Argonne National Laboratory
RERTR
Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactors
Nuclear Science and Engineering Division at Argonne
U.S. Department of Energy

Reference Documents Concerning the RERTR Program

1986 and 1987 Federal Register Notices that provide "Receipt and Financial Settlement Provisions for Nuclear Research Reactor Fuels"

Federal Register / Vol. 51, No. 32 / Tuesday, February 18, 1986 / Notices 5754

Receipt and Financial Settlement Provisions for Nuclear Research Reactor Fuels


AGENCY: Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice
_____________________________

SUMMARY:
The Department of Energy is amending the provisions of its current policy providing for the receipt and financial settlement of U.S.-origin spent research reactor fuels to include certain research reactor fuels in which the uranium-235 content is less than 20 percent of the total uranium weight. Additionally, the Department is providing its financial settlement terms for providing this service.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Louis R. Willett, Mail Stop DP-131, Office of Nuclear Materials Production. U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, D.C. 20545, 301/353-3968.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
On November 9, 1982, the Department of Energy announced in the Federal Register that it was extending until December 31, 1987, its policy for the receipt and financial settlement of U.S.-origin spent research reactor fuels (47 FR 50737). At that time, the provisions of this policy were restricted to: (1) uranium-aluminum research reactor fuels with enrichments; i.e., uranium-235 content as a percentage of total uranium weight, of greater than 20 percent; and (2) uranium-zirconium hydride TRIGA fuel types. In this notice, DOE indicated that it was studying the reprocessing of uranium-aluminum fuel compositions with uranium enrichments of less than 20 percent and would extend the provisions of the notice to include these LEU fuels if a reprocessing capability could be established.

The DOE has determined that reprocessing capabilities for LEU fuels will be available and is, therefore, prepared to extend the provisions of its current policy to include the LEU uranium-aluminum fuel types currently under development. The conditions governing DOE's offer to provide this service remain unchanged; i.e., that commercial fuel processing services must be unavailable at reasonable terms and conditions and that the reactor fuel must be of U.S. origin (composed of nuclear materials produced or enriched in this country). The fuel processing charges used for settlement under this program for LEU fuel receipt are based upon the estimated actual cost of providing this service at a DOE spent fuel processing facility.

In its reviews of this policy extension, DOE has determined: (1) No commercial fuel processing services for LEU fuels are expected to be available to meet anticipated needs; (2) basic beneficial nuclear research would have to be curtailed absent a spent fuel disposal capability; and (3) availability of an LEU fuels disposal capability will encourage the conversion of research reactors currently using highly enriched uranium to LEU. Since it is anticipated that these disposal services for LEU fuels will not be needed until completion of reactor conversions planned for the late 1980's, DOE proposes to extend the LEU fuel receipt provisions from the date of this publication through December 31, 1992. The need for extension beyond this time will be evaluated when appropriate.

To provide for inclusion of LEU fuels in DOE's current policy, the terms and conditions for DOE services described in paragraphs numbered 1 through 11 in the Federal Register notice entitled "Receipt and Financial Settlement Provisions for Nuclear Research Reactor Fuels" 47 FR 50737 published November 9, 1982, are hereby deleted and the following substituted in place:

1. This policy applies to irradiated nuclear research reactor fuels and blanket materials (reactor materials). This policy pertains only to reactor materials from research reactors other than those involved in the conduct of research and development activities leading to the demonstration of the practical value of such reactor for industrial or commercial purposes.

2. Commercial fuel processing must be unavailable at reasonable terms and conditions.

3. The fuel must be of U.S. origin - that is, composed of nuclear materials produced or enriched in the United States.

4. This policy applies solely to the following types of reactor fuels:

a. Aluminum-clad reactor fuels where the uranium-235 content is greater than 20 percent, by weight, of the total uranium content. The active fuel region of these fuels may be configured as uranium-aluminum alloy, uranium oxide or uranium-aluminide. Fuels containing significant quantities of uranium-233 are excluded from receipt.

b. Aluminum-clad reactor fuels where the uranium-235 content is less than or equal to 20 percent by weight of the total uranium content. The active fuel regions of these fuels may be configured as uranium-silicide, uranium-aluminide or uranium oxide. Fuels containing significant quantities of uranium-233 are excluded from receipt.

c. Aluminum or stainless steel clad, uranium-zirconium hydride (other than uranium-233) TRIGA fuel types.

