S/1995/215
23 March 1995

NOTE BY THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

The Secretary-General has the honour to transmit to the members of the Security Council the attached communication that he has received from the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Annex
Letter dated 17 March 1995 from the Director General
of the International Atomic Energy Agency addressed to the Secretary-general

By document S/22872/Rev.l dated 20 September 1991, you transmitted to the Security Council the revised plan of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for future ongoing monitoring and verification of Iraq's compliance with paragraph 12 of part C of Security Council resolution 687 (1991) and with the requirements of paragraphs 3 and 5 of resolution 707 (1991). A corrigendum was issued on 10 October 1991 (S/22872/Rev.l/Corr.l) .

In 11 October 1991 the Security Council adopted resolution 715 (1991} in which, acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, inter alia, it:

(a) Approved the plan submitted by the Director General of IAEA contained in document S/22872/Rev.l and Corr.l;

(b) Requested the Director General of IAEA to carry out, with the assistance and cooperation of the Special Commission, the plan submitted by him contained in document S/22872/Rev.l and Corr.l;

I wish now to refer to paragraph 41 of the IAEA plan contained in document S/22872/Rev.l and Corr.l, which reads as follows:

"The plan may only be revised by the Security Council. The IAEA may, however, after informing the Security Council, update and revise the annexes in the light of information and experience gained in the course of the implementation of resolutions 687 and 707 of the plan. The IAEA shall inform Iraq of any such change."

A first update and revision of annex 3 to the plan was communicated through you to the Security Council in document S/24300 dated 16 July 1992. IAEA has now determined that a further update and revision of annex 3 to document S/22872/Rev.l and Corr.l is warranted in the light of discussions held with international experts concerning the export/import monitoring mechanism for Iraq called for in paragraph 7 of Security Council resolution 715 (1991).

Accordingly, as provided for in paragraph 41 of the plan, IAEA wishes to inform the Security Council, through you, that annex 3 will be amended as reflected in the attachment to the present letter and that the Iraqi authorities will be so informed.

I shall be grateful if you would bring this matter to the attention of the Security Council.

{Signed) Hans BLIX

ANNEX 3

LIST OF ITEMS TO BE REPORTED TO IAEA

Revision dated 16 March 1995

GENERAL NOTE

1. INTRODUCTION

As reflected in the IAEA's Plan for Ongoing Monitoring and Verification (OMV) of Iraq's compliance with paragraph 12 of part C of Security Council Resolution 687 (1991) and with the requirements of paragraphs 3 and 5 of resolution 707 (1991), the objectives of Annex 3 to the OMV plan are the following:

i) To identify items prohibited to Iraq under paragraph 12 of resolution 687 (1991) the existence in Iraq of any items in this category must be declared by Iraq under the provision of the IAEA's OMV Plan. Pursuant to paragraph 12 of resolution 687, the IAEA is authorized to dispose of these items through, "destruction removal or rendering harmless as appropriate".

The transfer of any item in this category to Iraq, as well as the transfer of "technology" directly associated with, or required for, the "development", "production" or "use" of the item, is also prohibited. It should be noted that the prohibited items, flagged with an asterisk in Annex 3, also include some of the "dual-use" commodities listed in the Annexes of the "Guidelines for Transfers of Nuclear-Related Dual-Use Equipment, Material, and Related Technology" (see IAEA documents INFCIRC/254/Rev. I/Part I dated July 1992, INFCIRC/254/Rev.l/Part 2, dated July 1992, and INFCIRC/254/Rev. I/Part I/Mod 2, dated April 1994).

ii) To identify items which are directly relevant to research and development activities in the area of peaceful applications of nuclear energy and which are not prohibited under paragraph 12 of resolution 687 (1991). These items, which include certain nuclear material, dedicated-use nuclear equipment, research and power reactors and components thereof, nuclear fuel cycle related plants, components thereof and related technology, must be declared by Iraq to the IAEA under the provisions of the OMV Plan.

While resolution 687 (1991) does not prohibit the conduct of non-weapons-related nuclear activities by Iraq, paragraph 3 vi) of resolution 707 (1991) currently limits nuclear activities in Iraq to the "use of isotopes for medical, agricultural, or industrial purposes". This proscription is to remain operative until such time as "the Security Council determines that Iraq is in full compliance with this resolution [707 (1991)] and paragraphs 12 and 13 of resolution 687 (1991) and the IAEA determines that Iraq is in full compliance with its safeguards agreement with the Agency". Until these restrictions are lifted, items in this category which have been located in Iraq, are controlled by the IAEA under its OMV Plan to verify Iraq's compliance with these restrictions.

When the restrictions imposed in paragraph 3 vi) of resolution 707 (1991) are lifted, items falling in this category will be released for use by Iraq and their use will be monitored under the IAEA's OMV Plan.

Until such restrictions are lifted the transfer to Iraq of items in this category is prohibited except for those items related to the non-proscribed nuclear applications in medicine, agriculture and industry.

The transfer to Iraq of items for use in non-proscribed nuclear activities i.e., the use of isotopes for medical, agricultural, or industrial purposes, continues to be circumscribed by the general sanctions imposed on Iraq by the Security Council in resolutions 661 (1990) and 670 (1990).

iii) To identify "dual-use" materials, equipment and related technology which could be of significant value in pursuit of a nuclear weapons program or of nuclear fuel cycle activities prohibited under resolution 687 (1991). These commodities are dual-use, in that they also have application in industry and scientific research outside the nuclear area. As referred to above under item i) some of these items are prohibited to Iraq, notwithstanding their dual-use nature.

Non-prohibited dual-use commodities present in Iraq at the end of the Gulf War are required to be declared to the IAEA under the OMV Plan and their use is monitored by the IAEA. Until such time as the sanctions provided for in resolutions 661 (1990) and 670 (1990) are lifted, the transfer to Iraq of dual-use items for essential civilian needs is regulated, by the Sanctions Committee established in resolution 661 (1990) and, thereafter, such transfers will be subject to the provisions of the mechanism for export/import monitoring called for in paragraph 7 of resolution 715 (1991).

2. CLARIFICATION ON ITEMS OF ANNEX 3 ELIGIBLE FOR TRANSFER TO IRAQ

i) The items in Annex 3 include any item fitting the relevant description, whether in new or used conditions.

ii) Where the description of any item in Annex 3 contains no qualifications or specifications, it is regarded as including all varieties of that item. Category captions are only for convenience in reference and do not affect the interpretation of item definitions.

iv) The objectives of Security Council resolutions should not, to the extent permitted by national legislation, be defeated by the transfer of component parts.

3. CONTROL ON TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

i) The transfer of "technology" directly associated with any item in the Annex 3 list will be subject to as great a degree of scrutiny and control as will the items themselves, to the extent permitted by national legislation.

NOTE 1:
Any technology transfer for prohibited items is also prohibited.

NOTE 2:
Controls on "'technology" transfer do not apply lo information "in the public domain " or to "basic scientific research ".

ii) It is understood that the licensing for transfer to Iraq of any item in Annex 3 identified as non-proscribed to Iraq may entail the transfer to the same end user of the minimum "technology" required for the installation, operation, maintenance and repair of the item.

4. DEFINITIONS

For the objectives of Annex 3 the following definitions will apply:

"technology" - means specific information required for the "development", "production,"or "use" of any item contained in Annex 3. This information may take the form of "technical data" or "technical assistance".

"development" - is related to all phases before "production" such as:

• design

• design research

• design analysis

• design concepts

• assembly and testing of prototypes

• pilot production schemes

• design data

• process of transforming design data into a product

• configuration design

• integration design

• layouts

"production" - means all production phases such as:

• construction

• production engineering

• rnanufacture

• integration

• assembly (mounting)

• inspection

• testing

• quality assurance

"specially designed software" - refers to the minimum operating systems, diagnostic systems, maintenance systems, and application software necessary to be executed on particular equipment to perform the function for which it was designed. To make other incompatible equipment perform the same function requires:

i) modification of this software or

ii) addition of programs

"technical assistance" - "technical assistance" may take forms such as instruction, skills, training, working knowledge, consulting services. "Technical assistance" may involve transfer of "technical data".

"technical data" - "technical data" may take forms such as blueprints, plans, diagrams, models, formulae, engineering designs and specifications, manuals, and instructions written or recorded on other media or devices such as disk, tape, read-only memories

"use" - operation, installation (including on-site installation), maintenance (checking), repair, overhaul, and refurbishing.

"basic scientific research" - experimental or theoretical work undertaken principally to acquire new knowledge of the fundamental principles of phenomena and observable facts, not primarily directed toward a specific practical aim or objective.

"in the public domain" - "in the public domain," as it applies herein, means technology that has been made available without restrictions upon its further dissemination. (Copyright restrictions do not remove technology from being in the public domain).

5. ABBREVIATIONS AND UNITS

The International System of Units (SI) is used in Annex 3. In many places, the approximate equivalent physical quantity in English units is given in parentheses ( ) after the SI quantity. In all cases the physical quantity defined in SI units should be considered the official recommended control value. However, some machine tool parameters are given in their customary units, which are not SI.

Commonly used abbreviations (and their prefixes denoting size) used in Annex 3 are as follows:

A - ampere(s)
*C - degree(s) Celsius
Ci - curie(s)
Cm^3 - cubic centimeter(s)
dB - decibel(s)
dBm - decibel referred to 1 milliwatt
g - gram(s); also, acceleration of gravity (9.81 m/s^2)
GBq - gigabecquerel(s)
GHz - gigahertz
Hz - hertz
J - joule(s)
K - Kelvin
keV - thousand electron volt(s)
kg - kilogram(s)
kHz - kilohertz
kN - kilonewton(s)
kPa - kilopascal(s)
kW - kilowatt(s)
m - meter(s)
MeV - million electron volt(s)
MHz - megahertz
MPa - megapascal(s)
MW - megawatt(s)
mF - microfarad(s)
mm - micrometer(s)
ms - microsecond(s)
mm - millimeter(s)
N - newton(s)
nm - nanometer(s)
nH - nanohenry(ies)
ps - picosecond(s)
W - watt(s)

Items marked * and shaded are prohibited to Iraq under Resolution 687.
The notation (SC II) or (SC IV) indicates that items of the same type/category are also listed in one of the Annexes (2 or 4, respectively) of the UN Special Commission Plan.

NUCLEAR MATERIALS

1. Source and special fissionable material as follows:

1.1. Uranium containing the mixture of isotopes occurring in nature; uranium depleted in the isotope 235; thorium; any of the foregoing in the form of metal, alloy, chemical compound or concentrate and any other goods containing one or more of the foregoing.

1.2. Low Enriched Uranium (LEU), or plutonium as follows: Uranium enriched to less than 20% of the isotopes 233, 235, or both; plutonium with an isotopic concentration of Pu-238 exceeding 80%; any of the foregoing in the form of metal, alloy, chemical compound or concentrate and any other goods containing one or more of the foregoing (see item 1.4).

1.3. *Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU) or plutonium, as follows:

Uranium enriched to 20% or more in isotopes 233, 235, or both; plutonium containing less than 80% plutonium 238; any of the foregoing in the form of metal, alloy, chemical compound or concentrate and any other goods containing one or more of the foregoing (see item 1.4). Except for the following items which are not prohibited, but are controlled:
Sub-gram amounts of the special fissionable material specified in 1.3 above in the form of:

(a) certified reference material;

(b) instrument calibration source; or

(c) sensing components in instruments.

1.4. *Irradiated nuclear fuel

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
The prohibition applies only to the transfer of irradiated nuclear fuel to Iraq.

NON-NUCLEAR MATERIALS

2. Zirconium (SC IV)

2.1. Zirconium metal and alloys in the form of tubes, or assemblies of tubes, specially designed or prepared for use in a nuclear reactor and in which the relation of hafnium to zirconium is less than 1:500 parts by weight.

2.2. Zirconium as follows: metal, alloys containing more than 50% zirconium by weight, and compounds in which the ratio of hafnium content to zirconium content is less than 1 part to 500 parts by weight, and manufactures wholly thereof; except zirconium in the form of foil having a thickness not exceeding 0.10 mm (0.004 in).

TECHNICAL NOTE: This applies to waste and scrap containing zirconium as defined here.

3. Aluminum alloys

Aluminum alloys capable of an ultimate tensile strength of 460 MPa (0.46 x 10^{^9} N/m²) or more at 293 K (20C), in the form of tubes or solid forms (including forgings) having an outside diameter or more than 75 mm (3 in).

TECHNICAL NOTE: The phrase "capable of" encompasses aluminum alloys before or after heat treatment.

4. Fibrous or filamentary materials (SC IV)

4.1. Carbon materials or aramid fibrous or filamentary materials having a specific modulus of 12.7 x 10^{^6} m or greater or a specific tensile strength of 23.5 x 10^{^4} m or greater; or

4.2. Glass fibrous or filamentary materials having a specific modulus of 3.18 x 10^⁶ m or greater and a specific tensile strength of 7.62 x 10^⁴ m or greater;

4.3. *Composite structures in the form of tubes with an inside diameter of between 75 mm (3 in) and 400 mm (16 in) made with fibrous or filamentary materials described in 4.1 and 4.2 above.

TECHNICAL NOTE:
The term "fibrous or filamentary materials" includes continuous monofilaments, continuous yarns, and tapes;

(i) "Specific modulus" is the Young's modulus in N/m2 divided by the specific weight in N/m3 when measured at a temperature of 23±2C and a relative humidity of 50±5%

(ii) "Specific tensile strength" is the ultimate tensile strength in N/m2 divided by the specific weight in N/m3 when measured at a temperature of 23±2C and a relative humidity of 50±5%.

5. *Maraging steel (SC IV)

Maraging steel capable of an ultimate tensile strength of 2050 MPa (2.050 x 10⁹ N/m²) (300,000 lb/in²) or more at 293 K (20C) except forms in which no linear dimension exceeds 75 mm (3 in).

TECHNICAL NOTE:
The phrase "capable of" encompasses maraging steel before or after heat treatment.

6. Titanium

Titanium alloys capable of an ultimate tensile strength of 900 MPa (0.9 x 10^⁹ N/m²) or more at 293 K (20C) in the form of tubes or solid forms (including forgings) with an outside diameter more than 75 mm (3 in).

TECHNICAL NOTE:
The phrase "capable of" encompasses titanium alloys before or after heat treatment.

7. Chlorine trifluoride (SC IV)

8. *Fast-reacting ion-exchange resins/adsorbents

Fast-reacting ion-exchange resins or adsorbents specially designed or prepared for uranium enrichment using the ion exchange process, including porous macroreticular resins, and/or pellicular structures in which the active chemical exchange groups are limited to a coating on the surface of an inactive porous support structure, and other composite structures in any suitable form including particles or fibers. These ion exchange resins/adsorbents have diameters of 0.2 mm or less and must be chemically resistant to concentrated hydrochloric acid solutions, as well as, physically strong enough so as not to degrade in the exchange columns. The resins/adsorbents are specially designed to achieve very fast uranium isotope exchange kinetics (exchange rate half-time of less than 10 seconds) and are capable of operating at a temperature in the range of 100C to 200C.

9. Beryllium (SC IV)

Beryllium as follows: metal, alloys containing more than 50% of beryllium by weight, compounds containing beryllium and manufactures thereof; except:

9.1. Metal windows for X-ray machines;

9.2. Oxide shapes in fabricated or semi-fabricated forms specially designed for electronic component parts or as substrates for electronic circuits; and

9.3. Naturally occurring compounds containing beryllium.

TECHNICAL NOTE:
This entry includes waste and scrap containing beryllium as defined here.

