IR 05000602/2024201
| ML24022A106 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | University of Texas at Austin |
| Issue date: | 02/20/2024 |
| From: | Travis Tate NRC/NRR/DANU/UNPO |
| To: | Charlton W University of Texas at Austin |
| References | |
| IR 2024201 | |
| Download: ML24022A106 (10) | |
Text
SUBJECT:
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN - U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION SAFETY INSPECTION REPORT NO. 05000602/2024201
Dear Dr. Charlton:
From January 8-11, 2024, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff conducted an inspection at the University of Texas at Austin, Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory. The enclosed report documents the inspection results, which were discussed on January 11, 2024, 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 website at https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html (the Public Electronic Reading Room).
February 20, 2024 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. 50-602 License No. R-129 Enclosure:
As stated cc w/enclosure: GovDelivery Subscribers Signed by Tate, Travis on 02/20/24
ML24022A106 NRC-002 OFFICE NRR/DANU/UNPO/RI NRR/DANU/UNPO/LA NRR/DANU/UNPO/BC NAME AWaugh NParker TTate DATE 1/22/2024 1/24/2024 2/20/2024
Enclosure U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION Docket No.:
50-602 License No.:
R-129 Report No.:
05000602/2024201 Licensee:
The University of Texas at Austin Facility:
Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory Location:
Austin, TX Dates:
January 8-11, 2024 Inspectors:
Andrew Waugh Necota L. Staples (Inspector in training)
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 The University of Texas at Austin Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory Inspection Report No. 05000602/2024201 The primary focus of this routine announced inspection was the onsite review of selected aspects of the University of Texas at Austins (UTA, the licensees) Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory (NETL) safety program, including: (1) organization and staffing; (2) operations logs and records; (3) requalification training; (4) surveillance and limiting conditions for operation (LCO); (5) emergency planning; (6) maintenance logs and records; and (7) fuel handling logs and records. 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.
Organization and Staffing
The inspector determined that the organization and staffing were in compliance with the technical specification (TS) requirements.
Operations Logs and Records
The inspector determined that the operations logs and records were maintained in accordance with the applicable TS and the licensees procedural requirements.
Requalification Training
The inspector determined that the operator requalification program was conducted and completed in accordance with the NRC-approved program and regulatory requirements.
Surveillance and Limiting Conditions for Operation
The inspector determined that surveillances were conducted and LCO were maintained in accordance with TS requirements.
Emergency Planning
The inspector determined that the emergency preparedness program was conducted in accordance with the emergency plan.
Maintenance Logs and Records
The inspector determined that the maintenance activities were performed and documented in accordance with TS requirements.
Fuel Handling Logs and Records
The inspector determined that the fuel movements and inspections were conducted in accordance with TS and the licensees procedural requirements.
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REPORT DETAILS Summary of Facility Status The UTAs 1.1-megawatt Training, Research, Isotopes, General Atomics (TRIGA) Mark II research reactor continued routine operations. During the inspection, the reactor was started up, operated, and shut down to support a reactor tour.
1.
Organization and Staffing a.
Inspection Scope (Inspection Procedure [IP] 69001, Section 02.01)
The inspector reviewed the following regarding the licensees organization and staffing to ensure that the requirements of TS 6.1 and 6.6 were met:
2022 annual operating report
management changes submitted to the NRC, dated 2022-present
select reactor startup and shutdown checks, dated 2022-present
select console operations logs, dated 2022-present b.
Observations and Findings The inspector found that the licensees organization was consistent with that specified in the TS, and that the NRC was made aware of the personnel changes in accordance with TS requirements.
The inspector found the minimum shift staffing for reactor operations continued to meet the TS requirement.
c.
Conclusion The inspector determined that the organization and staffing were in compliance with the TS requirements.
2.
Operations Logs and Records a.
Inspection Scope (IP 69001, Section 02.02)
The inspector observed reactor startup checks, a reactor startup, pulse, and shutdown.
The inspector also reviewed the following to ensure that logs and records were maintained as required by the licensees administrative procedures and TS 6.7:
select reactor startup and shutdown checks, dated 2022-present
select reactor status logs, dated 2022-present
select console operations logs, dated 2022-present
scram log entries, dated 2022-present
select maintenance log entries, dated 2022-present
2022 annual operating report
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b.
Observations and Findings The inspector found that the licensees operation logs and records were maintained as required by the licensees TS and administrative procedures.
The inspector observed that the measured parameters for several reactor operations met the TS requirements.
c.
Conclusion The inspector determined that the operations logs and records were maintained in accordance with the applicable TS and the licensees procedural requirements.
3.
Requalification Training a.
Inspection Scope (IP 69001, Section 02.04)
The inspector reviewed the following aspects of the licensees requalification program to verify compliance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 55, Operators Licenses, and the licensees NRC-approved operator requalification program:
Operator Requalification Program, dated January 17, 2019
select medical examination records for licensed operators
select requalification training records, dated 2022-present
requalification exam records, dated 2022-present
select console operations logs, dated 2022-present
operator requalification program audit TS 6.2.4.c, dated October 31, 2023 b.
Observations and Findings The inspector found that the licensees training was conducted and documented in accordance with their NRC-approved requalification and training program, and that the license operators requalification training and medical records were maintained.
c.
Conclusion The inspector determined that the operator requalification program was conducted and completed in accordance with the NRC approved program and regulatory requirements.
4.
Surveillance and Limiting Conditions for Operation a.
Inspection Scope (IP 69001, Section 02.05)
The inspector observed reactor startup checks, a reactor startup, pulse, and shutdown.
