IR 05000020/2023201
| ML23228A133 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | MIT Nuclear Research Reactor |
| Issue date: | 10/12/2023 |
| From: | Travis Tate NRC/NRR/DANU/UNPO |
| To: | Foster J Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
| References | |
| 0500020/202301 IR 202301 | |
| Download: ML23228A133 (12) | |
Text
SUBJECT:
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY - U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION ROUTINE INSPECTION REPORT NO. 05000020/2023201
Dear Mr. Foster:
From July 31-August 3, 2023, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff conducted an inspection at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) reactor. The enclosed report documents the inspection results which were discussed on August 3, 2023, with you and members of the MIT staff.
The inspection examined activities conducted under your license as they relate to safety and compliance with the Commissions rules and regulations and with the conditions of your license.
The inspectors reviewed selected procedures and records, observed activities, and interviewed personnel. Based on the results of this inspection, no findings of significance were identified. No response to this letter is required.
In accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 2.390, Public inspections, exemptions, requests for withholding, a copy of this letter, its enclosure, and your response (if any) will be available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or from the Publicly Available Records component NRCs document system (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS)). ADAMS is accessible from the NRC website at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html (the Public Electronic Reading Room).
October 12, 2023 If you have any questions concerning this inspection, please contact Juan Arellano at 301-415-0477, or by email at Juan.Arellano@nrc.gov.
Sincerely, Travis L. Tate, Chief Non-Power Production and Utilization Facility Oversight Branch Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No.50-020 License No. R-37 Enclosure:
As stated cc: GovDelivery Subscribers Waugh, Andrew signing on behalf of Tate, Travis on 10/12/23
ML23228A133 NRC-002 OFFICE NRR/DANU/UNPO/RI NRR/DANU/UNPO/RI NRR/DANU/UNPO/LA NRR/DANU/UNPO/BC NAME JArellano BLin NParker AWaugh (A)
DATE 8/28/2023 8/29/2023 8/29/2023 10/12/2023
Enclosure U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION Docket No.:
50-020 License No.:
R-37 Report No.:
05000020/2023201 Licensee:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Facility:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Reactor Location:
Cambridge, Massachusetts Dates:
July 31-August 3, 2023 Inspectors:
Juan A. Arellano Brian Lin Approved by:
Travis L. Tate, Chief Non-Power Production and Utilization Facility Oversight Branch Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Massachusetts Institute of Technology Massachusetts Institute of Technology Reactor Inspection Report No. 05000020/2023201 The primary focus of this routine, announced inspection was the onsite review of selected elements of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT, the licensee) research reactor safety program, including: (1) effluent and environmental monitoring, (2) review audit and design change functions, (3) emergency preparedness, (4) radiation protection, and (5) transportation activities. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff determined the licensees program was in compliance with NRC requirements.
Effluent and Environmental Monitoring
Effluent monitoring satisfied license and regulatory requirements and releases were within the specified regulatory and technical specifications (TSs) limit.
Review and Audit and Design Change Functions
The MIT Reactor Safeguards Committee (RSC) met as required and reviewed the topics outlined in the TS.
- Annual audits of facility programs were conducted as required by TS.
- Changes to the facility were evaluated using the criteria specified in Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) 50.59, Changes, tests and experiments.
The emergency preparedness program was conducted in accordance with the Emergency Plan (E-Plan), including response equipment maintenance, emergency drills, and E-Plan training.
Radiation Protection
Surveys, postings, training, and personnel dose monitoring met regulatory requirements.
- Radiation monitoring equipment was maintained and calibrated as required by the TSs.
- The radiation protection and the as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) programs satisfied regulatory requirements.
Transportation Activities
The program for transportation of radioactive material (RAM) satisfied U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the NRC regulations.
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REPORT DETAILS Summary of Facility Status The MIT Nuclear Reactor Laboratory 6-megawatt research reactor is routinely operated in support of training, experiments, and maintenance. During this inspection, the reactor was not operated due to ongoing maintenance activities.
1.
Effluent and Environmental Monitoring a.
Inspection Scope (IP 69004)
To verify that the licensee complied with the requirements of 10 CFR Part 20, Standards for Protection against Radiation, and TS section 3.7, the inspectors examined a sample of gas and particulate radiation monitors, observed a water waste tank sample taken, observed multiple air samples taken, and reviewed selected aspects of:
facility records of measurements and analysis of effluent samples
"MIT Research Reactor Nuclear Reactor Laboratory Massachusetts Institute of Technology Annual Report to United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the period January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022, dated March 30, 2023
environmental release records
secondary water tritium sample records
effluent monitoring instrumentation maintenance records b.