10. Calcium

Calcium metal containing both equal to or less than 0.2% by weight of metallic impurities other than magnesium and less than 20 ppm of boron.

11. Magnesium (SC IV)

Magnesium metal containing both equal to or less than 0.2% by weight of metallic impurities other than calcium and less than 20 PPM of boron.

12. Tantalum (SC IV)

Tantalum sheets with a thickness of 2.5 mm or greater from which a circle of 200 mm diameter can be obtained.

13. Tungsten, as follows: (SC IV)

Parts made of tungsten, tungsten carbide, or tungsten alloys (greater than 90% tungsten) having a mass greater than 20 kg and a hollow cylindrical symmetry (including cylinder segments) with an inside diameter greater than 100 mm (4 in ) but less than 300 mm (12 in).

14. Hafnium

Hafnium as follows: metal, alloys, and compounds of hafnium containing more than 60% hafnium by weight and manufactures thereof.

15. Boron

Boron and boron compounds, mixtures and loaded materials in which the boron-10 isotope is more than 20% by weight of the total boron content.

16. Bismuth

High Purity (99.99% or greater) bismuth with very low silver content (less than 10 parts per million).

17. Lithium

Isotopically enriched in lithium-6; as follows:

17.1 *Metal, hydrides or alloys containing lithium enriched in the lithium-6 isotope (6Li) to a concentration higher that the one existing in nature (7.5% on an atom percentage basis):

17.2. *Any other materials containing lithium enriched in the lithium-6 isotope (including compounds, mixtures and concentrates):

except ⁶Li incorporated in thermoluminescent dosimeters which are not prohibited but controlled.

18. *Helium-3

Helium in any form isotopically enriched in the helium-3 isotope, whether or not mixed with other materials or contained in any equipment or device, except for the following items which are not prohibited, but are controlled:
Products or devices containing less than 1 g of helium-3.

19. Tritium

Tritium, tritium compounds or mixtures containing tritium, in which the ratio of tritium to hydrogen by atoms exceeds 1 part in 1000.

except for the following which are not prohibited but are controlled
(a) Tritium in luminescent devices (e.g. safety devices installed in aircraft, watches, runway lights) containing more than 40 CI of tritium in any chemical or physical form; and

(b) Tritium labeled organic compounds.

20. Deuterium and heavy water

Deuterium, heavy water (deuterium oxide) and any other deuterium compound in which the ratio of deuterium to hydrogen atoms exceeds 1:5000 for use in a nuclear reactor.

21. Nuclear grade graphite

Graphite having a purity level better than 5 parts per million boron equivalent and with a density greater than 1.50 g/cm^³.

* PLANTS FOR THE SEPARATION OF ISOTOPES OF URANIUM AND EQUIPMENT, OTHER THAN ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTS, SPECIALLY DESIGNED OR PREPARED THEREFOR

Items of equipment that are considered to fall within the meaning of the phrase "equipment other than analytical instruments, specially designed or prepared" for the separation of isotopes of uranium include:

22. *Gas centrifuges and assemblies and components specially designed or prepared for use in gas centrifuges

INTRODUCTORY NOTE
The gas centrifuge normally consists of a thin-walled cylinder(s) of between 75 mm (3 in) and 400 mm (16 in) diameter contained in a vacuum environment and spun at high peripheral speed of the order of 300 m/s or more with its central axis vertical. In order to achieve high speed, the materials of construction for the rotating components have to be of a high strength to density ratio and the rotor assembly, and hence its individual components have to be manufactured to very close tolerances in order to minimize the imbalance. In contrast to other centrifuges, the gas centrifuge for uranium enrichment is characterized by having, within the rotor chamber, a rotating disc-shaped baffle(s) and a stationary tube arrangement for feeding and extracting the UF₆ gas and featuring at least 3 separate channels, of which 2 are connected to scoops extending from the rotor axis towards the periphery of the rotor chamber. Also contained within the vacuum environment are a number of critical items which do not rotate and which, although they are specially designed, are not difficult to fabricate, nor are they fabricated out of unique materials. A centrifuge facility, however, requires a large number of these components, so that quantities can provide an important indication of end use.

22.1. *Rotating components

(a) Complete rotor assemblies: Thin-walled cylinders (or a number of interconnected thin-walled cylinders) manufactured from one or more of the high strength to density ratio materials described in the explanatory note to this section. If interconnected, the cylinders are joined together by flexible bellows or rings as described in section (c) following. The rotor is fitted with an internal baffle(s) and end caps, as described in section (d) and (e) following, if in final form. However, the complete assembly may be delivered only partly assembled.

(b) Rotor tubes: Specially designed or prepared thin-walled cylinders with thickness of 12 mm (0.5 in) or less, a diameter of between 75 mm (3 in) and 400 mm (16 in), and manufactured from one or more of the high strength to density ratio materials described in the explanatory note to this section.

(c) Rings or bellows: Components specially designed or prepared to give localized support to the rotor tube or to join together a number of rotor tubes. The bellows is a short cylinder of wall thickness 3 mm (0.12 in) or less, a diameter of between 75 mm (3 in) and 400 mm (16 in), having a convolute and manufactured from one or more of the high strength to density ratio materials described in the explanatory note to this section.

(d) Baffles: Disc-shaped components of between 75 mm (3 in) and 400 mm (16 in) in diameter specially designed or prepared to be mounted inside the centrifuge rotor tube, in order to isolate the take-off chamber from the main separation chamber and, in some cases, to assist the UF₆ gas circulation within the main separation chamber of the rotor tube, and manufactured from one or more of the high strength to density ratio materials described in the explanatory note to this section.

(e) Top caps/Bottom caps: Disc-shaped components of between 75 mm (3 in) and 400 mm (16 in) in diameter specially designed or prepared to fit to the ends of the rotor tube, and so contain the UF₆ within the rotor tube, and in some cases to support, retain, or contain as an integrated part an element of the upper bearing (top cap) or to carry the rotating elements of the motor and lower bearing (bottom cap), and manufactured from one of the high strength to density ratio materials described in the explanatory notes to this section.

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
The materials used for centrifuge rotating components are:
(i) Maraging steel capable of an ultimate tensile strength of 2.05 x 10⁹ N/m² (300,000 psi) or more;
(ii) Aluminum alloys capable of an ultimate tensile strength of 0.46 x 10⁹ N/m² (67,000 psi) or more; and
(iii) Filamentary materials suitable for use in composite structures and having a specific modulus of 12.3 x 10^{^6} m or greater and a specific ultimate tensile strength of 0.3 x 10^⁶ m or greater ('Specific Modulus' is the 'Young Modulus in N/m² divided by the specific weight in N/m³; 'Specific Ultimate Tensile Strength' is the ultimate tensile strength in N/m² divided by the specific weight in N/m³.)

22.2. *Static components

(a) Magnetic suspension bearings:
Specially designed or prepared bearing assemblies consisting of an annular magnet suspended within a housing containing a damping medium. The housing is manufactured from a UF₆-resistant material (see explanatory note to Section 23). The magnet couples with a pole piece or a second magnet fitted to the top cap described in Section 22.1.(e). The magnet may be ring-shaped with a relation between the outer and inner diameter smaller or equal to 1.6:1. The magnet may be in a form having an initial permeability of 0.15 H/m (120,000 in CGS units) or more, or a remanence of 98.5% or more, or an energy product of greater than 80 kJ/m³ (10^⁷ gauss-oersteds). In addition to the usual material properties, it is a prerequisite that the deviation of the magnetic axes from the geometrical axes is limited to very small tolerances (lower than 0.1 mm or 0.004 in) or that homogeneity of the material of the magnet is specially called for.

(b) Bearings/Dampers: Specially designed or prepared bearings comprising a pivot/cup assembly mounted on a damper. The pivot is normally a hardened steel shaft with a hemisphere at one end with a means of attachment to the bottom cap described in Section 22.1.(e) at the other. The shaft may, however, have a hydrodynamic bearing attached. The cup is pellet-shaped with a hemispherical indentation in one surface. These components are often supplied separately to the damper.

(c) Molecular pumps: Specially designed or prepared cylinders having internally machined or extruded helical grooves and internally machined bores. Typical dimensions are as follows: 75 mm (3 in) to 400 mm (16 in) internal diameter, 10 mm (0.4 in) or more wall thickness, with the length equal to or greater than the diameter. The grooves are typically rectangular in cross-section and 2 mm (0.08 in) or more in depth.

(d) Motor stators: Specially designed or prepared ring-shaped stators for high-speed multiphase AC hysteresis (or reluctance) motors for synchronous operation within a vacuum in the frequency range of 600-2000 Hz and a power range of 50 -1000 VA. The stators consist of multi-phase windings on a laminated low loss iron core comprised of thin layers typically 2.0 mm (0.08 in) thick or less.

(e) Centrifuge housing/recipients: Components specially designed or prepared to contain the rotor tube assembly of a gas centrifuge. The housing consists of a rigid cylinder of wall thickness up to 30 mm (1.2 in) with precision machined ends to locate the bearings and with one or more flanges for mounting. The machined ends are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the cylinder's longitudinal axis to within 0.05 degrees or less. The housing may also be a honeycomb type structure to accommodate several rotor tubes. The housings are made of, or protected by, materials resistant to corrosion by UF₆.

(f) Scoops: Specially designed or prepared tubes of up to 12 mm (0.5 in) internal diameter for the extraction of UF₆ gas from within the rotor tube by a Pitot tube action (that is, with an aperture facing into the circumferential gas flow within the rotor tube, for example by bending the end of a radially disposed tube) and capable of being fixed to the central gas extraction system. The tubes are made of, or protected by, materials resistant to corrosion by UF₆.

23. *Specially designed or prepared auxiliary systems, equipment and, components for gas centrifuge enrichment plants

INTRODUCTORY NOTE
The auxiliary systems, equipment, and components for a gas centrifuge enrichment plant are the systems of the plant needed to feed UF₆ to the centrifuges, to link the individual centrifuge to each other to form cascades (or stages) to allow for progressively higher enrichments and to extract the 'product' and 'tails' UF₆ from the centrifuge together with the equipment required to drive the centrifuges or to control the plant. Normally, UF₆ is evaporated from the solid using heated autoclaves and is distributed in gaseous form to the centrifuge by way of cascade header pipework. The 'product' and 'tails' UF₆ gaseous streams flowing from the centrifuge are also passed by way of cascade header pipework to cold traps (operating at about 203 K (-70^oC)) where they are condensed prior to onward transfer into suitable containers for transportation or storage. Because an enrichment plant consists of many thousands of centrifuges arranged in cascades there are many kilometers of cascade header pipework, incorporating thousands of welds with a substantial amount of repetition of layout. The equipment, components and piping systems are fabricated to very high vacuum and cleanliness standards.

23.1. *Feed systems/'product' and 'tails' withdrawal systems

Specially designed or prepared process systems including:

(a) Feed autoclaves (or stations) used for passing UF₆ to the centrifuge cascades at up to 100 kPa (15 psi) and at a rate of 1 kg/h or more;

(b) Desublimers (or cold traps) used to remove UF₆ from the cascades at up to 3 kPa (0.5 psi) pressure. The desublimers are capable of being chilled to 203 K (-70C) and heated to 343 K (70C); and

(c) 'Product' and 'tails' stations used for trapping UF₆ into containers

This plant, equipment, and pipework is wholly made of or lined with UF₆-resistant materials (see explanatory note at the end of this section) and is, fabricated to very high vacuum and cleanliness standards.

23.2. *Machine header piping systems

Specially designed or prepared piping systems and header systems for handling UF₆ within the centrifuge cascades. The piping network is normally of the 'triple' header system with each centrifuge connected to each of the headers. There is, thus, a substantial amount of repetition in its form. It is wholly made of UF₆-resistant materials (see explanatory note at the end of this section) and is fabricated to very high vacuum and cleanliness standards.

23.3. *UF6 Mass spectrometers/mass ion sources

Specially designed or prepared magnetic or quadrupole mass spectrometers, capable of taking 'on-line' samples of feed, 'product' or 'tails', from UF₆ gas streams and having all of the following characteristics:

(a) Unit resolution for atomic mass unit greater than 320;

(b) Ion sources constructed of or lined with nichrome or monel or nickel plated;

(c) Electron bombardment ionization sources; and

(d) A collector system suitable for isotopic analysis.

23.4 *Frequency changers

Frequency changers (also known as converters or invertors) specially designed or prepared to supply motor stators as defined under 22.2.(d), or parts, components, and sub-assemblies of such frequency changers having all of the following characteristics:

(a) A multiphase output of 600 to 2000 Hz;

(b) High stability (with frequency control better than 0.1%); and

(c) Total harmonic distortion less than 2%.

NOTE:
See also item 84

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
The items listed in section 23 either come into direct contact with the UF₆ process gas or directly control the centrifuges and the passage of the gas from centrifuge to centrifuge and cascade to cascade. Materials resistant to corrosion by UF₆ include stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloys, nickel, or alloys containing 60% or more nickel.

24. *Specially designed or prepared assemblies and components for use in gaseous diffusion enrichment

INTRODUCTORY NOTE
In the gaseous diffusion method of uranium isotope separation, the main technological assembly is a special porous gaseous diffusion barrier, heat exchanger for cooling the gas (which is heated by the process of compression), seal valves and control valves, and pipelines. In as much as gaseous diffusion technology uses uranium hexafluoride (UF₆ ), all equipment, pipeline and instrumentation surfaces (that come in contact with the gas) must be made of materials that remain stable in contact with UF₆ . A gaseous diffusion facility requires a number of these assemblies, so that quantities can provide an important indication of end use.

24.1. * Gaseous diffusion barriers

(a) Specially designed or prepared thin, porous filters, with a pore size of 100 - l000  Å (ångstroms), a thickness of 5 mm (0.2 in) or less, and for tubular forms, a diameter of 25 mm (1 in) or less, made of metallic, polymer or ceramic materials resistant to corrosion by UF₆, and

(b) Specially prepared compounds or powders for the manufacture of such filters. Such compounds and powders include nickel or alloys containing 60% or more nickel, aluminum oxide, or UF₆-resistant fully fluorinated hydrocarbon polymers having a purity of 99.9% or more, a particle size less than 10 microns, and a high degree of particle size uniformity, which are specially prepared for the manufacture of gaseous diffusion barriers.

24.2. *Diffuser housings

Specially designed or prepared hermetically sealed cylindrical vessels greater than 300 mm (12 in) in diameter and greater than 900 mm (35 in) in length, or rectangular vessels of comparable dimensions, which have an inlet connection and two outlet connections all of which are greater than 50 mm (2 in) in diameter, for containing the gaseous diffusion barrier, made of or lined with UF₆-resistant materials and designed for horizontal or vertical installation.

24.3. *Compressors and gas blowers

Specially designed or prepared axial, centrifugal, or positive displacement compressors, or gas blowers with a suction volume capacity of 1 m³/min or more of UF₆, and with a discharge pressure of up to several hundred kPa (100 psi), designed for long-term operation in the UF₆ environment with or without an electrical motor of appropriate power, as well as separate assemblies of such compressors and gas blowers. These compressors and gas blowers have a pressure ratio between 2:1 and 6:1 and are made of, or lined with, materials resistant to UF₆.

