IR 05000097/1983001
| ML20023B646 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 05000097, 05000157 |
| Issue date: | 04/18/1983 |
| From: | Elsasser T, Kinney W NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20023B634 | List: |
| References | |
| 50-097-83-01, 50-157-83-01, 50-157-83-1, 50-97-83-1, NUDOCS 8305050236 | |
| Download: ML20023B646 (6) | |
Text
{{#Wiki_filter:. , , . V. S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Region I 50-157/83-01 Report Nos. 50-97/83-01 50-157 Docket Nos. 50-97 R-80 -- G License Nos. R-89 Priority -- Category H Licensee: Cornell University Ithaca, New York 14853 Facility Name: Ward Laboratory of Nuclear Engineering Inspection At: Ithaca, New York Inspection Conducted: March 21-23, 1983 Inspector: [ [, .Sra+/ v' S
VEW.' Rfnnef Projecf Engineer ddte ligned Approved By: 4 #[[3 T. C. El h fser, Chief, Reactor Projects date signed Section No. 1B Inspection Summary: Inspection on February 21-23,1983 (Report Nos.
50-157/83-01 and 50-97/83-01) Areas Inspected: Routine, unannounced inspection by a region-based inspector (19 hours) of licensee action on previous inspection findings, facility operation, organization, logs and records, reviews and audits, surveillance activities, procedures, and the separation of pool water from the water supply system.
Results: One violation was identified (failure of the Ward Laboratory Safety Committee to perform annual audits of operations since 1980 and to meet four times during 1982 - Paragraph 7).
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, . z . DETAILS 1.
Persons Contacted D. D. Clark - Director, Nuclear Science and Engineering Program
- V. O. Kostroun - Associate Professor, Nuclear Science Engineering and Applied Physics
- H. C. Aderhold - Reactor Supervisor P. I. Craven - Senior Research Technician D. A. Versage - Radiation Safety Officer
- denotes those present at the exit interview.
2.
Licensee Action on Previous Inspection Findings (Closed) Infraction (79-02-01): The Ward Laboratory Safety Committee did not meet four times a year during 1977 and 1978, as required by Technical Speci-fication 6.2.f.
During the current inspection, the inspector determined that the Committee met four times a year from 1979 through 19-81. Because the licen-see met the Technical Specification for several years af ter the occurrence of the infraction, the licensee accomplished the corrective action for the in-fraction. However, more recently, the Committee only met three times during 1982. This is part of a violation discussed in Paragraph 7 of this report.
(Closed) Infraction (79-02-03): The time period between inspection of fuel elements was greater than 14 months when Inspection No.15 was completed on January 3,1977, and Inspection No.16 was completed on March 29, 1972. Dur-ing the current inspection, the inspector found that the time periods between individual Inspection Nos.16 through 21 were all less than 14 months.
3.
Facility Tour The inspector toured the TRIGA nuclear reactor and the Zero Power Reactor (ZPR) facilities located in the licensee's Ward Laboratory of Nuclear Engi- , neering with a licensee representative immediately after the entrance inter-l view. The housekeeping of the facilities was satisfactory.
No violations were identified.
4.
Facility Operations I l The TRIGA nuclear reactor and the ZPR are used in the licensee's Nuclear l Science and Engineering Program for graduate research, undergraduate course j work for credit in the student's major field of study, and experiments for l neutron activation analyses and neutron detector testing. The reactors are l normally operated only on the day shift during the five day work week.
i No violations were identified.
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5.
Organization The incumbents of the organization responsible for the safe operation of the TRIGA nuclear reactor and the ZPR are as follows: Position Incumbent Dean, College of Engineering Dr. T. E. Everhart Director, Nuclear Science and Engineering Program Dr. D. D. Clark Director, Ward Laboratory Dr. D. D. Clark Reactor Supervisor Mr. H. C. Aderhold Responsible Person for TRIGA Nuclear Reactor Mr. P. I. Craven
Responsible Person for ZPR Mr. H. C. Aderhold Research Support Specialist Mr. J. Apfelbaum Senior Research Technician Mr. B. E. Blank Director of Environmental Health Dr. W. E. Kiker Radiation Safety Officer Mr. D. A. Versage The merabership of the Ward Laboratory Safety Committee is given below: Dr. K. B. Cody, Chairman, Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering l l Dr.- A. P. Casarett, Dean of Graduate School l Dr. H. H. Fleischmann, Professor of Applied and Engineering Physics
i Dr. W. E. Kiker, Director of Office of Environmental Health Dr. V. O. Kostroun, Associate Professor of Nuclear Science Engineering and Applied Physics Dr. J. M. Burlitch, Professor o' Chemistry l Dr. F. I. Rodriguez, Professor of Chemical Engineering Mr. H. C. Aderhold, Secretary, Reactor Supervisor The composition of the Ward Laboratory Safety Committee meets the require-ments of Technical Specification 6.2.c.
No violations were identified.
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6.
Logs and Records The inspector reviewed Log Book No. 28, December 1,1981, through September 29, 1982, and Log Book No. 29, September 30 to present. Much of the infor-mation in these Logs was recorded on three forms placed in the Logs using rubber stamps. One stamp was used each time the reactor was operated.
