ML032950442

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Transmittal of Reed College Reactors Annual Report
ML032950442
Person / Time
Site: Reed College
Issue date: 10/09/2003
From: Frantz S
Reed College
To:
Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
Download: ML032950442 (30)


Text

R E E D COLLEGE G E

'Portland, Oregon 97202 REACTOR FACILITY October 9, 2003 Document Control Desk US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555 Docket 50-288 Enclosed is Reed College Reactor's Annual Report.

This has been another exciting year. We continue to make progress on many of our long term projects. Details are shown in the report.

Please feel free to contact me for additional information.

Regards, it Grantz Ste Director, Reed College Reactor 3203 SE Woods:ock Blvd.. Portland, OR 97202-8199 S03-777-7222 Fax: 503-777-7274 reactor@reed.edu 3203 SE Woodstock Blvd., Portland, OR 97202-8199 503-777-7222 Fax: 503-777-7274 ecior!rcededa

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REED RESEARCH REACTOR ANNUAL REPORT September 1, 2002 -- August 31, 2003 3203 Southeast Woodstock Blvd.

Portland, Oregon 97202-8199 503-777-7222 fax: 503-777-7274 reactor@reed.edu Stephef G. Frantz Director, Reed Reactor Facility Program Director, Nuclear Science Consortium of the Willamette Valley

ITABLE OF CONTENTS.

OVERVIEW..............................

1 PEOPLE...............................

3 Facility Staff...............................

3 Oversight Committees...............................

4 Radiation Safety Committee...............................

4 Reactor Operations Committee.........................

.4 FACILITIES.........................

5 Reactor Facility Floor Plan.........................

5 Rotating Specimen Rack Facility............................

5 Pneumatic Transfer System.........................

6 In-Core Facilities.........................

6 In-Pool Facilities.........................

6 Beam Facilities.........................

6 USERS..........................

7 Reactor Visitors.........................

7 Reactor Operations Seminar.........................

7 Nuclear Science Consortium..........................

8 High School Student Projects........................

10 Pacific University Modem Physics Lab.........................

10 Concordia University........................

10 Scaler Kits........................

10 Reed Classes........................

10 Industrial and Commercial Applications........................

10 REACTOR OPERATIONS........................

11 Operations.........................

11 Unplanned Reactor Shutdowns..........................

12 Security..........................

13 Fuel Leak.........................

13 Technical Specification Violation.........................

13 REACTOR MAINTENANCE............................................................................................15 Significant Maintenance.........................

15 Safety Reviews Approved by Reactor Review Committee.......................................... 15 RADIATION PROTECTION.............................................................................................19 Personnel Dosimetry..........................................

19 Fixed Area Dosimetry..........................................

19 Gaseous Releases..........................................

20 Liquid Waste Releases..............

20 Solid Waste Disposal..............

20 Environmental Sampling..............

20 APPENDIX A - VISITORS..............

21

-l OVERVIEW 1

This report covers the period from September 1, 2002 to August 31, 2003, and is intended to fulfill the reporting requirements of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the U.S.

Department of Energy, and the Oregon Department of Energy including:

  • U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, License No. R-1 12 (Docket 50-288)

Oregon Office of Energy'Rule No. 345-030-010

  • U. S. Department of Energy Grant No. DE-FG07-02ID14292 U. S. Department of Energy Grant No. DE-FGO7-011D14153 We also wish to thank other funding sources and granting agencies including Portland General Electric and Concordia University.

The reactor is a Triga Mark I reactor with zirconium hydride / uranium hydride fuel elements in a circular grid array at the bottom of a 25-foot-deep tank of water and is surrounded by a graphite reflector. The fuel is enriched to 19.9% in uranium-235.

The Reed College Reactor Facility has been a resource for research and educational projects in the Portland area since its establishment in 1968. The main uses of the Reed Reactor Facility are instruction and research, especially in the field of trace-element analysis. In addition to providing student research opportunities, the reactor staff works to educate the surrounding community on the principles of nuclear energy and radiation safety.

There were 1740 individual visits to the Reactor Facility during the year. Most were students in classes at Reed College or area universities, colleges, and high schools.

Including tours and research conducted at the facility, the Reed Reactor Facility contributed to the educational programs of 9 colleges and universities in addition to 16 pre-college groups. The reactor was operated 294 times on 136 days. The thermal energy produced was 60.7 megawatt-hours.

The reactor staff consists of a Director, an Associate Director, a contract Health Physicist, Reed College undergraduate students, and some non-students who are licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission as reactor operators or senior reactor operators. The number of licenses varies from year to year. As this report is being written the licensed operating staff consists of 13 women and 17 men.

Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2002-'2003 PPage of 26

During the reporting period, 12 reactor operator candidates passed their NRC exams and 4 senior reactor operator candidates passed their NRC exams. During the past ten years 87 people have taken the NRC reactor operator exam and 84 received licenses. During the same period 45 people have taken the senior reactor operation exam and 43 have received senior reactor operation licenses; There were no radiation exposures to individuals in excess of 1% of the limit during the year. There were no releases of liquid radioactive material from the facility and airborne releases were well within regulatory limits. There were no shipments of radioactive waste.

The facility experienced a small fuel leak this year. We were able to identify the leaking element and remove it from service. Normal operations were resumed.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commissi6n conducted their annual inspection during December 2002. There were no violations or concerns. There was one follow up item. Additionally, the NRC visited the facility in June of 2003 specifically to review our security condition.

Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2002-2003 Page 2 of 26

11 PEOPLE Facility Staff

- ' During the period September 1,2002 to August 31,2003, the facility staff consisted of:

Reactor Director:

Stephen Frantz (4/94 -. Present)

Associate Director:

Rachel Barmett (5/03 = Present)

Eric-Weis1(6/01 - 5/03),'

Reactor Supervisor:

Megan Othus (5/02 - Present)

Training Supervisor:

Lily Cool (5/03 - Piesent)

Rachel B amett (5/01. 5/03)

Radiation Safety Officer.

Kathleen Fisher, (1/03 Present).

Stephien Fraritz (8/00 - 1/03):

Contract Health Physicist:

Marshall Parrott (8/91 - Present)'

Senior Reactor Operators (SRO):

Rachel Barnett

Chris Hoefler Jay Bodzin

Steve Katz.

Mat Brener Ariah'Kidder

-Nick Chaimov Eric Lawience Lily Cool Andrea Neuhoff Cilicia Dorn-Lopez Megan Othus Ann Erickson David Rubin Nicki Ford Eric Weis Stephen Frantz.

Reactor Operators (RO):

Carl Anderson Beverly Lau

.- Andre Bach Kristen Lavavej Nicholas Blanchard-Wright Peter Rovegno Alex Bram.

Seth Samuel Katie Bray Dan Spoth, David de Regt Maureen Steckler Oren Elrad Nancy VanProoyen Derek Galligan Joy Wattawa

..'Jessica Griffith David Wiliams Jesse Hallett Gabriel Ycas Judy Kim

-.'Jon Young The list of operators includes everyone who held a license during the reporting period.

ROs who upgrade their licenses to SRO during the reporting period are listed under SRO.

All staff members were Reed College undergraduates except Mr. Frantz, Ms. Barnett, Ms.

Fisher, Dr. Parrott, Mr. Weis, Mr. Bodzin, Mr. Brain, and Ms. Dom-Lopez.

The number of licenses and the gender ratio varies from year to year. As this report is being written there are 13 women with reactor licenses and 17 men with licenses.

Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2002-2003 PPage 3 of 26

I Oversight Committees The Reed Reactor Facility has two oversight committees: the Radiation Safety Committee and the Reactor Operations Committee. Together they comprise the Reactor Review Committee. The Radiation Safety Committee is concerned with emergency preparedness, health physics, radiation safety, physical security, environmental impact, and the interface between the Reed Reactor Facility, Reed College, and the surrounding community. The Reactor Operations Committee deals with the day-to-day operations of the reactor, reactor maintenance, reactor safety, operator training, and operator requalification. The membership of the committees during the reporting peiod is shown below:

Radiation Safety Committee Voting Members:

John Frewing (Chair) (Oregon Independent College Foundation)

Wayne Lei (Environmental Director, Portland General Electric)

Jack Mahoney (Neighborhod Resident)

Tom Meek (Radiation Protection Manager, Trojan Nuclear Power Plant)

Kathleen Fisher (Director, Reed Environmental and Safety)

Ex Officio (without vote):

Peter Steinberger (Dean of the Faculty, Reed College)

Stephen Frantz (Director, Reed Reactor Facility)

Eric Weis (Associate Director, Reed Reactor Facility)

Marshall Parrott (Contract Health Physicist)

Megan Othus. (Reactor Supervisor)

Rachel Barnett (Reactor Training Supervisor)

...~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I Reactor Operations Committee Voting Members:

Daniel Gerrity (Chair) (Chemistry Faculty, Reed College)

Juliet Brosing (Physics Faculty, Pacific University)

Josh Filner (Medical Student, Oregon Health Science University)

Steve Reese (Reactor Director, Oregon State University)

Ex Officio (without vote):

Peter Steinberger (Dean of the Faculty, Reed College)

Stephen Frantz (Director, Reed Reactor Facility)

Eric Weis (Associate Director, Reed Reactor Facility)

Megan Othus (Reactor Supervisor)

Rachel Barnett (Reactor Training Supervisor)

Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2002-2003 Page 4of 26

FACILITIES:..

Reactor Facility'Floor Plan "In addition to the reactor, the Reed Reactor Facility has space for a radiochemistry lab. A floor plan appears as Figure 1.

Figure1 -Reed Reactor Facility Floor Plan '

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the positions of the fixed area dosimetry, 0 1 2 3 4: 5' Meters (approxiriate)

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.., J Upstairs The equipment available at the reactor facility includes high purity germanium gamma spectrometers, an X-ray florescence detector, surface barrier detectors, alpha spectrometers, silicon lithium X-ray detectors, a whole body counter, gas flow proportional counters, ion chambers, beta counters; Geiger Muller tubes, neutron detectors, alpha detectors, and thermoluminescent dosimeter readers. These instruments are used for experiments and training in nuclear science and radiation detection. Two hand and shoe monitors are in the reactor bay. A liquid scintillation detector serves the campus radioisotope committee. The reactor facility has several systems for performing irradiations, described below.

Rotating Specimen Rack Facility The rotating specimen rack ("lazy susan") is located in a well on top of the graphite reflector surrounding core. The rack consists of a circular array of 40 tubular receptacles; each of which can accommodate two irradiation tubes. Vials holding up to 17 ml (four drams) are used in this system. Samples are loaded in the specimen rack prior to the start-up of the reactor. The rack automatically rotates during irradiation to ensure each sample receives the same neutron flux. Typically, researchers use the rotating rack when long Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2002-2003 Page S of 26

irradiation times (generally greater than five minutes) are required. The approximate thermal neutron flux in a rotating rack position at full power is 1.7 xlO 2 n/cm2s with; a cadmium ratio of 6. The specimen rack can be used for gamma irradiations (approximately-8 rad/min) when the reactor is shutdown.

