe pertinent radiation protection trainirg and other experience of individuals assigned those, ',sponsibilities.
c.
A request for the treatment of any information provided in the safety assessment report as proprietary shoul-ý be submitted in accordance with the provisions of 10 C"-? 2.790.
L
6.%-?