IR 05000297/2022201
| ML22130A001 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | North Carolina State University |
| Issue date: | 06/03/2022 |
| From: | Travis Tate NRC/NRR/DANU/UNPO |
| To: | Hawari A North Carolina State University |
| Waugh A | |
| References | |
| IR 2022301 | |
| Download: ML22130A001 (11) | |
Text
SUBJECT:
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY - U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION SAFETY INSPECTION REPORT NO. 05000297/2022201
Dear Dr. Hawari:
From April 18-21, 2022, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff conducted an inspection at the North Carolina State University PULSTAR Reactor. The enclosed report presents the results of that inspection, which were discussed on April 20, 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).
June 3, 2022 If you have any questions concerning this inspection, please contact Andrew Waugh at (301) 415-0230, or by electronic mail at 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. 50-297 License No. R-120 Enclosure:
As stated cc w/enclosure: See next page Signed by Tate, Travis on 06/03/22
North Carolina State University Docket No. 50-297 cc:
Department of Government Affairs 2001 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-2001 Dr. Kostadin Ivanov, Head Department of Nuclear Engineering North Carolina State University Campus Box 7909 Raleigh, NC 27695-7909 W. Lee Cox, Section Chief Department of Health and Human Services Division of Health Service Regulation Radiation Protection Section 1645 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1645 Dr. Louis Martin-Vega, Dean College of Engineering North Carolina State University 113 Page Hall Campus Box 7901 Raleigh, NC 27695-7901 Test, Research and Training Reactor Newsletter Attention: Amber Johnson Dept of Materials Science and Engineering University of Maryland 4418 Stadium Drive College Park, MD 20742-2115 Mrs. Nina Colby Fleming, Ph.D.
Acting Manager of Engineering and Operations Nuclear Reactor Program 2500 Stinson Drive Raleigh, NC 27695-7909 Gerald Wicks, CHP Reactor Health Physicist Department of Nuclear Engineering North Carolina State University Campus Box 7909 2500 Stinson Dr.
Raleigh, NC 27695-7909
ML22130A001 NRC-002 OFFICE NRR/DANU/UNPO NRR/DANU/UNPO/LA NRR/DANU/UNPO/BC NAME AWaugh NParker TTate DATE 5/10/2022 5/10/2022 6/3/2022
Enclosure U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION Docket No.:
50-297 License No.:
R-120 Report No:
05000297/2022201 Licensee:
North Carolina State University Facility:
PULSTAR Nuclear Research Reactor Location:
Raleigh, NC Dates:
April 18-21, 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
- 2 -
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY North Carolina State University PULSTAR Nuclear Research Reactor Inspection Report No. 05000297/2022201 The primary focus of this routine announced inspection was the onsite review of selected aspects of the North Carolina State Universitys (NCSU, 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 (TS) 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 the licensees radioactive material transportation program was in accordance with regulatory and procedural requirements.
- 3 -
REPORT DETAILS Summary of Facility Status The NCSU 1,000 kilowatt PULSTAR nuclear research reactor continued to be operated in support of graduate and undergraduate research and laboratory instruction, service irradiations, reactor operator training, and periodic surveillance. 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. The inspector also reviewed the following regarding the licensees procedures to ensure that the requirements of the licensees administrative procedures and TS 6.4 were met:
special procedure 2.1, Review and Approval of Documentation, Revision 11
operating procedure (OP) 101, Reactor Startup and Shutdown, Revision 16
OP 103, Reactor Operation, Revision 6
OP 105, "Response to SCRAMS, Alarms, and Abnormal Conditions," Revision 9
PULSTAR surveillance procedure (PS) 2-3:S1, "Flow Measuring Channel Calibration," Revision 3
PS 2-5:S1, "Pool Water Level Measuring Channel Calibration," Revision 5 b. Observations and Findings The inspector observed that the licensee maintained written procedures covering the areas specified in TS 6.4. The inspector found that the procedures in use by the licensee were current, reviewed and approved as required by TS 6.4, able to be implemented as intended, and adhered to by reactor personnel.
c. Conclusion The inspector determined that procedures were in compliance with TS and license requirements.
