The second maintenance report at plutonium conversion development facility

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The plutonium conversion development facility (PCDF) has been operated for 17 years and about 12 tons plutonium-uranium mixed oxide (MOX) powder has been converted since operation started in 1983. The first maintenance program for aging of apparatus was carried out from 1993 to 1994. The calcination-reduction fumace, liquid waste evaporator had been dismantled and renewed. The second maintenance program was carried out form 1998 to 1999. The microwave ovens, powder blender, ventilation control panel and so on were dismantled and renewed. Large volume radioactive wastes were generated during this maintenance such as the furnace, the filter casings and glove boxes. These wastes were too large to be packed into the waste container and these wastes were polluted by MOX powder unfixed on these surface. SO cutting and packing operation for these wastes and recovery of MOX powder from them were carried out. In this report, the method of this cutting and packing operation, the radioactive exposure to the operators in this operation, the estimation of nuclear material quantity migrated to filters, the evaluation of re-floating factor of radioactive material, etc. were discussed.