24.4. *Rotary shaft seals

Specially designed or prepared vacuum seals, with seal feed and seal exhaust connections, for sealing the shaft connecting the compressor or the gas blower rotor with the driver motor, so as to ensure a reliable seal against in-leaking of air into the inner chamber of the compressor or gas blower which is filled with UF₆. Such seals are normally designed for a buffer gas in-leakage rate of less than 1000 cm^³/min (60 in^{^3}/min).

24.5. *Heat exchangers for cooling UF6

Specially designed or prepared heat exchangers made of or lined with UF₆-resistant materials (except stainless steel) or with copper or any combination of those metals, and intended for a leakage pressure change rate of less than 10 Pa (0.0015 psi) per hour under a pressure difference of 100 kPa (15 psi).

25. *Specially designed or prepared auxiliary systems, equipment and components for use in gaseous diffusion enrichment

INTRODUCTORY NOTE
The auxiliary systems, equipment and components for gaseous diffusion enrichment plants are the systems of plant needed to feed UF₆ to the gaseous diffusion assembly, to link the individual assemblies to each other to form cascades (or stages) to allow for progressively higher enrichments and to extract the 'product' and 'tails' UF₆ from the diffusion cascades. Because of the high inertial properties of diffusion cascades, any interruption in their operation, and specially their shut-down, leads to serious consequences. Therefore, a strict and constant maintenance of vacuum in all technological systems, automatic protection from accidents, the precise automated regulation of the gas flow is of importance in a gaseous diffusion plant. All this leads to a need to equip the plant with a large number of special measuring, regulating and controlling systems. Normally, UF₆ is evaporated from cylinders placed within autoclaves and is distributed in gaseous form to the entry point by way of cascade header pipework. The 'product' and 'tails' UF₆ gaseous streams flowing from exit points are passed by way of cascade header pipework to either cold traps or to compression stations where the UF₆ gas is liquefied prior to onward transfer into suitable containers for transportation or storage. Because a gaseous diffusion enrichment plant consists of a large number of gaseous diffusion assemblies arranged in cascades, there are many kilometers of cascade header pipework, incorporating thousands of welds with substantial amounts of repetition of layout. The equipment, components and piping systems are fabricated to very high vacuum and cleanliness standards.

25.1. *Feed systems/'product' and 'tails' withdrawal systems

Specially designed or prepared process systems, capable of operating at pressures of 300 kPa (45 psi) or less, including:

(a) Feed autoclaves, or systems used for passing UF₆ to the gaseous diffusion cascade;

(b) Desublimers (or cold traps) used to remove UF₆ from diffusion cascades;

(c) Liquefaction stations where UF₆ gas from the cascade is compressed and cooled to form liquid UF₆; and

(d) 'Product' or 'tails' stations used for transferring UF₆ into containers.

25.2. *Header piping systems

Specially designed or prepared piping systems and header systems, for handling UF₆ within the gaseous diffusion cascade. This piping network is normally of the 'double' header system with each stage or group of stages connected to each of the headers.

25.3. *Vacuum systems

(a) Specially designed or prepared large vacuum manifolds, vacuum headers and vacuum pumps having a suction capacity of 5 m³/min (175 ft³ / min) or more; and

(b) Vacuum pumps specially designed for service in UF₆-bearing atmospheres made of, or lined with, aluminum, nickel, or alloys bearing more than 60% nickel. These pumps may be either rotary or positive, may have displacement and fluorocarbon seals, and may have special working fluids present.

25.4. *Special shut-off and control valves

Specially designed or prepared manual or automated shutoff and control bellows valves made of UF₆-resistant materials with a diameter of 40 to 1500 mm (1.5 to 59 in) for installation in main and auxiliary systems of gaseous diffusion enrichment plants.

25.5. *UF6 mass spectrometers/ion sources

Specially designed or prepared magnetic or quadrupole mass spectrometers capable of taking "on-line" samples of feed, 'product' or 'tails', from UF₆ gas streams and having all of the following characteristics:

(a) Unit resolution for atomic mass unit greater than 320;

(b) Ion sources constructed of or lined with nichrome or monel or nickel plated;

(c) Electron bombardment ionization sources; and

(d) Collector system suitable for isotopic analysis.

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
The items listed in section 25 above either come into direct contact with the UF₆ process gas or directly control the flow within the cascade. All surfaces which come into contact with the process gas are wholly made of, or lined with, UF₆-resistant materials. For the purposes of the sections relating to gaseous diffusion items, the materials resistant to corrosion by UF₆ include stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloys, aluminum oxide, nickel or alloys containing 60% or more nickel and UF₆-resistant fully fluorinated hydrocarbon polymers.

26. Specially designed or prepared systems, equipment and components for use in aerodynamic enrichment plants

INTRODUCTORY NOTE
In aerodynamic enrichment processes, a mixture of gaseous UF₆ and light gas (hydrogen or helium) is compressed and then passed through separating elements wherein isotopic separation is accomplished by the generation of high centrifugal forces over a curved-wall geometry. Two processes of this type have been successfully developed: the separation nozzle process and the vortex tube process. For both processes, the main components of a separation stage include cylindrical vessels housing the special separation elements (nozzle or vortex tubes), gas compressors, and heat exchangers to remove the heat of compression. An aerodynamic plant requires a number of these stages, so that quantities can provide an important indication of end use. Since aerodynamic processes use UF₆ , all equipment, pipeline and instrumentation surfaces (that come in contact with the gas) must be made of materials that are stable in contact with UF₆.

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
The items listed in this section either come into direct contact with the UF₆ process gas or directly control the flow within the cascade. All surfaces which come into contact with the process gas are wholly made of, or protected by, UF₆-resistant materials. For the purposes of the section relating to aerodynamic enrichment items, the materials resistant to corrosion by UF₆ include copper, stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloys, nickel or alloys containing 60% or more nickel and UF₆-resistant fully fluorinated hydrocarbon polymers.

26.1. *Separation nozzles

Specially designed or prepared separation nozzles and assemblies thereof. The separation nozzles consist of slit-shaped, curved channels having a radius of curvature less than 1 mm (typically 0.1 to 0.05 mm), resistant to corrosion by UF₆ and having a knife-edge within the nozzle that separates the gas flowing through the nozzle into two fractions.

26.2. *Vortex tubes

Specially designed or prepared vortex tubes and assemblies thereof. The vortex tubes are cylindrical or tapered, made of, or protected by, materials resistant to corrosion by UF₆, having a diameter of between 0.5 cm and 4 cm, a length to diameter ratio of 20:1 or less and with one or more tangential inlets. The tubes may be equipped with nozzle-type appendages at either or both ends.

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
The feed gas enters the vortex tube tangentially at one end or through swirl vanes or at numerous tangential positions along the periphery of the tube.

26.3. *Compressors and gas blowers

Specially designed or prepared axial, centrifugal or positive displacement compressors or gas blowers made of, or protected by, materials resistant to corrosion by UF₆ and with a suction volume capacity of 2 m³/min or more of UF₆/carrier gas (hydrogen or helium) mixture.

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
These compressors and gas blowers typically have a pressure ratio between 1.2:1 and 6:1.

26.4. *Rotary shaft seals

Specially designed or prepared rotary shaft seals, with seal feed and seal exhaust connections, for sealing the shaft connecting the compressor rotor or the gas blower rotor with the driver motor so as to ensure a reliable seal against out-leakage of process gas or in-leakage of air or seal gas into the inner chamber of the compressor or gas blower which is filled with a UF₆/carrier gas mixture.

26.5. *Heat exchangers for gas cooling

Specially designed or prepared heat exchangers made of, or protected by, materials resistant to corrosion by UF₆.

26.6. *Separation element housings

Specially designed or prepared separation element housings, made of, or protected by, materials resistant to corrosion by UF₆, for containing vortex tubes or separation nozzles.

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
These housings may be cylindrical vessels greater than 300 mm in diameter and greater than 900 mm in length or may be rectangular vessels of comparable dimensions, and may be designed for horizontal or vertical installation.

26.7. *Feed systems/'product' and 'tails' withdrawal systems

Specially designed or prepared process systems or equipment for enrichment plants made of, or protected by, materials resistant to corrosion by UF₆, including:

(a) Feed autoclaves, ovens, or systems used for passing UF₆ to the enrichment process;

(b) Desublimers (or cold traps) used to remove UF₆ from the enrichment process for subsequent transfer upon heating;

(c) Solidification or liquefaction stations used to remove UF₆ from the enrichment process by compressing and converting UF₆ to a liquid or solid form; and

(d) 'Product' or 'tails' stations used for transferring UF₆ into containers

26.8. *Header piping systems

Specially designed or prepared header piping systems, made of, or protected by, materials resistant to corrosion by UF₆, for handling UF₆ within the aerodynamic cascades. This piping network is normally of the 'double' header design with each stage or group of stages connected to each of the headers.

26.9. *Vacuum systems and pumps

(a) Specially designed or prepared vacuum systems having a suction capacity of 5 m^³/min or more, consisting of vacuum manifolds, vacuum headers and vacuum pumps, and designed for service in UF₆ bearing atmospheres; and

(b) Vacuum pumps specially designed or prepared for service in UF₆-bearing atmospheres and made of, or protected by, materials resistant to corrosion by UF₆. These pumps may use fluorocarbon seals and special working fluids.

26.10. *Special shutoff and control valves

Specially designed or prepared manual or automated shutoff and control bellows valves made of, or protected by, materials resistant to corrosion by UF₆ with a diameter of 40 to 1500 mm for installation in main and auxiliary systems of aerodynamic enrichment plants.

26.11. *UF6 mass spectrometers/ion sources

Specially designed or prepared magnetic or quadrupole mass spectrometers capable of taking 'on-line' samples of feed, 'product' or 'tails', from UF₆ gas streams and having all of the following characteristics:

(a) Unit resolution for mass greater than 320;

(b) Ion sources constructed of or lined with nichrome or monel or nickel plated;

(c) Electron bombardment ionization sources; and

(d) Collector system suitable for isotopic analysis.

26.12. *UF6/carrier gas separation systems

Specially designed or prepared process systems for separating UF₆ from carrier gas (hydrogen or helium).

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
These systems are designed to reduce the UF₆ content in the carrier gas to 1 PPM or less, and may incorporate equipment such as:

(i) cryogenic heat exchangers and cryoseparators capable of temperatures of -120^oC or less, or

(ii) cryogenic refrigeration units capable of temperatures of -120^oC or less, or

(iii) separation nozzle or vortex tube units for the separation of UF₆ from carrier gas, or

(iv) UF₆ cold traps capable of temperatures of -20^oC or less.

27. *Specially designed or prepared systems, equipment and components for use in chemical exchange or ion exchange enrichment plants.

INTRODUCTORY NOTE
The slight difference in mass between the isotopes of uranium causes small changes in chemical reaction equilibria that can be used as a basis for separation of the isotopes. Two processes have been successfully developed: liquid-liquid chemical exchange and solid-liquid ion exchange.

In the liquid-liquid chemical exchange process, immiscible liquid phases (aqueous and organic) are countercurrently contacted to give the cascading effect of thousands of separation stages. The aqueous phase consists of uranium chloride in hydrochloric acid solution. The organic phase consists of an extractant containing uranium chloride in an organic solvent. The contactors employed in the separation cascade can be liquid-liquid exchange columns (such as pulsed columns with sieve plates) or liquid centrifugal contactors. Chemical conversions (oxidation and reduction) are required at both ends of the separation cascade in order to provide for the reflux requirement at each end. A major design concern is to avoid contamination of the process streams with certain metal ions. Plastic, plastic-lined (including use of fluorocarbon polymers) and/or glass-lined columns and piping are therefore used.

In the solid-liquid ion-exchange process, enrichment is accomplished by uranium adsorption/desorption on a special very fast-acting, ion-exchange resin or adsorbent. A solution of uranium in hydrochloric acid and other chemical agents is passed through cylindrical enrichment columns containing packed beds of the adsorbent. For a continuos process, a reflux system is necessary to release the uranium from the adsorbent back into the liquid flow so that 'products' and 'tails' can be collected. This is accomplished with the use of suitable reduction/oxidation chemical agents that are fully regenerated in separate external circuits and that may be partly regenerated within the isotopic separation columns themselves. The presence of hot concentrated hydrochloric acid solutions in the process requires that the equipment be made of, or protected by, special corrosion-resistant materials.

27.1. *Liquid-liquid exchange columns (Chemical exchange)

Countercurrent liquid-liquid exchange columns having mechanical power input (i.e., pulsed columns with sieve plates, reciprocating plate columns, and columns with internal turbine mixers), specially designed or prepared for uranium enrichment using the chemical exchange process. For corrosion resistance to concentrated hydrochloric acid solutions, these columns and their internals are made of, or protected by, suitable plastic materials (such as fluorocarbon polymers) or glass. The stage residence time of the columns is designed to be short (30 seconds or less).

27.2. *Liquid-liquid centrifugal contactors (Chemical exchange)

Liquid-liquid centrifugal contactors specially designed or prepared for uranium enrichment using the chemical exchange process. Such contactors use rotation to achieve dispersion of the organic and aqueous streams and then centrifugal force to separate the phases. For corrosion resistance to concentrated hydrochloric acid solutions, the contactors are made of or are lined with suitable plastic materials (such as fluorocarbon polymers) or are lined with glass. The stage residence time of the centrifugal contactors is designed to be short (30 seconds or less).

27.3. *Uranium reduction systems and equipment (Chemical exchange)

(a) Specially designed or prepared electrochemical reduction cells to reduce uranium from one valence state to another for uranium enrichment using the chemical exchange process. The cell materials in contact with process solutions must be corrosion resistant to concentrated hydrochloric acid solutions.

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
The cell cathodic compartment must be designed to prevent re-oxidation of uranium to its higher valence state. To keep the uranium in the cathodic compartment, the cell may have an impervious diaphragm membrane constructed of special cation exchange material. The cathode consists of a suitable solid conductor such as graphite.

(b) Specially designed or prepared systems at the product end of the cascade for taking the U⁴ out of the organic stream, adjusting the acid concentration and feeding to the electrochemical reduction cells.

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
These systems consist of solvent extraction equipment for stripping the U4 from the organic stream into an aqueous solution, evaporation and/or other equipment to accomplish solution pH adjustment and control, and pumps or other transfer devices for feeding to the electrochemical reduction cells. A major design concern is to avoid contamination of the aqueous stream with certain metal ions. Consequently for those parts in contact with the process stream, the system is constructed of equipment made of, or protected by, suitable materials (such as glass, fluorocarbon polymers, polyphenyl sulfate, polyether sulfone, and resin-impregnated graphite).

27.4. *Feed preparation systems (Chemical exchange)

Specially designed or prepared systems for producing high-purity uranium chloride feed solutions for chemical exchange uranium isotope separation plants.

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
These systems consist of dissolution, solvent extraction and/or ion exchange equipment for purification and electrolytic cells for reducing the uranium U⁺⁶ or U⁺⁴ to U⁺³. These systems produce uranium chloride solutions having only a few parts per million of metallic impurities such as chromium, iron, vanadium, molybdenum and other bivalent or higher multi-valent cations. Materials of construction for portions of the system processing high-purity U⁺³ include glass, fluorocarbon polymers, polyphenyl sulfate or polyether sulfone plastic-lined and resin-impregnated graphite

27.5. *Uranium oxidation systems (Chemical exchange)

Specially designed or prepared systems for oxidation of U⁺³ to U⁺⁴ for return to the uranium isotope separation cascade in the chemical exchange enrichment process.

