Radioisotope Control

Tritium Control for Nuclear Facility,
Mound Laboratories

NUCON was the prime contractor to Mound Laboratories to develop methodology for tritiated water control. The first phase was an R&D effort to select the best methods. The optimum method found used isotope exchange and tritiated water displacement using a special adsorbent material. On the basis of that development and extensive testing, NUCON was also selected to design and construct the hardware for the entire installation. This was the first tritiated water release emergency control unit installed at a U.S. processing facility. Based on successful operation of this NUCON system, several others were installed using the same principles.

Passive Tank Vent Filter for Radioiodine Control,
Maine Yankee

Federal regulations require nuclear utilities to protect site personnel and the public from possible exposure to radio-contaminants. One of the chief potential sources of exposure is radioiodine in the form of airborne organic iodides. NUCON has developed a proven adsorbent for trapping these compounds: NUSORB^® KITEG II^™. When we were approached by the Maine Yankee Atomic Power Company for supply of a filter for removal of radioiodines, we designed and manufactured a small, low flow, stainless steel adsorber charged with our KITEG II™ adsorbent which provides the required radioiodine control.

Evaluation of Air Cleaning Equipment,
Babcock and Wilcox, Apollo Site

Prior to beginning deconstruction/decommissioning of a uranium fuel processing facility, the operator determined the need for analysis of air cleaning requirements and evaluation of installed air cleaning equipment. NUCON Field Services Department personnel and a Senior Engineer visited the work site. Based on their "walk-down," NUCON prepared a detailed report covering the adequacy of existing air cleaning equipment (including such issues as "criticality," equipment operability/reliability, ALARA and safety) and recommendations for additional equipment.

Design and Supply of Gaseous Radwaste System,
KEPCO

NUCON designed and fabricated all the skidded subassemblies for a PWR Gaseous Radwaste System for the Yonggwang Nuclear Power Plants 3 & 4 for Korea Electric Power Company. The system was started up under the supervision of NUCON personnel. It includes components for the following operations: inlet flow control, nitrogen injection, HEPA prefiltration, moisture control, guard beds, main delay beds, final HEPA filtration and instrumentation and control. This system was built to the Quality Requirements of ANSI N45.2. The NUCON fabricated vessels are "U" stamped vessels built to ASME Section VIII, Division 1.

Design of the First PWR Adsorption Based Gaseous
Radwaste System,
Yankee Atomic Power Company

The Yankee Atomic organization contracted with NUCON to select a process for noble gas control for a PWR power plant. In previous designs, compressed gas storage systems were installed, but efficiency was inadequate and equipment maintenance was a significant problem. After an evaluation of various process schemes, NUCON selected a process that provided the necessary noble gas delay and allowed reuse of hydrogen carrier gas. Process flow diagrams were prepared and major equipment was specified. NUCON assisted an architect/engineering firm in developing full specifications and reviewed them as an agent for the owner. The system started on time and operated successfully.

Design, Construction and Installation of the First
U.S. BWR Off Gas System,
Vermont Yankee

As a consultant for the Yankee Atomic organization, NUCON evaluated processes for a permanent off gas system for the Vermont Yankee plant. The NUCON recommended system was chosen for permanent installation. However, before the system could be completed, it was necessary to install and operate an interim system in order to satisfy USNRC licensing requirements. NUCON was given the contract to design, site fabricate and install the interim system. The entire activity from project initiation to successful operation required only six months. NUCON also supplied the hardware and instrumentation for this project and performed startup services. This NUCON system withstood an earthquake, lighting strike and flood without significant damage.

Control of Contaminated Water from Floor Drains,
Georgia Power Company

Under a subcontract to Georgia Power, NUCON developed a methodology for the control of dissolved and two-phase contamination in floor drains at the two Hatch nuclear power plants. Laboratory studies were performed to evaluate the type of contaminants present. The flow logic of the various drain systems was developed. Pilot plant equipment was constructed to filter and purify the drain collection effluents to either feed water or discharge quality. Based on these pilot studies, the originally installed equipment was modified and now provides improved performance.

High Temperature Isotope Collector Material

NUCON has developed several inorganic compound-based ion exchange media which are capable of controlling activated corrosion products and fission products in the primary coolant of nuclear reactors. The products were extensively tested in the NUCON laboratory and pilot plant and subsequently tested on operating nuclear power plants. The tests involve operation at primary loop temperature and pressure. Very high removal efficiencies were found for all activated corrosion products and fission products released because of fuel cladding failure. This material is being used in many installed operating reactor systems. During the performance of these studies, NUCON also established that many of the corrosion products were present in the sub-micron colloidal state rather than being dissolved. Therefore, filtration was an effective removal process for these materials.

Adsorbents for Cobalt and Nickel Removal
from Nuclear Waste Streams

These unique NUCON adsorbents, developed and tested by NUCON, have a very high removal capacity for the activation isotopes of nickel and cobalt at ambient temperatures. The adsorbents are resistant to the typical alkali media of the waste stream, do not cause undesirable exothermic reactions with other waste components and perform at the highest selective distribution coefficients measured for this type of application. While this is only an example of the NUCON radioisotope control material development and evaluation capabilities, it is typical of other NUCON adsorbent or inorganic exchange process technology.

Containment Nuclear Air Treatment Systems,
Florida Power Corporation

The design of the containment enclosure at the Crystal River Nuclear Power Plant had no provisions for an air cleaning unit. During outages, costly delays were experienced before the radioiodine reached levels that would allow human access. It was decided to retrofit an Nuclear Air Treatment System. NUCON was chosen to design and supply the system. It consists of prefilters, HEPA filters and activated carbon filters. Fire detection is provided by CO monitors and fire control was effected by isolation dampers. The system was delivered on schedule.