2.
Experiments a.
Inspection Scope (IP 69001, Section 02.06)
The inspector reviewed the following to ensure that experiments were reviewed and conducted as required by TS 3.7, 3.8, and 6.5:
OP 104, "Reactor Experiments," Revision 4
select reactor utilization request forms
qualified user lists for various experiments
select training and qualification records
select experiment log records from 2020-present
- 4 -
b.
Observations and Findings The inspector found that experiments were reviewed and approved as required by TS 6.2 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 3.7 and 3.8.
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 3.5 and 4.4:
PULSTAR annual operating reports for 2020 and 2021
PULSTAR nuclear reactor radiation protection program annual self-assessments for 2020 and 2021
personnel dosimetry records from 2020-present
radiation safety training records 2020-present
select weekly, monthly, and quarterly radiation surveys from 2020-present
radiation work permits from 2020-present
calibration records for various radiation monitoring equipment
HP 1, "Radiation Protection Program," Revision 8
HP 3, "Radiological Surveys," Revision 2
HP 5, "Access Control and Training," Revision 0
HP 10, "Calibration, Operation, and Maintenance of Radiation Survey and Chemistry Instruments," Revision 4
PS 6-17-2:A1, "Process Radiation Monitoring Channel Calibration," Revision 6
PS 6-19-1, "Thermo Radiation Monitor Calibration, Operation, and Maintenance,"
Revision 2 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.
- 5 -
Violation (VIO) 50-120/2020-201-01 was opened during the previous safety inspection because, contrary to TS 6.7.4, the licensee failed to document the release of radioactivity in effluents released via their reactor pool leak to the NRC in any of the annual reports that they submitted since the leak started in 2015. During the current inspection, the inspector found that the licensee submitted updates to their annual reports from 2015 to 2019 which included the required information concerning the release of radioactivity via the reactor pool leak, and that subsequent annual reports also included this information. The inspector found the licensee corrected the issue and violation VIO 50-120/2020-201-01 is, therefore, closed with no further corrective action required.
c.
Conclusion The inspector determined that the licensees HP program was conducted in accordance with TS, procedural, and regulatory requirements.
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:
PULSTAR annual operating reports for 2020 and 2021
10 CFR 50.59 screenings and evaluations from 2020-present
Reactor Safety and Audit Committee (RSAC) meeting minutes from 2020-present
SP 2.1, "Review and Approval of Documentation," Revision 11
OP 101, "Reactor Startup and Shutdown," Revision 16 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 6.2:
RSAC membership appointments for 2020-present
Radiation Safety Committee (RSC) membership appointments for 2020-present
- 6 -
RSAC meeting minutes from 2020-present
RSC meeting minutes from 2020-present
RSAC audit summary for calendar year 2021
RSAC audit summary for calendar year 2020 b. Observations and Findings The inspector found that the licensees RSC and RSAC met and provided reviews and audits as required by the licensees procedures and TS. The inspector also found that problems identified from the licensees required reviews 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.
6.
Transportation Activities a.
Inspection Scope (IP 86740)
The inspector reviewed the following to ensure the licensees program for transporting radioactive materials met NRC and Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements:
HP 6, "Transport of Radioactive and Hazardous Material," Revision 1
various radioactive material shipment records from 2020-present b.
Observations and Findings The inspector found that the licensees procedures and records concerning the transportation of radioactive material were in accordance with NRC and DOT requirements.
c.
Conclusion The inspector determined that the licensees radioactive material transportation program was in accordance with regulatory and procedural requirements.
7.
Exit Interview The inspection scope and results were summarized on April 21, 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 S. Lassell Manager of Engineering and Operations G. Wicks Reactor Health Physicist Director, Nuclear Reactor Program C. Fleming Senior Research Scientist A. Deak Reactor Operator K. Kincaid Chief of Reactor Maintenance 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:
50-120/2020-201-01 VIO The inspector determined that the licensee has documented the release of radioactivity via the reactor pool leak to the U.S.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission in their annual reports as required by TS 6.7.4; therefore, this violation is closed out with no further action required.
Discussed:
None