0B001 Plant for the separation of isotopes of “natural uranium”, “depleted uranium” and “special fissile materials”, and specially designed or prepared equipment and components therefor, other than analytical instruments, as follows:
a. Plant specially designed for separating isotopes of “natural uranium”, “depleted uranium”, and “special fissile materials”, as follows:
b. Gas centrifuges and assemblies and components, specially designed or prepared for gas centrifuge separation process, as follows:
Note: In 0B001.b. ‘high strength‑to‑density ratio material’ means any material with a high strength‑to‑density ratio, including any of the following:
a. Maraging steel capable of an ultimate tensile strength of 1.95 GPa or more;
b. Aluminium alloys capable of an ultimate tensile strength of 0.46 GPa or more; or
c. Filamentary materials suitable for use in composite structures and having a “specific modulus” of 3.18 x 106 m or greater and a “specific tensile strength” of 7.62 x 104 m or greater;
1. Gas centrifuges;
2. Complete rotor assemblies;
3. Rotor tube cylinders with a wall thickness of 12 mm or less, a diameter of between 75 mm and 650 mm, made from ‘high strength‑to‑density ratio materials’;
4. Rings or bellows with a wall thickness of 3 mm or less and a diameter of between 75 mm and 650 mm and designed to give local support to a rotor tube or to join a number together, made from ‘high strength‑to‑density ratio materials’;
5. Baffles of between 75 mm and 650 mm diameter for mounting inside a rotor tube, made from ‘high strength‑to‑density ratio materials’;
6. Top or bottom caps of between 75 mm and 650 mm diameter to fit the ends of a rotor tube, made from ‘high strength‑to‑density ratio materials’;
7. Magnetic suspension bearings as follows:
a. Magnetic suspension bearings, specially designed or prepared, consisting of an annular magnet suspended within a housing made of or protected by “materials resistant to corrosion by UF6” containing a damping medium and having the magnet coupling with a pole piece or second magnet fitted to the top cap of the rotor;
b. Active magnetic bearings specially designed or prepared for use in gas centrifuges.
Note: Bearings specified by 0B001.b.7.b. usually have the following characteristics:
Designed to keep centered a rotor spinning at 600 Hz or more; and
Associated to a reliable electrical power supply and/or to an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) unit in order to function for more than one hour.
8. Specially designed or prepared bearings comprising a pivot‑cup assembly mounted on a damper;
9. Molecular pumps comprised of cylinders having internally machined or extruded helical grooves and internally machined bores;
10. Ring‑shaped motor stators for multiphase AC hysteresis (or reluctance) motors for synchronous operation within a vacuum at a frequency of 600 Hz or greater and a power of 40 VA or greater;
11. Centrifuge housing/recipients to contain the rotor tube assembly of a gas centrifuge, consisting of a rigid cylinder of wall thickness up to 30 mm with precision machined ends to locate the bearings and with one or more flanges for mounting;
12. Scoops consisting of specially designed or prepared tubes for the extraction of UF6 gas from within the rotor tube by a Pitot tube action and capable of being fixed to the central gas extraction system;
13. Frequency changers (converters or inverters) specially designed or prepared to supply motor stators for gas centrifuge enrichment, having both of the following characteristics, and specially designed components therefor:
a. A multiphase frequency output of 600 Hz or greater; and
b. High stability (with frequency control better than 0.2%);
14. Shut‑off and control valves as follows:
a. Shut‑off valves specially designed or prepared to act on the feed, product or tails UF6 gas streams of an individual gas centrifuge;
b. Bellows‑sealed valves, shut‑off or control, made of or protected by “materials resistant to corrosion by UF6”, with an inside diameter of 10 mm to 160 mm, specially designed or prepared for use in main or auxiliary systems of gas centrifuge enrichment plants;
c. Equipment and components, specially designed or prepared for gaseous diffusion separation process, as follows:
Gaseous diffusion barriers made of porous metallic, polymer or ceramic “materials resistant to corrosion by UF6” with a pore size of 10 to 100 nm, a thickness of 5 mm or less, and, for tubular forms, a diameter of 25 mm or less;
2. Gaseous diffuser housings made of or protected by “materials resistant to corrosion by UF6”;
3. Compressors or gas blowers with a suction volume capacity of 1 m3/min or more of UF6, discharge pressure up to 500 kPa and having a pressure ratio of 10:1 or less, and made of or protected by “materials resistant to corrosion by UF6”;
4. Rotary shaft seals for compressors or blowers specified by 0B001.c.3. and designed for a buffer gas in‑leakage rate of less than 1,000 cm3/min.;
5. Heat exchangers made of or protected by “materials resistant to corrosion by UF6”, and designed for a leakage pressure rate of less than 10 Pa per hour under a pressure differential of 100 kPa;
6. Bellows‑sealed valves, manual or automated, shut‑off or control, made of or protected by “materials resistant to corrosion by UF6”;
d. Equipment and components, specially designed or prepared for aerodynamic separation process, as follows:
1. Separation nozzles and assemblies thereof, consisting of slit‑shaped, curved channels having a radius of curvature less than 1 mm, resistant to corrosion by UF6, and having a knife‑edge contained within the nozzle which separates the gas flowing through the nozzle into two streams;
2. Cylindrical or conical tubes, (vortex tubes), made of or protected by “materials resistant to corrosion by UF6” and with one or more tangential inlets;
Note: Vortex tubes may be equipped with nozzle‑type appendages at either or both ends. 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.
