U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Use of Hydro Nuclear Service Dry Active Waste Disposal

HPPOS-106 PDR-9111210246

Title: Use of Hydro Nuclear Service Dry Active Waste

Disposal

See the memorandum from J. G. Partlow to J. A. Hind dated

June 14, 1985, and the enclosed memorandum from L. J.

Cunningham to L. R. Greger dated May 17, 1985. If the

equipment performs per Hydro Nuclear's description and is

operated according to their instructions, there appears to

be no problem with licensee use for sorting of dry active

waste. The health physics position was written in the

context of 10 CFR 20.201, 20.301, and 20.302, but it also

applies to the "new" 10 CFR Part 20, Sections 20.1501,

20.2001, and 20.2002.

In response to the Region III memorandum dated May 21,

1985, OIE needs to point out one clarification. That is,

the NRC staff has not yet formally evaluated the Hydro

Nuclear System. Our understanding is that Hydro Nuclear

will submit a topical report to NRC for review in the near

future. Upon completion of this review, we will send you a

copy of the staff's review.

In the meantime, our position is that if the equipment

performs according to Hydro Nuclear's description and is

operated according to their instructions, we see no problem

with licensee use. However, the licensee should contact

NRR if it plans to dispose of any waste containing

detectable amount of radioactivity pursuant to 10 CFR

20.302 [or 10 CFR 20.2002].

In other words, we have no objections to the use of this

equipment provided that it is properly operated, as

intended by Hydro Nuclear, and that all waste determined to

contain detectable licensed material is disposed of as

radioactive waste in accordance with the provisions of 10

CFR 20.301 [or 10 CFR 20.2001]; thus, meeting the intent of

IE Circular No. 81.07.

Regulatory references: 10 CFR 20.201, 10 CFR 20.1501

Subject codes: 9.3, 9.7

Applicability: Reactors