Observations and Findings The inspectors found that environmental radiation monitoring was accomplished by use of thermoluminescent dosimeters placed within a quarter mile of the reactor, and that doses were within regulatory limits. The inspectors also found that at least one real-time environmental monitor was at the site and one within approximately one-fourth of a mile of the site was used to verify compliance with environmental dose limits. The inspectors noted that gaseous releases from the containment exhaust stack are monitored and release amounts are calculated and documented in the annual reports; and that the airborne concentrations of the gaseous releases were within the concentrations stipulated in 10 CFR Part 20, appendix B, table 2.
The inspectors found that the combined sources of all liquid effluent releases were within the monthly average concentration limits established in 10 CFR Part 20, appendix B, table 3.
c.
Conclusion The inspectors found that effluent release measurements, liquid and gas sampling analysis, and environmental monitoring measurements, demonstrated compliance with regulatory and TS limits.
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2.
Review and Audit and Design Change Functions a.
Inspection Scope (IP 69007)
To verify compliance with TS sections 7.2.1, 7.2.2, 7.2.3, and 10 CFR 50.59, the inspectors reviewed the following documents:
MIT Research Reactor Nuclear Reactor Laboratory Massachusetts Institute of Technology Annual Report to United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the period January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022, dated March 30, 2023
10 CFR 50.59 evaluations from 2022 - present
"MIT Reactor (MITR) Annual Independent Audit Report for CY 2022," dated June 2023
response to independent audit for calendar year 2022 dated July 14, 2023
draft of, "Minutes of the One Hundred Fourteenth Meeting of the MIT Reactor Safeguards Committee (MITRSC)," dated January 25, 2023
115th MITRSC meeting package 1/25/2023
MIT research reactor administrative procedure, preventive maintenance (PM) 1.4, Review and Approval of Plans, Procedures, and Facility Equipment and Changes Thereto," dated February 20, 2013 b.
Observations and Findings (1) Review and Audit Functions The inspectors found that the MIT RSC meeting frequency and committee membership satisfied TS section 7.2.1, and that safety reviews and audits were completed at the required frequency for the functional areas specified by TS sections 7.2.2 and 7.2.3. The inspectors reviewed the results of the audits and determined that the audit findings, and licensee actions taken in response to the findings, were appropriate.
(2) Design Change Functions The inspectors found that screening and safety review of changes, tests, and experiments was in accordance with regulatory requirements and facility procedures.
c.
Conclusion The inspectors found that the MIT review, audit and design change programs were implemented in accordance with the TS requirements and NRC regulations.
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3.
Inspection Scope (IP 69012)
The inspectors inventoried an emergency locker, observed a daily and weekly security test, and reviewed selected aspects of the following to verify compliance with the licensees E-Plan and associated procedures:
PM 4.0, MITR Emergency Plan and Procedures, dated October 7, 2019
letter of agreement (LOA) with Massachusetts General Hospital, dated April 11, 2016
LOA with Mount Auburn Hospital, dated December 1, 2013
LOA with City of Cambridge Fire Department, dated August 6, 2018
LOA with City of Cambridge Police Department, dated February 12, 2016
LOA with Professional Ambulance company, dated February 10, 2019
NW12 MIT Police training records
PM 6.6.2.4, Inventory of Emergency Supplies and Equipment, dated April 6, 2022
PM 6.6.2.1.2, Fire Extinguisher Semi-Annual Inspection, dated August 12, 2016
PM 6.6.1.4, Communication Links Test, dated April 15, 2023
2022 Radiological Emergency Exercise (In-House Only) dated November 22, 2022
2022 Medical Emergency Exercise (In-House Only) dated November 29, 2022
"2022 Combined Medical/Radiological Emergency Response," dated January 12, 2023
PM 3.7.1, Weekly Security, from 2022 - present
evacuation siren tests in PM 3.1.1.2, Two Loop Instrumentation, from 2023-present b.
Observations and Findings The inspectors reviewed the MIT E-Plan and implementing procedures and verified, through discussions with the licensee, that no changes to the E-Plan were made since the last inspection in accordance with 10 CFR 50.54(q) Emergency plans. The inspectors also reviewed the training records, E-Plan exercise records, staffing requirements, off-site support, and emergency equipment maintenance.
c.
Conclusion The inspectors found that the licensee maintained its emergency preparedness program in accordance with its E-Plan requirements.
4.
Radiation Protection a.