3. Compressors or gas blowers made of or protected by “materials resistant to corrosion by UF6” / materials resistant to corrosion by carrier gas (hydrogen or helium) mixture.
4. Heat exchangers made of or protected by “materials resistant to corrosion by UF6”;
5. Separation element housings, made of or protected by “materials resistant to corrosion by UF6” to contain vortex tubes or separation nozzles;
6. Bellows‑sealed valves, manual or automated, shut‑off or control, made of or protected by “materials resistant to corrosion by UF6”, with a diameter of 40 mm or more;
7. Process systems for separating UF6 from carrier gas (hydrogen or helium) to 1 ppm UF6 content or less, including:
a. Cryogenic heat exchangers and cryoseparators capable of temperatures of 153K (‑120ºC) or less;
b. Cryogenic refrigeration units capable of temperatures of 153 K (‑120ºC) or less;
c. Separation nozzle or vortex tube units for the separation of UF6 from carrier gas;
d. UF6 cold traps capable of freezing out UF6;
8. Not used;
e. Equipment and components, specially designed or prepared for chemical exchange separation process, as follows:
1. Fast‑exchange liquid‑liquid pulse columns with stage residence time of 30 seconds or less and resistant to concentrated hydrochloric acid (e.g. made of or protected by suitable plastic materials such as fluorinated hydrocarbon polymers or glass);
Fast‑exchange liquid‑liquid centrifugal contactors with stage residence time of 30 seconds or less and resistant to concentrated hydrochloric acid (e.g. made of or protected by suitable plastic materials such as fluorinated hydrocarbon polymers or glass);
Electrochemical reduction cells resistant to concentrated hydrochloric acid solutions, for reduction of uranium from one valence state to another;
Electrochemical reduction cells feed equipment to take U+4 from the organic stream and, for those parts in contact with the process stream, made of or protected by suitable materials (e.g. glass, fluorocarbon polymers, polyphenyl sulphate, polyether sulfone and resin‑impregnated graphite);
Feed preparation systems for producing high purity uranium chloride solution consisting 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;
Uranium oxidation systems for oxidation of U+3 to U+4;
f. Equipment and components, specially designed or prepared for ion‑exchange separation process, as follows:
1. Fast reacting ion‑exchange resins, pellicular or porous macro‑reticulated resins 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 fibres, with diameters of 0.2 mm or less, resistant to concentrated hydrochloric acid and designed to have an exchange rate half‑time of less than 10 seconds and capable of operating at temperatures in the range of 373 K (100°C) to 473 K (200°C);
2. Ion exchange columns (cylindrical) with a diameter greater than 1,000 mm, made of or protected by materials resistant to concentrated hydrochloric acid (e.g. titanium or fluorocarbon plastics) and capable of operating at temperatures in the range of 373 K (100°C) to 473 K (200°C) and pressures above 0.7 MPa;
3. Ion exchange reflux systems (chemical or electrochemical oxidation or reduction systems) for regeneration of the chemical reducing or oxidising agents used in ion exchange enrichment cascades;
g. Equipment and components, specially designed or prepared for atomic vapour “laser” isotope separation process (AVLIS), as follows:
1. Uranium metal vaporization systems designed to achieve a delivered power of 1 kW or more on the target for use in laser enrichment;
2. Liquid or vapour uranium metal handling systems specially designed or prepared for handling molten uranium, molten uranium alloys or uranium metal vapour for use in laser enrichment, and specially designed components therefor;
N.B.: SEE ALSO 2A225.
