ML060960398

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2005 Annual Report Texas Engineering Experiment Station, Texas A&M University
ML060960398
Person / Time
Site: 05000128
Issue date: 03/30/2006
From: Reece W
Texas A&M Univ
To:
Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
2006-0021
Download: ML060960398 (23)
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TEXAS ENGINEERING EXPERIMNIENT STATION TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY 3575 TAMU COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS 77843-3575 NUCLEAR SCIENCE CENTER 979/845-7551 FAX 979/862-2667 March 30, 2006 2006-0021 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Attn: Document Control Desk Washington, D.C. 20555 Sutject: 2005 Annual Report (Facility License R-83)

To Whom It May Concern:

Enclosed please find the 2005 Annual Report for the Texas A&M University Nuclear Science Center. If you have any questions regarding this, please feel to call me or Latha Vasudevan or Jim Remlinger at (979) 845-7551.

Sincerely, X£3 Dr. W. D. Reece, Director Enclosure LVjg Xc: 21 1/Central File Annual Report File Jim Remlinger, Associate Director Latha Vasudevan, Radiological Safety Officer D

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RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR MANKIND http://nsc.tamu.edu

Texas A&M University Nuclear Science Center 2005 Annual Report Nuclear Science Center Texas Engineering Experiment Station Texas A&M University System College Station, Texas.

Texas A&M University System Texas Engineering Experiment Station Nuclear Science Center 2005 Annual Report Facility Operating License R-83 1095 Nuclear Science Road College Station, Texas 77843-3575 March 2006

Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center Annual Report :2005 CONTENTS

1. Introduction ................................................ 4 1.1 Nuclear Science Center Staff................................................ 5
2. Reactor Utilization for 2005 ................................................ 6 2.1 TAMU Academic Support Program ................................................ 7 2.2 DOE University Reactor Sharing Program ................................................ 7 2.3 Commercial Activity and External Research ................................................ 8
3. Facility and Procedure Changes ................................................ 8 3.1 Facility Modifications ................................................ 8 3.2 Experiment Authorization and Modification Authorization .................................... 9
4. Reactor Maintenance and Surveillance .............................................. 9 4.1 Scheduled Maintenance ................................................ 9 4.2 Unscheduled Maintenance ................................................ 9 4.3 Emergency Planning and Review ............................................... 10 4.4 Unscheduled Shutdowns ............................................... 10
5. Health Physics Surveillance .. ............................................. 12 5.1 Radioactive Shipments ..................... 12 5.2 Personnel Monitoring ..................... 12 5.3 Facility Monitoring ..................... 12 5.4 Particulate Effluent Monitoring ..................... 13 5.5 Gaseous Effluent Monitoring ..................... 14 5.6 Liquid Effluent Monitoring ..................... 16
6. Environmental Monitoring ................................... . 17 6 1 Environmental Samples .................................. 17 6.2 Site Boundary Dose Rate ................................... 17
7. Radioactive Waste Shipments .................................. 19
8. Reactor Safety Board ................................... 20 8.1 Reactor Safety Board Membership (2005) .................................. 20 2

Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center Annual Report 2005 List of Tables Table 2.-i: Reactor Utilization Summary in 2005 .......................................... 6 Table 4-1: Unscheduled Maintenance .......................................... 9 Table 4-2: Unscheduled Shutdowns ......................................... 10 Table 5-1: Total Dose Equivalent (mrem) Recorded on Area Monitors ................................. 13 Table 5-2: Particulate Effluent Releases ..................... 14 Table 5-3: Gaseous Effluent Releases ..................... 15 Table 5-4: Liquid Effluent Releases ..................... 16 Table 6-1: Environmental Sample Analysis ..................... 17 Table 6-2: Site Boundary Dose Rates ..................... 18 Table 7-1: Radioactive Waste Shipments ..................... 19 List of Figures Figure 1-1: Nuclear Science Center Organization Chart ............................... 5 Figure :-1: Annual Reactor Utilization .............................. 7 3

Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center Annual Report 2005

1. Introduction The Texas A&M University (TAMU) Nuclear Science Center (NSC) is a multi-disciplinary research and education center supporting basic and applied research in nuclear related fields of science and technology as well as providing educational opportunities for students in these fields as a service to the Texas A&M University System and the state of Texas. The NSC also provides services to commercial ventures requiring radiation or isotope production services.

