The subcritical mass limit, 2.4 kgU, for the JCO's precipitation tank

The critical safety on the precipitation tank in JCO Corporation forming a critical accident in September 30, 1999 had to be guaranteed by limiting amount of uranium contained into charging solution. The limited value of uranic mass in the precipitation tank was determined to be 2.4 kg, and from the dissolution tank positioned at upstream of this tank a solution not excess amount of solution to this value was designed to be transferred. In the 2nd Accident Survey Committee, there were found some discussions on a leading method of this value. In order to answer some requirements for this, here was described on outlines on U.S. Nuclear Safety Guide, TID-7016 Rev. 1, leading method of the limited value in 2.4 kg, and safety tolerance. As a result of reinvestigation, as it was confirmed that 2.4 kg in the limited amount contained an sufficient safety tolerance qualitatively and in comparison with already critical data. (G.K.)