Nuclear criticality safety analysis 88-12: Mass volume limits for plutonium containing 0%, 2%, and 4% {sup 240}Pu

Mass volume limits are frequently used in the Separations Areas recovery operations where precise modelling may not be feasible or justified. Mass volume limits also provide a quick, ready and conservative reference to Nuclear Safety personnel when called upon for guidance. Specifically, New Special Recovery Personnel requested mass volume limits directly applicable to the Sample Handling operations. Earlier Nuclear Safety Analysis by J.L. Forstner provided limits at 0%, 2% and 4% {sup 240}Pu that could be applied but were in graphical form and the actual data for the 2% {sup 240}Pu log-log curve could not be found. Further, recently concerns were expressed as to operations personnel reading log-log plots, extracting meaningful information and directly applying as nuclear safety limits. Data included in the attached charts and tables is the author`s attempt to remedy this condition. Table 2 provides mass volume limits that can be extracted in part or completely and directly applied to the Nuclear Criticality Safety Supplements and operating procedures. Figures 1 through 7 are for the purists who prefer graphical representations