IR 05000252/2017201
| ML17304B428 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | University of New Mexico |
| Issue date: | 11/08/2017 |
| From: | Anthony Mendiola Research and Test Reactors Oversight Projects Branch |
| To: | Busch R Univ of New Mexico |
| Eads J, NRR/DLP, 415-0136 | |
| References | |
| IR 2017201 | |
| Download: ML17304B428 (11) | |
Text
November 8, 2017
SUBJECT:
UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO - U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION ROUTINE INSPECTION REPORT NO. 50-252/2017-201
Dear Dr. Busch:
From August 8 - 10, 2017, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) conducted an inspection at the University of New Mexico AGN-201M Research Reactor Facility. The enclosed report presents the results of that inspection, which were discussed on August 10, 2017, with members of your staff.
The inspection examined activities conducted under your license as they relate to safety and compliance with Commissions rules and regulations and with the conditions of your license.
The inspector 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 of NRCs document system (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS)). ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html (the Public Electronic Reading Room). Should you have any questions concerning this inspection, please contact Mr. Johnny Eads at 301-415-0136 or electronic mail at Johnny.Eads@nrc.gov.
Sincerely,
/RA/
Anthony J. Mendiola, Chief Research and Test Reactors Oversight Branch Division of Licensing Projects Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Docket No. 50-252 License No. R-102
Enclosure:
As stated
cc: w/enclosure: See next page
University of New Mexico Docket No. 50-252
cc:
City Manager City of Albuquerque City Hall Albuquerque, NM 87101
Dr. Anil Prinja, Chair Nuclear Engineering Department 1 University of New Mexico MSC 01-1120 Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
Kimberly Paffett, Radiation Safety Office 1 University of New Mexico MCS08-4560 Albuquerque, NM 87131
Chief, Radiation Control Bureau Field Operations Division Environment Department Harold S. Runnels Bldg.
1190 St. Francis Drive, Rm S2100 Santa Fe, NM 87505-4173
Deputy Secretary, Office of the Secretary New Mexico State Environment Department 1190 St. Francis Drive, Suite 4050N Santa Fe, NM 87502-6110
Test, Research and Training Reactor Newsletter P.O. Box 118300 University of Florida Gainesville, FL 32611
Gary Cooper Ph.D Nuclear Engineering Department 1 University of New Mexico MSC-01-1120 Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
ML17205A645; *concurred via e-mail
NRC-002 OFFICE NRR/DLP/PROB/PM*
NRR/DLP/PROB/LA*
NRR/DLP/PROB/BC NAME JEads NParker AMendiola DATE 11/2/17 11/1/17 11/8/17
U. S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION
Docket No.:
50-252
License No.:
R-102
Report No.:
50-252/2017-201
Licensee:
University of New Mexico
Facility:
AGN-201M Reactor Facility
Location:
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Dates:
August 8 -10, 2017
Inspector:
Approved by:
Anthony J. Mendiola, Chief Research and Test Reactors Oversight Branch Division of Licensing Projects Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
University of New Mexico AGN-201M Research Reactor Facility NRC Inspection Report No. 50-252/2017-201
The primary focus of this routine, announced inspection included onsite review of selected aspects of the University of New Mexico (UNM, the licensee) Class II research reactor safety program including: (1) organization and staffing; (2) operations logs and records; (3) surveillance and limiting conditions for operations; (4) emergency planning, (5) maintenance logs and records; and (6) fuel handling logs and records. The licensee's programs was acceptably directed toward the protection of public health and safety, and in compliance with U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requirements.
Organization and Staffing
- Organizational structure and staffing satisfied technical specification (TS) requirements.
Operations Logs and Records
- The facility was maintaining and retaining records in accordance with the TS.
Surveillance and Limiting Condition for Operation
- Surveillances and limiting conditions for operation were being performed and observed in accordance with the TS.
Emergency Planning
- The facilities emergency preparedness program was consistent with the approved Emergency Plan.
Maintenance Logs and Records
- Maintenance activities were performed in accordance with facility procedures. Maintenance records were retained in accordance with TS required periodicity.
Fuel Handling Logs and Records
- Fuel Handling operations were performed in accordance with facility procedures, protocol, and adhered to TS reactivity specifications for storage in a secured location outside the reactor.
Enclosure REPORT DETAILS
Summary of Facility Status
The University of New Mexico (UNM, the licensee) Aerojet General Nucleonics-201 Modified (AGN-201M) research reactor continued to operate the reactor in support of operator training, surveillances, and teaching and classroom experiments/demonstrations. During the inspection, the reactor was shut down for maintenance.
1.
Organization and Staffing
a.
Inspection Scope (Inspection Procedure (IP) 69001)
The inspector reviewed the following to ensure that the requirements of technical specification (TS) Section 6.0 (revised November 2010) were being met:
- Management responsibilities
Qualifications of facility personnel
Organization chart
Selected portions of the Reactor Operations Logs
b.
Observations and Findings
This organization was consistent with that specified in the TS. The organizational structure and the responsibilities of the reactor staff had not changed since the last inspection.
Staffing levels remained consistent with those noted during the last inspection of the facility. Through the review of selected records, during operations when the reactor was not secured, the facility met the minimum operating staff requirements specified in TS Section 6.1.12.
c.
Conclusion
Organizational structure and staffing satisfied TS requirements.
2.
Operation Logs and Records
a.
