IR 05000030/2012001
| ML113470416 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Plum Brook |
| Issue date: | 12/09/2011 |
| From: | Christine Lipa NRC/RGN-III/DNMS/DB |
| To: | Lugo R US National Aeronautics & Space Admin (NASA), Lewis Research Ctr |
| References | |
| IR-12-001 | |
| Download: ML113470416 (16) | |
Text
UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION ber 9, 2011
SUBJECT:
NRC INSPECTION REPORT 05000030/12-001 (DNMS) AND 05000185/12-001 (DNMS) - NASA PLUM BROOK REACTOR FACILITY
Dear Mr. Lugo:
On November 22, 2011, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) completed inspection activities at the National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA) Plum Brook Reactor Facility, Sandusky, Ohio. The purpose of the inspection was to determine whether decommissioning activities were conducted safely and in accordance with NRC requirements.
Specifically, during an on-site inspection on October 18 - 20,2011, and subsequent in-office review through November 22, 2011, the inspectors evaluated decommissioning performance and conducted independent confirmatory radiation surveys and sampling. An evaluation of the samples was performed by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE). At the conclusion of the on-site inspection, the inspectors discussed the interim inspection results with members of your staff. A final report from ORISE with the results of the sample analysis was provided to the NRC on November 10, 2011. At the conclusion of the in-office review, a final telephone exit meeting was conducted on November 22, 2011, to discuss the final results with members of your staff.
This inspection consisted of an examination of decommissioning activities at the NASA Plum Brook Reactor Facility as they relate to safety and compliance with the Commission's rules and regulations. Areas examined during the inspection are identified in the enclosed report. Within these areas, the inspection consisted of a selective examination of procedures and representative records, and interviews with personnel.
Based on the results of this inspection, no violations were identified.
In accordance with 10 CFR 2.390 of the NRC's "Rules of Practice," a copy of this letter and its enclosure wiff be available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or from the NRC's Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS),
accessible from the NRC website at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html.
R. Lugo, III -2 We will gladly discuss any questions you may have regarding this inspection.
~4 Christine A. Lipa, Chief Materials Control, ISFSI, and Decommissioning Branch Division of Nuclear Materials Safety Docket Nos. 050-00030 and 050-00185 License Nos. TR-3 and R-93
Enclosure:
NRC Inspection Report Nos. 05000030/12-001(DNMS)
and 05000185/12-001 (DNMS)
REGION III==
Docket Nos. 050-00030 and 050-00185 License Nos. TR-3 and R-93 Report Nos. 05000030/12-001 (DNMS) and 05000185/12-001 (DNMS)
Licensee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Facility: Plum Brook Reactor Facility Test Reactor and Mockup Reactor Location: Sandusky, Ohio Dates: October 18-20, 2011 (on-site)
through November 22,2011 (in-office review)
NRC Inspectors: Jeremy Tapp, Health Physicist Lionel Rodriguez, Reactor Engineer Approved by: Christine A. Lipa, Chief Materials Control, ISFSI, and Decommissioning Branch Division of Nuclear Materials Safety Enclosure
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY NASA Plum Brook Reactor Facility Inspection Reports 05000030/12-001(DNMS) and 05000185/12-001 (DNMS)
The National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA) Plum Brook Reactor Facility has completed performing all major remediation of the facility and is now completing the remainder of the final status surveys. These mainly consist of land areas within and bordering the facility fence line. This routine decommissioning inspection included a review of the licensee's current performance related to decommissioning activities by performing independent confirmatory radiation surveys and sampling. These surveys and the associated sampling were performed in the land areas referred to above.
