Experience of radiation control at MOX fuel fabrication facilities

JNC has more than 30 years experience of radiation control at MOX (PuO2-UO2 mixed oxide) fuel fabrication facilities. The characteristic of these facilities is handling the MOX fuel confined in glove boxes. The notable points for radiation control at the MOX fuel facilities are as follows: Stringent contamination monitoring at detection limit level in addition to confinement of MOX fuel. Detailed monitoring of external exposure by low energy gamma ray and neutron for glove box workers. Development of suitable measurement technique for radiation control in the MOX fuel facilities such as distinguishing plutonium technique for contamination monitoring and dose equivaluation technique for non-homogeneous irradiation. There have been neither serious radiation exposures nor contamination of working area until now