The Beryllium Oxide Manufacturing Process

From the Center for Research and Technology Development

The approved mission for the Beryllium Manufacturing Facility (BeMF) is to protect worker health and safety while providing capability for manufacturing BeO parts and components to support the enduring stockpile weapon systems for the near future.

Current BeO manufacturing facilities at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) rely primarily on administrative controls to protect worker health and safety.

The BeMF must: 1) maintain the production campability; and 2) provide the rigorous worker protection required by DOE Regulations dealing with the Chronic Beryllium Disease Prevention Program.

Accordingly, the new facility is deemed critical to the national defense because of its role in supporting the Stockpile Stewardship Program as carried out through Stockpile Life Extension Programs. When validated, the BeMF must meet the needs for BeO parts in support of the SMCP as required by the Special Materials Capabilities Program Requirements Document (PRD) of the DOE.

The BeMF must comply with the latest DOE Chronic Beryllium Disease Prevention Program by using state-of-the-art equipment facilities.

The detailed production requirements, schedules, and interface projects to meet BeO needs stated in the PRD are described in the SMCP Program Implementation Plan for beryllium manufacturing, DOE ORO-2114.