Inspection of Remedial and Final Surveys at Permanently Shutdown Reactors
- For the areas where confirmatory surveys were performed by the inspectors, all results were consistent with the licensee's and well below the required cleanup levels, or derived concentration guideline levels (DCGLs). The DCGLs calculated for the areas surveyed by the inspectors were appropriate and in accordance with the requirements in the Final Status Survey Plan and followed Multi-Agency Radiation Survey and Site Investigation Manual (MARSSIM) guidance. The survey units where release records were reviewed were appropriate for release in accordance with the Final Status Survey Plan. (Section 1.0)
2 Enclosure
Report Details 1.0 Inspection of Remedial and Final Surveys at Permanently Shutdown Reactors (83801)
1.1 Inspection Scope The inspectors performed confirmatory final status surveys in open land areas within and bordering the site fence line. The inspectors chose land areas to survey where the licensee had already completed final status surveys and soil sampling and where a substantial potential existed for residual contamination. Specifically, the inspectors performed surveys in Survey Unit OL-1-56, OL-1-62, OL-1-68, OL-1-71, OL-1-72, OL-1 73, OL-1-74, OL-1-84, and OL-2-3. Walkover surveys were performed with Sodium Iodide (Nal) scintillation detectors and associated Global Positioning System (GPS)
equipment to track and record the survey results. Eight soil samples were obtained in the survey units above by the inspectors at both random and biased locations. The biased sample locations where chosen by the inspectors based on the areas with the highest readings during the walkover surveys. The soil sample locations were also recorded with the GPS. In addition, a water sample was obtained from surface water within the site fence to verify elevated tritium levels were not present. All samples were sent to the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) for analysis.
The inspectors reviewed Survey Design #51, "Restricted Area Surface Soils,"
Revision 0, for areas within the fence line, and Survey Design #54, "Restricted Areas Buffer Zone Soils," Revision 0, for areas bordering the fence line, to determine if the licensee calculated appropriate required cleanup levels, or derived concentration guideline levels (DCGLs), for the areas that would be surveyed by the inspectors. The inspectors also verified whether the required DCGLs calculated were in accordance with the approved Final Status Survey Plan and followed Multi-Agency Radiation Survey and Site Investigation Manual (MARSSIM) guidance. The results of the inspectors' surveys and soil samples were compared to the licensee's calculated DCGLs to verify the results were below the required release criteria. In addition, the inspectors reviewed Survey Unit Release Record OL-2-3, Revision 0; OL-1-62, Revision 0; OL-1-71, Revision 0; and OL-1-72, Revision 0, to ensure the results from the inspectors' confirmatory surveys were consistent with those of the licensee and the survey units were appropriate for release.
1.2 Observations and Findings The licensee continues to make progress towards completion of decommissioning activities. Now that building decontamination and survey activities are complete, final status surveys in outdoor land areas of the site have been the main activities occurring.
The inspectors found that the calculations in Survey Design #51 and #54 that determined the DCGLs to be used for the survey units that the inspectors performed confirmatory final status surveys in were performed appropriately and in accordance with the approved Final Status Survey Plan and followed MARSSIM guidance.
The Nal detector walkover surveys that the inspectors performed in the survey units, listed in the scope section above, resulted in all readings being at or near background
. levels. No area with significantly elevated readings was found. All soil samples 3 Enclosure
analyzed by ORISE were well below the required DCGLs. In addition, the inspectors noted all walkover survey and soil sample results were below the lower investigation level limits set in the applicable survey design, which ensure that areas with higher levels of potential contamination are bounded and fully characterized to adequately disposition. The results of the sample analysis were documented in a letter from ORISE to the NRC on November 10, 2011, with the subject, "Letter Report for Analytical Results for Eight Soil Samples and One Water Sample from NASA Plum Brook, Sandusky, Ohio" (ML113210536). The inspectors also noted that the surface water sample analysis by ORISE resulted in no detectable tritium. For the areas where survey unit release records were reviewed, all walkover survey data and soil sample results were consistent with the licensee's. In addition, the inspectors found that for the release records reviewed, all survey unit walkover scans and soil sampling results were below the DCGLs and therefore, appropriate for release in accordance with the Final Status Survey Plan.
The results of the surveys performed by the inspectors are documented in Attachments 2 through 7 of this report as survey maps, which were developed using the GPS equipment data obtained during the walkover surveys. The readings are color coded and a legend relates the color to gross counts per minute (cpm), which includes the background radiation component. Background readings at the NASA Plum Brook facility ranged from approximately 4,000 to 12,000 cpm, depending on the area surveyed. In addition, soil sample locations are depicted on the survey maps with orange diamonds. The soil sample results are included in a table on the survey maps as well. For comparison sake, the most limiting DCGL release criterion for the areas surveyed was 11.4 pCi/g for Cs-137.
