05000186/LER-2024-001, Written Communication as Required by by LER 2024-001-00 for University of Missouri Research Reactor Technical Specification 6.6.c(3) Re Deviation from Technical Specification 3.1 0.d

Written Communication as Required by by LER 2024-001-00 for University of Missouri Research Reactor Technical Specification 6.6.c(3) Re Deviation from Technical Specification 3.1 0.d

ML24145A182
Person / Time
Site:	University of Missouri-Columbia
Issue date:	05/23/2024
From:	Sanford M Univ of Missouri - Columbia
To:	Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, Document Control Desk
References
LER 2024-001-00
Download: ML24145A182 (1)

LER-2024-001, Written Communication as Required by by LER 2024-001-00 for University of Missouri Research Reactor Technical Specification 6.6.c(3) Re Deviation from Technical Specification 3.1 0.d

Event date:
Report date:
1862024001R00 - NRC Website

text

1513 Research Park Drive Columbia, MO 65211 - 3400 Phone  : 573 .882.4211 Web  : murr.missouri.edu

Ma y 23 , 2024

ATTN: Document Control Desk U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington , DC 20555-0001

REFERENCE:

Docket No. 50-186 University of Missouri-Columbia Research Reactor Renewed Facility Operating License No. R-103

SUBJECT:

Written communication as required by by University of Missouri Research Reactor Technical Specification 6.6 .c(3) regarding a deviation from Technical Specification 3.1 0 .d

The attached document provides the University of Missouri-Columbia Research Reactor (MURR) Licensee Event Report (LER) for an event that was discovered on May 10 , 2024 that resulted in a de v iation from MURR Technical Specifications.

If you have any questions regarding this report , please contact Ron Astrino , the facility Reactor Manager ,

at (573) 882-5118.

Sincerely ,

Matt Sanford Reactor Facility Director

Enclosure

cc: Reactor Advisory Committee Reactor Safety Subcommittee Dr. Tom Spencer, Vice Chancellor for Research , Graduate Studies and Economic Development Mr. Geoffrey Wertz, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Ms . Jessica Lovett, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Mr . Edward Helvenston, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Mr. Andrew Waugh, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Enclosure U. S . Nuclear R eg ulator y C ommi ss ion Ma y 23 , 2024

Licensee Event Report No. 24-01 - May 23 2024 University of Missouri Research Reactor

Introduction MURR operates a train of three hot cells (HC-01 lA, B, and C) used to process radioiodine from tellurium targets into a radiochemical ultimately used as a raw material in 1-131 based radiophannaceuticals.

MURR's technical specifications contain limits and conditions for the operation of these cells and their local exhaust ventilation.

Each hot cell is equipped with two trains of filters (Bank A and Bank B), each train consisting of one in cell filter (non-tech spec) and nine external filters (six charcoal and three HEPA). One train is nonnally maintained in service (see attached schematic) while the other is on stand-by off service. Each in-service bank is monitored by local radiation detectors, which are intended to satisfy tech spec 3 .1 0.c to provide early detection of filter loading.

Description of Event On 10 May 2024, while perfonning a routine source check per SOP OP-HP-365 , " Iodine-131 Processing Hot Cells Radiation Monitor (ALMO-6) ", it was identified that the 3 detectors of the Iodine-131 processing hot cells radiation monitors (ALMO-6) system assigned to monitor the exhaust filters in the bay above the hot cells were monitoring the off-service filter train (Bank B) , rather than the on-service filter train (Bank A). The condition was immediately corrected by moving the detectors to the on-service filter bank. Iodine processing was not in progress in the associated hot cells.

Upon investigation, it was detennined that the on-service filter bank was changed on 19 Apr 2024 from Bank B to Bank A and the lineup verified per compliance procedure CP-38 , " Verify I-131 Processing Hot Cells Charcoal Filter Efficiency " . The associated valve lineup verification was completed as prescribed in the procedure on 20 Apr 2024. There was no procedural guidance requiring the detector move .