The N'SC reactor is a 1 MW TRIGA research reactor in a large (108,000-gal.) pool. The size of the NSC reactor pool provides great flexibility in the types and sizes of experiments that may be placed near the reactor. It includes a calibration facility using Cs-137 calibrator, a neutron radiography facility, a large-object irradiation cell, hot cells and manipulators, and cther supporting facilities.

The laboratory facilities include three counting laboratories with four available Germanium detectors, a three-station pneumatics sample transfer system, fast neutron irradiation system, a delaye6. neutron detection system, a film neutron radiography system, a large neutron/gamma irradiation cell, and two neutron beam ports.

The N'SC reactor design allows for easy load/unload of various types of samples. The NSC actively produces various kinds of radioisotopes for industry, hospitals, and academic users. The NSC provides nationally recognized neutron activation analysis (NAA) services to many research and academic institutions in the United States. The NSC reactor also actively supports the Nuclear Engineering Department on campus, the largest nuclear engineering program in the United States. The NSC is one of the major attractions on campus. Last year alone, the NSC hosted 1213 visitors including: elementary, middle school, high school and college students as well as faculty members, national laboratory scientists and industrial clients. Through these tours, the NSC taught people with widely varying backgrounds about nuclear science.

With the strong support from the University, the NSC is continuously increasing the diversity of its facilities and services. The NSC is continuing to perform research on developing a technique for the production of 1-125. The NSC and the Nuclear Engineering Department are maintaining the Innovations in Nuclear Infrastructure for Education Grant. As part of this, the NSC is building a robust neutron detection system and is producing the prototype for distance learning modules. The NSC also refurbished the delayed neutron counting system and the neutron radiography system. The NSC is pursuing to set up a prompt gamma neutron activation analysis system.

At the end of December a Safety Accident and Analysis Report for the conversion of our current fuel to TRIGA 30-20 fuel was submitted to the NRC, and is currently under NRC review.

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Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center Annual Rcport'.2005 This annual report has been prepared to satisfy the reporting requirements of Technical Specification 6.6.1 of the facility operating license R-83 and of the Department of Energy University Reactor Fuel Assistance Program subcontract No C87-101594 (DE-AC'07-76ER0:2426). The facility license renewal application was filed with NRC on February 2003. The facility is currently operating under timely renewal.

1.1 Nuclear Science Center Staff The staff at the Nuclear Science Center consists of four major groups: Reactor Operations, Reactor Maintenance, Health Physics/Technical Coordination, and Administrative Services (Figure 1-1). Personnel directly involved with the operation and maintenance of the reactor are NRC-licensed operators. The NSC is committed to its educational responsibilities and many members of the staff are part or full-time students at Texas A&M University.

Nuclear Science Center 2005 Figure 1-1. Nuclear Science Center Organization Chart 5

Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center Annual Report:2005 The Texas Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) of the Texas A&M University System operates the Nuclear Science Center (NSC). The Director of the Nuclear Science Center (NSC) is responsible to the Deputy Director of the TEES for the administration and the proper and safe operation of the facility. In addition to the internal structure, the Reactor Safety Board (RSB) advises the Deputy Director of the TEES and the Director of the NSC on issues or policy pertaining to reactor safety. The Texas A&M University Environmental Health and Safety Department (EHSD) provide assistance when it is required for emergencies and for special operations as agreed. The Texas A&M University Police Department provides security support on a daily basis and is a key support group in the event of a security incident.

Reactor Utilization for 2005 The Nuclear Science Center (NSC) reactor has been in operation since 1962. The reactor is a 1-MW, MTR-converted TRIGA reactor. The reactor uses highly enriched uranium fuel (70%). but will useC a 20% enriched fuel core when DOE funds become available. Core VIII-A is the current core configuration and has been in use since March 1986. The NSC reactor is pulse operational and is pulsed up to powers of approximately 1,100 MW for nuclear engineering laboratories, staff training, and public tours.

The NS C reactor operated for 2016.1 hours1.157407e-5 days <br />2.777778e-4 hours <br />1.653439e-6 weeks <br />3.805e-7 months <br /> in 2005 with a total integrated power of 82.6MW..

days. There were 629 irradiations and services performed at the NSC during the reporting period. The NSC provided services to TAMU departments, other universities, research centers and secondary schools in and outside the state of Texas. Many departments at TAMU and other universities used the reactor regularly in the past year. The NSC reactor had about 97%

availability in 2005. The cumulative total energy output since initial criticality is 3381.85 MW1-days.