Inspection Scope (IP 69012)
To verify that the licensee followed the requirements of TS section 7.3, 10 CFR Part 19, Notices, Instructions and Reports To Workers: Inspection and Investigations, and 10 CFR Part 20 the inspectors observed a daily radiological survey, and reviewed selected aspects of the following:
ludlum area monitors calibration records from 2022 - present
personnel dosimetry reports
facility areas, equipment, operations, and postings
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MIT Research Reactor Nuclear Reactor Laboratory Massachusetts Institute of Technology Annual Report to United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the period January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022, dated March 30, 2023
MITR Effluent and Process Radiation Monitoring System Quarterly Calibration, from 2023 - present
Effluent and Process Radiation Monitoring System Calibration - Annual Pulse and Voltage Checks, from 2022 - present
employee radiological training records
MIT ALARA policy
radiological survey records
radiological contamination records
D2O activity samples from 2023 - present
annual continuous air monitor calibrations from 2022 - present
select primary gross activity samples from 2023 - present
select secondary gross activity samples from 2023 - present
environmental dosimeters from 2022 - present
PM 1.12, Radiological Training and Dosimetry Classification, dated November 9, 2004 b.
Observations and Findings (1) Surveys The inspectors found that periodic contamination and radiation surveys were completed in accordance with radiation protection procedures, and that survey results were documented and posted so that facility personnel would be knowledgeable of the radiological conditions that existed in the controlled areas of the facility.
(2) Postings and Notices The inspectors observed that NRC Form 3, Notice to Employees, was prominently posted as required by 10 CFR 19.11, Posting of notices to workers, and that radiological signs were also posted as required by 10 CFR 20.1902, Posting requirements.
(3) Dosimetry The inspectors observed that dosimetry use was in accordance with facility procedures and dose limits to workers and the public were within 10 CFR Part 20 limits.
(4) Radiation Monitoring Equipment The inspectors found that installed and portable radiation monitoring equipment was calibrated in accordance with TS and facility procedures.
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(5) Radiation Protection Training The inspectors reviewed the general employee radiation protection training given to MIT staff members, to those authorized to use the experimental facilities of the reactor, to students, and to visitors, and that training was in accordance with facility procedures and regulatory requirements.
c.
Conclusion The inspectors determined that: (1) surveys were completed and acceptably documented in accordance with radiation protection procedures to permit evaluation of the radiation hazards present, (2) postings and notices met regulatory requirements, (3) personnel dosimetry was worn as required by facility procedures and recorded doses were within the NRCs regulatory limits, (4) radiation survey and monitoring equipment was maintained and calibrated as required by TS and facility procedures, (5) the radiation safety training program was implemented in accordance with procedures, and (6) the radiation protection and ALARA programs satisfied regulatory requirements.
5.
Transportation Activities a.
Inspection Scope (IP 86740)
The inspectors reviewed the following documents to verify compliance with NRC and DOT regulations governing the transportation of RAM as specified in 10 CFR Part 20 and 10 CFR Part 71, Packaging and Transportation of Radioactive Material, and in 49 CFR Parts 171-178:
RAM shipping papers and related records from 4th quarter of 2022 - present
training records for individuals
annual DOT RAM shipping audits for 2021
MIT Research Reactor Nuclear Reactor Laboratory Massachusetts Institute of Technology Annual Report to United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the period January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022, dated March 30, 2023 b.
Observations and Findings The inspectors found that the licensee shipped various types of RAM since the last inspection of this area. The inspectors noted that shipping records were complete, and the shipping containers were labeled correctly.
The inspectors verified that the licensee maintained copies of consignees RAM possession licenses, and that training for staff members involved in the shipment of RAM was performed.
c.
Conclusion The inspectors found that the program for transportation of RAM satisfied the DOT and NRC regulations.
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6.
Exit Interview The inspection scope and results were summarized on August 3, 2023, with members of licensee management. The inspectors discussed the areas inspected and the inspection observations. The licensee acknowledged the results of the inspection and did not identify as proprietary any of the material provided to or reviewed by the inspectors during the inspection.
Attachment PARTIAL LIST OF PERSONS CONTACTED Licensee Personnel T. Bork Reactor Utilization Manager Director, Reactor Operations E. Lau Associate Director, Reactor Operations W. McCarthy Deputy Director, Environment, Health, and Safety S. Tucker Quality Assurance Supervisor F. Warmsley Superintendent of Operations INSPECTION PROCEDURES USED IP 69004 Class l Research and Test Reactor Effluent and Environmental Monitoring IP 69007 Class I Research and Test Reactor Review and Audit and Design Change Functions IP 69011 Class I Research and Test Reactor Emergency Preparedness IP 69012 Class I Research and Test Reactors Radiation Protection IP 86740 Inspection of Transportation Activities ITEMS OPENED, CLOSED, AND DISCUSSED Opened None Closed None