- • « .^ '•-' . Ji. AUSTRALIM./t- JBIIC if "-«.. >i-vi •*"*,.$ TH ^^A^^' FRONT COVER The production of a uranium mine concentrate from mined ore is the first stage of processing in the nuclear fuel cycle. Shown here is Australian produced uranium oxide known as "yellowcake" photographed in a sampling laboratory at the Australian Atomic Energy Commission Research Establishment, Lucas Heights. Jj^AUSTR/U.IA^ AUSTRALIAN ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION TWENTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT Being the Commission's Report for the Year Ended 30 June 1978 AUSTRALIAN ATOMIC NERGY COMMISSION Ministerial Responsibility for the Atomic Energy Act 1953 During the Year 1977-78 Minister of State for National Resources The Right Honourable J. D. Anthony, M.P. (To 20 December 1977) Minister of State for National Development The Honourable Kevin Newman, M.P. (From 20 December 1977) For administration of Section 41 together with specified matters in relation to Sections 19, 29 and 38 of the Atomic Energy Act 1953 Minister of State for Trade and Resources The Right Honourable J. D. Anthony, M.P. (From 20 December 1977) Members of the Commission During the Year 1977-78 Chairman Professor D. W. George, B.Sc., B.E., Ph.D., F.T.S., F.I.E.E., F.I.Mech.E., F.I.E.Aust, F.A.I.P. Deputy Chairman Sir Lenox Hewitt, O.B.E., B.Com., F.A.S.A., F.C.I.S., L.C.A. (To 12 April 1978) A. J. Woods, B.Ec., Barrister-at-Law, A.A.S.A., A.C.I.S. (From 12 April 1978) Members Professor H. Messel, B.A., B.Sc., Ph.D. Sir Bernard Callinan, C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C., B.C.E. K. F. Alder, M.Sc., F.T.S., F.I.M. Secretary A. D. Thomas, M.Sc. Australian Atomic Energy Commission CLIFFBROOK, 45 BEACH STREET, COOGEE, N.S.W. 2034 20 November 1978 To The Honourable Kevin Newman. M.P.. Minister for National Development. Parliament House, Canberra, A.C.T. Sir, In accordance with Section 31 of the Atomic Energy Act 1953, we submit the Twenty-sixth Annual Report of the Australian Atomic Energy Commission, covering the Commission's operations for the financial year ended 30 June 1978. 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 1978 is also appended to the accounts. Yours faithfully, D. W. GEORGE, Chairman A. J. WOODS, Deputy Chairman. H. MESSEL, Member. B. J. CALLINAN, Member. K. F. ALDER, Member. ADVISOR Y__CO_MM ITTEE Appointed under Section 20 of the Atomic Energy Act 1953 Safety Review Committee D. J. Stevens, O.B.E., B.Sc., F.R.A.C.R.(Hon.), Hon. F.I.R., Chairman. Dr P. L. T. Ibcry, M.D., B.S., F.R.A.C.R.. F.R.A.C.P.. D.M.R.T. J.A.Tclford,B.Sc.Mct. Dr S. J. Krister. O.St.J.. M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.. D.Ph., D.I.H., F.A.C.M.A. I'liiiction: To review periodically the licullli and xafciy standards and procedures adopted hy the Commission in the operation of its reactors and in the use of radiation, radioactive snh\tance.\; and toxic materials. ^ WORLD ENERGY REVIEW 9 World Energy Situation 9 Significant Events in Nuclear Power JO Growth of Nuclear Power . "i5 Other Uses of Nuclear Power 16 Fusion 17 Decommissioning Nuclear Power Stations 18 Australian Energy Situation . 20 Commission Energy Studies 21 2 URANIUM 25 World Uranium Resources 25 Australian Uranium Resources 27 Market for Uranium 27 Current Uranium Production 28 World Uranium and Enrichment Requirements 29 Enrichment 30 Manufacturing Uranium Hexafluoridc ... 30 Development of Enrichment Processes 35 Reprocessing of Spent Fuel 36 Disposal of Radioactive Wastes 41 3 AUSTRALIAN URANIUM 44 The Ranger Uranium Project 44 Australian Government Decisions on Mining and Export of Uranium 46 Legislation 48 The Memorandum of Understanding and Related Agreements .. 51 Agreement Between Northern Land Council and the Commonwealth, and Related Matters 53 Exploration for Uranium 54 Mary Kathleen Uranium Ltd 58 Environmental Impact Statements 59 Commonwealth Stockpile Shipments 59 Western Mining Corporation Ltd 59 Uranium Ore Assay Service 59 Upgrading of Uranium 60 4 REGULATORY, SAFEGUARDS, AND SAFETY ASPECTS OF NUCLEAR ENERGY 61 International Nuclear Fuel Cycle Evaluation 61 Nuclear Plant Safety 64 International Collaborative Studies 65 World Developments in Regulatory Control 66 Environment and Public Health 66 Contents RESEARCH 70 Power and Energy 71 Creep of Reactor Materials 71 Ceramics Research 72 Chemical Conlrol in Nuclear Reactors 73 Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow 73 Flexibility of Pipe Elbows 76 Reactor Analysis 76 Associated Energy Research 77 Uranium Fuel Cycle 78 Chemical Processing 78 Structure of Uranium Chelatcs 79 Materials Research 79 Laser Technology 80 Nuclear Science and Applications Si Development of Analytical Techniques 81 Application of Nuclear Techniques 82 Proton Induced X- and Gamma-Rays " 84 Nuclear Radiation Detectors 86 Radiation Dosimctry Physics 86 Non-Destructive Testing 86 Radioisotopc Standards 88 Environmental Studies 89 Metal Pollutants 89 Field Studies 90 Meteorological Studies 92 Divisional Research 92 Assay of Thorium 92 Electron Microscopy 92 Decomposition of Asbestos 93 Pascal Compiler 94 Patents and Exploitation . 