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
These systems may incorporate equipment such as:

(i) Equipment for contacting chlorine and oxygen with the aqueous effluent from the isotope separation equipment and extracting the resultant U⁺⁴ into the stripped organic stream returning from the product end of the cascade; and.

(Ii) Equipment that separates water from hydrochloric acid so that the water and the concentrated hydrochloric acid may be reintroduced to the process at the proper location.

27.6. *Ion exchange columns (Ion exchange)

Cylindrical columns greater than 1000 mm in diameter for containing and supporting packed beds of ion exchange resin/adsorbent, specially designed or prepared for uranium enrichment using the ion exchange process. These columns are made of, or protected by, materials (such as titanium or fluorocarbon plastics) resistant to corrosion by concentrated hydrochloric acid solutions and are capable of operating at a temperature in the range of 100C to 200C and pressures above 0.7 MPa (102 psi). See also item 8 for ion exchange resins/adsorbents.

27.7. *Ion exchange reflux systems (Ion exchange)

(a) Specially designed or prepared chemical or electrochemical reduction systems for regeneration of the chemical reducing agent(s) used in ion exchange uranium enrichment cascades; and

(b) Specially designed or prepared chemical or electrochemical oxidation systems for regeneration of the chemical oxidizing agent(s) used in ion exchange uranium enrichment cascades.

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
The ion exchange enrichment process may use, for example, trivalent titanium (Ti⁺³) as a reducing agent in which case the reduction system would regenerate Ti⁺³ by reducing Ti⁺⁴.

The process may use for example trivalent iron (Fe⁺³) as an oxidant in which case the oxidation system would regenerate Fe⁺³ by oxidizing Fe⁺².

28. * Systems, equipment and components for use in laser based enrichment plants

INTRODUCTORY NOTE
Present systems for enrichment processes using laser fall into two categories: those in which the process medium is atomic uranium vapor and those in which the process medium is the vapor of a uranium compound. Common nomenclature for such processes include:

first category - atomic vapor laser isotope separation (AVLIS or SILVA);

second category - molecular laser isotope separation (MLIS or MOLIS); and

chemical reaction by isotope selective laser (CRISLA).

The systems, equipment and components for laser enrichment plants embrace:

(i) devices to feed uranium metal vapor (for selective photo ionization) or devices to feed the vapor of a uranium compound (for photo-dissociation or chemical activation);

(ii) devices to collect enriched and depleted uranium metals as 'product' and 'tails' in the first category, and devices to collect dissociated or reacted compounds as 'products' and unaffected material as 'tails' in the second category;

(iii) process laser systems to selectively excite the uranium-235 species; and

(iv) feed preparation and product conversion equipment.

The complexity of the spectroscopy of uranium atoms and compounds may require incorporation of any of a number of available laser technologies.

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
Many of the items listed in this section come into direct contact with uranium metal vapor or liquid or with process gas consisting of UF₆ or a mixture of UF₆ and other gases. All surfaces that come into contact with the uranium or UF₆ are wholly made of, or protected by, corrosion-resistant materials. For the purposes of the section relating to laser-based enrichment items, the materials resistant to corrosion by vapor or liquid uranium metal or uranium alloys include yttria-coated graphite and tantalum; and the materials resistant to corrosion by UF₆ include copper, stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloys, nickel or alloys containing 60% or more nickel and UF₆-resistant fully fluorinated hydrocarbon polymers.

28.1. *Uranium vaporization systems (AVLIS)

Specially designed or prepared uranium vaporization systems which contain high-power strip or scanning electron beam guns with a delivered power on the target of more than 2.5 kW/cm.

28.2. *Liquid uranium metal handling systems (AVLIS)

Specially designed or prepared liquid metal handling systems for molten uranium or uranium alloys, consisting of crucibles and cooling equipment for the crucibles.

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
The crucibles and other parts of this system that come into contact with molten uranium or uranium alloy are made of, or protected by, material of suitable corrosion and heat resistance. Suitable materials include tantalum, yttria-coated graphite, graphite coated with other rare earth oxides or mixtures thereof.

28.3. *Uranium metal 'product' and 'tails' collector assemblies (AVLIS)

Specially designed or prepared 'product' and 'tails' collector assemblies for uranium metal in liquid or solid form.

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
Components for these assemblies are made of, or protected by, materials resistant to the heat and corrosion of uranium metal vapor or liquid (such as yttria-coated graphite or tantalum) and may include pipes, valves, fittings, 'gutters', feed-throughs, heat exchangers and collector plates for magnetic, electrostatic (or other) separation methods.

28.4. *Separator module housings (AVLIS)

Specially designed or prepared cylindrical or rectangular vessels for containing the uranium metal vapor source, the electron beam gun and the 'product' and 'tails' collectors.

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
These housings have multiplicity of ports for electrical and water feed-throughs, laser beam windows, vacuum pump connections and instrumentation diagnostics and monitoring. They have provisions for opening and disclosure to allow refurbishment of internal components.

28.5. *Supersonic expansion nozzles (MLIS)

Specially designed or prepared supersonic expansion nozzles for cooling mixtures of UF₆ and carrier gas to 150 K or less and which are corrosion resistant to UF₆.

28.6. *Uranium pentaflouride product collectors (MLIS)

Specially designed or prepared uranium pentafluoride (UF₅) solid product collectors consisting of filter, impact or cyclone-type collectors, or combinations thereof, and which are corrosion resistant to the UF₅/UF₆ environment.

28.7. *UF6/carrier gas compressors (MLIS)

Specially designed or prepared compressors for UF₆ carrier gas mixtures, designed for long term operation in a UF₆ environment. The components of these compressors that come into contact with process gas are made of, or protected by, materials resistant to corrosion by UF₆.

28.8. *Rotary shaft seals (MLIS)

Specially designed or prepared rotary shaft seals, with seal feed and seal exhaust connections, for sealing the shaft connecting the compressor rotor with the driver motor so as to ensure a reliable seal against out-leakage of process gas or in-leakage of air or seal gas into the inner chamber of the compressor which is filled with a UF₆ carrier gas mixture.

28.9. *Flourination systems (MLIS)

Specially designed or prepared systems for fluorinating UF₅ (solid) to UF₆ (gas).

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
These systems are designed to fluorinate the collected UF₅ powder to UF₆ for subsequent collection in 'product' containers or for transfer as feed to MLIS units for additional enrichment. In one approach the fluorination reaction may be accomplished within the isotopic separation system to react and recover directly off the 'product' collectors. In another approach, the UF₅ powder may be removed/transferred from the 'product' collectors into a suitable reaction vessel (e.g., fluidized-bed reactor, screw reactor or flame tower) for fluorination. In both approaches, equipment for storage and transfer of fluorine (or other suitable fluorinating agents) and for collection and transfer of UF₆ are used.

28.10. *UF6 mass spectrometers/ion sources (MLIS)

Specially designed or prepared magnetic or quadrupole mass spectrometers capable of taking 'on-line' samples of feed, 'product' or 'tails', from UF₆ gas streams and having all the following characteristics:

(a) Unit resolution for mass greater than 320;

(b) Ion sources constructed of or lined with nichrome or monel or nickel plated;

(c) Electron bombardment ionization sources; and;

(d) Collector system suitable for isotopic analysis.

28.11 *Feed systems/'product' and 'tails' withdrawal systems (MLIS)

Specially designed or prepared process systems or equipment for enrichment plants made of, or protected by, materials resistant to corrosion by UF₆ including:

(a) Feed autoclaves, ovens, or systems used for passing UF₆ to the enrichment process;

(b) Desublimers (or cold traps) used to remove UF₆ from the enrichment process for subsequent transfer upon heating;

(c) Solidification or liquefaction stations used to remove UF₆ from the enrichment process by compressing and converting UF₆ to a liquid or solid form; and

(d) 'Product' or 'tails' stations used for transferring UF₆ into containers.

28.12. *UF6/carrier gas separation systems

Specially designed or prepared process systems for separating UF₆ from carrier gas. The carrier gas may be nitrogen, argon, or other gas.

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
These systems may incorporate equipment such as:

(i) Cryogenic heat exchangers or cryoseparators capable of temperatures of -120C or less, or

(ii) Cryogenic refrigeration units capable of temperatures of -120C or less, or

(iii) UF₆ cold traps capable of temperatures of -20C or less.

28.13. *Laser systems (AVLIS, MLIS and CRISLA) as follows:

Laser systems specially designed or prepared for the separation of uranium isotopes.

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
The laser system for the AVLIS process usually consists of two lasers: a copper vapor laser and a dye laser. The laser system for MLIS usually consists of a CO₂ or a combination of CO2 and excimer lasers. Both systems can use a multi-pass optical cell with mirrors at both ends. Laser or laser systems for both processes require a spectrum frequency stabilizer for operation over extended periods of time.

28.14. Lasers, as follows:

(a) Copper vapor lasers with 40 W or greater average output power operating at wavelengths between 500 NM and 600 NM;

(b) Argon ion lasers with greater than 40 W average output power operating at wavelengths between 400 NM and 515 NM;

(c) Neodymium-doped (other than glass) lasers as follows:

(i) Having an output wavelength between 100 NM and 1100 NM, being pulse-excited and Q-switched with a pulse duration equal to or greater than 1 ns, and having either of the following:

(A) A single-transverse mode output having an average output exceeding 40 W; or

(B) A multiple-transverse mode output having an average output power exceeding 50 W;

(ii) Operating at a wavelength between 1000 NM and 1100 NM incorporating frequency doubling giving an output wavelength between 500 NM and 550 NM with an average power at the doubled frequency (new wavelength) of greater than 40 W;

(d) Tunable pulsed single-mode dye oscillators capable of an average power output of greater than 1 W, a repetition rate greater than 1 kHz, a pulse width less than 100 Ns, and a wavelength between 300 NM and 800 NM;

(e) Tunable pulsed dye amplifiers and oscillators, except single-mode oscillators, with an average power output of greater than 30 W, a repetition rate greater than 1 kHz a pulse width less than 100 Ns, and a wavelength between 300 NM and 800 NM;

(f) Alexandrite lasers with a bandwidth of 0.005 NM or less, a repetition rate of greater than 125 Hz, and an average power output greater than 30 W operating at wavelengths between 720 NM and 800 NM;

(g) Pulsed carbon dioxide lasers with a repetition rate greater than 250 Hz, an average power output of greater than 500 W, and a pulse of less than 200 Ns operating at wavelengths between 9,000 NM and 11,000 NM;

NOTE:
This specification is not intended to control the higher power (typically 1 to 5 kW) industrial CO₂ lasers used in applications such as cutting and welding, as these latter lasers are either continuous wave or are pulsed with a pulse width more than 200 Ns

(h) Pulsed excimer lasers (XeF, XeCl, KrF) with a repetition rate greater than 250 Hz, an average power output of greater than 500 W, and a pulse of less than 200 Ns operating at wavelengths between 240 and 360 NM;

(i) Para-hydrogen Raman shifters designed to operate at 16 NM output wavelength and at a repetition rate greater than 250 Hz; and

(j) Free electron lasers.

29. *Systems, equipment and components for use in plasma separation enrichment plants.

INTRODUCTORY NOTE
In the plasma separation process, a plasma of uranium ions passes through an electric field tuned to the ²³⁵U ion resonance frequency so that they preferentially absorb energy and increase the diameter of their corkscrew-like orbits. Ions with a large-diameter path are trapped to produce a product enriched in ²³⁵U. The plasma, which is made by ionizing uranium vapor, is contained in a vacuum chamber with a high-strength magnetic field produced by a superconducting magnet. The main technological systems of the process include the uranium plasma generation system, the separator module with superconducting magnet, and metal removal systems for the collection of 'product' and 'tails'.

29.1. *Microwave power sources and antennae

Specially designed or prepared microwave power sources and antennae for producing or accelerating ions and having the following characteristics:

(a) greater than 30 GHz frequency; and

(b) greater than 50 kW mean power output for ion production.

29.2. *Ion excitation coils

Specially designed or prepared radio frequency ion excitation coils for frequencies of more than 100 kHz and capable of handling more than 40 kW mean power.

29.3. *Uranium plasma generation systems

Specially designed or prepared systems for the generation of uranium plasma, which may contain high-power strip or scanning electron beam guns with a delivered power on the target of more than 2.5 kW/cm.

29.4. *Liquid uranium metal handling systems

Specially designed or prepared liquid metal handling systems for molten uranium or uranium alloys, consisting of crucibles and cooling equipment for the crucibles.

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
The crucibles and other parts of this system that come into contact with molten uranium or uranium alloys are made of, or protected by, materials of suitable corrosion and heat resistance. Suitable materials include tantalum, yttria-coated graphite, graphite coated with other rare earth oxides or mixtures thereof.

29.5. *Uranium metal 'product' and 'tails' collector assemblies

Specially designed or prepared product and 'tails' collector assemblies for uranium metal in solid form. These collector assemblies are made of, or protected by, materials resistant to the heat and corrosion of uranium metal vapor, such as yttria-coated graphite or tantalum.

29.6. *Separator module housings

Cylindrical vessels specially designed or prepared for use in plasma separation enrichment plants for containing the uranium plasma source, radio-frequency drive coil and the 'product' and 'tails' collectors.

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
These housings have a multiplicity of ports for electrical feed-throughs, diffusion pump connections and instrumentation diagnostics and monitoring. They have provisions for opening and closure to allow for refurbishment of internal components and are constructed of a suitable non-magnetic material such as stainless steel.

29.7. *Superconducting electromagnets

Superconducting solenoidal electromagnets with all of the following characteristics:

(a) Capable of creating magnetic fields of more than 2 teslas (20 kilogauss);

(b) With a L/D (length divided by inner diameter) greater than 2;

(c) With an inner diameter of more than 300 mm; and

(d) With a magnetic field uniform to better than 1% over the central 50% of the inner volume.

NOTE:
This item does not cover magnets specially designed for and used as parts of medical nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging systems.

30. *Systems, equipment and components for use in electromagnetic enrichment plants.

INTRODUCTORY NOTE
In the electromagnetic process uranium metal ions produced by ionization of a salt feed material (typically UCl₄) are accelerated and pass through a magnetic field that has the effect of causing the ions of different isotopes to follow different paths. The major components of an electromagnetic isotope separator include: a magnetic field for ion-beam diversion/separation of the isotopes, an ion source with its acceleration system, and a collection system for the separated ions. Auxiliary systems for the process include the magnet power supply system, the ion source high-voltage power supply system, the vacuum system, and extensive chemical handling systems for recovery of product and cleaning/recycling of components.

30.1. *Electromagnetic isotope separators

Electromagnetic isotope separators specially designed or prepared for the separation of uranium isotopes and equipment and components therefor, including:

(a) Ion sources:
Specially designed or prepared single or multiple uranium ion sources consisting of a vapor source, ionizer and beam accelerator, constructed of suitable materials such as graphite, stainless steel, or copper and capable of providing a total ion beam current of 50 mA or greater.

(b) Ion collectors:
Collector plates consisting of two or more slits and pockets specially designed or prepared for collection of enriched and depleted uranium ion beams and constructed of suitable materials such as graphite or stainless steel.

(c) Vacuum housings:
Specially designed or prepared vacuum housings for uranium electromagnetic separators constructed of suitable nonmagnetic materials such as stainless steel and designed for operation at pressures of 0.1 Pa or lower.