3. Product and tails collector assemblies for uranium metal in liquid or solid form, made of or protected by materials resistant to the heat and corrosion of uranium metal vapour or liquid, such as yttria‑coated graphite or tantalum;
4. Separator module housings (cylindrical or rectangular vessels) for containing the uranium metal vapour source, the electron beam gun and the product and tails collectors;
5. “Lasers” or “laser” systems for the separation of uranium isotopes with a spectrum frequency stabiliser for operation over extended periods of time;
N.B.: SEE ALSO 6A005 AND 6A205.
h. Equipment and components, specially designed or prepared for laser‑based separation processes using molecular laser isotope separation, as follows:
1. Supersonic expansion nozzles for cooling mixtures of UF6 and carrier gas to 150 K (‑123°C ) or less and made from “materials resistant to corrosion by UF6”;
2. Product or tails collector components or devices specially designed or prepared for collecting uranium material or uranium tails material following illumination with laser light, made of “materials resistant to corrosion by UF6”;
3. Compressors made of or protected by “materials resistant to corrosion by UF6”, and rotary shaft seals therefor;
4. Equipment for fluorinating UF5 (solid) to UF6 (gas);
5. Process systems for separating UF6 from carrier gas (e.g. nitrogen, argon or other gas) including:
a. Cryogenic heat exchangers and cryoseparators capable of temperatures of 153 K (‑120°C) or less;
b. Cryogenic refrigeration units capable of temperatures of 153 K (‑120°C) or less;
c. UF6 cold traps capable of freezing out UF6;
6. “Lasers” or “laser” systems for the separation of uranium isotopes with a spectrum frequency stabiliser for operation over extended periods of time;
N.B.: SEE ALSO 6A005 AND 6A205.
7. Not used;
i. Equipment and components, specially designed or prepared for plasma separation process, as follows:
1. Microwave power sources and antennae for producing or accelerating ions, with an output frequency greater than 30 GHz and mean power output for ion production greater than 50 kW;
2. Radio frequency ion excitation coils for frequencies of more than 100 kHz and capable of handling more than 40 kW mean power;
3. Uranium plasma generation systems;
5. Product and tails collector assemblies for uranium metal in solid form, made of or protected by materials resistant to the heat and corrosion of uranium vapour such as yttria‑coated graphite or tantalum;
6. Separator module housings (cylindrical) for containing the uranium plasma source, radio‑frequency drive coil and the product and tails collectors and made of a suitable non‑magnetic material (e.g. stainless steel);
j. Equipment and components, specially designed or prepared for electromagnetic separation process, as follows:
1. Ion sources, single or multiple, consisting of a vapour source, ioniser, and beam accelerator made of suitable non‑magnetic materials (e.g. graphite, stainless steel, or copper) and capable of providing a total ion beam current of 50 mA or greater;
2. Ion collector plates for collection of enriched or depleted uranium ion beams, consisting of two or more slits and pockets and made of suitable non‑magnetic materials (e.g. graphite or stainless steel);
3. Vacuum housings for uranium electromagnetic separators made of non‑magnetic materials (e.g. stainless steel) and designed to operate at pressures of 0.1 Pa or lower;
4. Magnet pole pieces with a diameter greater than 2 m;
5. High voltage power supplies for ion sources, having all of the following characteristics:
a. Capable of continuous operation;
b. Output voltage of 20,000 V or greater;
c. Output current of 1 A or greater; and
d. Voltage regulation of better than 0.01% over a period of 8 hours;
N.B.: SEE ALSO 3A227.
6. Magnet power supplies (high power, direct current) having all of the following characteristics:
a. Capable of continuous operation with a current output of 500 A or greater at a voltage of 100 V or greater; and
b. Current or voltage regulation better than 0.01% over a period of 8 hours.
N.B.: SEE ALSO 3A226.
0B002 Specially designed or prepared auxiliary systems, equipment and components, as follows, for isotope separation plant specified by 0B001, made of or protected by “materials resistant to corrosion by UF6”:
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;
d. Product or tails stations used for transferring UF6 into containers;
e. Piping systems and header systems specially designed for handling UF6 within gaseous diffusion, centrifuge or aerodynamic cascades;
f. Vacuum systems and pumps as follows:
1. Vacuum manifolds, vacuum headers or vacuum pumps having a suction capacity of 5 m3 per minute or more;
2. Vacuum pumps specially designed for use in UF6 bearing atmospheres made of, or protected by, “materials resistant to corrosion by UF6”; or
3. Vacuum systems consisting of vacuum manifolds, vacuum headers and vacuum pumps, and designed for service in UF6‑bearing atmospheres;
g. Mass spectrometers capable of taking on‑line samples from UF6 gas streams and having all of the following characteristics:
1. Capable of measuring ions of 320 atomic mass units or greater and having a resolution of better than 1 part in 320;
2. Ion sources constructed of or protected by nickel, nickel‑copper alloys with a nickel content of 60% by weight or more, or nickel‑chrome alloys;
3. Electron bombardment ionisation sources; and
4. Having a collector system suitable for isotopic analysis.
0B003 Plant for the conversion of uranium and equipment specially designed or prepared therefor, as follows:
a. Systems for the conversion of uranium ore concentrates to UO3;
b. Systems for the conversion of UO3 to UF6;
c. Systems for the conversion of UO3 to UO2;
d. Systems for the conversion of UO2 to UF4;
e. Systems for the conversion of UF4 to UF6;
f. Systems for the conversion of UF4 to uranium metal;
g. Systems for the conversion of UF6 to UO2;
h. Systems for the conversion of UF6 to UF4;
i. Systems for the conversion of UO2 to UCl4.