No findings of significance were identified.
1.3 Conclusions For the areas where confirmatory surveys were performed by the inspectors, a/l results were consistent with the licensee's surveys and well below the required DCGLs. The DCGLs calculated for the areas surveyed by the inspectors were appropriate and determined in accordance with the requirements in the Final Status Survey Plan and followed MARSSIM guidance. The survey units where release records were reviewed were appropriate for release in accordance with the Final Status Survey Plan.
2.0 Exit Meeting Summary The inspectors presented the interim inspection results to licensee management at the conclusion of the onsite inspection on October 20, 2011. After in-office review was completed on November 22, 2011, a final exit teleconference was held on 4 Enclosure
November 22, 2011. The licensee acknowledged the results presented and did not identify any of the documents reviewed by the inspectors as proprietary.
ATIACHMENT 1: SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ATIACHMENT 2: SURVEY UNIT OL-2-3 WALKOVER RADIATION SURVEY ATIACHMENT 3: SURVEY UNIT OL-1-56 WALKOVER RADIATION SURVEY ATIACHMENT 4: SURVEY UNIT OL-1-71 WALKOVER RADIATION SURVEY ATIACHMENT 5: SURVEY UNIT OL-1-84 WALKOVER RADIATION SURVEY ATIACHMENT 6: SURVEY UNITS OL-1-68 AND OL-1-62 WALKOVER RADIATION SURVEY ATIACHMENT 7: SURVEY UNITS OL-1-74 AND OL-1-75 WALKOVER RADIATION SURVEY 5 Enclosure
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION PARTIAL LIST OF PERSONS CONTACTED Licensee 2p. Kolb, Acting Program Manager 2W. Stoner, Radiation Safety Officer 1,2R. Case, Assistant Program Manager 1,2J. Thomas, Project QA & Licensing Manager 11ndicates presence at the interim exit meeting held on October 20, 2011.
21ndicates presence on the final exit teleconference held on November 22, 2011.
LIST OF PROCEDURES USED IP 83801 Inspection of Remedial and Final Surveys at Permanently Shutdown Reactors ITEMS OPENED, CLOSED, AND DISCUSSED Opened None Closed None Discussed None LIST OF ACRONYMS USED ADAMS Agencywide Documents Access and Management System CFR Code of Federal Regulations cpm counts per minute DCGL Derived Concentration Guideline Level DNMS Division of Nuclear Material Safety GPS Global Positioning System MARSSIM Multi-Agency Radiation Survey and Site Investigation Manual Nal Sodium Iodide NASA National Aeronautical and Space Administration NRC U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ORISE Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education DOCUMENTS REVIEWED Licensee documents used during the inspection were specifically identified in the Report Details above.