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
The housings are specially designed to contain the ion sources, collector plates and water-cooled liners and have provision for diffusion pump connections and openings and closures for removal and reinstallation of these components.

(d) Magnet pole pieces:
Specially designed or prepared magnet pole pieces having a diameter greater than 2 m used to maintain a constant magnetic field within an electromagnetic isotope separator and to transfer the magnetic field between adjoining separators.

30.2. *Electromagnetic isotope separators other than those specified in 30.1 above, designed for or equipped with single or multiple ion sources capable of providing a total ion beam current of 50 ma or greater.

30.3. *High voltage power supplies capable of continuously producing, over a time period of 8 hours, the following:

(a) Output voltage of 20,000 V or greater;

(B) Output current of 1 A or greater; and

(C) Voltage regulation of better than 0.1%.

30.4. *High current power supplies capable of continuously producing, over a period of 8 hours, the following:

(a) Output voltage of 100 V or greater, with a current output of 500 A or greater; and

(b) Current or voltage regulation better than 0.1%.

30.5. Vacuum pumps

Vacuum pumps with an input throat size of 380 mm or greater with a pumping speed of 15,000 liters/second or greater and capable of producing an ultimate vacuum better than 10^-4 Torr (0.76 x 10^-4 mbar).

TECHNICAL NOTE:
The ultimate vacuum is determined at the input of the pump with the input of the pump blocked off.

ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTS AND PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS USED IN URANIUM ENRICHMENT

31. Mass spectrometers

Mass spectrometers capable of measuring ions of 230 atomic mass units or greater and having a resolution of better than 2 parts in 230, as follows, and ion sources therefor;

31.1 Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometers (ICP/MS);

31.2. Glow discharge mass spectrometers (GDMS);

31.3. Thermal ionization mass spectrometers (TIMS);

31.4. *Electron bombardment mass spectrometers which have a source chamber constructed from or lined with or plated with materials resistant to UF6.

31.5. Molecular beam mass spectrometers as follows:

(a) Which have a source chamber constructed from or lined with or plated with stainless steel or molybdenum and have a cold trap capable of cooling to 193K (-80C) or less; or

(b) *Which have a source chamber constructed from or lined with or plated with materials resistant to UF6

31.6. *Mass spectrometers equipped with a microflourination ion source designed for use with actinides or actinide flourides.

32. Instrumentation and process control systems for use in enrichment (SC II)

Instrumentation for monitoring temperature, pressure, pH, fluid level or flow rate specially designed to be corrosion resistant to UF₆ by being made of, or protected by, any of the following materials:

(a) Stainless steel;

(b) Aluminum;

(c) Aluminum alloys;

(d) Nickel; and

(e) Alloys containing 60% or more nickel.

33. *Software especially designed for the control of uranium enrichment plant or facilities.

OTHER ISOTOPE SEPARATION PLANTS

34. Plants for the production of heavy water, deuterium and deuterium compounds and equipment therefor

INTRODUCTORY NOTE
Heavy water can be produced by a variety of processes. However, the two processes that have proven to be commercially viable are the water-hydrogen sulfide exchange process (GS process) and the ammonia hydrogen exchange process.

The GS process is based upon the exchange of hydrogen and deuterium between water and hydrogen sulfide within a series of towers which are operated with the top section cold and the bottom section hot. Water flows down the towers while the hydrogen sulfide gas circulates from the bottom to the top of the towers. A series of perforated trays are used to promote mixing between the gas and the water. Deuterium migrates to the water at low temperatures and to the hydrogen sulfide at high temperatures. Gas or water, enriched in deuterium, is removed from the first stage towers at the junction of the hot and cold sections and the process is repeated in subsequent stage towers. The product of the last stage, water enriched up to 30% in deuterium, is sent to a distillation unit to produce reactor grade heavy water i. e., 99.75% deuterium oxide.

The ammonia-hydrogen exchange process can extract deuterium from synthesis gas through contact with liquid ammonia in the presence of a catalyst. The synthesis gas is fed into exchange towers and then to an ammonia converter. Inside the towers the gas flows from the bottom to the top while the liquid ammonia flows from the top to the bottom. The deuterium is stripped from the hydrogen in the synthesis gas and concentrated in the ammonia. The ammonia then flows into an ammonia cracker at the bottom of the tower while the gas flows into an ammonia converter at the top. Further enrichment takes place in subsequent stages and reactor grade heavy water is produced through final distillation. The synthesis gas feed can be provided by an ammonia plant that, in turn, can be constructed in association with a heavy water ammonia-hydrogen exchange plant. The ammonia hydrogen exchange process can also use ordinary water as a feed source of deuterium.

Many of the key equipment items for heavy water production plants using the GS or the ammonia-hydrogen exchange processes are common to several segments of the chemical and petroleum industries. This is particularly so for small plants using the GS process.

However, few of the items are available "off-the-shelf". The GS and the ammonia-hydrogen processes require the handling of large quantities of flammable, corrosive and toxic fluids at elevated pressures. Accordingly, in establishing the design and operating standard for plants and equipment using these processes, careful attention to the materials selection and specifications is required to ensure long service life with high safety and reliability factors. The choice of scale is primarily a function of economics and need. Thus, most of the equipment items would be prepared according to the requirements of the customer.

Finally, it should be noted that, in both the GS and the ammonia-hydrogen exchange process, items of equipment which individually are not specially designed or prepared for heavy water production can be assembled into systems which are specially designed or prepared for producing heavy water. The catalyst production system used in the ammonia-hydrogen exchange process and water distillation systems used for the final concentration of heavy water to reactor grade in either process are examples of such systems.

The items of equipment which are specially designed or prepared for the production of heavy water utilizing either the water-hydrogen sulfide exchange process or the ammonia-hydrogen exchange process include the following:

34.1. Water-Hydrogen Sulfide Exchange Towers
Exchange towers fabricated from fine carbon steel (such as ASTM A516) with diameters of 6 m (20 ft) to 9 m (30 ft), capable of operating at pressures greater than or equal to 2 MPa (300 psi) and with a corrosion allowance of 6 mm or greater, specially designed or prepared for heavy water production utilizing the water-hydrogen sulfide exchange process.

34.2. Blowers and Compressors
Single stage, low head (i.e., 0.2 MPa or 30 psi) centrifugal blowers or compressors for hydrogen-sulfide gas circulation (i.e., gas containing more than 70% H₂S) specially designed or prepared for heavy water production utilizing the water-hydrogen sulfide exchange process. These blowers or compressors have a throughput capacity greater than or equal to 56 m³/second (120,000 SCFM) while operating at pressures greater than or equal to 1.8 MPa (260 psi) suction and have seals designed for wet H₂S service.

34.3. Ammonia-Hydrogen Exchange Towers
Ammonia-hydrogen exchange towers greater than or equal to 35 m (114.3 ft) in height with diameters of 1.5 m (4.9 ft) to 2.5 m (8.2 ft) capable of operating at pressures greater than 15 MPa (2225 psi) specially designed or prepared for heavy water production utilizing the ammonia hydrogen exchange process. These towers also have at least one flanged, axial opening of the same diameter as the cylindrical part through which the tower internals can be inserted or withdrawn.

34.4. Tower Internals and Stage Pumps
Tower internals and stage pumps specially designed or prepared for towers for heavy water production utilizing the ammonia-hydrogen exchange process. Tower internals include specially designed stage contactors which promote intimate gas/liquid contact. Stage pumps include specially designed submersible pumps for circulation of liquid ammonia within a contacting stage internal to the stage towers.

34.5. Ammonia Crackers
Ammonia crackers with operating pressures greater than or equal to 3 MPa (450 psi) specially designed or prepared for heavy water production utilizing the ammonia-hydrogen exchange process.

34.6. Infrared Absorption Analyzers
Infrared absorption analyzers capable of "on-line" hydrogen/deuterium ratio analysis where deuterium concentrations are equal to or greater than 90%.

34.7. Catalytic Burners
Catalytic burners for the conversion of enriched deuterium gas into heavy water specially designed or prepared for heavy water production utilizing the ammonia-hydrogen exchange process.

34.8. Specialized Packing
Specialized packing for use in separating heavy water from ordinary water and made of phosphor bronze mesh or copper (both chemically treated to improve wettability) and designed for use in vacuum distillation towers;

34.9. Circulating Pumps
Pumps circulating solutions of diluted or concentrated potassium amide catalyst in liquid ammonia (KNH₂/NH₃) with all of the following characteristics:

(a) Airtight (i.e. hermetically sealed);

(b) For concentrated potassium amide solutions (1% or greater), operating pressure of 1.5-60 MPa; for dilute potassium amide solutions (less than 1%) operating pressure of 20-60 MPa; and

(c) A capacity greater than 8.5 m^{^3}/h;

34.10. Ammonia synthesis converters
Ammonia synthesis units in which the synthesis gas (nitrogen and hydrogen) is withdrawn from an ammonia/hydrogen high-pressure exchange column and the synthesized ammonia is returned to said column;

34.11. Platinized catalysts
Platinized catalysts specially designed or prepared for promoting the hydrogen isotope exchange reaction between hydrogen and water for the recovery of tritium from heavy water or for the production of heavy water.

34.12. Hydrogen-cryogenic distillation columns having all of the following applications:

(a) designed to operate with internal temperatures of -238^oC (35 K) or less;

(b) designed to operate at internal pressure of 0.5 to 5 MPa (5 to 50 atmospheres);

(c) constructed of fine-grain stainless steels of the 300 series with low sulfur content or equivalent cryogenic and H₂-compatible materials; and

(d) with internal diameters of 1 m or greater and effective lengths of 5 m or greater.

35. *Plant for the separation of lithium-6 and specially designed equipment therefor as follows:

35.1. Packed liquid-liquid exchange columns for lithium amalgams;

35.2. Mercury and/or lithium amalgam pumps;

35.3. Lithium amalgam electrolysis cells.

36. *Facilities or plants for the production, recovery, extraction, concentration or handling of tritium, and equipment and materials therefor, as follows:

36.1 Tritium storage, separation, purification, and pumping systems using metal hydrides as the storage, pumping or purification medium;

36.2. Hydrogen or helium refrigeration units capable of cooling to 23 K (-250C ) or less, with heat removal capacity greater than 150 watts.

NOTE:
See also item 19.

PLANTS AND EQUIPMENT FOR THE CONVERSION OF URANIUM

INTRODUCTORY NOTE
Uranium conversion plants and systems may perform one or more transformations from one uranium chemical species to another, including:

(i) conversion of uranium ore concentrates to UO₃;

(ii) conversion of UO₃ to UO₂;

(iii) conversion of uranium oxides to UF₄ or UF₆;

(iv) conversion of UF₆ to UF₄;

(v) conversion of UF₄, to UF₆;

(vi) conversion of UF₄, to uranium metal;,

(vii) conversion of uranium fluorides to UO₂; and

(viii) conversion of uranium oxides to UCl₄.

Many of the key equipment items for uranium conversion plants are common to several segments of the chemical process industry. For example the types of equipment employed in these processes may include furnaces, rotary kilns, fluidized bed reactors, flame tower reactors, liquid centrifuges, distillation columns and liquid-liquid extraction columns. However, few of the items are available "off-the-shelf"; most would be prepared according to the requirements and specifications of the customer. In some instances, special design and construction considerations are required to address the corrosive properties of some of the chemicals handled (HF, F₂, ClF₃, and uranium fluorides). Finally, it should be noted that, in all of the uranium conversion processes, items of equipment which individually are not specially designed or prepared for uranium conversion can be assembled into systems which are specially designed or prepared for use in uranium conversion.

37. Specially designed or prepared systems for the conversion of uranium ore concentrates to U0₃

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
Conversion of uranium ore concentrates to UO₃ can be performed by first dissolving the ore in nitric acid and extracting purified uranyl nitrate using a solvent such as tributyl phosphate. Next, the uranyl nitrate is converted to UO₃ either by concentration and denitration, or by neutralization with gaseous ammonia to produce ammonium diuranate with subsequent filtering, drying, and calcining

38. *Specially designed or prepared systems for the conversion of UO3 to UF6

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
Conversion of UO₃ to UF₆ can be performed directly by fluorination. The process requires a source of fluorine gas or chlorine trifluoride.

39. Specially designed or prepared systems for the conversion of UO₃ to UO₂

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
Conversion of UO₃ to UO₂ can be performed through reduction of UO₃ with cracked ammonia gas or hydrogen.

40. Specially designed or prepared systems for the conversion of UO₂ to UF₄

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
Conversion of UO₂ to UF₄ , can be performed by reacting UO₂ with hydrogen fluoride gas (HF) at 300-500 C.

41. *Specially designed or prepared systems for the conversion of UF4 to UF6

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
Conversion of UF₄ to UF₆ is performed by exothermic reaction with fluorine in a tower reactor. UF₆ is condensed from the hot effluent gases by passing the effluent stream through a cold trap cooled to -10C (263 K). The process requires a source of fluorine gas.

42. Specially designed or prepared systems for the conversion of UF₄ to U metal

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
Conversion of UF₄ to U metal is performed by reduction with magnesium (large batches) or calcium (small batches). The reaction is carried out at temperatures above the melting point of uranium (1130C).

43. *Specially designed or prepared systems for the conversion of UF6 to UO2

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
Conversion of UF₆ to UO₂ can be performed by one of three processes. In the first, UF₆ is reduced and hydrolyzed to UO₂ using hydrogen and steam. In the second, UF₆ is hydrolyzed by solution in water, ammonia is added to precipitate ammonium diuranate, and the diuranate is reduced to UO₂ with hydrogen at 820C. In the third process, gaseous UF_6, CO₂ and NH₃ are combined in water, precipitating ammonium uranyl carbonate. The ammonium uranyl carbonate is combined with steam and hydrogen at 500-600C to yield UO₂. UF₆ to UO₂ conversion is often performed as the first stage of a fuel fabrication plant.

44. *Specially designed or prepared systems for the conversion of UF6 to UF4

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
Conversion of UF₆ to UF₄ is performed by reduction with hydrogen.

45. *Specially designed or prepared systems for the conversion of UO2 to UCl4.

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
Conversion of UO₂ to UCl₄ can be performed by reacting UO₂ with CCl₄ at high temperature.

46. *Electrolytic cells for fluorine production with a production capacity greater than 10 grams of fluorine per hour and specially designed parts and accessories therefor (SC II)

NUCLEAR REACTORS AND EQUIPMENT THEREFOR

47. Complete nuclear reactors

Nuclear reactors capable of operation so as to maintain a controlled self sustaining fission chain reaction.

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
A "nuclear reactor" basically includes the items within, or attached directly to, the reactor vessel, the equipment which controls the level of power in the core, and the components which normally contain, or come in direct contact with, or control the primary coolant of the reactor core.

47.1. Reactor Vessels
Metal vessels, as complete units or as major shop-fabricated parts therefor, which are specially designed or prepared to contain the core of a nuclear reactor as defined in paragraph 47 above and are capable of withstanding the operating pressure of the primary coolant.

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
A top plate for a reactor vessel is covered by item 47.1 as a major shop-fabricated part.

