IR 05000252/2022202
| ML22305A702 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | University of New Mexico |
| Issue date: | 11/04/2022 |
| From: | Travis Tate NRC/NRR/DANU/UNPO |
| To: | Willis C Univ of New Mexico |
| References | |
| IR 2022202 | |
| Download: ML22305A702 (1) | |
Text
SUBJECT:
UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO - U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION SAFETY INSPECTION REPORT NO. 05000252/2022202
Dear Mr. Willis:
From September 12-14, 2022, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff conducted an inspection at the University of New Mexico AGN-201M Reactor facility. The enclosed report presents the results of that inspection, which were discussed on September 14, 2022, with you and members of your 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 inspector reviewed selected procedures and records, observed various 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 the 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).
November 4, 2022 If you have any questions concerning this inspection, please contact Andrew Waugh at (301) 415-0230, or by email to Andrew.Waugh@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. 50-252 License No. R-102 Enclosure:
As stated cc w/enclosure: See next page Signed by Tate, Travis on 11/04/22
University of New Mexico Docket No. 50-252 cc: City Manager City of Albuquerque City Hall Albuquerque, NM 87101 Dr. Hyoung K. Lee, Chair Nuclear Engineering Department 1 University of New Mexico MSC 01-1120 Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001 Cathryn Anderko Interim Radiation Safety Officer 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 Attention: Ms. Amber Johnson Dept of Materials Science and Engineering University of Maryland 4418 Stadium Drive College Park, MD 20742-2115 Gary Cooper Ph.D Nuclear Engineering Department 1 University of New Mexico MSC-01-1120 Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
ML22305A702 NRC-002 OFFICE NRR/DANU/UNPO NRR/DANU/UNPO/LA NRR/DANU/UNPO/BC NAME AWaugh NParker TTate DATE 11/3/2022 11/4/2022 11/4/2022
Enclosure U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION Docket No.:
50-252 License No.:
R-102 Report No:
05000252/2022202 Licensee:
University of New Mexico Facility:
University of New Mexico AGN-201M Reactor Location:
Albuquerque, New Mexico Dates:
September 12-14, 2022 Inspector:
Andrew Waugh 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 University of New Mexico University of New Mexico AGN-201M Reactor Facility Inspection Report No. 05000252/2022202 The primary focus of this routine announced inspection was the onsite review of selected aspects of the University of New Mexicos (UNM, the licensees) Class II research reactor facility program, including: (1) procedures; (2) experiments; (3) health physics (HP); (4) design changes; (5) committees, audits and review; and (6) transportation of radioactive materials. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff determined that the licensees program was acceptably directed toward the protection of public health and safety, and in compliance with NRC requirements.
Procedures
The inspector determined that procedures were controlled, maintained current, implemented, and followed in compliance with technical specifications (TSs) and license requirements.
Experiments
The inspector determined that experiments were reviewed, approved, and conducted in accordance TS, procedural, and regulatory requirements.
Health Physics
The inspector determined that the licensees HP program was conducted in accordance with TS, procedural, and regulatory requirements.
Design Changes
The inspector determined that design changes were conducted in accordance with TS, procedural, and regulatory requirements.
Committees, Audits and Reviews
The inspector determined that the licensees oversight programs were conducted in accordance with TS and procedural requirements.
Transportation Activities
The inspector determined that no radioactive material was shipped from the reactor facility under the reactor license.
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REPORT DETAILS Summary of Facility Status The UNM Aerojet General Nucleonics-201 Modified (AGN-201M) research reactor continued to operate in support of teaching, classroom experiments/demonstrations, surveillances, and operator training. During the inspection, the reactor was started up, operated, and shut down to support these ongoing activities.
1.
Procedures a.
Inspection Scope (Inspection Procedure [IP] 69001, Section 02.03)
The inspector reviewed various procedures and observed their implementation, including a monthly reactor inspection, reactor startup, irradiation experiment, and reactor shutdown. The inspector also reviewed the following regarding the licensees procedures to ensure that the requirements of the licensees administrative procedures and TS 6.6 were met:
select procedures from the "Reactor Operation and Training Manual," dated January 2021
reactor safety advisor committee meeting minutes from 2021-present b. Observations and Findings The inspector observed that the licensee maintained written procedures covering the areas specified in TS 6.6. The inspector found that the procedures in use by the licensee were current, reviewed and approved as required by TS 6.6, able to be implemented as intended, and adhered to by reactor personnel.
c. Conclusion The inspector determined that procedures were controlled, maintained current, implemented, and followed in compliance with TS and license requirements.
2.
Experiments a.
