ML042400323

2004 Annual Report for the AGN-201M Reactor Located at the University of New Mexico

ML042400323
Person / Time
Site:	University of New Mexico
Issue date:	08/05/2004
From:	Busch R, Prinja A Univ of New Mexico
To:	Isaac P NRC/NRR/NRLPO
References
AGN-201M
Download: ML042400323 (4)

Text

The University of New Mexico Chemical & Nucicar Enginecring NiSCol 1120 I University of Ncw Mexico Albuquerquc. NOM 87131-0001 August 5. 2004 Pat Isaac Project Manager Non-Powver Reactors and Decommissioning Project Directorate Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington D.C. 20555-0001 Dear Mr. Isaac; Enclosed is the 2004 Annual Report for the AGN-201M reactor located at the University of New Mexico - Docket 50-252.

Sincerely.

'4,y-/,/,'/5;,..

Robert D. Busch. Ph.D. P.E. Anil K. Prinja, Ph.D.

Chief Reactor Supervisor Reactor Administrator cc: Document Confrol Desk. USANRC

.e()oO 209 Earris Engineering Bldg.

• 505-277-5431

• FAX 505-277-5433

REPORT ON FACILITY LICENSE NO. R-102 THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO JULY 1.2003 -JUNE 30.2004 The University of New Mexico's AGN-201 M reactor was used for some research during 2003-2004. This was a continuation of the research from the previous year and involved subcritical multiplication and die-away measurements at power levels below I microWatt. There were no changes in facility design. performance characteristics, or operating procedures related to reactor safety during the reporting period. The NRC did an on-site review of the facility in October 2003 and found no safety concerns or noncompliance issues.

The AGN-201 M Reactor Facility is an essential part of our educational program. including public education, and continues to serve us wvell. The use of the reactor from July of 2003 through June of 2004 wvas as follows:

Type of Use July 03 - June 04 July 03 - June 04 Hours Watt-hours Class Demonstrations 0.8 0.8 Faculty Research 3.0 0.0 Graduate Student Research 0.0 0.0 Maintenance and Equipment Check 12.5 0.0 Operator Training and Requalification 12.1 29.1 Teaching 40.0 98.7 Totals for the Year 68.4 128.65 During the annual maintenance in August 2003. we checked the detector cans and found corrosion on the Channel I can. This can weas replaced with a PVC container as an interim. All detector cans "'ill be inspected again as part of the 2004 annual maintenance.

AGN-201 01-03 Report. Page 3 There were no changes to the facility as it is described in the application for license and amendments thereto. nor were there any' changes to the procedures as described in Facility Technical Specifications. No new experiments were performed during the reporting period.

There were no 10 CFR 50.59 issues during the reporting period. During the reporting period.

there was no liquid radioactive waste released from the facility nor wras there any, solid waste released. There were no environmental radiation surveys performed outside the facility. All personnel exposures received during the reporting period were below 50 mrem per person with the majority of personnel receiving below 5 mrem. No facility visitors received measurable exposures.

Dr. Anil Prinja has replaced Dr. Norman Roderick as director of the nuclear engineering program and reactor administrator. The current personnel assignments are:

Dean. College of Engineering Joseph Cecchi Chair, Department of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering Julia Fulghum Reactor Administrator Anil K. Prinja Chief Reactor Supervisor Robert D. Busch USNRC-licensed Senior Reactor Operators Robert D. Busch Ken Carpenter Gary Cooper The current makeup of the Reactor Safety Advisory Committee is:

James Bryson Ron Knief Robert Long Ted Schmidt Joseph Sholtis David Summers with no vacant position although Ted Schmidt has retired from Sandia and may soon be retiring from the committee.

AGN-201 01-03 Report. Page 3 The Universitv of New Mexico's AGN-201 M reactor continues to be used extensively for teaching experiments as a part of our undergraduate and graduate programs. These experiments include approach-to-critical. reactor period and reactivity measurements. importance functions measurements. sample activation, control rod calibrations, and reactor power and neutron fluence measurements. The reactor is also used throughout the Fall, Spring and Summer sessions of the University. All experiments have received prior approval from okS\ Reactor Safety Advisory Committee. 1 Anlil K. Prinja Reactor Administrator