Pneumatic Transfer System The pneumatic transfer system ("rabbit") consists of an irradiation chamber in the outer F-

'ring of the core and its associated pump and piping. This allows samples to be transferred in and out of the reactor core very rapidly, while the reactor is at power.

Routine use of the pneumatic transfer system involves placing samples into vials, which in turn are placed in special capsules known as "rabbits.! The capsule is loaded into the system in the laboratory next to the reactor and is then transferred pneumatically into the core-irradiation position. At the end of a predetermined time the sample is transferred back to the receiving terminal, where it is removed for measurement. The transfer time from the core to the terminal is about seven seconds, making this method of irradiating samples particularly useful for experiments involving radioisotopes with short half-lives. The flux in the core terminal is approximately 5x10' n/cm2s when the reactor is at full power.

In-Core Facilities The central thimble is a water-filled irradiation chamber about 3 cm in diameter. It provides the highest available neutron flux, about x1013 n/cm2s. Special sample holders are used in the central thimble to provide maximum flexibility in experiment design.

A fuel replacement source holder assembly can also be used as an irradiation facility. The chamber fits into a fuel-element position within the core itself. It holds only one specially positioned irradiation container 7.5 cm in length and 2.5 cm in diameter.

Foil-insertion holes, 0.8 cm in diameter, are drilled at various positions through the grid plates. These holes allow inserting special holders containing flux wires into the core, to obtain neutron flux maps of the core.

In-Pool Facilities Near core, in-pool irradiation facilities can be arranged for larger samples. Neutron fluxes will be lower than in the lazy susan and will depend on the sample location.

Beam Facilities The central thimble can be evacuated with gas, producing a vertical neutron beam. This beam can be used to generate directional neutron flux, or for limited irradiations above the tank.

Neutron radiography is also possible. The flux above the beam exit is approximately 1x103 n/cm2s when the reactor is at full power.

Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2002-2003 Page 6 of 26

IU SERS Reactor Visitors A total of 1740 individuals visited the Reed Reactor Facility during the year, as.derived from the visitor log - Entry List B. Individuals who visited more than once are counted for each visit. Visitors include all individuals who are not listed as facility-staff. The visitors included 1558 individuals for training or tours; of.whom 689 were-in.programs funded in part by the U.S. DOE Reactor Sharing program. A large percentage of these were students in classes at area colleges and schools as discussed below. A graph of the history of visitor attendance is shown in Figure 1, and a list for the current year is included as Appendix A.

Figure 2 - Reed Reactor Facility Visitors

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0-1990 1991 1994, 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 Reactor Operations Seminar The Reed Reactor Facility conducts an annual seminar series for students from Reed and other area educational institutions. This non-credit course serves as an introduction to nuclear reactor theory, health physics, and reactor operation. Some of the students continue with in-depth reactor operator training and subsequently apply for a reactor operator license.

If successful, the individual may be hired to operate the reactor. In addition, existing reactor operators may take the NRC senior reactor operator exam to upgrade their licenses.

During the reporting period, 12 out of 13 reactor operator candidates passed their NRC exams and 4 out of 5 senior reactor operator candidates passed their NRC exams.

Reed Research Reactor Annual Report'2002-2003 Page 7 of 26

I Historically students who fail the NRC exam only fail one section and they are allowed to retake that section later. Figure 3 is a graph of the number of license application each year since 1982 showing how many new RO and SRO licenses were awarded at Reed and how many failed to obtain a license.

Figure 3 - Reed Reactor Facility License Exam Results 19 g

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Nuclear Science Consortium In order to better use the resources of the Reed Reactor Facility, several area colleges and universities established the Nuclear Science Consortium of the Willamette Valley in 1970.

Funding for the Consortium has been derived from Reactor Use Sharing Grants of the U.S.

Department of Energy. This made the facility available without charge to classroom groups and unfunded research projects for consortium members.

The following institutions have participated in facility tours, experiments, and research projects in the reporting period.

COLLEGE TOURS/USERS

  • Concordia University
  • Lewis and Clark University
  • Linfield College
  • Linfield School of Nursing Pacific University
  • Portland Community College Portland Community College - Rock Creek
  • Portland State University
  • Warner Pacific College
  • Willamette University Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2002-2003 PPage 8 of 26

HIGH SCHOOL & MIDDLE SCHOOL TOURS[USERS;

'C.S. Lewis-Academy-.

New Covenant Academy

'Cleveland High School

' **Oregon Episcopal School David Douglas High School Rex Putnam High School Franklin High School Roosevelt High School Hood River High School

  • Southridge High School Jefferson High School St. Francis Academy Jesuit High School Sunset High School Kennedy High School Trillium Charter School Lincoln High School Milwaukee High School SPECIAL GROUPS Advocates for Women in Science, Engineering, and Mathematics

' "Apprenticeships in Science and Engineering

'-:'-Bring Your Child to Work Day Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) Camp Saturday Academy Science Camp Figure 4 is a graph showing the history of visits by colleges and schools.

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1990 1991; 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 Many reactor tours include hands-on use of facility equipment to conduct experiments in radiation science, health physics, and nuclear physics. A typical lab involves determining the background of a Geiger Muller scalar system and then determining the half-life of a sample of radioactive material. College classes are generally more closely tailored to the individual interests and needs of the Consortium faculty member involved. Experiments include more direct use of the reactor itself by the students, more detailed analysis of materials, and

.emphasize the incorporation of other classroom activities as much as possible.

Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2002-2003

-I

- Page 9 of 26

I Several special programs for gifted children used the reactor for projects. These are -

designed to enrich their educational program and prepare them for college. Soime of the groups who use the reactor-target minority and disadvantaged youth who are historically under-represented in science professions.

High School Student Projects The Reed Reactor Facility continued to be used in independent science projects initiated by students from several Oregon high schools..

Pacific University-Modern. Physics Lab Each year the Modern Physics Lab at Pacific University spends lab sessions at the reactor.

The students do several labs including basic health physics, sub-critical multiplication, and neutron activation analysis.-

Concordia University The reactor provides tainirg and experiments involving'radiation, radioactive material, environmental sarmpling, and trace element analysis for the Environmental Remediation &

Hazardous Material Management Program (ERHMM) at Concordia University Scaler Kits Through the generosity of Portland.General Electric, the reactor lends out suitcases containing a geiger counter, a scaler, and some small exempt sources to local high schools for their use in their program.

Reed Classes

  • Chemistry 271 students conducted a lab using neutron activation analysis to determine chemical composition of an unknown.

Chemistry 101 students conducted a lab to determine the half-life of an activated silver dime.

Industrial and Commercial Applications The Reed Reactor Facility is available for industrial or commercial concerns when it does not conflict with our educational goals. As in the past, the primary operations involved neutron activation analysis of materials or environmental samples. The facility also provides radiation protection training to interested parties and schools in the area.

Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2002-2003 Page 10 of 26

llREACTOR OPERATIONS Oeratons During the year the reactor was taken critical 294 times cn 136 days. The'total energy produced was 60.7 megawatt-hours. Operating history by month appear in Table A. A history of the data is shown in Figure 5. During July the search for the leaking fuel element required operation at full power for several hours each,workday.

...Table.A= coperating History Times Critical Days Operated

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-limes Critical 111 -Days Operated

-S--Irrdlatons MW-hrs Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2002-2003 P

.  Page 11 of 26

Unplanned Reactor Shutdowns There were 13 inadvertent reactor shutdowns (scrams) as shown in Table B; none were unexplained. The number of unplanned reactor shutdowns is consistent our past experience as shown in Figure 6, although it reversed our trend toward fewer unplanned scrams." The major increases were due. to electrical transients and in operator error (mostly scramming on the percent power channel while.watching the linear channel)

Table B' UnplannedReactor Shutdowns Date Scram Type Cause Of Scram 11/7/02 Linear Pushed 25 W range button while at 240 kW 1/24/03. Percent Power Operator Error.

2/11/03

Linear, Turned off the Linear channel while trying to turn off the Log channel -.-....

2/24/03 Linear and Automatic rod control malfunction Percent Power 3/11/03. Percent Power Operator Error-4/22103 Percent Power Operator inattention 6/27/03 Percent Power-. Electrical Transient."

7/16/03 Percent Power- -Electrical Transient 7/29/03 Linear and.

Operator Error Percent Power -

d 7/29/03 All.

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8/15/03 All Temporary loss of electrical power 8/28/03 Linear and,

-Operator Error Percent Power Figure 6 - Unplanned Shutdowns Unplanned Shutdowns 23 20 is 10 S

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1990 1991 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2002-2003 Page 12 of 26

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!I Security There were significant security reviews of the facility, both internal and external. Our physical security barriers and procedures were modified and improved.

Fuel Leak The Reed Reactor Facility exhibited characteristics of a fuel leak at 5:09 pm on Friday, June 27,'2003. It was approxinately six and a half hours into-a long run at 240 kW-with pool temperature at 25.3°; There was a very siall releas6-too small to even 'classify. The highest

-radiation monitor reading was 7 x1`0- piCi/dmn3 :.We found fission products ( 38Cs and J8 Rb) in the stack Air.Particulate Monitor (APM).filter; On Monday,'June 30, 2003, the

'Reactor Review Committee approved plans for'looking for the leaking fuel element. This was accomplished by changing out two elements from the core with elements that were in storage, operating the reactor to look for:ffssion products, and then repeating the process the next day. On August 6, 2003 after following this procedure'for 26 days over a six-week period, the leaking element was identified and removed from service. It was element serial number 5488 which had been in position-E.4since in'i'al'c'ralityi'n 1968. Subsequent inspection on'August7 withthe under teibamera did iiot'sh6'v anything abnormal.

While swapping fuel elknents on July 30,203,.at 9:38 am wedroppedone of the fuel elements. There was no release of radioactivity. The element was retrieved and inspected the same day. The lower pin was slightly bent,-but-otherwise it appeared fine. Itwasreturned to the core and is functioning fine. The root:cause of'tfe 'diopped element appears to be a faulty fuel handing tool. We borrowed a fuel-handling tool from Oregon State University to continue the search for the leaking element. We palh'to have General Atomics refurbish our original tool.

Technical Specification Violation u

During the fuel exchange process, we discoVered that we had apparently violated our Technical Specifications. Reed Reactor-Technical Specification E.3 states: Each standard fuel element shall be visually inspected at least once every ten years. At least 1/5 of all the fuel elements of the core shall be inspected biennially. If indication of apparent deterioration or distortion is found, the fuel element(s) shall be removed from the core.

During the fuel inspections of 2001 and 2003, we did not inspect fuel elements that were not in the core. We normally have four elements that are not in the core, two damaged elements and two spar'e used elements. Because they were not in the core, these elements were not inspected when they came due.