Inspection Scope (IP 69001)
The inspector reviewed administrative procedures and reviewed record retention to verify compliance with TS Section 6.10. This included:
- Reactor Operations Logs, various 2016 and 2017
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- Surveillance and limiting conditions for operation (LCOs) records, various 2016 and 2017
Maintenance records, various 2016 and 2017
b.
Observations and Findings
Reactor operations logs are maintained on an Appendix IIIB form The University of New Mexico AGN-201M Reactor Operations Log. The logs identify the completion of the pre-critical startup checklist, startup, power changes, and shutdown of the reactor. The logs and records identify the installation or removal of fuel elements, control rods, or experiments that could affect core reactivity.
The logs and records identify rod worth measurements and other reactivity measurements.
It was noted that the reactor operators followed the appropriate procedures, were knowledgeable of the required actions, and professional in the conduct of their duties. The reactor logs were generally found to be properly completed and maintained.
c.
Conclusion
The facility was maintaining and retaining records in accordance with the TS.
3.
Surveillance and Limiting Conditions for Operation
a.
Inspection Scope (IP 69001)
The inspector reviewed the following to verify compliance with TS Section 3.0 and Section 4.0:
- AGN-201M Annual Maintenance form, dated August 15, 2016
Reactor Operations Logs, various 2016 and 2017
Monthly Reactor Inspection AGN-201M, SN-112 Reactor forms, various for 2016 and 2017
b.
Observations and Findings
The inspector verified that LCOs for reactor core reactivity conditions, reactor control and safety systems, limitations of experiments, and radiation monitoring, control and shielding were met since the last NRC inspection. At the UNM reactor facility, LCOs are verified through monthly and annual surveillances, the results are maintained within the Monthly Maintenance Logbook. Monthly maintenance activities include such determinations as nuclear instrumentation channel checks to verify scram set points and interlocks and rod drop tests. The annual maintenance involves extensive determinations such as power calibration, core excess reactivity, shutdown margin, and rod worth calibrations.
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c.
Conclusion
Surveillances and LCOs were being performed and observed in accordance with facility TS.
4.
Emergency Planning
a.
Inspection Scope (IP 69001)
The inspector verified compliance with the facilities Emergency Plan (E-Plan) by reviewing selected aspects of:
- E-Plan for the UNM AGN-201M Reactor Facility, dated August 31, 2015
Emergency Drill Critique, dated September 22, 2016
Emergency Contact Lists
Emergency Facilities and Capabilities
b.
Observations and Findings
The inspector reviewed the E-Plan, emergency implementing procedures, and toured the facility, noting emergency response capabilities. The E-Plan did not have significant changes and did not appear to change its effectiveness.
The inspector conducted a walk down of the facility to verify that the equipment specified in E-Plan Section 8.0, Emergency Facilities and Equipment, was available.
In addition, the inspector reviewed the latest facility drill critique dated September 22, 2016. The drill was found to satisfy the requirements of E-Plan Section 10.2, Training and Drills.
c.
Conclusion
The licensee was maintaining acceptable emergency preparedness in accordance with TS and E-Plan requirements.
5.
Maintenance Logs and Records
a.
Inspection Scope (IP 69001)
To verify that maintenance was being performed in accordance with procedures, the inspector reviewed the following:
- Maintenance Log
Selected portions of the Reactor Operations Logs
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b.
Observations and Findings
The inspector reviewed selected portions of the control room and maintenance logbooks governing the interval of time since the previous inspection.
Maintenance during this inspection period included troubleshooting and minor repairs. Routine and preventive maintenance was controlled and documented in the appropriate logs. These documents indicated that all maintenance activities were in accordance with the requirements in licensee administrative controls.
The inspector verified that all maintenance was conducted in accordance with the requirements of TS Section 4.0, and system operational checks were performed before returning them to service.
c.
Conclusion
Maintenance activities were performed in accordance with facility procedures.
Maintenance records were retained in accordance with TS required periodicity.
6.
Fuel Handling Logs and Records
a.
Inspection Scope (IP 69001)
To verify compliance with TS 5.2, the inspector interviewed facility staff and reviewed the following:
- Reactor Operations Log, various 2016 and 2017
b.
Observations and Findings
Through discussion with reactor facility staff and record reviews it was determined that the majority of fuel handling was performed during laboratory experiments (e.g., 1/M plots for criticality determination) or annual surveillances (e.g., rod drop tests).
The inspector found that the records of fuel movements completed during the inspection period adequately documented the location of fuel elements at all times.
c.
Conclusion
Fuel Handling operations were performed in accordance with facility procedures, protocol, and adhered to TS reactivity specifications for storage in a secured location outside the reactor.
7.
Exit Meeting
The inspection scope and results were summarized on August 10, 2017, with members of licensee management. The inspector described the areas inspected and discussed in detail the inspection findings. The licensee acknowledged the findings presented and did not identify as proprietary any of the material provided to or reviewed by the inspector during the inspection.
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PARTIAL LIST OF PERSONS CONTACTED
Licensee Chief Reactor Supervisor K. Carpenter Reactor Supervisor
INSPECTION PROCEDURES USED
Class II Research and Test Reactors
ITEMS OPENED, CLOSED, AND DISCUSSED
OPENED:
None
CLOSED:
None
DISCUSSED:
None
LIST OF ACRONYMS USED
Inspection Procedure LCOs Limiting Conditions for Operation NRC
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission TSs
Technical Specifications UNM University of New Mexico