IR 05000030/2007001
| ML071940476 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Plum Brook File:National Aeronautics and Space Administration icon.png |
| Issue date: | 07/13/2007 |
| From: | Louden P Division of Nuclear Materials Safety III |
| To: | Whitlow W US National Aeronautics & Space Admin (NASA), John H. Glenn Research Ctr at Lewis Field |
| References | |
| IR-07-001 | |
| Download: ML071940476 (8) | |
Text
July 13, 2007
SUBJECT:
NRC INSPECTION REPORTS 050-00030/07-01(DNMS) AND 050-00185/07-01(DNMS) - NASA PLUM BROOK REACTOR FACILITY
Dear Dr. Whitlow:
On June 27, 2007, the NRC completed inspection activities at the NASA Plum Brook Reactor Facility. The purpose of the inspection was to determine whether decommissioning activities were conducted safely and in accordance with NRC requirements. At the conclusion of the inspection on June 27, the inspectors discussed the findings with members of your staff.
This inspection consisted of an examination of decommissioning activities at the Plum Brook Reactor Facility as they relate to safety and compliance with the Commissions rules and regulations. Areas examined during the inspection are identified in the enclosed report. Within these areas, the inspection included a selective examination of procedures and representative records, observations of activities in progress, and interviews with personnel. Based on the results of this inspection, the NRC did not identify any violations.
In accordance with 10 CFR 2.390 of the NRC's "Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter and its enclosure will be available electronically in the NRC Public Document Room or from the Publicly Available Records (PARS) component of NRC's document system (ADAMS). The NRCs document system is accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html.
W. Whitlow, Jr.
-2-We will gladly discuss any questions you may have regarding this inspection.
Sincerely,
/RA by G. McCann Acting for/
Patrick Louden, Chief Decommissioning Branch Docket Nos. 050-00030 and 050-00185 License Nos. TR-3 and R-93
Enclosures:
NRC Inspection Reports 050-00030/07-01(DNMS) and 050-00185/07-01(DNMS)
REGION III==
Docket Nos:
050-00030 and 050-00185 License Nos:
TR-3 and R-93 Report Nos:
050-00030/07-01(DNMS) and 050-00185/07-01(DNMS)
Licensee:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Facility:
Plum Brook Reactor Facility Test Reactor and Mockup Reactor Location:
Sandusky, Ohio Dates:
June 25 - 27, 2007 Inspectors:
William Snell, Senior Health Physicist Dr. Peter Lee, CHP, Health Physicist Approved by:
Patrick Louden, Chief Decommissioning Branch Division of Nuclear Materials Safety
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY NASA Plum Brook Reactor Facility Report Nos: 050-00030/07-01(DNMS) and 050-00185/07-01(DNMS)
These inspection activities included a routine inspection to evaluate the current status of decommissioning activities. During the inspection the inspectors toured the Plum Brook Reactor facilities, discussed the status of the decommissioning activities with licensee personnel, and examined licensee records and procedures.
Decommissioning Activities
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The licensees decommissioning radiation protection program was adequately implemented to ensure worker safety and to control radioactive contamination. Efforts by the licensee to characterize the extent of Cs-137 contamination in the Plum Brook was acceptable. (Section 1.0)
Final Status Surveys
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The inspectors determined that the detection monitors the licensee was using to survey embedded piping was adequately calibrated and appropriate for the surveys being conducted. The Final Status Surveys of the embedded pipes addressed in Survey Unit Release Record EP-1.24, -1.25, -1.26, and -1.36 met the dose criteria of Subpart E, Section 20.1402, 10 CFR Part 20, and can be released for unrestricted use.
(Section 2.0)
1A list of acronyms used in the report is included at the end of the Report Details.
Report Details1 1.0 Research and Test Reactor Decommissioning (69013)
1.1 Inspection Scope The inspectors interviewed licensee personnel, reviewed records, and toured the reactor facilities to assess the decommissioning radiation protection program.
The inspectors reviewed the licensees actions to characterize the extent of cesium-137 (Cs-137) contamination in the Plum Brook, including observing workers collecting sediment samples. The inspectors reviewed the following documents: Characterization Report for Plum Brook Sediment in East Sandusky Bay, April 2007; Characterization Report for Plum Brook Sediment in Ponds, April 2007; and Development of Conceptual Model as Basis for Characterization Plan, Plum Brook Reactor Facility, June 2007.