The percentage of uranium-235 of the eligible fuel types shall be that measured or estimated at the time of delivery to DOE.

5. DOE will undertake, under contracts individually negotiated with persons licensed pursuant to sections 53.a.(4), 63.a.(4), 103 or 104 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, and persons operating research reactors abroad fueled with materials produced or enriched in the United States, who possess or will possess eligible reactor materials, to receive such reactor materials at DOE-designated facilities, and to make a settlement, therefore, in accordance with this Notice and other established DOE policies. This settlement will take into account the charges for chemical processing of received reactor materials and any conversion of recovered uranium to the standard form, uranium hexafluoride, for which specifications and prices have been established by DOE. Furthermore, DOE may chemically process and convert all such received reactor materials to the extent, in such manner, and at such time, and place as it deems advisable, or otherwise dispose of such materials as it may deem advisable.

6. DOE's commitment to provide fuel receipt and financial settlement services will terminate on the following dates:

a. For research reactor fuels described in 4.a. and 4.c.-December 31, 1987; and


7. Firm charges for DOE services provided under this policy will be part of each contract. These charges will be expressed in terms of a unit weight charge fixed by DOE to the reactor materials in question, to apply over the total number of units of weight.

The charges for chemical processing services provided under this policy will reflect the Government's full cost for providing this service, in accordance with the provisions of 10 CFR Part 1009. The basic charges for processing services will be reviewed periodically and adjusted when necessary.

8. For those research reactor fuels described in 4.a. and 4.c. above, as of January 1, 1983, the following charges will be applied to DOE processing services under this policy:

a. For aluminum-clad research reactor fuels, including alloy, oxide and aluminide composition, $1000 per kilogram of total delivered weight. Of this charge, $375 is capital related and $625 is related to operating costs; and

b. For aluminum and stainless steel-clad uranium-zirconium hydride research reactor fuel, $1050 per kilogram of total delivered weight. Of this charge, $395 is capital related and $655 is related to operating costs.


The capital-related charges for DOE-provided services shall be adjusted to reflect changes in price levels from the base date of June 1982, in accordance with the Official Monthly Construction Cost Indices appearing in "Engineering News Record." The operations-related charges for DOE-provided services shall be adjusted to reflect changes in price levels from the base date of June 1982, in accordance with the Basic Inorganic Chemical Index appearing in "Wholesale Price Indexes," published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

9. For those research reactor fuels described in 4.b. above, as of July 1, 1985, the following charges will be applied to DOE processing services under this policy:

a. For uranium oxide fuel compositions - $660 per kilogram of total delivered weight.

b. For uranium-silicide compositions - $835 per kilogram of total delivered weight; and

c. For uranium-aluminide compositions - $1110 per kilogram of total delivered weight.


DOE will periodically review the charges for processing of these research reactor fuels and revise said charges as appropriate.

10. The charge for conversion to uranium hexafluoride of the purified nitrate salt of uranium that is converted by DOE in its processing of reactor materials is $175 per kilogram of contained uranium.

11. A minimum charge of $44,500 will be applied to each batch of fuel material delivered to DOE under the provisions of this policy. This charge reflects the minimum cost to DOE of providing processing services for small-batched fuel materials. The size of the processing batch to be shipped shall be as specified by the person seeking the processing services. DOE will permit a person to combine its batch with those of other persons in order to avoid the full impact of the minimum charge for handling a small batch size. Persons must notify DOE of their intent to combine batches prior to the delivery of any reactor materials to be included in a proposed batch. Specific arrangements must include a formula for distributing the processing charges and other settlement factors associated with delivery of the reactor materials to DOE.

12. DOE has the option of compensating the reactor operator for enriched uranium recovered in the processing of reactor materials delivered to DOE facilities in accordance with the appropriate DOE-published price schedule for enriched uranium material. Such compensation by DOE will consist of providing materials or services of equivalent value. DOE will, thereby, acquire title to the uranium for which it provides compensation. DOE will also acquire title, without cost, to all waste and other materials contained in the reactor materials.

