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Australian Atomic Energy Commission AUSTRALIA Commonwealth of Australia AUSTRALIAN ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION TWENTIETH ANNUAL REPORT Being the Commission's Report for the Year Ended 30 June 1972 J,•. AUSTRALIA ,(<- C o m m o n w e a 1 t h o f Australia AUSTRALIAN ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION AUSTRALIAN ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION The Minister of State for National Development The Honourable Sir Reginald Swartz, K.B.E., E.D., M.P. To the Honourable Sir Reginald Swartz, K.B.E., E.D., M.P., Minister of State for National Development, Parliament House, Canberra, A.C.T. Members of the Commission During the Year 1971-72 Sir, Chairman In accordance with Section 31 of the Atomic Energy Act, Sir Philip Baxter, K.B.E., C.M.G., B.Sc., Ph.D.(Birm.), F.A.A., F.R.A.C. 1953-66, we submit the Twentieth Annual Report of the Australian (To 15 April 1972) Atomic Energy Commission, covering the Commission's operations for the financial year ended 30 June 1972. R. W. Boswell, O.B.E., M.Sc. (From 16 April 1972) Financial accounts for the year, with a report on the accounts by the Auditor-General as required by the Act, are appended to the report. A statement of the Commission's capital assets as at 30 June Deputy Chairman 1972 is also appended to the accounts. R. G. Ward, M.A., Ph.D.(Cantab.) Members K. F. Alder, M.Sc., F.I.M. Yours faithfully, L. F. Bott, D.S.C., B.Com. R. W. BOSWELL, Chairman. M. C. Timbs, B.Ec., A.A.S.A., F.A.I.M. R. G. WARD, Deputy Chairman. (Executive Member) K. F. ALDER, Member. Secretary L. F. BOTT, Member. W. B. Lynch, B.A. M. C. TIMBS, Executive Member. 45 Beach Street, Coogee, N.S.W. 2034 16 August 1972 Contents INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY 8 Uranium Mining and Export 8 ADVISORY COMMITTEES Uranium Enrichment 9 Nuclear Power 10 Appointed under Section 20 of the Atomic Energy Act, 1953-66 Effects of Radiation 10 Radioisotopes 11 International II Safety Review Committee NUCLEAR POWER DEVELOPMENTS 12 Survey of World Developments 12 Professor Sir Sydney Sunderland, C.M.G., M.D., B.S., D.Sc.r F.R.A.C.P., F.R.A.C.S., F.A.A., Chairman. Australia 13 Dr. C. J. Cummins, M.B., B.S., D.P.H. Regulatory Experience in USA 14 D. J. Stevens, O.B.E., B.Sc., A.Inst.P. URANIUM INDUSTRY AND NUCLEAR FUEL 16 World Demand for Uranium 16 Function: To review periodically the health and safety standard} and procedures adopted Upgrading of Product 18 by the. Commission in the operation of its reactors and in the use of radiation, radioactive 19 substances, and toxic materials. Commission Processing Studies Uranium Enrichment 20 Nuclear Reactor Fuels 20 24 Atomic Energy Advisory Committee Reprocessing of Power Reactor Fuel Heavy Water 25 A. W. B. Coady, C.M.G., B.A., B.Ec. URANIUM ENRICHMENT 26 Sir Willis Connolly, C.B.E., B.E.E., B.Com., M.I.E.Aust. Significance of Enrichment in World Nuclear Power Programs 26 Sir Lionel Hooke, S.M.I.R.Amer., F.I.R.E.Aust. Technology of Uranium Enrichment 29 Professor M. C. Kemp, B.Com., M.A., Ph.D. International Developments 33 Sir John Phillips, K.B.E., B.Ec. Commonwealth-States Power and Siting Studies 34 Professor J. W. Roderick, M.A.(Camb.), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Bristol), F.A.A., Basis of Australian Interest 35 M.I. StructE., M.I.C.E., A.F.R.Ae.S., M.I.E.Aust., M.A.S.C.E. R. A. Simpson, B.E., F.S.A.S.M., M.I.E.Aust. NUCLEAR POWER — NATIONAL PROGRAMS 37 Professor R. Street, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.(Lond.) Australia 37 L. W. Weickhardt, M.Sc., F.R.A.C.I., F.A.I.M. Assessment of Reactor Systems 39 Regulatory Framework 49 Function: To advise the Commission on 51 scientific, industrial and economic matters Other Countries relating to atomic energy research and 53 development. Tables of World Nuclear Power Stations Contents Contents URANIUM EXPLORATION AND MINING 59 11 GENERAL 122 Exploration for Uranium 59 Commission Membership 122 Disporal of Rum Jungle Assets 68 Legislation 122 Analysis of Uranium Ores 69 Terms and Conditions of Employment 122 Health and Safety in Mining and Milling of Radioactive Ores 69 Staff Numbers 123 Environmental Studies in the Northern Territory 70 Information Services 123 Long-Chain Amines Pollution Studies 71 Advisory Committee on Uranium Mining 125 Symposium on Uranium Mining and the Environment 76 Computer Summer School 125 Overseas Developments 76 Extramural Research 125 Overseas Attachments 125 7 RADIATION AND MAN 80 Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering 126 Australian School of Nuclear Technology 129 8 THE RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT 84 APPENDICES Research Objectives and Program 84 A Financial Accounts 132 Organisation 89 B Auditor-General's Report 134 C Senior Staff of Commission 135 RADIOISOTOPES AND RADIATION 96 D AAEC Research Projects 138 Radioisotope Applications Research 96 E AAEC Research Contracts 140 Radiation Research 100 F AINSE Research