During our fuel leak investigation this year, one used element was put in the core to replace elements being investigated. Thus, we had one element in the core that had not been inspected during the past ten years. We inspected the two elements as soon as possible after the fuel leak on August 7, 2003. The inspection was normal. We amended our operating procedures to ensure that elements that are not in the core are inspected as scheduled.

Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2002-2003 Page 13 of 26

I I.

Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2002-2003.

Page 14 of 26

-REACTOR AINTENANCE Significant Maintenance Routine equipment checks are conducted by reactor staff members on a daily, weekly, bimonthly, semiannual (January and July) and annual (January) basis as required by facility procedures. Reed College maintenance personnel assist with routine preventative' maintenance to auxiliary equipment. Significant maintenance operations which were not part of a regular schedule are listed in Table D.:.-- -

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-Table D - Significant Maintenance Operations Date Maintenance 10/30/02 All electrical outlets near the reactor pool.were converted to GFCI outlets.

11/08/02 Installed new guard rails around the reactor pool 11/19/02 Replaced belt guards on ventilation fans and air compressor 12/03/02 Repaired pneumatics for ventilation isolation system 1/13/03 Installed new water level monitor 1/16/03 Installed new 24 VDC power supply in console '

-1/22/03 Installed new water temperature monitor 1/24/03..Installed new CAM, APM, GSM (AMS-4) 1/30/03 Replaced primary filter 4/14/03 Replaced RAP-I air pump for CAM

-4/24/03 Adjusted the position indication on the lazy susan 6/26/03 Replaced primary filter

- '7/15/03 -,Completed installing Honeywell Multitrend Safety Reviews Approved by Reactor Review Committee

'Title:'AMS;4 Radiation Monitors Date:October28, 2002.

- Summarv of Proposed Change:

This change replaces the Continuous Air Monitor, the Air Particulate Monitor, and the Gaseous Stack Monitor with new AMS4 units. The AMS-4 is current state of the art units from ThermoEberline.

The sampling units will be in the loft for the APM and GSM as they are now. The sampling unit for the CAM will be moved to the east wall of the reactor room so that it is near the APM. That way the sainpling pump can be up in the loft where the noise will

be less troublesome. The units' displays will be mounted in the control room.

Title:

Pool Water Level Monitor '

Date: October 28, 2002' Summarv of Proposed Change:

This change would install an Omega electrostatic pool level sensor in the reactor pool to provide a continuous readout of the pool water level. The output of the sensor would feed a new digital display on the console and trip the existing high and low_

alarms. It would also provide input to the Multitrend Plus V5 Electric Chart Recorder being installed: '

Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2002-2003 Pg1o2 age 15 of 26

I This replaces the float-operated alarm currently installed. The new detector measures the capacitance across a water-filled gap, whereas the previous one measured the deflection of a rod connected to a floating ball in the pool. There is no currently installed level detector other than the alarm.

Title:

Period Scram..,

Date: October 28, 2002.

Summary of Proposed Change:.'

This change removes the reactor period scram. The scram is not required by 'l Technical Specifications and has been removed on most other Triga reactors. The Safety Analysis Report mntions thee period scram but it is not required for reactor safety.

The scram will be removed to eliminate the inadvertent scrams caused by instrument noise. We still intend to enforce the administrative limit on reactor period of 10 seconds.

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Title:

Multitrend Recorder' Date: October 28,2002 '..

Summar of Proposed Change:,

This change connects outputs from various indications on the, control console to a Honeywell Multitrend Plus V5 Electronic Data Recorder in the control room. In addition to a graphical display, the recorder can store the data on a zip disk and post the information on the, campus network. This replaces our Planned use of LabVEW for these purposes.

p ou p us of L VE for This display is not intended to remove any of the instMled displays, only to repeat them on the Multitrend for flexible display and data recording. Once the unit's reliability has been established, we will probably use it to replace the physical chart recorder paper and perhaps some of theless important displays.

The unit can accept 16 inputs..

Ourcurrent plan is, to display the CAM, APM, GSM, Linear Power, Log Power, Percent Power, 3 Rod Heights, Pool Level, and 3 Water Temperature values. We might use the available digital inputs for the status of isolation or reactor scram.

Title:

Omega Temperature Monitors Date: October 28, 2002 Summary of Proposed Change:'

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This'change replaces the three existing RTD temperature monitors and display with new thermocouples. The three thermocouples will feed a new digital display on the console. The new system should be more accurate and reliable. We may be able to conduct our power calibrations with the installed instruments. Additionally, this will provide a display of pool temperature, which currently only has an alarm. The output of the units can be supplied to the new Multitrend recorder for display and analysis.

Title:

Count Rate Meter Date: Oct'ber 28,'2002 Sumrnmary of Proposed Change:

This change removes the original installed count rate meter. This meter is old and near the end of its life. It serves two functions, to indicate power at low levels and to Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2002-2003 Page 16 of 26

provide an interlock to prevent rod withdrawal at very.low powers. The latter function is required by Technical Specifications. The new Log channel can provide both of these functions and can seriv"as a replacement for the count rate'channel. Newer Triga reactors do not have a count rate channel; they-use the log channel.

The intent is to move the rod interlock to the log channel and test it for a period of time. The count rate channel will probably be left installed until we need the space for some other function.

Title:

Console Arrangement and Automatic Rod Control Date: April 1, 2003 a r

  • t.

Summaryof Proposed Change:

This change'ieartahges the s'witches and displays on-the main console and removes automatic rod control. With the exceptions, no actual switches' or displays will be changed, just their location. The switches for automatic rod control will be removed, the radiation chart will be removed, and the reactor power chart will probably be removed.