The inspector also reviewed the following to verify compliance with TS 3.0 and to determine if surveillance tests were performed as required by TS 4.0:
select reactor startup and shutdown checks, dated 2022-present
select reactor status logs, dated 2022-present
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select console operations logs, dated 2022-present
NETL procedure MAIN-2, Instrument System Features, dated May 25, 2000
NETL procedure MAIN-3, Support System Features, dated May 25, 2000
NETL procedure Main-6, Rod & Drive Maintenance, Inspection, dated May 30, 2000
NETL procedure SURV-1, Fuel Temperature Calibration, dated January 24, 1992
annual water systems surveillance checklists, dated 2022-present
rod drive inspection surveillance data, dated 2022-present
fuel temperature calibration records, dated 2022-present b.
Observations and Findings The inspector found that surveillance tests were completed as required by the TS and LCO verifications were completed on schedule and in accordance with the licensees procedures.
c.
Conclusion The inspector determined that the surveillances were conducted and LCO were maintained in accordance with TS requirements.
5.
Emergency Planning a.
Inspection Scope (IP 69001, Section 02.10)
The inspector observed a reactor alarm test and facility communications with university police. The inspector also reviewed the following selected portions of the licensees emergency preparedness program to verify compliance with appendix E, Emergency Planning and Preparedness for Production and Utilization Facilities, to 10 CFR Part 50, Domestic Licensing of Production and Utilization Facilities, and the licensees emergency plan:
"Emergency Response Plan," dated April 2019
NELT procedure PLAN-O, Call and Notification, dated November 9, 2000
NETL procedure PLAN-E, Emergency Response, dated November 2, 2006
memorandum of understandings with support organizations including the Austin -
Travis County Emergency Medical Services, City of Austin Fire Department, and Ascension Dell Seton Medical Center
training records for the past 2 years
emergency response facilities, supplies, equipment, and instrumentation
documentation of emergency drills and exercises held during 2021 and 2023
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b.
Observations and Findings The inspector found that the emergency plan training was conducted, drills were performed, emergency response call lists were maintained and posted, and emergency equipment was maintained and available as required by the emergency plan and licensee procedures.
c.
Conclusion The inspector determined that the emergency preparedness program was conducted in accordance with the emergency plan.
6.
Maintenance Logs and Records a.
Inspection Scope (IP 69001, Section 02.11)
The inspector reviewed the following selected maintenance logs and records to verify compliance with the requirements of TS:
scram log entries, dated 2022-present
select maintenance log entries, dated 2022-present
select console operations logs, dated 2022-present
2022 annual operating report
reactor oversight committee meeting minutes, dated 2022-present
NETL procedure OPER-6, "Reactor Bay Systems," dated April 3, 2002 b.
Observations and Findings The inspector found that the scheduled and unscheduled preventive and corrective maintenance activities were performed and documented in accordance with TS requirements and the licensees administrative procedures.
c.
Conclusion The inspector determined that the maintenance activities were performed and documented in accordance with TS requirements.
7.
Fuel Handling Logs and Records a.
Inspection Scope (IP 69001, Section 02.12)
The inspector reviewed the following fuel handling logs and activities to verify compliance with TS requirements:
"Response to Apparent Violations in NRC Special Inspection Report 05000602/2022201;EA-22-134," dated February 25, 2023
notice of violation for EA-22-134, dated May 10, 2023
select console operations logs, dated 2022-present
various "B159 File" records, dated 2022-present
various "Fuel Move Log" records, dated 2022-present
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fuel maps, dated 2022-present
NETL procedure FUEL-1, "Movement of Fuel," dated February 14, 2005
NETL procedure MAIN-5, "Fuel Inspection and Measurement," dated November 1, 2022 b.
Observations and Findings The inspector found that the fuel handling activities were conducted and documented in accordance with TS requirements and the licensees procedural requirements.
During the special inspection conducted from November 7 - December 8, 2022, and documented in inspection report 05000602/2022201 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System Accession No. ML22347A311), an apparent violation of NRC requirements was identified. By letter dated February 25, 2023 (ML23067A209), the licensee provided a written response to the apparent violation. Based on the information developed during the special inspection and the information in the licensees written response, the NRC staff determined that a violation of NRC requirements occurred. The violation was cited in Notice of Violation (ML23129A243), and the circumstance surrounding it are described in detail in the subject special inspection report (ML22347A311). The violation involved operation of the NETL research reactor, from January 6, 2022, to October 17, 2022, with fuel elements that did not meet the requirements of TS 5.3. Specifically, two aluminum cladded TRIGA fuel elements were utilized in the reactor core contrary to TS 5.3.1 which states, in part, that fuel element cladding will be 304 stainless steel, nominal.020 inches thick.
During this inspection the NRC inspector reviewed the licensees corrective actions discussed in their response to the apparent violation (ML23067A209). The inspector found that the licensee has implemented all proposed corrective actions, the corrective measures are still in place at the facility, and that the actions are adequate to prevent recurrence of the event. Because adequate corrective actions are in place, the NRC inspector has closed violation 05000602/2022-201-01.
c.
Conclusion The inspector determined that the fuel movements and inspections were conducted in accordance with TS and the licensees procedural requirements.
8.
Exit Interview The inspection scope and results were summarized on January 11, 2024, with members of licensee management. The inspector described the areas inspected and discussed the inspection results.
Attachment PARTIAL LIST OF PERSONS CONTACTED Licensee Personnel Director NETL P.M. Whaley Associate Director, NETL J. Terry Reactor Supervisor, NETL R. Duran Reactor Operator INSPECTION PROCEDURES USED IP 69001 Class II Non-Power Reactors ITEMS OPENED, CLOSED, AND DISCUSSED Opened None Closed 05000602/2022-201-01 Operating with fuel elements that did not meet TS requirements.
(TS 5.3.1)
Discussed None