Reactor internals (e.g. support columns and plates for the core and other vessel internals, control rod guide tubes, thermal shields, baffles, core grid plates, diffuser plates, etc.) are normally supplied by the reactor supplier. In some cases, certain internal support components are included in the fabrication of the reactor vessel. These items are sufficiently critical to the safety and reliability of the operation of the reactor (and, therefore, to the guarantees and the liability of the reactor supplier), so that their supply, outside the basic supply arrangement for the reactor itself, would not be common practice. Therefore, although the separate supply of these unique, specially designed and prepared, critical, large and expensive items would not necessarily be considered as falling outside the area of concern, such a mode of supply is considered unlikely.

47.2. Reactor fuel charging and discharging machines
Manipulative equipment specially designed or prepared for inserting or removing fuel in a nuclear reactor capable of on-load operation or employing technically sophisticated positioning or alignment features to allow complex off-load fueling operations such as those in which direct viewing or access to the fuel is not normally available.

47.3. Reactor control rods
Rods specially designed or prepared for the control of the reaction rate in a nuclear reactor.

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
This item includes, in addition to the neutron absorbing part, the support or suspension structures therefor, if supplied separately.

47.4. Reactivity control mechanisms, devices and systems

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
Reactivity control mechanisms, devices, and systems may be manual, electro-mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatical and chemical injection/removal type.

47.5. Reactor pressure tubes
Tubes which are specially designed or prepared to contain fuel elements and the primary coolant in a reactor at an operating pressure in excess of 5.1 MPa (740 psi).

47.6. Primary coolant pumps
Pumps specially designed or prepared for circulating the primary coolant for nuclear reactors.

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
Specially designed or prepared pumps may include elaborate sealed or multi-sealed system to prevent leakage of primary coolant, canned-driven pumps and pumps with inertial mass systems. This definition encompasses pumps certified to NC-1 (or equivalent) standards.

47.7. Reactor level control equipment
Specially designed or prepared equipment for controlling the power levels in a nuclear reactor, e.g., reactor control rod drive mechanisms and radiation detection and measuring instruments to determine neutron flux levels.

48.8. Nuclear reactor simulators
Electronic simulators specially designed or prepared to provide full mockup simulation of the operation and control of a nuclear reactor.

NUCLEAR FUEL FABRICATION PLANTS

48. Plants for the fabrication of fuel elements

A "plant for the fabrication of fuel elements" includes the equipment:

48.1 Which normally comes in direct contract with, or directly processes, or controls, the production flow of nuclear material; or

48.2. Which seals the nuclear material within the cladding; or

48.3. Which checks the integrity of the cladding or the seal; or

48.4. Which provides for the finishing surface treatment of the sealed fuel.

REPROCESSING TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT THEREFOR

49. *Plants and equipment for the reprocessing of irradiated fuel elements

INTRODUCTORY NOTE
Reprocessing irradiated fuel separates plutonium and uranium from intensely radioactive fission products and other transuranic elements. Different technical processes can accomplish this separation. However, over the years Purex has become the most commonly used and accepted process. Purex involves the dissolution of irradiated nuclear fuel in nitric acid, followed by separation of the uranium, plutonium, and fission products by solvent extraction using a mixture of tributyl phosphate in an organic diluent.

Purex facilities have process functions similar to each other, including: irradiated fuel element chopping, fuel dissolution, solvent extraction, and process liquor storage. There may also be equipment for thermal denitration of uranium nitrate, conversion of plutonium nitrate to oxide or metal, and treatment of fission product waste liquor to a form suitable for long term storage or disposal. However, the specific type and configuration of the equipment performing these functions may differ between Purex facilities for several reasons, including the type and quantity of irradiated nuclear fuel to be reprocessed and the intended disposition of the recovered materials and the safety and maintenance philosophy incorporated into the design of the facility.

A "plant for the reprocessing of irradiated fuel elements" includes the equipment and components which normally come in direct contact with, and directly control the irradiated fuel and the major nuclear material and fission product processing streams.

These processes, including the complete systems for plutonium conversion and plutonium metal production, may be identified by the measures taken to avoid criticality (e.g. by geometry), radiation exposure (e.g. by shielding), and toxicity hazards (e.g. by containment).

49.1. *Irradiated fuel element chopping machines

INTRODUCTORY NOTE
This equipment breaches the cladding of the fuel to expose the irradiated nuclear material to dissolution. Specially designed metal cutting shears are the most commonly employed, although advanced equipment, such as lasers, may be used.

Remotely operated equipment specially designed or prepared for use in a reprocessing plant as identified above and intended to cut, chop, or shear irradiated nuclear fuel assemblies, bundles, or rods.

49.2. *Dissolvers

INTRODUCTORY NOTE
Dissolvers normally receive the chopped-up spent fuel. In these critically safe vessels, the irradiated nuclear material is dissolved in nitric acid and the remaining hulls are removed from the process stream.

Critically safe tanks (e.g. small diameter, annular, or slab tanks) specially designed or prepared for use in a reprocessing plant as identified above, intended for dissolution of irradiated nuclear fuel, and which are capable of withstanding hot, highly corrosive liquid, and which can be remotely loaded and maintained.

49.3. *Solvent extractors and solvent extraction equipment

INTRODUCTORY NOTE
Solvent extractors both receive the solution of irradiated fuel from the dissolvers and the organic solution which separates the uranium, plutonium, and fission products. Solvent extraction equipment is normally designed to meet strict operating parameters, such as long operating lifetimes with no maintenance requirements or adaptability to easy replacement, simplicity of operation and control, and flexibility for variations in process conditions.

Specially designed or prepared solvent extractors such as packed or pulse columns, mixer settlers or centrifugal contactors for use in a plant for the reprocessing of irradiated fuel. Solvent extractors must be resistant to the corrosive effect of nitric acid. Solvent extractors are normally fabricated to extremely high standards (including special welding and inspection and quality assurance and quality control techniques) out of low carbon stainless steels, titanium, zirconium, or other high quality materials.

49.4. *Chemical holding or storage vessels

INTRODUCTORY NOTE
Three main process liquor streams result from the solvent extraction step. Holding or storage vessels are used in the further processing of all three streams, as follows:

The pure uranium nitrate solution is concentrated by evaporation and passed to a denitration process where it is converted to uranium oxide. This oxide is re-used in the nuclear fuel cycle.

The intensely radioactive fission products solution is normally concentrated by evaporation and stored as a liquor concentrate. This concentrate may be subsequently evaporated and converted to form suitable for storage or disposal.

The pure plutonium nitrate solution is concentrated and stored pending its transfer to further process steps. In particular, holding or storage vessels for plutonium solutions are designed to avoid criticality problems resulting from changes in concentration and form of this stream.

Specially designed or prepared holding or storage vessels for use in a plant for the reprocessing of irradiated fuel. The holding or storage vessels must be resistant to the corrosive effect of nitric acid. They are normally fabricated of materials such as low carbon stainless steels, titanium, or zirconium, or other high quality materials. Holding and storage vessels may be designed for the remote operation and maintenance and may have the following features for control of nuclear criticality:

(a) Walls or internal structures with a boron equivalent of a least 2%; or

(b) A maximum diameter of 175 mm (7 in) for cylindrical vessels; or

(c) A maximum width of 75 mm (3 in) for either a slab or annular vessel.

49.5. *Plutonium nitrate to oxide conversion system

INTRODUCTORY NOTE
In most reprocessing facilities, this final process involves the conversion of the plutonium nitrate solution to plutonium dioxide. The main functions involved in this process are:

process feed storage and adjustment, precipitation, and solid/liquid separation, calcination, product handling, ventilation, waste management, and process control.

Complete systems specially designed or prepared for the conversion of plutonium nitrate to plutonium oxide, in particular adapted so as to avoid criticality and radiation effects and to minimize toxicity hazards.

49.6. *Plutonium oxide to metal production system

INTRODUCTORY NOTE
This process, which could be related to a reprocessing facility, involves the fluorination of plutonium dioxide, normally with highly corrosive hydrogen fluoride, to produce plutonium fluoride which is subsequently reduced using high purity calcium metal to produce metallic plutonium and calcium fluoride slag. The main functions involved in this process are: fluorination (e.g. involving equipment fabricated or lined with a precious metal), metal reduction (e.g. employing ceramic crucibles), slag recovery, product handling, ventilation, waste management and process control.

Complete systems specially designed or prepared for the production of plutonium metal, in particular adapted so as to avoid criticality and radiation effects and to minimize toxicity hazards.

49.7. *Hot cells and related equipment specially designed or prepared for the handling and processing of irradiated nuclear material

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
Small scale chemical separation of plutonium or uranium or both from irradiated nuclear material requires radiation protection from fission products' gamma activity and from plutonium toxicity. This separation is normally conducted in specially designed or prepared lead- or concrete- shielded cells provided with viewing ports made of high density glass and remote manipulators. Protection from plutonium toxicity is obtained with an air-tight internal lining of the hot the cell normally made of low-carbon steel. Hot cells are provided with air extraction system capable of maintaining a slightly negative pressure and equipped with high efficiency particulate air filters which prevent the release of aerosols from the hot cell into the environment.

49.8. Hot cells related equipment specially designed or prepared for the handling or processing of radioisotopes or radiation sources in medical and industrial applications as follows:

(a) Remote manipulators that provide mechanical translation of human operator actions by electrical, hydraulic, or mechanical means to an operating arm and terminal fixture, that can be used to provide remote actions in radiochemical separation operations and hot cells as follows:

(i) Having a capability of penetrating 0.6 m or more of cell wall ('through the wall' operation); or

(ii) Having a capability of bridging over the top of a cell wall with a thickness of 0.6 m or more ('over the wall' operation);

NOTE:
Remote manipulation may be of a 'master/slave' type or operated by a joystick or keypad.

(b) High-density (lead glass or other) radiation shielding windows greater than 0. 3 m on a side and with a density greater than 3 g/cm³ and a thickness of 100 mm or greater and specially designed frames therefor;

(c) Radiation hardened TV cameras specially designed or rated as radiation hardened to withstand greater than 5 x 10^{^4} grays (SI) (5 x 10^⁶ rad) without operational degradation and specially designed lenses used therein;

(d) Casks designed for transportation or storage of nuclear reactor fuel or irradiated fuel elements.

 

INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT AND MACHINE TOOLS

50. *Rotor fabrication and assembly equipment and bellows forming mandrels and dies, as follows:

50.1 Rotor assembly equipment for assembly of rotor tube sections, baffles, and end caps including associated precision mandrels, clamps and shrink fit machines;

50.2. Rotor straightening equipment for alignment of rotor tube sections to a common axis;

NOTE:
Normally such equipment will consist of precision measuring probes linked to a computer that subsequently controls the action of, for example, pneumatic rams used for aligning the rotor tube sections.

50.3. Bellows forming mandrels and dies for producing single-convolution bellows i.e., bellows made of high strength aluminum alloys, maraging steel or high-strength filamentary materials. The bellows have all of the following dimensions:

(a) 75 mm to 400 mm (3 in to 16 in ) inside diameter;

(b) 12.7 mm (0.5 in) or more in length; and

(c) Single convolution depth more than 2 mm (0.08 in)

51. *Centrifugal balancing machines

Centrifugal multi-plane balancing machines, fixed or portable, horizontal or vertical, as follows; and specially designed software therefor:

51.1 Centrifugal balancing machines designed for balancing flexible rotors having a length of 400 mm or more and having all the following characteristics:

(a) A swing or journal diameter of 75 mm or more;

(b) Mass capability of from 0.9 to 23 kg; and

(c) Capable of balancing speed of revolution more that 5000 rpm;

51.2. Centrifugal balancing machines designed for balancing hollow cylindrical rotor components and having all the following characteristics:

(a) A journal diameter of 75 mm or more;

(b) Mass capability of from 0.9 to 23 kg;

(c) Capable of balancing to a residual imbalance of 0.010 kg mm/kg per plane or better; and

(d) Belt drive type.

52. *Filament winding machines (SC IV)

Filament winding machines in which the motions for positioning, wrapping and winding fibers are coordinated and programmed in two or more axes, specially designed to fabricate composite structures or laminates from fibrous or filamentary materials and capable of winding cylindrical rotors of diameter between 75 mm and 400 mm and lengths of 400 mm or greater; coordinating and programming controls therefor; precision mandrels; and specially designed software therefor.

53. Spin-forming and flow-forming machines (SC IV)

Spin-forming and flow-forming machines and precision rotor-forming mandrels designed to form cylindrical rotors of inside diameter between 75 mm and 400 mm; and specially designed software therefor, which:

53.1. According to the manufacturer's technical specification, can be equipped with numerical control units or a computer control; and

53.2. Have two or more axes that can be coordinated simultaneously for contouring control.

NOTE:
The only spin-forming machines included into this entry are those combining the function of spin-forming and flow-forming.

54. Dimensional inspection machines

Dimensional inspection machines, devices or systems, as follows, and specially designed software therefor.

54.1. Computer controlled or numerically controlled dimensional inspection machines having both of the following characteristics:

(a) Two or more axes; and

(b) A one-dimensional length measurement uncertainty equal to or less (better) than (6 ± L/1000) Mm (L is the measured length in millimeters) (Ref.VDI/VDE 2617 parts 1 and 2).

54.2. Linear and angular displacement measuring devices, as follows:

(a) Linear measuring instruments having any of the following characteristics:

(i) Non-contact type measuring systems with a "resolution" equal to or less (better) than 0.2 Mm within a measuring range up to 0.2 mm; or

(ii) Linear voltage differential transformer (LVDT) systems having both of the following characteristics:

(A) Linearity equal to or less (better) than 0.1% within a measuring range up to 5 mm; and

(B) Drift equal to or less (better) than 0.1% per day at a standard ambient test room temperature ± 1K; or

(iii) Measuring systems that have both of the following characteristics:

(A) Contain a laser; and

(B) Maintain for at least 12 hours, over a temperature range of ± 1K around a standard temperature and a standard pressure:

(I) A resolution over their full scale of 0.1 Mm or better; and

(II) A "measurement uncertainty" equal to or less (better) than (0.2 ±L/2000) Mm (L is the measured length in millimeters); except measuring interferometer systems, without closed or open loop feedback, containing a laser to measure slide movement errors of machine tools, dimensional inspection machines, or similar equipment;

(b) Angular measuring instruments having an angular position deviation equal to or less (better) than 0.00025;

NOTE:
This item does not include optical instruments, such as autocollimators, using collimated light to detect angular displacement of a mirror.

(c) Systems for simultaneous linear-angular inspection of hemishells, having both of the following characteristics:

(i) "Measurement uncertainty" along any linear axis equal to or less (better) than 3.5 Mm per 5 mm; and

(ii) Angular position deviation equal to or less than 0.02.

NOTE:
Specially designed software for the systems described in paragraph (c) of this item includes software for simultaneous measurement of wall thickness and contour.

TECHNICAL NOTE 1:
Machine tools that can be used as measuring machines are included if they meet or exceed the criteria specified for the machine tool function or the measuring machine function.

TECHNICAL NOTE 2:
A machine described in paragraph 54 is included if it exceeds the control threshold anywhere within its operating range.

TECHNICAL NOTE 3:
The probe used in determining the "measurement uncertainty" of a dimensional inspection system shall be as described in VDI/VDE 2617 parts 2, 3 and 4.

TECHNICAL NOTE 4:
All parameters of measurement values in this item represent plus/minus, i.e. not total band.

"Measurement uncertainty"
The characteristic parameter which specifies in what range around the output value the correct value of the measurable variable lies with a confidence level of 95%. It includes the uncorrected systematic deviations, the uncorrected backlash, and the random deviations (Reference: VDI/VDE 2617).

