Occupational exposure estimates for plutonium fuel conversion and fabrication operations

Estimates were made for occupational exposure associated with operation of two commercial scale production plant models, one a plutonium conversion plant and the other a mixed oxide fuel fabrication plant. The estimates were made by visualizing production and support operations through the viewpoint of a production manager responsible for scheduling and determining manpower requirements. Model plants were described in terms of design basis radiation zones and contamination zones. Control levels for airborne activity appropriate for plutonium operations were used to develop airborne concentrations. Airborne concentrations and dose rates were folded with occupational residence times in each type of zone to generate occupational dose figures. The integrated dose for each occupational group was summed to generate a number for the plant population. Results were 300 man rem per year external exposure for the conversion plant, and 350 man rem per year external exposure for the fabrication plant. Average annual internal dose was greatest for the lung and was found to be 0.16 and 0.19 rem per man (lung dose) at the respective plants. (auth)