Attachment 1
Legend o Sample locations Gamma walkover Gross cpm
- 4143 - 6000
- 6001 - 8000 11-1-06
- 8001 - 10000
- 10001 - 12000 12001 - 14000 RC IIlI NP8-U-l-01 NP8-11-H12 Colledlon Da~ CoiledionTIme WW2011 W18/2011 l lBS EST 10:55 EST CountRl~ (qlIIIl 8.022 to,242 es.m c-ntrMlon (part)
6.12
..; I'w4OC
-- - - - 10 15 2D 25 Meters NP8-11-1-m NP8-11- 1-ol W18/2011 W18/2011 12:35 EST 11:45 EST 10.100 to,lDl
..; I'w4OC US I *
- '{),S.NRC I~ I* .. ~ No. I. ~ .. ( ,." ( 4" * ; * * ;, *
NP8-11-1-05 W18/2011 16:05 EST 12.300 6.32 NP8-11-1-06 1"'19/2011 1O:1OES1 12.500 6. 13 SURVEY U,.IT OL~
NP8-11-1-07 W19I2011 12:15 EST 12.600 2.76 WAlKOVER RADiOlOGICAL S VEY NP8-11-1-(J8 W2O,I2011 11:35 EST 8,.l00 6.13 HASA PLUM BROOK REACTOR SITE U ,,.OUSKY, OHIO Dates 101' 1812011 - 10/2Di21l 11 Kits it: 5N and 6J'J m~entiticn Me~: 224 1 ~
OetecIDrs: 44-10 Attachment 2
- *
Legend o Sample locations Gamma Walkover Gross cpm
- 4143 - 6000
- 6001 - 8000
- 8001 - 10000
- 10001 - 12000 RC 101 COII~t'IIoll DItt COlli!C:tiOn ll.- CDliIlt Mil! l cpnl CH37 CDlicmntfCll'l (pClf&l 12001 - 14000 NPB-tl l -01 lCV1l\l2011 llkl5 5T 8.022 0,12 NPB-tl l-'02 lCVlJl/201l NPB-tl l.03 NPB-tl+04 1CV1l\I201l 1CV1l\I201l 1~S5 5T 12:15 5T 12:"55T 10.2112 10.100 10.800
<to/IDe
< Moe 1,7S
-- - 5
-
10 20 t.4eten; NPB-tl-l..05 NPB-U - 1..06 lCV1l\l2011 1CV19/2011 16:05 5T 10:10 5 T 11..)00 11..500 0,32 11.:13
- ,'lIS.NR C NPB-tl l.07 lCV19/2011 12:l5 5T 11..&lO 2.76 NPB-U -H18 lCV~2011 11:15 5T 8.100 11.:13 SURVEY O L-NiG WAlIKOVER RADIOLOGICAL S RVCY NASA PLUM BROOK ,REACTOR SlTE SANDLJSKY, otlIO oates lOi l Bf201 1 - l000i20 11 Kits #: oN and 6N mlnlmentllion Metef's: 22<11-3 OeteGtors: 44-10 Attachment 3
Legend o Sample locations Gamma Walkover Grosscpm
- 4143 - 6000
- 6001 - 8000
- 8001 - 10000
- 10001 - 12000 12001 - 14000 NRC IDI CAlIledion Date Colectlon T1me Count ~ Iqwl a-m CGnCtNntion {pa/ll NPIH1-H ll 1QfW2011 10:35 EST 8.DZ2 0.22 5 10 20 NP&-11-1-i!2 1OIl!V2011 10:55 EST 10..242 "MOC NP&-11-1-03 10fl1tl20U 12:35 EST lO.1oo " MOC
~EST 10,801 1.75
~- ~ L1S. NRC NPB-U-1-<04 lD/l!V2011 NP&-11-HlS 1QfW2011 1&:a5 EST 12.300 o.D I . ,,,I* .. .. No. 1.. !"( ' . " , ... , ' ;.. ;. ,
NPB-11-1~ 10/1912011 10:20 EST 12.500 0.13 NP&-11-1-D7 1OI1W2011 12:15 EST 11,600 2.76 NP&-11-1-a1 lll/2lV2011 11=35 EST 8.100 0.13 SURVt'Y OL-1-T1 WALKOVER RADIOLOGICAL S )lEY N.c..SA PLUM BROOK REACTOR SITE SANDUSKY, OHO Dates 1Di1B1201 1- 1000Q0 11
!GIs *= 5N and !IN Insln.menlation Metefs: 2241-3 De~!Dr5 : 44-10 Attachment 4
- *
- *
.
- * Legend
<>
- Sample locations
- Gamma Walkover
.
Grosscpm
,e.* * 4143 - 6000
.'