Subsequently , three (3) iodine-131 process were perfonned in the hot cell train (HC-1 lA , B , and C) on the following dates:

25 Apr 2024 2 May 2024

9 May 2024

During these three processes, Technical Specification 3 . 1 0 .c was not met.

Several detectors were monitoring the Iodine processing suite containing hot cells HC-1 lA , Band C during the period from 19 Apr 2024 through 10 May 2024, including the Off-Gas (Stack) Radiation Monitor per Technical Specification 3.10.c. Additional in-service monitors included a Duct Monitor, In Room DAC Monitors , and the remaining 3 Almo-6 monitors. No in-service monitors indicated abnormal rises in iodine levels.

After the Almo-6 detectors were returned to service in the correct locations, the readings on the filter

• * .,,.. ... : .. :.~: ::1W(ii~i'foi # " ijol~p1 'o b ~ very low. These readings, taken one day after the 9 May 2024 Iodine process ,

~: ** pro ~,ide *suppo~ filg evif:ience that the filters were not being loaded while the detectors were incorrectly

F i located  : .. :*-: -.:i:~  !

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I r

Page 1 of 2 Enclosure U.S. Nuclear R eg ulator y Commi ss ion May 23 , 2024

Root Cause The root cause of this event is procedure insufficiency. Currently , procedure controls are inadequate to ensure the radiation detector probes are monitoring the in-service carbon filters .

Corrective Actions The non-compliant condition was corrected within 1.5 hours5.787037e-5 days <br />0.00139 hours <br />8.267196e-6 weeks <br />1.9025e-6 months <br /> of discovery. The valve lineup was verified by three individuals both before and after the correction.

As a long tenn corrective action, the appropriate procedures will be modified to contain direction to perform the detector switch , as well as direction to verify that performance after a filter bank change , but prior to initiation of further processing activities . Additionally, procedural guidance will be provided for the operation of valve lineups and relocation of filter detectors.

Safety Analysis The Almo-6 detectors on the filter banks are part of a series of monitors to ensure no release of Iodine-131. Downstream monitoring included the Duct and Off-gas (stack) radiation monitors which are real time exhaust indicators that showed no abnonnal rise in I-131 levels during this event. All other monitors in the area appear to have been operable, and all indicated nonnal readings during the period between April 19 and May 10, when the condition was discovered and corrected. These include monitors in the staff working spaces that would ensure no unmonitored release or staff uptake .

Once the Almo detectors were placed back in service , their readings indicated less than 10 mrem /hr which indicate that at no time over the period where they were not being monitored , the filters were not loaded above their 200 mrem /hr initial alann set-point. Thus it was concluded that the detector location would not have impacted the processes in any way.

If there are any questions regarding this LER , please contact me at (573) 882-5118 . I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.

Sincerely,

~ Ronald M Astrino Matt Sanford Reactor Manager Reactor Facility Director Notary Public

• SHARON KAY PAULSELL Notary Saal

STATE OF MISSOURI My C'AMnmlaslon Expires: Boone County Jan. 23, 2027

Commission #04552028

Page 2 of 2 SEE 1125, SHEET 4 OF 5 AIRB ORNE FOR DETAILS

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IND ICATES FILTER "BANK" 21 21 -1 438 ADD EXHAUST LI NE FR OM HC-1 1 PNEUMA TI C CABIN ET DGN 6/3/2021 AS IT RELATES TO TECHNICAL SPECFICATION S Changed labe ls on HC- 11 A Ban k in-ce ll filters from HEPA to H/C lo 1125 20 deno te they a re now a HEP A / Charcoa l combination . And removed DGN 11/23/2020 the das hed line rectang les around a ll Ba n k 1 In-ce ll filters on HC- 1 1A ,

HC-1 1B & HC- 11 C REV . NO, I DESCR IPTION DR . BY DATE 5 o, 5