The console has changed considerably in recent years, riecessitating cutting new openings and covering over old ones. We plan to procure new pieces of metal for the vertical porions'of the console, and have physical 'plant cutb6penin'gs for the new displays. W' wil

'movetfredisp ys into a more logical arrangement.

The intent is t6'move' the r6d 'sition indicationi from its separate housing on top of the console tothileft wi-,`a9ong withpo6l level'hnd thperature. The radiation chart will be removed since it has been superceded by the new AMS-4 units and the Multitrend. Thereactorpbvr chart htas iiobeen superceded'by the Multitrend, so the chart fuincti6ns may no longer be used-l 'dthdugh the digital display may be kept. The actual charts for both displays are wearihg out. The AMS-4 display and the Multitrend will display the thiee radiation'monitors';.The' three reactor power. channels have their own displays and the Multitrend'will display the powler.

The console will be modified to ptrvide room for the Multitrend on the'right wing.

As'part of the modification, atitomatic rod control will be removed. It does not work well with our new reactor power instruments, and is not necessary. It is the source of many of our inadvertent scrams. When above 1 kilowatt, the reactor maintains its power constant with Prompt Negative Temperature Coefficient. Bel6w that power, the reactor operator can maintain power constant in manual. The operator completes a status stamp every hour that verifies the power..-

Once the changes are made,and the count rate channel is no longer needed (pending NRC approval of a previous Tech Sj;ec change) we can also remove major portions of the internal console, including high voltage supply and the left and right swinging doors.

The center door houses the reactor scrams and will be left in place.

Following the modification and before any operatioh'above 5 watts, a Console Checkout will be performed per SOP-73. At the same time SOP-73 will be updated for the new instruments and set up.

Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2002-2003 PPage 17 of 26

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I Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2002-2003 Page 8 of 26

IRADIATION PROTECTION Personnel Dosimetry During the period July,1, 2002 to June 30,2003 personnel dosimeters were issued to 48 Reed students and staff, and to one contractor. Since dosimeters are changed on a calendar quarter schedule, this period is the closest to-the reporting period. Individuals were issued beta-gamma sensitive ring badges and whole-body badges. The Director and Associate Director were issued beta-gamma-neutron sensitive dosimetry.

During the year the largest reading on a whole body dosimeter was 1 mrem deep dose equivalent. The largest reading on a ring dosimeter was 30 mrem shallow dose equivalent.

Both of these were on a staff member (not a student). No one exceeded a quarter of a percent of his or her federal limits.

Fixed Area Dosimetry Radiation levels are continually monitored to provide an indication of the average radiation levels in the reactor bay and dose outside the facility. The locations of these dosimeters are shown on Figure 1. All dosimeters monitor beta and gamma radiation. Locations A and C also measure neutron dose.

The deep dose equivalent radiation measuied by fixed dosimeters during the period July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2003 are shown in Table E. Since dosimeters are changed on a calendar quarter schedule, this period is the closest to the reporting period. There are radioactive material sample storage locations along the north wall: a radioactive source storage safe and a lead enclosed sample box where samples are placed immediately upon removal from the reactor. The neutron howitzer is stored on the east wall.

Table E - Area Radiation Dosimeters (doses are in mRem per calendar quarter)

Location Height Radiation Jul 1 -

Oct 1 -

Jan 1 - Apr 1-Total (m)

Detected Sp 30 Dec 31 Mar 31 Jun 30l.

A East Wall 1.5 Ay, n 153 168 168 237 726 B

North Wall 1.6 AY 15 169 18 25 227 C

West Wall 1.0 A n 7

21 7

10 45 D

South Wall 1.6 A,

7 15 26 37 85 E

North Wall 2.3 T

Y 19 4

105 27 155 F North Outside 2.8 Y

7 6

57 12 82 G

Roof Outside 0.4 AY 1

0 4

1 6

H East Outside 1.5 AY 0

0 0

0 0

I South Outside 0.4 AY 0

0 0

0 0

Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2002-2003 PPage 19 of 26

I Gaseous Releases The only routine release of gaseous radioactivity is from zAr (1.83 hour9.606481e-4 days <br />0.0231 hours <br />1.372354e-4 weeks <br />3.15815e-5 months <br /> half-life) and "6N (7.13 second half-life). These come from activation of pool water and air dissolved in the pool water and in the irradiation facilities. For dalendar year 2002, the average gaseous activity at the site boundary was 2.24 x 1020 pCi/ml, which would deliver a dose to a member of the public of Approximately 1.12 mrem, well below'regulato'ry'guidelines and constraints. During the fuel leak in July 2003, the calculated dose to a 'member of the public was approximately 0.1 mrem.

Liquid Waste Releases No liquid radioactive waste was' released from the Reed Reactor Facility during this report period.

Solid Waste Disposal There were no shipments of radioactive waste from the facility during this reporting period.

Environmental Samnling Soil samples taken from the area surrounding the facility showed no activity above background. Water samples taken from the facility's secondary cooling system showed no activity above background.

i Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2002-2003 Page 20 of 26

IAPPENDIXA A--'VISITORS'-

Date'

' Institution -

  • 9/1/02 9/8io2 9/16/02 9/22/02 9/10/02 9/16/02 9/18/02 9/19/02 9/24/02 9/25/02 9/27/02 10/2/02 10/3/02 10/4/02 10/7/02 10/7/02 10/8/02 10/9/02 10/9/02 10/9/02 10/9/02 10/9/02 10/9/02 10/10/02 10/11/02 10/13/02 10/14/02 10/14/02 10/15/02 10/16/02 10/17/02 10/19/02 10/23/02 10/23/02 10/25/02 10/28/02 10/29/02 10/30/02 10/30/02 10/30/02 10/31/02 10/31/02 11/1/02 11/1/02 11/4/02 11 /4/02 Reed I

Reed Reed Reed Reed United Fire Reed Reed Reed Reed Reed

  • Reed Reed
  • Reed Reed Reed

'- Purpose U-Share Tor'"*pos2b Tour

.2.