"Resolution"
The least increment of a measuring device; on digital instruments, the least significant bit (Reference:ANSI B-89.1.12).

"Linearity"
(Usually measured in terms of non-linearity) is the maximum deviation of the actual characteristic (average of upscale and downscale readings), positive or negative, from a straight line so positioned as to equalize and minimize the maximum deviations.

"Angular position deviation"
The maximum difference between angular position and the actual, very accurately measured angular position after the workpiece mount of the table has been turned out of its initial position. (Reference: VD1/VDE 2617. Draft: "Rotary table on coordinate measuring machines").

55. Electron beam welding machines

Electron beam welding machines with a chamber of 0.5 m³ or more

.56. Plasma spray systems

Plasma spray systems, atmospheric or vacuum.

57. Oxidation furnaces

Vacuum oxidation furnaces with all of the following characteristics:

(a) Having a steam supply capable of introducing slightly superheated steam into the bottom of the furnace at a controlled rate;

(b) Capable of containing a retort of working diameter of 600 mm or more and a workable height of 1200 mm or more; and

(c) Having a radiant heater to uniformly heat the retort to a temperature of 673 K (400^oC) or more.

TECHNICAL NOTE:
Oxidation furnaces are used to deposit a controlled oxide layer on the surface of the centrifuge components made from maraging steel.

58. High temperature furnaces

58.1. *Vacuum or controlled environment (inert gas) induction furnaces capable of operation above 1123 K (850oC) and having induction coils 600 mm or less in diameter, and power supplies specially designed for induction furnaces with a power supply of 5 kW or more

TECHNICAL NOTE:
This entry does not include furnaces designed for the processing of semiconductor wafers.

58.2. *Vacuum or controlled environment metallurgical melting and casting furnaces as follows; and specifically configured computer control and monitoring systems and specially designed software therefor:

(a) Arc remelt and casting furnaces with consumable electrode capacities between 1000 cm³ and 20,000 cm³ and capable of operating with melting temperatures above 1973 K (1700C); and

(b) Electron beam melting and plasma atomization and melting furnaces with a power of 50 kW or greater and capable of operating with melting temperatures above 1473 K (1200C).

59. Isostatic presses (cold and hot) (SC IV)

Isostatic presses capable of achieving a maximum working pressure of 69 MPa or greater and having a chamber cavity with an inside diameter in excess of 152 mm; and specially designed dies and molds, components, accessories and controls; and specially designed software therefor.

TECHNICAL NOTE 1:
Isostatic presses are presses capable of pressurizing a closed cavity through various media (gas, liquid, solid particles) to create equal pressure in all directions within the cavity upon a workpiece of material.

TECHNICAL NOTE 2:
The inside chamber dimension is that of the chamber in which both the working temperature and the working pressure are achieved and does not include fixtures. That dimension is smaller of either the inside diameter of the pressure chamber or the inside diameter of the insulated furnace chamber, depending on which of the two chambers is located inside the other.

60. Machine tools (SC IV)

60.1. Numerical control units, specially designed motion control boards for numerical control applications on machine tools, numerically controlled machine tools, specially designed software, and related technology. Detailed specifications of the equipment are set out in the Appendix to Annex 3.

60.2. *Turning, milling and grinding machines having any of the following characteristics:

(a) Vacuum chucks suitable for holding hemispherical parts;

(b) Machines installed within glove boxes or equivalent containment facilities; and

(c) Explosion-proofing features.

61. Vibration test equipment (SC IV)

Vibration test systems, equipment, components and software therefor, as follows:

61.1. Vibration test systems, employing feedback or closed loop control techniques and incorporating a digital controller, capable of vibrating a system at 10 g RMS or more anywhere in the range 20 Hz to 2000 Hz and imparting forces of 50 kN (11,250 lbs), measured 'bare table', or greater;

61.2. Digital controllers, combined with "specially designed software" for vibration testing, with a real-time bandwidth greater than 5 kHz and being designed for use with the systems controlled in 61.1.above;

61.3. Vibration thrusters (shaker units), with or without associated amplifiers, capable of imparting a force of 50 kN (11,250 lbs), measured "bare table", or greater, which are usable for the systems controlled in 61.1.above;

61.4. Test piece support structures and electronic units designed to combine multiple shaker units into a complete shaker system capable of providing an effective combined force of 50 kN, measured 'bare table', or greater, which are usable for the systems controlled in 61.1 above.

EXPLANATORY NOTE:
The term 'bare table' refers to a flat table or surface with no fixtures or fittings.

61.5. "Specially designed software" for use with the systems controlled in 61.1.above or for the electronic units controlled in 61.4.above.

62. "Robots" and "end-effectors" having any of the following characteristics; and specially designed controllers and software therefor:

62.1. Specially designed to comply with national safety standards applicable to explosive environments (for example, meeting electrical code ratings for explosive environments);

62.2. Specially designed or rated as radiation hardened to withstand greater than 5 x 10^4 grays (5 x 10^6 rad) without operational degradation.

NOTE:
See Appendix to Annex 3 for definitions.

IMPLOSION SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT EQUIPMENT

63. *Specialized equipment for hydrodynamic experiments, as follows:

63.1. Velocity interferometers for measuring velocities in excess of 1 km per second during time intervals less than 10s (VISARs, Doppler laser interferometers, DLIs, etc.);

63.2. Manganin gauges for pressures greater than 100 kilobars;

63.3. Quartz pressure transducers for pressures greater than 100 kilobars;

63.4. Pindomes; or

63.5. Schliering systems for measuring the density variations in an explosion.

64. Flash X-ray equipment

Flash X-ray generators or pulsed electron accelerators with peak energy of 500 keV or greater as follows, except accelerators that are component parts of devices designed for purposes other than electron beam or x-ray radiation (electron microscopy, for example) and those designed for medical purposes:

64.1. Having an accelerator peak electron energy of 500 keV or greater, but less than 25 MeV and with a figure of merit (K) of 0.25 or greater, where K is defined as:

K=1.7 x 10^³ V ^{^2.65} Q

where V is the peak electron energy in million electron volts and Q is the total accelerated charge in coulombs if the accelerator beam pulse duration is less than or equal to 1 µs; if the accelerator beam pulse duration is greater than 1 µs, Q is the maximum accelerated charge in 1 µs [Q equals the integral of i with respect to t, over the lesser of 1 µs or the time duration of the beam pulse (Q = (integral)idt), where i is the beam current in amperes and t is the time in seconds] or,

64.2. Having an accelerator peak electron energy of 25 MeV or greater and a peak power greater than 50 MW. [Peak power = (peak potential in volts) x (peak beam current in amperes).]

TECHNICAL NOTE:
Time duration of the beam pulse In machines, based on microwave accelerating cavities, the time duration of the beam pulse is the lesser of 1 µs or the duration of the bunched beam packet resulting from one microwave modulator pulse.

Peak beam current In machines based on microwave accelerating cavities, the peak beam current is the average current in the time duration of a bunched beam packet.

65. *Gun systems

Multistage gas guns or other high-velocity gun systems (coil, electromagnetic, electrothermal, or other advanced systems) capable of accelerating projectiles to 2 km per second or greater.

66. *Mechanical rotating mirror cameras

Mechanical framing cameras with recording rates greater than 225,000 frames per second; streak cameras with writing speeds greater than 0.5 mm per microsecond; and parts and accessories thereof, including synchronizing electronics specially designed for this purpose and specially designed rotor assemblies (consisting of turbines, mirrors, and bearings).

67. *Electronic streak and framing cameras and tubes as follows:

67.1. Electronic streak cameras capable of 50 Ns or less time resolution and streak tubes therefor;

67.2. Electronic (or electronically shuttered) framing cameras capable of 50 Ns less frame exposure time including single frame cameras;

67.3. Framing tubes and solid-state imaging devices for use with cameras controlled in 67.2 above, as follows:

(a) proximity focused image intensifier tubes having the photocathode deposited on a transparent conductive coating to decrease photocathode sheet resistance;

(b) gate silicon intensifier target (SIT) vidicon tubes, where a fast system allows gating the photoelectons from the photocathode before they impinge on the SIT plate;

(c) Kerr or pockel cell electro-optical shuttering; or

(d) Other framing tubes and solid-state imaging devices having a fast-image gating time of less than 50 Ns specially designed for cameras controlled in 67.2 above.

68. *Computer codes for nuclear explosives

Hydrodynamics codes, neutronic codes, photon transport codes and/or equation-of-state and related nuclear data and opacity files usable for calculating implosion or gun type weapons.

NOTE:
These items include software, equations or data in any form usable for calculating implosion or gun type weapons.

69. Detonators and multi-point initiator systems

Detonators and multipoint initiation systems:

69.1. Electrically driven explosive detonators as follows:

(a) Exploding bridge (EB);

(b) Exploding bridge wire (EBW);

(c) Slapper; and

(d) Exploding foil initiators (EFI).

69.2. Arrangements using single or multiple detonators designed to nearly simultaneously initiate an explosive surface (over greater than 5000 mm^²) from a single firing signal (with an initiation timing spread over the surface of less than 2.5 µs).

TECHNICAL NOTE:
The detonators of concern all utilize a small electrical conductor (bridge, bridge wire, or foil) that explosively vaporizes when a fast, high-current electrical pulse is passed through it. In non-slapper types, the exploding conductor starts a chemical detonation in a contacting high-explosive material such as PETN (pentaerythritoltetranitrate). In slapper detonators, the explosive vaporization of the electrical conductor drives a "flyer" or "slapper" across a gap, and the impact of the slapper on the explosive starts a chemical detonation . The slapper in some designs is driven by magnetic force. The term "exploding foil" detonator may refer to either an EB or a slapper-type detonator. Also, the word "initiator" is sometimes used in place of the word "detonator".

Detonators using only primary explosives, such as lead azide, are not subject to control.

70. *Explosive lenses

Explosive lenses designed to uniformly initiate the detonation of the surface of a high explosive charge.

71. *Firing sets and equivalent high-current pulse generators (for controlled detonators)

71.1. Explosive detonator firing sets designed to drive multiple controlled detonators covered under item 69 above;

71.2. Modular electrical pulse generators (pulsers) designed for portable, mobile or ruggedized use (including xenon flashlamp drivers), with the following characteristics:

(a) Capable of delivering their energy in less than 15 microseconds;

(b) Having an output greater than 100 A;

(c) Having a rise time of less that 10 microseconds into loads of less than 40 ohms. (Rise time is defined as the time interval from 10% to 90% current amplitude when driving a resistive load);

(d) Enclosed in a dust-tight enclosure;

(e) No dimension greater than 25.4 cm (10 in );

(f) Weight less than 25 kg (55 LB); and

(g) Specified for use over an extended temperature range (-50^oC to 100^oC) or specified as suitable for aerospace use.

72. Switching devices, as follows:

72.1. Cold-cathode tubes (including gas krytron tubes and vacuum sprytron tubes), whether gas filled or not, operating similarly to a spark gap, containing three or more electrodes, and having all of the following characteristics:

(a) Anode peak voltage rating of 2500 V or more;

(b) Anode peak current rating of 100 A or more; and

(c) Anode delay time of 10 microseconds or less;

72.2. Triggered spark-gaps having an anode delay time of 15 microseconds or less and rated for a peak current of 500 A or more;

72.3. Modules or assemblies with a fast switching function having all of the following characteristics:

(a) Anode peak voltage rating greater than 2000V;

(b) Anode peak current rating of 500 A or more; and

(c) Turn-on time of 1 s or less.

73. Capacitors with either of the following sets of characteristics:

73.1. Voltage rating greater than 1.4 kV, energy storage greater than 10J, capacitance greater than 0.5 µF, and series inductance less than 50 NH; or

73.2. Voltage rating greater than 750 V, capacitance greater than 0.25 µF, and series inductance less than 10 NH

74. High explosives (SC IV)

High explosive, in any form, including shells and hollow spheres, as follows:

74.1. Cyclotetramethylenetetranitroamine (HMX);

74.2. Cyclotrimethylenetrinitroamine (RDX);

74.3. Triaminotrinitrobenzene (TATB);

74.4. Pentaerythritoltetranitrate (PETN); except when contained in pharmaceuticals;

74.5. Hexanitrostilbene (HNS), except when contained in pharmaceuticals; and

74.6. Any explosive with a crystal density greater than 1.8 g/cm³ and having a detonation velocity greater than 8000 m/s.

OTHER EQUIPMENT

75. Crucibles, as follows:

75.1. *Crucibles made of any of the following materials

(a) Calcium fluoride (CaF₂);

(b) Calcium zirconate (metazirconate) (Ca₂ZrO₃);

(c) Cerium sulfide (Ce₂S₃);

(d) Erbium oxide (erbia) (Er₂O₃);

(e) Hafnium oxide (hafnia) (HfO₂);

(f) Magnesium oxide (MgO);

(g) Nitrided niobium-titanium-tungsten alloy (approximately 50% Nb, 30% Ti, 20%W);

(h) Yttrium oxide (yttria) (Y₂O₃); or

(i) Zirconium oxide (zirconia) (ZrO₂);

75.2. *Crucibles made of or lined with tantalum, having a purity of 99.9% or greater;

75.3. *Crucibles made of or lined with tantalum (having a purity of 98% or greater) coated with tantalum carbide, nitride or boride (or any combination of these)

76. Alpha sources

Alpha-emitting radionuclides, as follows; and equipment containing such alpha-emitting radionuclides

(a) Radionuclides, including compounds and mixtures, which:

(i) Have an half-life of 10 days or greater, but less than 200 years; and

(ii) Have a total alpha activity of 37 Gbq per kilogram (1 curie per kilogram) or greater; except: devices containing less than 100 millicuries (3.7 Gbq) of alpha activity per device;

(b) Radium-226 in any form;

except:
when contained in medical applicators

77. Neutron generator systems

77.1. *Neutron generator systems, including tubes, designed for operation without an external vacuum system and utilizing electrostatic acceleration to induce a tritium-deuterium reaction, capable of producing more that 3x10^3 neutron/ms.

77.2. Neutron generator systems to utilize dense plasma focus for deuterium-deuterium or tritium-deuterium reaction.

78. Electronic digital computers (SC IV)

Electronic digital computers with a composite theoretical performance (CTP) of 12.5 million theoretical operations per second (Mtops) or greater

except:
computers essential for medical applications and incorporated in equipment or systems designed or modified for identifiable and dedicated medical applications.

79. Electronic equipment for time delay generation or time interval measurement, as follows:

79.1. Digital time delay generators with a resolution of 50 nanoseconds or less over time intervals of 1 microsecond or greater;

79.2. Multi-channel (three or more) or modular time interval meter and chronometry equipment with time resolution less than 50 nanoseconds over time ranges greater than 1 microsecond.

80. Oscilloscopes

Oscilloscopes and transient recorders as follows; and specially designed components therefor:

80.1. Non-modular analog oscilloscopes having a bandwidth of 1 GHz or greater;

80.2. Modular analog oscilloscope systems having either of the following characteristics;

(a) A mainframe with a bandwidth of 1 GHz or greater; or

(b) Plug-in modules with an individual bandwidth of 4 GHz or greater.