Table 2-1: Reactor Utilization Summary in 2005 Days of Reactor Operation 237 Integrated Power (MW-days) 82.6 Number of Hours at Steady-State 2016.1 Number of Pulses 17 Number of Reactor Irradiations (RFS) 629 Beam Port/Thermal Column Experiment Hours 684.6 Hours Irradiation Cell Use 3.90 Number of Visitors 1213 Unscheduled Shutdowns 13 6

Texas A M University System Nuclear Science Center Annual Report 2005 o 2,200 2,1202 2O10 2 2,081318 X 2000 19441,9241963 119461951 1915

.- 1,900 -lEIM18 1,800 -i 1,700 - 1I Year Figure 2-1. Annual Reactor Utilization 2.1 TAMU Academic Support Program Texas A&M University provides funding for the reactor for such academic activities as nuclear engineering laboratories, neutron activation analysis demonstrations and laboratories, graduate student thesis and dissertation research, and undergraduate research projects. The program has been very successful and is crucial for many graduate students who use the NSC reactor for research and have not received research grants. The wide range of academic users from the university reflects in the NSC's reputation as a multi-disciplinary institution.

2.2 DOE University Reactor Sharing Program The DOE University Reactor Sharing Program provides funds for reactor experimentation to those institutions that do not normally have access to a research reactor. The Nuclear Science Center (NSC) has participated in the program since 1980. During the 2003-2004-contract year, nine research institutions utilized the NSC with the support of the Reactor Sharing Program.

Additionally, the funding provided reactor tours and "hands on" projects to many secondary schools. The research projects supported by the program include items such as dating geological material and producing high-current superconducting magnets. The funding gave several small colleges and universities the opportunity to use the NSC facilities for teaching courses in nuclear processes, specifically neutron activation analysis and gamma spectroscopy. The Reactor Sharing Program supported the use of the Fast Flux Irradiation Device for multiple users at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology and the University of Nevada at Las Vegas. This device has near optimum neutron fluxes for 39Ar/4 0 Ar dating.

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Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center Annual Report 2005 2.3 Commercial Activity and External Research The N'SC provides services to a variety of users who provide their own funding. The majority of commercial activities focus on production of radioactive tracers for the Texas petroleum and chemical industries. Another commercial activity uses the converted Thermal Column area to produce micropore filters used in ultra-pure water systems in the semiconductor industry.

Outside research grants fund a significant amount of the NSC's research. The NSC is currently involved with neutron activation analysis and radioassays for a wide variety of samples for outside customers. The NSC has many years of experience producing radioisotopes and has developed several customer-specific methods for radioactive sample production and handling.

The production of radioisotopes generally involves handling radioactive material with high activities. The NSC staff takes precautions to minimize their exposures during the transfer of radioactive materials to shipping shields.

3. Facility and Procedure Changes 3.1 Facility Modifications A new pH probe and a flow meter were installed in the liquid waste shack, along with an external acid tarLk, for auto pH control.

The cooling tower was refurbished externally.

Upgrades to our radiation monitoring system included purchasing of hand held ion chamber, a new ha:-d and foot monitor and an alarming radiation detection system at the exit for the reactor building.

A new digital lock was installed on the control room to improve security.

A new Log Power Meter was installed in the console after repetitive failures of the old one.

A new radio controlled gate intercom was installed for communications between the reception room and the front gate.

Uninterruptible power conditioners were installed in the console to protect the reactor instrumentation from power fluctuations.

The reception room was remodeled with a new wall covering and a wall mounted video monitor.

Ground fault circuits were installed in wet areas throughout the facility.

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Texas A,5&M University System Nuclear Science Center Annual Report :2005 New safety showers were installed in the demineralizer room and the cooling tower chemical shack to bring them up to standards.

3.2 Experiment Authorization and Modification Authorization The log power drawer was replaced with a new design as described in the Modification Authorization MA-55. This equipment modification replaced the old Gamma Metrics Wide Range Monitor with a functionally equivalent NSC designed drawer. There were no new experiment/modification authorizations initiated during the year 2005.