Maintenace

, '11 a

Tour 6

Tour 2

Maintenance 1

Training

.12 Training 18

'Maintenance-

.3 Training 9

Maintenance 1

Training i

a 5;

Training 13 Tour.

,. 1.

Tour

-1 Maintenance.,

I Maintenance 1

  • T,.,

.46,

Yes ee

  • .Tour 1

Yes Maintenance.

1

'Paulson-Nissen Crane pHopod River High School

OSU Reed Milwaukee High School Reed Reed

'Reed Cleveland HS Reed Reed Reed

'Reed Reed Reed Reed

'Reed Reed United Fire Taco Del Mar Taco Del Mar Oregon Electrical Group Reed Reed Reed

-Reed Reed Reed Oregon Electrical Group Reed Tour

Training, Maintenance Training Tour Tour Tour Training Maintenance Training Training Training Maintenance Training

'Maintenance Tour Tour Maintenance Maintenance Training Tour Training Training Tour Maintenance Thesis

,2 7

2 7

34

4 6

4 1

9 6

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1 1

.3

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2 Yes Yes Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2002-2003 Page 21 of 26

Date Institution Purpose,.

  1. - U-Share.

Date Institution Purpose

- U-Share 11/6/02 Reed 11/6/02 Reed 11/7/02 Reed 11/8/02 Reed 11/8/02 Reed 11/8/02 Reed 11/9/02 UIUC Alum 11/11/02 Reed 11/13/02 Reed 11/14/02 Reed 11/15/02 Reed 11/1 5/02 Reed 11/17/02 United Fire 11/1 8/02 Metal Ent.

11/18/02 Reed 11/1 902 Metal Ent.

11/19/02 United Fire 11/19/02 Reed 11/20/02 Reed 11/21/02 State Radiation Protection 11/21/02

  • Reed 11/21/02 Sunset High School*

11/22/02 Sunset High School 11/22/02 Reed 11/25/02 School Counselors*.,.

11/26/02 United Fire 11/27/02 Reed 12/4/02 Reed 12/5/02 Reed 12/9/02 Reed 12/11/02 Reed 12/12/02 Reed 12/1 2/02 Rex Putnam High School 12/17/02 NRC 12/17/02 Reed 12/18/02 United Fire 12/19/02 United Fire 1/2/03 Reed 1/13/03 Reed 1/14/03 Reed 1/15/03 Reed 1/16/03 Reed 1/17/03 Reed 1/20/03 Reed 1/22/03 Reed 1/22/03 Reed 1/23/03 Reed 1/24/03 Kennedy High School Thesis Training Training Thesis Tour Training Tour Training Training Training Thesis Training Maintenance Maintenance Thesis Maintenance.

Maintenance Tour Training Inspection Maintenance Tour Tour Thesis Tour Maintenance Training Training Training Training Training Training Tour Inspection Tour Maintenance Maintenance Maintenance Training Training Training Training Training Training Tour Training Training Tour 1

7 14 1

45 2

1 1

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1 24

  • 22

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3 2

4

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21 1

4 1

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24 21 14 1 5 3

14 14 17 Yes:

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2002-2003 Page 22 of 26

Date' !

1/24/03 1/25/03 1/26/03 1/26/03 1/27/03 1/28/03 1/29/03 1/29/03 1/30/03 1/30/03 1/31/03 1/31/03 1/31/03 1/31/03 2/3/03 2/3/03 2/5/03 2/6/03 2/7/03 2/8/03 2/8/03 2/11/03 2/12/03 2/12/03 2/13/03 2/14/03 2/20/03 2/14/03 2/14/03 2/14/03 2/18/03 2/19/03 2/20/03 2/21/03 2/24/03 2/24/03 2i25/03 2/26/03 2/26/03 2/27/03 3/2/03 3/3/03 3/4/03 3/4/03 3/5/03 3/5/03 3/6/03 3/6/03 Institution Reed Reed

'Reed Reed a U.i

-Reed Reed Portland Fire Bureau Reed Portland Fire Bureau Reed C.S. Lewis Academy Portland Fire Bureau United Fire Reed s

Reed New Covenant Academy'!

Reed Reed Reed Reed Reed Reed Reed

Reed Reed Reed United Fire "St. Francis Academy, Reed Reed Saturday Academy Reed Reed Reed United Fire Reed I

Reed Warner Pacific'College:'

Reed Reed Reed Reed Reed Reed Reed

  • Reed Reed oReed

.Purnase

  1. f U-Share Pun _

U-Shar Training Training Training Tour Training Tour Training Training Training Training Tour Training Maintenance Training Training Tour Training Training Training Training' Tour Training.