The enriched uranium recovered in processing reactor materials (or its equivalent) delivered to DOE facilities and not compensated for by DOE, shall be returned to the reactor operator. Enriched uranium will be returned to the reactor operator f.o.b. the DOE processing site, in a reactor-operator furnished cask suitable for shipment offsite.

13. In lieu of processing uranium-zirconium hydride fuel types, DOE will agree to provide disposition services for such fuels. In this case, no compensation for recovered uranium will be made. Research reactor operators may prefer to write off the value of uranium contained in the fuel and accept this service. Additional information concerning DOE's disposition service may be obtained from the Manager, Idaho Operations Office, U.S. Department of Energy, 785 DOE Place, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402.

Dated: January 3,1986.

Sylvester R. Foley, Jr.,
Assistant Secretary for Defense Programs.


Federal Register / Vol. 51, No. 42 / Tuesday, March 4, 1986 / Notices 7487

Receipt and Financial Settlement Provisions for Nuclear Research Reactor Fuels

Correction


In FR Doc. 86-3452 beginning on page 5754 in the issue of Tuesday, February 18, 1986, make the following correction:

On page 5755, in the middle column, in paragraph 6, subparagraph b was omitted. Paragraph 6 is corrected to read as follows:

6. DOE's commitment to provide fuel receipt and financial settlement services will terminate on the following dates:

a. For research reactor fuels described in 4.a. and 4.c. - December 31, 1987; and
b. For research reactor fuels described in 4.b. - December 31, l992.



Federal Register / Vol. 52, No. 250 / Wednesday, December 30, 1987 / Notices

Receipt and Financial Settlement Provisions for Nuclear Research Reactor Fuels



AGENCY: Department of Energy

ACTION: Notice
______________________________________________

SUMMARY: The Department of Energy is amending the provisions of its current policy providing for the receipt and financial settlement of U.S.-origin spent research reactor fuels by extending the date by which it will receive highly enriched uranium (HEU) fuels to December 31, 1988.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Louis R. Willett, Office of Nuclear Materials Production, DP-133.2-GTN, U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, D.C. 20545, 301/353-3968.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
On November 9, 1982, the Department of Energy announced in the Federal Register that it was extending until December 31, 1987, its policy for the receipt and financial settlement of U.S.-origin spent research reactor fuels (47 FR 50737). It was determined at that time that there was a continued need in the research reactor community for a fuel return capability and that the U.S. interest in limiting worldwide inventories of HEU were served by an extension of the policy. This extension was restated, without change, in a February 1986 Federal Register notice that expanded DOE's fuel receipt and financial settlement provisions to include low enriched uranium research reactor fuels (51 FR 5754).

DOE has determined that this need still exists and that once again it is in the best interest of the United States to extend the effective date for the receipt and financial settlement for HEU research reactor fuels of U.S. origin. The Department has reviewed the policy extension under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and has found that the extension itself clearly has no significant impact. Exports of or subsequent arrangements involving nuclear materials are reviewed by DOE on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the Guidelines for implementing Executive Order 12114, Environmental Efforts Abroad of Major Federal Actions, and NEPA. In 1987, DOE initiated studies, including a study of the potential cumulative environmental effects, to determine the impact of a 10-year extension of this policy on DOE programs. These studies are ongoing and have identified a number of important issues that must be resolved prior to extending the provisions of this policy for the long term.

To provide for continuation of beneficial research reactor programs and to permit the additional time required for DOE to complete its review of a 10-year extension of this policy, DOE is amending its fuel receipt and financial settlement provisions by extending the effective date for receipt of U.S.-origin HEU research reactor fuels to December 31, 1988. To provide for this extension, the following amendment to the Federal Register notice entitled "Receipt and Financial Settlement Provisions for Nuclear Research Reactor Fuels," 51 FR 5754, published February 18, 1986, and as corrected on March 4, 1986 (51 FR 7487), is made:

1. Delete paragraph 6.a. and substitute in its place:

"a. For research reactor fuels described in 4.a. and 4.c. -- December 31, 1988."


Troy E. Wade II,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Defense Programs.

(FR Doc. 87-29918 Filed 12-29-87; 8:45 am)
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Last modified on July 29, 2008 11:33 +0200