4. Reactor Maintenance and Surveillance 4.1 Scheduled Maintenance NSC personnel performed regular maintenance on the Fuel Element Temperature Channel, Area RadiatiDn Monitors and the Linear, Log, and Safety Power Channels as required by the Technical Specifications. They also performed all surveillances required by the reactor license. Control rod worth and scram time measurements performed in August 2005 gave the following results. The total rod worth is $13.22. The most reactive control rod is Shim Safety #4 with a worth of $3.59.

The shutdown margin was $4.05 and core excess was $3.64. Scram times on all rods were less than 1.2 seconds. In addition, operators performed calorimetric calibration following each maintenance period, and fuel inspections with no abnormalities noted (as required by the Technical Specification). The cold critical reactivity worth, performed for each reactor experiment, shows the most reactive fixed experiment is the Fast Flux Irradiation Device

(-$1.28) with leveling high boron loading the negative worth.

4.2 Unscheduled Maintenance Table 4-1: Unscheduled Maintenance 01/19/05 A defective I. C. interlock circuit, that prevented withdrawal of the transient rod.

02/28/C5 The rod down switch was replaced on Rod drive 4.

05/3 1/5 The new Log power meter was installed in the console after the old one had failed.

A new intercom was installed in the control room along 07/14/05 with a new gate speaker for more reliable communications between the control room and special areas around the facility New mechanical relays were installed in the air handling 07/29/05 motor control circuit to prevent transient signals from starting them.

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Texas ARM University System Nuclear Science Center Annual Report 2005 The remote control solenoid air valve for the evacuation 07/22/05 horn was repaired restoring its control from the reception room.

08/03/05 A belt on sample irradiation rotisserie was replaced.

A 4 inch diameter long tube and homemade cables, constructed of glass and copper, were fabricated to 09/05/(5 replace the log power detector housing. The old cables had deteriorated due to radiation and the housing was destroyed in the process of making the repair.

4.3 Emergency Planning and Review The Reactor Safety Board (RSB) completed their audits of the Emergency and Security plans in 2005. The Nuclear Science Center staff and the RSB reviewed the NSC Security and Emergency Plans and audits at the December, 2005 board meeting. A successful facility wide emergency drill involving the university police department was conducted on December 22, 2005. Two successful additional facility evacuation drills were conducted during the year. Completion o f all security related compensatory measures were implemented within the deadlines prescribed in the Confirmatory Action Letter issued by the NRC. This was verified in an NRC inspection in February 2005.

4.4 Unscheduled Shutdowns There were thirteen unscheduled reactor shutdowns during 2005. The causes are detailed below in Table 4-2.

Table 4-2: Unscheduled Shutdowns 3/21/05 Reactor scrammed due to momentary electronic transient of Safety Channel #2.

5/3,/05 Reactor scrammed due to momentary loss of operating signal from Safety Channels.

5/4/05 Reactor scrammed due to high power circuitry in Safety Channel #2 while operating against the Thermal Column. Fuel temperature was observed to be normal.

6/29/05 Reactor scrammed due to transient rod air supply solenoid valve malfunction.

7/6t/05 Reactor scrammed due to high power circuitry in Safety Channel #2 while operating against the Thermal Column. Fuel temperature was observed to be normal.

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Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center Annual Report 2005 7/14/05 Reactor scrammed due to momentary electronic transient of Safety Channel #2.

8/2/05 Reactor scrammed due to momentary electronic transient of Safety Channel #2.

8/:3/05 Reactor scrammed due to power surge from lightning strike near facility.

8/26/05 (0859) Reactor scrammed due to Safety Channel #2 test switch sending a spurious high signal.

8/26/05 (1740) Reactor scrammed due to loss of power from offsite.

9/26/05 (1237) Reactor scrammed due to momentary electronic transient of Safety Channel #2.

9/2,6/05 (1547) Reactor scrammed due to momentary electronic transient of Safety Channel #2.

10'24/05 Reactor scrammed due to high power circuitry in Safety Channel #2 during start up. Fuel temperature was observed to be normal.

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Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center Annual Report :2005

5. Health Physics Surveillance The pu:.pose of Health Physics surveillance is to ensure safe use of radioactive materials in the Nuclear Science Center's research and service activities and to fulfill the regulatory requirements of U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and State agencies. The NSC maintains a Health Physics group as an integral part of the organization. They are responsible for radiological as well as chemical, and physical safety concerns. The radiation safety team at the TAMU Environmental Health and Safety Department provides additional support to the NSC Health Physics group upon request.