Inspection Scope (IP 69001, Section 02.06)
The inspector observed the performance of an irradiation experiment and reviewed the following to ensure that experiments were reviewed and conducted as required by TS 3.3 and 6.7:
select "Request for Use of the UNM AGN-201 Reactor," authorization forms, dated 2020-present
select "Isotope Production Log," entries, dated 2020-present
various procedures for standard experiments
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b.
Observations and Findings The inspector found that experiments were reviewed and approved as required by TS 6.7 and Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) 50.59, Changes, tests and experiments. The inspector also found that experiments were conducted in accordance with the licensees procedures and TS 3.3.
c.
Conclusion The inspector determined that experiments were reviewed, approved, and conducted in accordance TS, procedural, and regulatory requirements.
3.
Health Physics a.
Inspection Scope (IP 69001, Section 02.07)
The inspector toured the facility, observed radiation surveys, and observed radiological signs and postings. The inspector also reviewed the following to ensure the licensees HP program adheres to the requirements of 10 CFR Part 19, Notices, Instructions, and Reports to Workers: Inspection and Investigations, 10 CFR Part 20, Standards for Protection against Radiation, and TS 3.4 and 4.4:
select personnel and area dosimetry records from 2020-present
select radiation safety training records
annual Nuclear Engineering AGN-201M Reactor Operational Radiation Survey forms, dated 2021-2022
select monthly Nuclear Engineering AGN-201M Reactor/Source Storage Radiation Dose Survey forms, dated 2021-present
select calibration records for radiation monitors
2021 UNM annual report b.
Observations and Findings The inspector found that practices regarding the use of dosimetry, radiation monitoring equipment, placement of radiological postings, posting of notices, use of protective clothing, and the handling and storing of radioactive material or contaminated equipment was in accordance with regulations and the licensees radiation protection program. The inspector found that the licensee met the regulatory requirements concerning radiological effluent releases and radiation survey, sampling, and monitoring. The inspector also found that training was conducted for radiation workers and as low as reasonably achievable principles were implemented as required by licensee procedures.
c.
Conclusion The inspector determined that the licensees HP program was conducted in accordance with TS, procedural, and regulatory requirements.
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4.
Design Changes a.
Inspection Scope (IP 69001, Section 02.08)
The inspector reviewed the following to ensure that modifications to the facility were made in accordance with the requirements of 10 CFR 50.59 and TS:
completed "Reactor Maintenance Log Sheet" forms, dated 2020-present
reactor safety advisor committee meeting minutes from 2021-present
2021 UNM annual report b. Observations and Findings The inspector found that design changes were reviewed and approved as required by 10 CFR 50.59. The inspector also found that the performance of modified equipment and the procedures and drawings related to that equipment met regulatory, TS, and procedural requirements.
c. Conclusion The inspector determined that design changes were conducted in accordance with TS, procedural, and regulatory requirements.
5.
Committees, Audits and Reviews a. Inspection Scope (IP 69001, Section 02.09)
The inspector reviewed the following to ensure that committees, audits and reviews were conducted as required by the licensees procedures and TS 6.4:
reactor safety advisor committee meeting minutes from 2021-present
audits completed by the reactor safety advisor committee from 2021-present
2021 UNM annual report b. Observations and Findings The inspector found that the licensees reactor safety advisory committee met and provided reviews as required by the TS. The inspector also found that problems identified from the licensees required reviews and audits were resolved in accordance with the licensees procedures and TS.
c.
Conclusion The inspector determined that the licensees oversight programs were conducted in accordance with TS and procedural requirements.
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6.
Transportation Activities a.
Inspection Scope (IP 86740)
The inspector interviewed licensee personnel, radiation safety office personnel, and reviewed operational logs and records to ensure the licensees program for transporting radioactive materials met NRC and Department of Transportation requirements.
b.
Observations and Findings The inspector found that the licensee did not ship any radioactive material from the reactor facility under the reactor license. The inspector verified that if the licensee needed to ship radioactive material, it would be transferred to UNMs broad scope license and shipped or disposed of under that license.
c.
Conclusion The inspector determined that no radioactive material was shipped from the reactor facility under the reactor license.
7.
Exit Interview The inspection scope and results were summarized on September 14, 2022, with members of licensee management and staff. The inspector described the areas inspected and discussed the inspection results. The licensee acknowledged the results of the inspection.
Attachment PARTIAL LIST OF PERSONS CONTACTED Licensee Chief Reactor Supervisor R. Davis Senior Reactor Operator Other Personnel M. Eden Health Physicist, Radiation Safety Office INSPECTION PROCEDURES USED IP 69001 Class II Research and Test Reactors IP 86740 Inspection of Transportation Activities ITEMS OPENED, CLOSED, AND DISCUSSED Opened:
None Closed:
None Discussed:
None