0B004 Plant for the production or concentration of heavy water, deuterium and deuterium compounds and specially designed or prepared equipment and components therefor, as follows:
a. Plant for the production of heavy water, deuterium or deuterium compounds, as follows:
1. Water‑hydrogen sulphide exchange plants;
2. Ammonia‑hydrogen exchange plants;
b. Equipment and components, as follows:
1. Water‑hydrogen sulphide exchange towers with diameters 1.5 m or greater and capable of operating at pressures greater than or equal to 2 MPa (300 psi);
2. Single stage, low head (i.e. 0.2 MPa or 30 psi) centrifugal blowers or compressors for hydrogen sulphide gas circulation (i.e. gas containing more than 70% by weight hydrogen sulphide H2S) with a throughput capacity greater than or equal to 56 m3/second (120,000 SCFM) when operating at pressures greater than or equal to 1.8 MPa (260 psi) suction and having seals designed for wet H2S service;
3. 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);
4. Tower internals, including stage contactors, and stage pumps, including those which are submersible, for heavy water production utilising the ammonia‑hydrogen exchange process;
5. Ammonia crackers with operating pressures greater than or equal to 3 MPa (450 psi) for heavy water production utilising the ammonia‑hydrogen exchange process;
6. Infrared absorption analysers capable of on‑line hydrogen/deuterium ratio analysis where deuterium concentrations are equal to or greater than 90% by weight;
7. Catalytic burners for the conversion of enriched deuterium gas into heavy water utilising the ammonia‑hydrogen exchange process;
8. Complete heavy water upgrade systems, or columns therefor, for the upgrade of heavy water to reactor‑grade deuterium concentration;
9. Ammonia synthesis converters or synthesis units specially designed or prepared for heavy water production utilising the ammonia‑hydrogen exchange process.
0B005 Plant for the fabrication of “nuclear reactor” fuel elements and specially designed or prepared equipment therefor.
Note: A plant for the fabrication of “nuclear reactor” fuel elements includes equipment which:
a. Normally comes into direct contact with or directly processes or controls the production flow of nuclear materials;
b. Seals the nuclear materials within the cladding;
c. Checks the integrity of the cladding or the seal;
d. Checks the finish treatment of the sealed fuel; or
e. Is used for assembling reactor fuel elements.
0B006 Plant for the reprocessing of irradiated “nuclear reactor” fuel elements, and specially designed or prepared equipment and components therefor.
Note: 0B006 includes:
a. Plant for the reprocessing of irradiated “nuclear reactor” fuel elements including equipment and components which normally come into direct contact with and directly control the irradiated fuel and the major nuclear material and fission product processing streams;
b. Irradiated fuel element decladding equipment and chopping machines, i.e. remotely operated equipment specially designed or prepared for use in a reprocessing plant specified by (a) above and intended to cut, chop, shred or shear irradiated “nuclear reactor” fuel assemblies, bundles or rods;
c. Dissolver vessels or dissolvers employing mechanical devices 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, operated, and maintained;
d. Solvent extractors and solvent extraction equipment i.e. specially designed or prepared solvent extractors such as packed or pulse columns, miser 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;
e. Chemical holding or storage vessels, i.e. 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 effects of nitric acid. The holding or storage vessels are normally fabricated of materials such as low carbon stainless steels, titanium or zirconium, or other high quality materials. Holding or storage vessels may be designed for remote operation and maintenance;
Note: Holding or storage vessels may have the following features:
1. Walls or internal structures with a boron equivalent (calculated for all constituent elements as defined in Note 2 to 0C004) of at least two per cent;
2. A maximum diameter of 175 mm (7 in) for cylindrical vessels; or
3. A maximum width of 75 mm (3 in) for either a slab or annular vessel.
f. Neutron measurement systems for process control, i.e. neutron measurement systems specially designed or prepared for the integration and use with automated process control systems in a plant for the reprocessing of irradiated fuel elements.
Note: Note f does not include neutron detection and measurement instruments that are designed for nuclear material accountancy and safeguarding or any other application not related to integration and use with automated process control systems in a plant for the reprocessing of irradiated fuel elements.
0B007 Plant for the conversion of plutonium and equipment specially designed or prepared therefor, as follows:
a. Systems for the conversion of plutonium nitrate to oxide;