Listed on this fonn were the date, Checklist No., Experiment Review Form No., Senior Operator, Responsible Person on Duty, Operator, Second Person, Experi-inenter(s), Start-up Time, Time Reached Power, Power Level, Rod Positions, and Experiment Description. The second stamp was used for power changes, and this form listed the Rod Positions, Power Level, Time, and Operators.
The third stamped form was used for pulses. This form listed the Pulse No., Pulse Rod Worth, Time of Pulse, Fuel Temperature, Core Position of Special Element Monitored, Pulse Rod Position, Core Excess, and Senior Operator.
The major maintenance perfonned on the TRIGA nuclear reactor was recorded in the Log Books.
The licensee also has a card system for use in scheduling and recording prc-ventative maintenance for major pieces of equipment such as the air compres-sors and the five ton crane.
The licensee fills out a comprehensive "TRIGA Reactor Daily Start-up Check-list" each day the reactor is started up. The inspector examined the check-lists for 1982 operations. The checklists were numbered consecutively.
Pro-per pre-operational parameter checks, channel checks, channel tests, and equipment status were perfonned using the checklists. These checklists also included a " Shutdown Checklist". The checklists were filled out properly.
No violations were identified.
I 7.
Reviews and Audits The inspector reviewed the minutes of the 67th through 73rd meetings of the Ward Reactor Safety Committee. As required by Technical Specification 6.2.f, the Committee met four times each year from 1979 through 1981. However, during 1982 the Committee only met three times in violation of Technical Specifica-tion 6.2.f.
A quorum was present at each of the 67th through 73rd meetings.
The Committee considered items concerning the TRIGA nuclear reactor and ZPR such as a proposed cold moderator system to be semi-permanently installed in a beamport of the TRIGA nuclear reactor, a neutron guide experiment involving new equipment, and the physical security plan.
The inspector examined the records of the annual audits of operation required by Technical Specification 6.2.b.8 and found that the last audit was conducted on June 16, 1980. This failure to conduct annual audits in 1981 and 1982 is a violation of Technical Specification 6.2.b.8.
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The failure of the Ward Laboratory Safety Canmittee to perform annual audits of operations since 1980 and to meet four times during 1982 is considered to be a single violation of Technical Specification 6.2, Review and Audit (50-157/83-01-01).
8.
Surveillance Activities The inspector reviewed the performance of the following surveillance activities: Tech. Spec.
Description Frequency Time Period 4.2.a Determine the reactivity Annually or change 7/80 - 5/82 work of each control rod in core configura-tion 4.2.d Inspect transient rod drive Semi-annually 10/80 - 10/82 cylinder and associated air supply system. Clean and lubricate as necessary 4.3.a Perform channel test of Daily 1/7/82 - 3/23/83 each reactor safety sys-tem channel 4.3.d Perform calibration on the Annually 10/80 - 8/82 reactor power level measur-ing channels by the calori-metric method 4.4 Verify the alarm set points Daily 1/7/82 - 3/23/82 of two area radiation moni-tors The inspector examined the procedures for the performance of the foregoing sur-veillance activities and discussed the procedures with the Responsible Person for the TRIGA nuclear reactor. The procedures provided adequate instruction, and the licensee representative was cognizant of the Technical Specification and procedural requirements.
No violations were identified.
9.
Procedures The inspector examined the TRIGA Reactor Daily Start-Up Checklist and accom-panied the Responsible Person for the TRIGA nuclear reactor on March 23 as he performed the procedure outline by this document. This individual performed the 38 steps of the Preoperational Checklist and the 12 steps of the Opera-tional Checklist included in the Daily Start-Up Checklist. The inspector also observed the start-up and shutdown of the reacto l
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As mentioned previously, the inspector also examined the procedures for the l perfomance of surveillance activities and discussed these procedures with the licensee. The licensee indicated that all the procedures pertaining to the TRIGA nuclear reactor are currently being reviewed and revised. They j plan to have the procedures properly revised, reviewed, approved, and distri- ' buted by the end of 1983.
No violations were identified.
10.
Separation of Pool Water from Water Supply System The make-up water for the pool water is introduced into the water system at the demineralizer location. The line has two check valves in series to pre-vent backflow of the potentially contaminated water into the water supply ) system. There is a bypass line with a manual valve around the two check i valves. According to the licensee, the check valves reduce the water flow so that necessary steps of the demineralizer regeneration cannot be per-formed and the bypass line must be used. The inspector noted that the handle had been removed from the manual valve in the bypast line. The licensee stated they would make a thorough analysis of the water system, the regener- , ation procedures, and administrative controls (such as. lock and tag procedure)
to assure that contamination of the water supply system will not occur by backflow of water from the reactor cooling system.
No violations were identified.
11. Exit Interview The inspector met with the licensee representatives (denoted in Paragraph 1) at the conclusion of the inspection on March 23, 1983. The inspector pre- , l sented the scope and findings of the inspection, including: l -- The violation concerning the failure of the Ward Laboratory Safety Com-mittee to meet four times during 1982 and to perform annual audits of operations since 1977 (Paragraph 7); -- The review, revision, approval, and distribution of procedures (Paragraph 9);and -- The analysis of the water system to assure that contamination of the water supply system will not occur.
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