5.1 Radioactive Shipments The Health Physics monitoring and technical support that was provided in 2005 assured minimal exposure during sample handling, shipment of radioactive material, and normal reactor operation. The radiation exposures were maintained ALARA. During 2005, about 366 radioactive samples were handled of which 344 were sent to various research facilities including Texas A&M University campus and the rest were retained at the Nuclear Science Center facility.

A total of 329 curies were handled in 2005.

5.2 Personnel Monitoring Personnel Monitoring was provided to approximately 45 personnel. All measured doses to personnel were below the limits set forth in 10 CFR 20. Seven individuals received whole body dose greater than 10% of the annual limit inlO CFR 20. The doses recorded were 618, 752, 557, 706, 903, 979, 1036 mrem deep dose equivalent for the year. Airborne monitoring during sample handling continued to show no significant airborne activity. Therefore, total effective dose equivalent will equal deep dose equivalent for 2005. A total of 9.66 manrem was recorded for the year 2005. When total manrem/curie was determined for 2005, the dose per curie equaled 0.029 (inanrem/Ci).

During 2005, about 1213 visitors toured the Nuclear Science Center. Minimal exposures were measure d with pocket ion chambers worn by these visitors and the pocket ion chamber readings of their respective tour guides:

NSC employees who were likely to exceed 10% of their total annual dose wore TLDs/film badges and extremity dosimeters that were provided by Landauer, a NVLAP accredited supplier.

Landauer also provided the analysis reports of the doses received.

5.3 Facility Monitoring Surveys of the Nuclear Science Center facilities were performed to assess radiological hazards to NSC workers. Radiation levels and sources of radioactive contamination were routinely monitored. Approximately 350 smear samples were collected and evaluated each month. All accessible areas at the NSC are surveyed for radiation and contamination levels monthly. Areas where contamination is expected, access/egress controls are in place and are evaluated on shorter 12

Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center Annual Report :2005 interval.s. Area monitors were placed at strategic locations in the reactor facility, this provides dose equivalent (mrem) on a monthly basis. Table 5-I (below) summarizes the annual accumulated dose equivalent (mrem) recorded on the area monitors for 2005.

Table 5-1: Total Dose Equivalent (mrem) Recorded on Area Monitors Monitor ID Location Accumulated Dose Equivalent (mrem)

BLDG MNTR 1 Upper Research Level 1604 Mezzanine BLDG MNTR 2 Lower Research Level 421 D MMezzanine BLDG MNTR 3 Lower Research Level 50 AREA Control Room 1684 AREA Upper Research Level 1227 AREA Room next to MIA 3028 5.4 Particulate Effluent Monitoring Radioactive particulates were monitored at the base of the central exhaust stack and summarized on a monthly basis. The annual average release concentration was 1.09 E-11 pCi/cc and the diluted concentration was 5.44 E-14 pCi/cc. The total radioactivity activity released for 2005 was 1.1 OE-2 Ci. Table 5-2 (next page) summarizes monthly particulate effluent releases during 2005.

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Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center Annual Report:2005 Table ';-2: Particulate Effluent Releases Average Diluted Exhaust Additional Total Quarter Month Release Conc. Concentratlon*2 Volume*3 Release*4 Release*5

, t. _ ' (MCiCc) (pICi/cc) (Cc) (Ci _ (Ci)

January 9.22E-12 4.61 E-14 6.32E+12 O.OOE+O0 5.83E-05 February 1.31 E-11 6.54E-14 5.71 E+12 O.OOE+00 7.47E-05 I March 8.87E-12 4.43E-14 6.32E+12 O.OOE+00 5.61 E-05 Average: 1.04E-11 5.19E-14 6.12E+12 O.OOE+OO 6.30E-05

_ total: 1.82E+13 O.OOE+OO 1.89E-04 April 1.53E-12 7.63E-15 6.12E+12 O.OOE+00 9.33E-06 May 8.94E-12 4.47E-14 6.32E+12 O.OOE+O0 5.65E-05 1I June 2.85E-11 1.43E-13 6.12E+12 O.OOE+O0 1.74E-04 Average: 1.30E-1I 6.49E-14 6.19E+12 O.OOE+OO 8.01 E-05

_ total: 1.86E+13 O.OOE+OO 2.40E-04 July 7.11 E-12 3.56E-14 6.32E+12 O.OOE+00 4.50E-05 August 4.69E-12 2.35E-14 6.32E+12 O.OOE+0O 2.97E-05 III September 2.05E-11 1.02E-13 6.12E+12 O.OOE+0O 1.25E-04 Average: 1.08E-11 5.38E-14 6.25E+12 O.OOE+OO 6.66E-05