6001 - 8000 8001 - 10000
....* * 10001 - 12000 1200 1 - 14000 2.5 5 10 NIIC IDI 'CoIIKtioo illite CMledion Time COIMIt IRate 'qnl Cs-.m CUctnlt'ation {pale)
NI'8-11-1-01 lQ/'1I\I20U l (k-3SEST 8,022 Ill2 NI'8-11-1-02 NP8-11-1-m llV1I\I20U lQI'1I\I20U
- mssEST 12:35 EST 1Il.2A2 1Il.1OO
< MOC
< MOC
-: l IS_NRC I . bl* p ~"", Ir !.. ( . . .. ( ... . ,; .. ;. ,
NI'8-11- 1-04 1QI1I\I20U :1l:45EST 1Il.8IJO US NI'8-11-1-05 lQ/'1I\I2011 lfi,:QS EST U.3OO Q.32 SURVEYUHIT OL-1-U NI'8-11-H16 lQ/'l!),I20U lruIOEST U.5OO 0.13 WAlKOIIER RADIOLOGICAl.. S RVEY 1111'8-11-1-07 lQ/'l!),I2011 12:lSEST U.6OO 2.76 HA.M PlU.. BROOK REACTOR SITE 5AlfDUSKY, OHIO NP8-11-1-08 ~2011 11:3SEST 8,100 0.13 Dates l Oi181201 1 - IIl1'2.Oi2O 11 Kits f: oN and !IN Inslrumen1a!ion Meter.;: 224 1-3 DeteOOrs: 44- 10 Attachment 5
Legend o Sample Locations Gamma Walkover Gross cpm
- 4143 - 6000
- 6001 - 8000
- 8001 - 10000
- 10001 -12000
"!!CIDI COIlectivn Date COIlectivn n_ COijft'! '_ fCllml 'C$-m~CIn IpCl/1ll 12001 - 14000 NPB-ll-1-01 11)/18/1011 10:35 EST 8,022 O.ll NPB-ll-I-Q2 10,118/1011 10:55 EST to.242 < MDC 10 :ro 30 4!l 51)
NPB-ll-1-03 10,118/1011 U:35EST to.l([I < Moe ------ Meten; NPB-ll-1-C14 10,118/1011 U ,4SEST to.BIlJ 1.75 NPB-11-1-OS 11)/18/1011 NPB-ll-1-C16 1G,1l9/1011 lIilClS EST 1O:20EST 12.300 12.500 0.32 o.ll
,:*LT. S.NRC I , I. I . r~ N-. I . !.. < * * " " ( ** , I ;**i , ,
NPIH1-1-C17 1G,1l9/1011 U:1SEST 12.&D 2.76 NPB-ll-1-IB 10,12Jl/1011 U:3SEST 8,100 0.13 SURVEY UNIT Ol1 ," .ndOL-'~
WAlKOVE R RADIOLOGICAL SURVEY N'A.:l-A PLUM BROOK REACTOR SITE SANDUSKY. OHIO Dates 101 181201 1 - 10I20I2011 Kits #: 5N and 6N m llmlenlaticn Metef's: 2241-3 OetectDr5 : 44-10 Attachment 6
- .- .*
-* Legend
- o Gamma walkover Grosscpm
_
Sample locations 4 143 - 6000
- 6001 - 8000
- 8001 - 10000
- 10001 - 12000 JlC IDII 0IIIec60t'1oate CGlledo" lime COIlnt bte (qwnl es-1J1 co.-nb'atIon CpCl/
NP1I-ll.-1-oJ. 10/18/ 1011 lO:35EST 8.021 (I.ll 12001 - 14000 NPlI-ll-1-W 10/18/1011 lQ55 EST 1Il.2A2 .. MOC
- -- -
NPlI-ll*1-Ol 10/18/1011 12:.35EST 1.0,100 ... MOC o 2.5 5 10 15 NPII-11-1-4N 10/18/1011 12:6EST 1.0,800 1.75 NPlI-ll-H15 10/18/1011 16:060 EST 12.300 113.2 NPB-ll-l-C6 1O/19/1011:UklOEST NP1I-1l- 1-oJ 10/19/ 1011 12: 15 EST 12.500 12.600 1113 2.76 (~~.
I , I~ I*
LT.S.NR C
.. ~ N.. I. :.. ( . . .. (~, I , ; * *; "
NPII-ll-l~ 1O/2IlI2Il11 11:.35 EST 8.100 1113 SURVeY UNrT Ol'1-7' .nll Ol-t-75*
WALKOVER RADIOLOGICAl SURVeY NASA PLUM BROOK REACTOR SITE SANDUSKY. OHIO Oortes 10i1Bf201 1 - 1000i20 11 Kits fI: 5N and 6N nslNnenlalicn Meters: 2241.J Dl!l:ec1Drs: 44-10 Attachment 7