1.2 Observations and Findings During a tour of the PBRF facilities, step-off pads were appropriately placed, friskers and other survey and monitoring instrumentation were available, postings and boundaries were adequate and appropriate, and contamination was being controlled.
Workers were properly dressed-out for the work being performed and acceptable health physics work practices were observed.
In November 2005 the licensee began collecting systematic and biased sediment samples in Plum Brook after surveys identified Cs-137 contamination in the off site portions of Plum Brook between the NASA property and Sandusky Bay. To date, the licensee has collected over 2000 soil and sediment samples to characterize the extent of the Cs-137 contamination. A substantial portion of Plum Brook has been sampled, including surveys of the banks out to about 15 feet on either side of the brook.
Homeowners, farmers, and institutions, with property adjoining Plum Brook have been contacted, and where requested, additional soil samples were collected in yards, ponds, and other areas where sediment may have been removed from Plum Brook and piled or spread elsewhere. A local hydrologist was contracted to assist in identifying historical changes in the location of Plum Brook and water levels to ensure sampling is conducted in appropriate locations.
The highest activity sample collected by the licensee was near the NASA property and contained 50.1 picocuries per gram (pCi/g) Cs-137. Samples on average diminished in concentration downstream from the NASA property, with an average concentration of 0.9 pCi/g for 44 samples collected in Sandusky Bay at the mouth of Plum Brook. Of ten samples collected from residential yards and gardens, the highest value measured was 1.8 pCi/g. The licensees current goal is to remediate areas in excess of 12 pCi/g Cs-137.
1.3 Conclusion The licensees decommissioning radiation protection program was adequately implemented to ensure worker safety and to control radioactive contamination. Actions by the licensee to characterize the extent of Cs-137 contamination in the Plum Brook were acceptable.
2.0 Final Status Surveys - Embedded Piping (83801)
2.1 Inspection Scope The inspectors reviewed the detection equipment, calibration procedures, and records for measuring radiological contamination in embedded pipes. The inspectors also interviewed station personnel to ascertain whether the instruments were adequately calibrated. The inspectors reviewed the following documents: Plum Brook Reactor Facility (PBRF) Project Embedded Pipe Survey Unit Release Record EP-1.24, -1.25,
-1.26, and -1.36; and Final Status Survey Plan for the Plum Brook Reactor Facility (Rev. 1), February 2007.
2.2 Observations and Findings The licensee had obtained radioactive sources and developed a calibration methodology that was adequate to calibrate the detection instruments used to conduct radioactive surveys of embedded pipes. The detection sensitivities of the monitors were able to meet the Derived Concentration Guideline Level (DCGL) screening values stated in the NUREG-1757, Consolidated NMSS Decommissioning Guidance, that the licensee committed to in its Final Status Survey Plan. The final survey results of the embedded pipes reviewed in Survey Unit Release Record EP-1.24, -1.25, -1.26, and -1.36 were below the screening values stated in NUREG-1757.
2.3 Conclusion The inspectors determined that the detection monitors the licensee was using to survey embedded piping was adequately calibrated and appropriate for the surveys being conducted. The Final Status Surveys of the embedded pipes addressed in Survey Unit Release Record EP-1.24, -1.25, -1.26, and -1.36 met the dose criteria of Subpart E, Section 20.1402, 10 CFR Part 20, and can be released for unrestricted use.
3.0 Exit Meeting Summary The inspectors presented preliminary inspection findings to members of the licensee management team at the conclusion of onsite inspection activities on June 27, 2007.
The licensee did not identify any documents or processes reviewed by the inspectors as proprietary.
ATTACHMENT: SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION PARTIAL LIST OF PERSONS CONTACTED Licensee
- K. Peecook, Program Manager
- W. Stoner, Project Radiation Safety Officer
- J. Thomas, Licensing Engineer
- J. Ricardo, Embedded Pipe Manager
- Persons present at the exit meeting on June 27, 2007.
INSPECTION PROCEDURES USED IP 69013 Research and Test Reactor Decommissioning IP 83801 Inspection of Final Surveys ITEMS OPENED, CLOSED, AND DISCUSSED Opened None Closed None Discussed None PARTIAL LIST OF DOCUMENTS REVIEWED Licensee documents reviewed and utilized during the course of this inspection are specifically identified in the Report Details above.
LIST OF ACRONYMS USED CFR Code of Federal Regulations DCGL Derived Concentration Guideline Level IP Inspection Procedure NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration NRC Nuclear Regulatory Commission PBRF Plum Brook Reactor Facility pCi/g picocuries per gram Attachment