94 6 RADIOISOTOPES AND RADIATION 95 Radioisotopc Applications 95 Mineral Industry 95 Nuclear Hydrology 96 Eradication of Termites 98 Radioisotopc Consulting Service 98 Radiation Research and Applications 99 Radiation Shrinkprool'ing of Wool 99 Radiation in Chemical Research 102 Radiation Sterilisation of Medical Products . 103 Radiation Resistance of Bacterial Spores 104 Radiation Advisory Service 104 Radiation Standards 104 Dosimctry Services 104 — UriLollLO Radiopharmaceulical Research a nil Development 105 Radioisotopc Production and Services 105 7 RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT OPERATIONS AND SERVICES 109 Nuclear Reactors 109 Moata 109 HI FAR 109 Reactor Design Study 1 1 Scismicily at Lucas Heights 12 Management of Wastes from the Research Establishment 12 Safety 15 Analytical Chemistry Service 16 Computing Services 16 Instrumentation Services 16 Engineering Services 17 Capita] Works 19 Energy Conservation 119 Library , 119 8 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 120 OECD Nuclcur Energy Agency 120 International Atomic Energy Agency 122 Overseas Visits and Attachments 123 9 GENERAL . (25 Ministerial Changes 125 Amendment of the Atomic Energy Act 1953 125 Membership of the Commission 126 Senior Stall' Changes 126 Administrative Reorganisation 127 Stall'Numbers 128 Industrial Relations 128 Medical Health Survey 129 Safely Review Committee 130 Information Services 131 Apprenticeship Prizes . 132 Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering 132 Australian School of Nuclear Technology . 136 Finance ... 136 APPENDICES A Financial Accounts 138 B Auditor-General's Report 144 C Organisation of the Commission 145 D A A EC Research Programs 148 E AAEC Research Contracts . 149 F AINSE Grants for Research and Training 150 G Technical Papers by Commission Stall' 155 H AAEC Patent Applications . 162 1 WORLD ENERGY REVIEW Mri^™wi-^^Kjisi^w^fr4^>:a^FJ^ WORLD I-NERCiV SITUATION World oil production rose by 4.4 per cent in 1977 lo almost 3 gigatonnc* a year. At the same time, it was disturbing to note that proved oil reserves increased by only 1 per cent to cSS gigatonnc. Since 1970, proved oil reserves have been reviewed upwards by about 6 per cent, while annual oil production has increased by 33 per cent. These figures support the findings, published in the World Energy Conference-Conservation Commission Report on Oil Resources, 1985-2020 (August 1977), that the annual rate of growth of world oil reserves is decreasing. World oil production is expected to peak at 4 to 5 gigatonnc a year by 1990, declining to 3.4-4 gigatonnc a year by 2000. Since oil currently meets almost half the world's total energy needs, by any reasonable estimates for world economic growth a serious shortfall in world energy supply can be expected before 2000. Consequently, all recent major reports on the world energy outlook have pointed out that the future balancing of energy supply and demand will require: • Major conservation efforts to reduce the ratio that now exists between the growth of demand for energy and growth of the economy, and • A very extensive changeover to coal and nuclear power. A second publication, the World Energy Conference-Conservation Commission Report on Coal Resources, 1985-2020 (August 1977), states that coal could contribute substantially to future energy supplies and that world coal production is expected to more than double by 2000. However, the World Energy Conference expects that less than one-tenth of the production will be exported by producing countries. In thermal values, this export trade will be equivalent to about one quarter of the world's present oil trade. It would seem, in consequence, that * Giualonne = one thousand million tonnes. coal imports arc unlikely lo become a major source of energy in countries wflh no economic coal reserves of ihcir own. It should be noted llial known coal deposits arc not distributed evenly — collectively, ten countries possess a total of 92 per cent of the world's economic coal reserves. The proportion of primary energy needs met by both natural gas and re- newable energy sources is expected to remain constant during the next few decades. Also in this period no major contribution is expected from alternative energy sources, such as solar, wave and tidal power. As with coal, known uranium deposits are unevenly distributed around the world. On the other hand, a very large amount of energy can be transported in a small volume of nuclear fuel and this feature will facilitate international trade in uranium. Nuclear power is expected lo account for more than one-third of the world's total electricity generation by 2000.