and Training Projects 141 Radioisotope Production and Services 106 G Technical Papers by Commission Staff 145 Radioisotope Survey 107 H Public Concern Over Radiation 151 Supply and Distribution Statistics 108 Product Research and Development Ill Gamma-Ray and Electron Beam Irradiation Services 115 10 INTERNATIONAL 116 Fourth Geneva Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy 116 IAEA Safeguards 118 Co-operation Between Japan and Australia 118 Overseas Liaison 119 Loan of Commission Experts and Overseas Visits 119 Distinguished Visitors to the Commission i20 hexafluoride. This is the feed material for uranium enrichment plants, and it may well displace ycllowcakc as the standard article of commerce. Should a major 1 enrichment plant be built in Australia, local production of hexafluoride would be a prerequisite. Australian industry is capable of building and operating a plant for the production of uranium hexafluoride. Processing of uranium ores and conversion of yellowcake to uranium hcxa- lluoride (of very high purity) have formed an important part of the Commission's INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY research. The possibility of preparing a uranium product of nuclear purity at the mine site is being investigated. Optimisation studies have continued on a laboratory scale for the production of nuclear-grade uranium dioxide. Studies of further stages in the fabrication of nuclear fuel are included in the Commission's program, which is designed to establish within Australia an In Australia, as in other countries, the period was to a large extent one of understanding of all aspects of fuel performance, embracing fuel design, manu- stocktaking. The great potential of recent uranium discoveries in Australia was facture and service. An important part of this program is in post-irradiation established, and the Commission has been studying in detail how these might be examination and testing. Such examination of defective fuel and diagnosis of exploited to the best advantage. Other countries have, been reviewing their nuclear faults is an important back-up for a nuclear power industry. power programs, and devoting much attention to procedures of regulation and licensing. Other aspects of the nuclear fuel cycle which have been investigated are the possibilities of establishing reprocessing plant for spent nuclear fuel, and methods of disposal of radioactive wastes. URANIUM MINING AND EXPORT There was no production of uranium in Australia during the period, the URANIUM ENRICHMENT Rum Jungle operation having been closed down in 1970-71. However, in view of A further major step in the establishment of an Australian nuclear fuel the expected increase in the world's needs for uranium in the coming decade, industry could be the construction of a uranium enrichment plant. A large increase there was considerable activity among mining companies. Exploration reached a in the demand for enrichment services is foreseen in the early 1980s. The only record level during the year. Mining companies also showed an increasing interest major plants in the Western World at present are in USA, and these, together in treatment methods for uranium ores, and in methods of establishing mining with smaller plants which exist in Britain and France, will have a combined out- operations with a minimum of disturbance to the environment. The Commission put by 1981 of less than 30,000 tonnes separative work units (SWU) per annum. promoted this last aspect by assisting in an environmental survey of some poten- By 1980, 36,000 tonnes SWU will be needed annually for nuclear power stations, tial uranium mining areas, and by providing advice and guidance in various and by about 1985, this requirement is expected to double. Until 1981, foresee- aspects of health and safety. able needs can be met from increased current production and stocks, but new Important new discoveries include some exceptionally high-grade ore. In the enrichment plants will have to be commissioned no later than that year. Alligator Rivers area of the Northern Territory alone, reasonably-assured reserves The possibility is being explored of setting up an enrichment plant using the of uranium oxide recoverable at less than $10 per pound could exceed 100,000 gaseous diffusion process in Australia as a multi-national venture. At the invitation tons. At 31 December, Australia's reasonably-assured reserves recoverable at less of USA, interested countries, including Australia, Japan, Canada and others, than $10 per pound amounted to 92,000 short tons, and geological reserves, participated in discussions on the possible use of US technology. In March, proven and indicated, were 167,000 short tons. Australia and France agreed to carry out the first stage of a joint feasibility study There is today an over-supply of uranium, but this could turn to a shortage of the technical and economic aspects of building an enrichment plant in Australia, early in the 1980s.
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