80.3. Analog sampling oscilloscopes for the analysis of recurring phenomena with an effective bandwidth greater than 4 GHz;

80.4. Digital oscilloscopes and transient recorders, using analog-to digital conversion techniques, capable of storing transients by sequentially sampling single-shot inputs at successive intervals of less than 1 Ns (greater than 1 giga-sample per second), digitizing to 8 bits or greater resolution and storing 256 or more samples.

NOTE 1:
Specially designed components for analog oscilloscopes, are:
(i) Plug-in units;
(ii) External amplifiers;
(iii) Pre-amplifiers;
(iv) Sampling devices; and
(v) Cathode ray tubes;

NOTE 2:
"Bandwidth" is defined as the band of frequencies over which the deflection on the cathode ray tube does not fall below 70.7% of that at the maximum point measured with a constant input voltage to the oscilloscope amplifier.

81. High-speed pulse generators

High-speed pulse generators with output voltages greater than 6 V into a less than 55-ohm resistive load, and with pulse transition times less than 500 Ps (defined as the time interval between 10% and 90% voltage amplitude).

82. Pulse amplifiers

Pulse amplifiers with gain greater than 6 decibels and with a baseband bandwidth greater than 500 megahertz (having the low frequency half-power point at less than 1 MHz and the high frequency half-powered point greater than 500 MHz) and output voltage greater than 2 volts into 55 ohms or less (this corresponds to an output greater than 16 dBm in a 50 ohm system).

83. Photomultiplier tubes

Photomultiplier tubes,with the following characteristics; a photocathode area of greater than 20 cm²; and an anode pulse rise time of less than 1 Ns

84. Frequency changers

Frequency changers (also known as converters or invertors), other than those specified in item 23.4, having all of the following characteristics:

(a) A multiphase output capable of providing a power of 40W or more;

(b) Capable of operating in the frequency range between 600 and 2000 Hz;

(c) Total harmonic distortion below 10%; and

(d) Frequency control better than 0.1%.

APPENDIX TO ANNEX 3:
Detailed Specifications for Machine Tools

Numerical control units, specially designed motion control boards for numerical control applications on machine tools, numerically controlled machine tools, specially designed software, and technology as follows:

1. Numerical control units for machine tools, as follows:

1.1. Having more than four interpolating axes that can be coordinated simultaneously for contouring control or

1.2. Having two, three, or four interpolating axes that can be coordinated simultaneously for contouring control and when or more of the following conditions are fulfilled:

(a) Capable of real-time processing of data to modify the tool path during the machining operation by automatic calculation and modification of part program data for machining in two or more axes by means of measuring cycles and access to source data;

(b) Capable of receiving directly (on-line) and processing computer-aided design (CAD) data for internal preparation of machine instructions; or

(c) Capable, without modification, according to the manufacturer's technical specifications, of accepting additional boards that would permit increasing the number of interpolating axes that can be coordinated simultaneously for contouring control, above the control levels, even if they do not contain these additional boards;

2. Motion control boards specially designed for machine tools having one or more of the following characteristics:

2.1 Providing interpolation in more than four axes;

2.2. Capable of real time processing described in 1.2.(a) above; or

2.3. Capable of receiving and processing CAD data as described in 1.2.(b) above.

3. Machine tools, as follows, for removing or cutting metals, ceramics, or composites, which, according to the manufacturer's technical specifications, can be equipped with electronic devices for simultaneous contouring control in two or more axes:

3.1 Machine tools for turning, grinding, milling, or any combination thereof that:

(a) Have two or more axes that can be coordinated simultaneously for contouring control; and

(b) Have any of the following characteristics;

(A) Two or more contouring rotary axes;

(B) One or more contouring tilting spindles;

(C) Camming (axial displacement) in one revolution of the spindle less (better) than 0.0008 mm total indicator reading (TIR);

(D) Run out (out-of-true running) in one revolution of the spindle less (better) than 0.0006 mm TIR for grinding or milling machines, 0.0008 mm TIR for turning machines;

(E) The positioning accuracies, with all compensations available, are less (better) than;

(i) 0.001o on any rotary axis;

(ii)

(I) 0.004 mm along any linear axis (overall positioning) for grinding machines;

(II) 0.006 mm along any linear axis (overall positioning) for milling machines; and

(III) 0.010 mm along any linear axis (overall positioning) for turning machines;

(F) Capable of turning or boring of diameters equal or greater than 2 meters;

3.2. Electrical discharge machines (EDM);

(a) Of the wire feed type that have five or more axes that can be coordinated simultaneously for contouring control;

(b) Non-wire EDMs that have two or more contouring rotary axes and that can be coordinated simultaneously for contouring control.

3.3. Other machine tools for removing metals, ceramics, or composites;

(a) By means of:

(A) Water or other liquid jets, including those employing abrasive additives;

(B) Electron beam; or

(C) Laser beam; and

(b) Having two or more rotary axes that:

(A) Can be coordinated simultaneously for contouring control; and

(1) Have a positioning accuracy of less (better) than 0.003°.

4. Software

4.1. Software specially designed or modified for the development, production, or use of equipment controlled in sub-categories 1, 2, or 3 above:

4.2. Specific software as follows;

(a) Software to provide adaptive control and having both of the following characteristics:

(A) For flexible manufacturing units (FMUs) that consist at least of equipment described in (b) (A) and (b) (B) of the definition of flexible manufacturing units; and

(B) Capable of generating or modifying in real time processing, part program data by using the signals obtained simultaneously by means of at least two detection techniques, such as:

(i) Machine vision (optical ranging);

(ii) Infrared imaging;

(iii) Acoustical imaging (acoustical ranging);

(iv) Tactile measurement;

(v) Inertial positioning;

(vi) Force measurement;

(vii) Torque measurement;

(b) Software for electronic devices other than those controlled in items 1 or 2 that provides the numerical control capability of the equipment controlled in item 60.1 of Annex 3.

5. Technology

5.1. Technology for the development of equipment controlled in items 1, 2, or 3 above, 6 or 7 below; and of item 4.

5.2. Technology for the production of equipment controlled in items 1, 2, or 3 above, 6 or 7 below;

5.3. Other technology

(a) For the development of interactive graphics as an integrated part in numerical control units for preparation or modification of part programs;

(b) For the development of integration software for incorporation of expert systems for advanced decision support of shop floor operations into numerical control units;

6. Components and parts for machine tools included in item 3 as follows;

6.1. Spindle assemblies, consisting of spindles and bearings as a minimal assembly, with radial (run out) or axial (camming) axis motion in one revolution of the spindle less (better) than 0.0008 mm TIR;

6.2. Linear position feedback units (e.g. inductive-type devices, graduated scales, laser, or infrared systems) having with compensation, an overall accuracy better than 800 + (600 x L x 10^-3) NM, where L equals the effective length in millimetres of the linear measurement; except measuring interferometer systems, without closed or open loop feedback, containing a laser to measure slide movement errors of machine tools, dimensional inspection machines, or similar equipment; and

6.3. Rotary position feedback units (e.g. inductive-type devices, graduated scales, laser, or infrared systems) having, with compensation, an accuracy less (better) than 0.00025° of arc; except measuring interferometer systems, without closed or open loop feedback, containing a laser to measure slide movement errors of machine tools, dimensional inspection machines, or similar equipment;

6.4. Slide way assemblies consisting of a minimal assembly of ways, bed, and slide having all of the following characteristics:

(a) A yaw, pitch, or roll of less (better) than 2 seconds of arc TIR (Ref.ISO/DIS 230-1 over full travel);

(b) A horizontal straightness of less (better) than 2 µm per 300 mm length; and

(c) A vertical straightness of less (better) than 2 µm over full travel per 300mm length;

6.5 Single point diamond-cutting tool inserts having all of the following characteristics:

(a) A flawless and chip-free cutting edge when magnified 400 times in any direction;

(b) A cutting radius out-of-roundness less (better) than 0.002 mm TIR (also peak-to-peak); and

(c) A cutting radius between 0.1 and 5.0 mm inclusive.

7. Specially designed components or subassemblies, as follows, capable of upgrading, according to the manufacturer's specifications, numerical control units, motion control boards, machine tools, or feedback devices to or above the levels described in items 1, 2, 3, 6.2, 6.3:

7.1. Printed circuit boards with mounted components and software therefor;

7.2. Compound rotary tables.

Technical Note: Definitions of Terms:

i. "accuracy" - Usually measured in terms of inaccuracy, defined as the maximum deviation, positive or negative, of an indicated value from an accepted standard of true value.

Ii "adaptive control" - a control system that adjusts the response from conditions detected during the operation (Ref.ISO 2806-1980).

iii. "camming" (axial displacement) - Axial displacement in one revolution of the main spindle measured in a plane perpendicular to the spindle faceplate at a point next to the circumference of the spindle faceplate (Ref.ISO 230 Part 11986, paragraph 5.63).

iv. "compound rotary table" - A table allowing the workpiece to rotate and tilt about two non-parallel axes, which can be coordinated simultaneously for contouring control.

v. "contouring control" - Two or more numerically controlled motions operating in accordance with instructions that specify the next required position and the required feed rates to that position. These feed rates are varied in relation to each other so that a desired contour is generated (Ref.ISO/DIS 2806-1980).

vi. "digital computer" - Equipment which can, in the form of one or more discrete variables:

a. Accept data:

b. Store data or instructions in fixed or alterable (writable) storage devices;

c. Process data by means of a stored sequence of instructions which is modifiable; and

d. Provide output of data.

N.B. Modifications of a stored sequence of instructions include replacement of fixed storage devices, but not a physical change in wiring or interconnections.

vii. "flexible manufacturing unit" (FMU) (sometimes also referred to as "flexible manufacturing system" (FMS) or "flexible manufacturing cell" (FMC))

An entity which includes a combination of at least:

a. A digital computer including its own main storage and its own related equipment; and

b. Two or more of the following:

(A) A machine tool described in Annex 3 paragraph 61

(B) A dimensional inspection machine described in Annex 3 paragraph 52

(C) A robot described in Annex 3 paragraph 61

(D) Digitally controlled equipment described in Annex 3 paragraph 51

viii. "laser" - an assembly of components which produce coherent light that is amplified by stimulated emission of radiation.

ix. "main storage" - The primary storage for data or instructions for rapid access by a central processing unit. It consists of the internal storage of a digital computer and any hierarchical extension thereto, such as cache storage or nonsequentially accessed extended storage.

x. "microprogram" - A sequence of elementary instructions, maintained in a special storage, the execution of which is initiated by the introduction of its reference instruction into an instruction register.

xi. "motion control board" - An electronic assembly specially designed to provide a computer system with the capability to coordinate simultaneously the motion of axes of machine tools for contouring control.

xii. "numerical control". The automatic control of a process performed by a device that makes use of numeric data usually introduced as the operation is in progress (Ref.ISO 2382).

xiii. "part program" - An ordered set of instructions in a language and in a format required to cause operations to be effected under automatic control, which is either written in the form of a machine program on an input medium or prepared as input data for processing in a computer to obtain a machine program (Ref.ISO 2806-1980).

xiv. "positioning accuracy" -Of numerically controlled machine tools is to be determined and presented in conjunction with the requirements below:

a. Test conditions (ISO/DIS/230/2 paragraph 3):

(A) For 12 hours before and during measurements, the machine tool and accuracy measuring equipment will be kept at the same ambient temperature. During the premeasurement time, the slides of the machine will be continuously cycled identically to the way they will be cycled during the accuracy measurements;

(B) The machine shall be equipped with any mechanical, electronic, or software compensation to be exported with the machine;

(C) Accuracy of measuring equipment for the measurements shall be at least four times more accurate than the expected machine tool accuracy;

(D) Power supply for slide drives shall be as follows:

(I) Line voltage variation shall not be greater than ± 10% of nominal rated voltage;

(II) Frequency variation shall not be greater than ± 2 Hz of normal frequency;

(III) Lineouts of interrupted service are not permitted.

b. Test program (ISO/DIS/230/2 paragraph 4):

(A) Feed rate (velocity of slides) during measurement shall be the rapid traverse rate:

N.B.: In the case of machine tools which generate optical quality surfaces, the feed rate shall be equal to or less than 50mm per minute;

(B) Measurements shall be made in an incremental manner from one limit of the axis travel to the other without returning to the starting position for each move to the target position;

(C) Axes not being measured shall be retained at mid-travel during test of an axis.

c. Presentation of test results (ISO/DIS/230/2 paragraph 2); The results of the measurements must include:

(A) Positioning accuracy (A) and

(B) The mean reversal error (B).

xv. "program" - A sequence of instructions to carry out a process in, or convertible into, a form executable by an electronic computer.

xvi. "real-time processing" - Processing of data by an electronic computer in response to an external event according to time requirements imposed by the external event.

xvii. "robot" - A manipulation mechanism, which may be of the continuous path or of the point-to-point variety, may use sensors and has all the following characteristics:

a. Is multifunctional;

b. Is capable of positioning or orienting material, parts, tools or special devices through variable movements in three-dimensional space;

c. Incorporates three or more closed or open loop servo-devices which may include stepping motors; and

d. Has user-accessible programmability by means of teach/playback method or by means of an electronic computer which may be a programmable logic controller, i.e. without mechanical intervention

N.B. The above definition does not include the following devices:

a. Manipulation mechanisms which are only manually/teleoperator controllable;

b. Fixed sequence manipulation mechanisms which are automated moving devices, operating according to mechanically fixed programmed motions. The program is mechanically limited by fixed stops, such as pins or cams. The sequence of motions and the selection of paths or angles are not variable or changeable by mechanical, electronic or electrical means;

c. Mechanically controlled variable sequence manipulation mechanisms which are automated moving devices, operating according to mechanically fixed programmed motions. The program is mechanically limited by fixed, but adjustable, stops, such as pins or cams. The sequence of motions and the selection of paths or angles are variable within the fixed program pattern. Variations or modifications of the program pattern (e.g. changes of pins exchanges of cams) in one or more motion axes are accomplished only through mechanical operations;

d. Non-servo-controlled variable sequence manipulation mechanisms which are automated moving devices, operating according to mechanically fixed programmed motions. The program is variable, but the sequence proceeds only by the binary signal from mechanically fixed electrical binary devices or adjustable stops;

e. Stacker cranes defined as Cartesian coordinate manipulator systems manufactured as an integral part of a vertical array of storage bins and designed to access the contents of those bins for storage or retrieval.

f. Robots specially designed for nonnuclear industrial applications such as automobile paint-spraying booths.

xviii. "end effector" - end effectors include grippers, active tooling units, and any other tooling that is attached to the baseplate on the end of a robot manipulator arm.

xix. "run out" (out-of-true-running) - Radial displacement in one revolution of the main spindle measured in a plane perpendicular to the spindle axis at a point on the external or internal revolving surface to be tested (Ref. ISO 230 Part 1-1986, paragraph 5.61).

xx. "sensors" - Detectors of a physical phenomenon, the output of which (after conversion into a signal that can be interpreted by a controller) is able to generate programs or modify programmed instructions or numerical program data. This includes sensors with machine vision, infrared imaging, acoustical imaging, tactile feel, inertial position measuring, optical or acoustic ranging or force or torque measuring capabilities.

xxi. "software" - A collection of one or more programs or microprograms fixed in any tangible medium of expression.

xxii. "tilting spindle" - A tool-holding spindle that, during the machining process, alters the angular position of its center line with respect to any other axis.

xxiii. "user-accessible programmability" The facility allowing a user to insert, modify or replace programs by means other than:

a. A physical change in wiring or interconnections; or

b. The setting of function controls including entry of parameters.