Implementation of the DNFSB 05-1 Recommendation at Los Alamos National Laboratory

The Defense Board’s 05-1 Recommendation was the third in a series of recommendations (94-1 and 00-1) dealing with the safe packaging and storage of nuclear material. In the spring of 2005 the Department of Energy responded to the Board Recommendation with an implementation plan, which, in turn, established a working group. Recognizing the different drivers associated with longterm versus interim storage, the 05-1 Recommendation sought to close fully the cycle of nuclear material handling by addressing the safe packaging and storage of nuclear material destined for interim storage. At LANL, the 05-1 Recommendation fed into the ongoing efforts that were outcomes of 94-1 and 00-1, namely establishing 1) a prioritization methodology for the order in which at-risk containers are repackaged, 2) criteria for packaging and storage requirements, and 3) a surveillance scheme to assure safe long-term storage. A prioritization methodology was developed at LANL that addresses factors believed to be of supreme importance when considering the risk associated with a given package, namely, the source term, material form, package type, package age, etc. The Department of Energy’s most recent prioritization methodology, while somewhat simplified, incorporates these same key factors. The development of a suitable package centers on the so-called Hagan container; details about design iterations and quantification of performance will be described. Lastly, a surveillance database—with packaging information being a key element— has been launched and will be described.