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' 5 Tour 13 Training 6

Training 9

Training 1

Chem 102 Lab 13 Training 6

Chem 102 Lab 21 Chem 102 Lab 17 Training 8

Training 10 Chem'i02 Lab 18 Yes

. Yes Yes' Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2002-2003

-Pagge 23 of 26

Date Institution I Purpose-

  1. U-Share Date Institution Puriose U-Share 3/7/03 3/7/03 3/7/02 3/10/02 3/11/02 3/1 2/03 3/13/03 3/13/03 3/19/03 3/19/03 3/24/03 3/25/03 3/25/03 3/26/03 3/27/03 3/31/03 4/1/03 4/2/03 4/3/03 4/7/03 4/7/03 4/8/03 4/8/03 4/8/03 4/9/03 4/10/03 4/10/03 4/11/03 4/11/03 4/14/03 4/14/03 4/15/03 4/15/03 4/1 6/03 4/1 6/03 4/17/03 4/17/03 4/21/03 4/22/03 4/22/03 4/23/03 4/24/03 4/24/03 4/24/03 4/25/03 4/25/03 4/25/03 Reed Reed Roosevelt High School Reed Reed Reed Reed Portland State University Reed Lincoln High School Reed Reed
  • United Fire Reed Reed Reed Reed Reed Reed Southridge High School, Reed Concordia University.

Reed Reed Reed Reed Reed Reed Reed Reed Advocates for Women in Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Reed Jefferson High School:.

Reed Reed Reed United Fire Reed David Douglas High School Reed Reed Reed Lewis & Clark College Reed Reed Willamette University Portland State University Training

2 Chem 102 Lab 22 Tour 33 Training 2

Training 6

Training 9

Training.,

6 Tour 9

Training 3

Tour

.- 26 Training

. 3 Training...

5 Maintenance 1

Training 3

Training 4

Training.

1 Training

.3 Training

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Tour 24 Training 4

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12 Training 1

Tour 8

Training 4

Training 10 Tour 10 Training 2

Tour 13 Training 1

Tour 11 Training 4

Tour 53 Tour 13 Training 4

Training 2

Maintenance 1

Training 1

Tour 51 Training 4

Training 3

Training 2

Tour 8

Tour 20 Maintenance 1

Tour 2

Tour

.2 Yes Yes Yes

- Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2002-2003 Page 24 of 26

Date 4/25/03 4/26/03 4/28/03 4/29/03 4/29/03 4/30/03 5/1/03 5/5/03 5/6/03 5/7/03 5/8/03 5/9/03 5/12/03 5/14/03 5/14/03 5/15/03 5/16/03 5/20/03 5/20/03 5/22/03 5/27/03 5/28/03 5/29/03 6/3/03 6/4/03 6/5/03 6/7/03 6/9/03 6/10/03 6/12/03 6/1 8/03 6/19/03 6/20/03 6/25/03 7/1/03 7/1/03 7/2/03 7/3/03 7/7/03 7/8/03 7/9/03 7/10/03 7/14/03 7/1 5/03 7/16/03 7/17/03 7/17/03 7/17/03

... I R e e Istitution Reed Reed Reed Reed Reed Reed Reed NRC NRC NRC NRC Pacific University Linfield Colleg'e '

Linfield College Reed Reed Unfield College David Douglas High'School

'Reed United Fire PCC Rock Creek Franklin High School Portland Community College Reed United Fire Reed

'Reed Trillium Charter Schlool Portland Police Reed NRC Summer Science Camp Portland Police Reed ASE (Summer Intern' United Fire ASE (Summer InteM)

ASE (Summer nten)'

ASE (Summer Intern)

ASE (Summer Intern)

ASE (Summer Intern)

ASE (Summer Intern)

ASE (Summer Intern)

ASE (Summer Intern)

ASE (Summer Intern)

ASE (Summer Intern)

Saturday Academy Reed

Purpose' Training Tour ' ' ':

Training ;

Maintenance 3

3

.4 Training 1

Training; 2

Tour 4

NRC'Exam '

1 NRC Exam 2

NRC Exam' 4

NRC Exam' 4

-Tour' 23 Tour 25 Tour

'23 Tour Tour.

2 Tour 14 Tour 9

Tour '4 Maintehahte-1 Tour

17 Tour 13 Tour 19 RSO Class 15 Maintenance 1

RSO Class 9

Tour 16 Tour 6

Training 2

Tour

'1 Inspection 2

Tour 7

Training.

6 Maintenance 1

Training

.1 Maintenance 1

Training 1

Training 1

Training 1

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Tour 12 U-Share Yes Yes-

-Yes Yes

  • Yes Yes Yes

.Yes Yes Yes Yes Environmental Health 2

Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2002-2003 Page 25 of 26

Date,\\

Institution

.. Purpose~

  1. U-Share Date' Institution Puroose U-Share 7/18/03 7/21/03 7/22/03 7/23/03 7/24/03 7/25/03 7/28/03 7/30/03 7/30/03 7/31/03 8/1/03 8/1/03 8/4/03 8/18/03 8/18/03 8/18/03 8/19/03 8/19/03 8/19/03 8/20/03 8/25/03 8/27/03 8/28/03 8/28/03 8/29/03 8/30/03 ASE (Summer Intern)

ASE (Summer Intern)

ASE (Summer Intern)

ASE (Summer Intern)

ASE (Summer Intern)

ASE (Summer Intern)

ASE (Summer Intern)

ASE (Summer Intern)

Reed ASE (Summer Intern)

ASE (Summer Intern)

Oregon State University Reed MRP Reed ASE (Summer Intern).

Reed ASE (Summer Intern)

United Fire ASE (Summer Intern).

Reed Orientation Reed Orientation Reed Orientation Friend ASE (Summer Intern)

Reed Orientation.

Training Training Training Training Training Training Training Training Maintenance Training Training Tour Maintenance Maintenance Maintenance Training Safety Inspection Training Maintenance Training Tour Tour.

Tour Tour Training Tour 1

1 1

1 1

1 1

1 1

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7 Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2002-2003 Page 26 of 26