Standard Specification for Sintered Gadolinium Oxide-Uranium Dioxide Pellets

1.1 This specification is for finished sintered gadolinium oxide-uranium dioxide pellets for use in light-water reactors. It applies to gadolinium oxide-uranium dioxide pellets containing uranium of any ²³⁵U concentration and any concentration of gadolinium oxide.

1.2 This specification recognizes the presence of reprocessed uranium in the fuel cycle and consequently defines isotopic limits for gadolinium oxide-uranium dioxide pellets made from commercial grade UO₂. Such commercial grade UO₂ is defined so that, regarding fuel design and manufacture, the product is essentially equivalent to that made from unreprocessed uranium. UO₂ falling outside these limits cannot necessarily be regarded as equivalent and may thus need special provisions at the fuel fabrication plant or in the fuel design.

1.3 This specification does not include (1) provisions for preventing criticality accidents or (2) requirements for health and safety. Observance of this specification does not relieve the user of the obligation to be aware of and conform to all international, federal, state, and local regulations on possessing, shipping, processing, or using source or special nuclear material. Examples of U.S. Governmental documents are Code of Federal Regulations (Latest Edition), Title 10, Part 50, Title 10, Part 71, and Title 49, Part 173.

1.4 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the technical requirements portion, Section 4, of this specification: This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.