_ total: 1.89E+13 O.OOE+OO 2.OOE-04 October 1.22E-11 6.09E-14 6.32E+12 2.OOE-04 2.77E-04 November 8.67E-12 4.34E-14 6.32E+12 9.09E-05 1.46E-04 IV December 7.42E-12 3.71 E-14 6.12E+12 O.OOE+O0 4.54E-05 Average: 9.42E-12 4.71 E-14 6.25E+12 9.69E-05 1.56E-04

_ total: 1.88E+13 2.91E-04 4.68E-04 Annual T1 Average: 1.09E-111 055.44E-14 6.20E+12 2.42E-05 9.14E-O0 Summary _____total: total: 7.44E+13 2.91E-04 i.10E-03 notes:

1. Average Release Concentration equal to: Concentration released from Channel 1, NSC Form 805
2. Diluted Concentration equal to Average Release Concentration multiplied by 0.005 (Technical Specification 3.5.2, dilution value for release concentration at exclusion boundary)
3. Exhaust Volume equal to: ( # days/month)*( 24hrs/day)*( 60min/hr)^( 5000cfm)/ 3.53E-5cfm/cc)
4. Additional Release equal to: (Individual releases calculated from facility air monitoring data)
5. Total Release equal to: (Average Release Concentration)'( Exhaust volume)* (ICi!/ 1E6 uCi)+(Additional Release)

MDA is based on the conversion factor for the Channel 1(Stack particulate detector):

1.04E- 13 ,uCi/cc.

5.5 Gaseous Effluent Monitoring Argon-4I is the major gaseous effluent produced and released at the Nuclear Science Center.

This efiluent is monitored at the central exhaust stack. Total Argon-41 released during 2005 was 6.66Ci with an annual average release concentration of 7.45E-08piCi/cc and with a diluted 14

Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center Annual Report 2005 concentration of 3.72E-10 pCi/cc. Table 5-3 (below) summarizes monthly gaseous effluent release;3 during 2005.

Table '5-3: Gaseous Effluent Releases Average Diluted Exhaust Additional Total Quarter Month Release Conc. Concentration*2 Volume*3 Release*4 Release*5

.____ ,.__ (+/-Ci/cc). (iCilcc) . ' (cc) (Ci) - (Ci)

January 1.02E-07 5.1 E-10 6.32E+12 O.OOE+00 6.46E-01 February <MDA <MDA 5.71 E+12 O.OOE+0O <MDA March 5.57E-08 2.78E-10 6.32E+12 O.OOE+00 3.52E-01 Average: . 5.26E-08 2.63E-10 6.12E+12 O.OOE+OO 3.33E-01 total: 1.82E+13 O.OOE+OO 9.98E-01 April 3.48E-08 1.74E-10 6.12E+12 O.OOE+00 2.13E-01 May 4.79E-08 2.40E-10 6.32E+12 6.63E-01 9.66E-01 June 9.47E-08 4.73E-10 6.12E+12 1.90E-05 5.79E-01 Average: 5.91 E-08 2.96E-10 6.19E+12 2.21 E-01 5.86E-01

_ total: 1.86E+13 8.84E-01 1.76E+OO July 1.1 2E-07 5.58E-10 6.32E+12 O.OOE+00 7.05E-01 August 7.65E-08 3.83E-10 6.32E+12 O.OOE+00 4.84E-01 September 5.87E-08 2.94E-10 6.12E+12 O.OOE+00 3.59E-01 Average: 8.23E-08 4.11 E-10 6.25E+12 O.OOE+OO 5.16E-01 total: 1.88E+13 O.OOE+OO 1.55E+OO October 7.23E-08 3.62E-10 6.32E+12 3.87E-01 8.44E-01 November 1.59E-08 7.97E-11 6.12E+12 O.OOE+00 9.75E-02 IV December 2.23E-07 1.12E-09 6.32E+12 O.OOE+00 1.41 E+00 Average: 1.04E-07 5.19E-10 6.32E+12 3.87E-01 7.84E-01 total: 1.88E+13 3.87E-01 2.35E+OO nual 'Average: 7.4453E-08 3.72265E-10 6.20E+12 8.75E-02 - 5.55E-01 ummar' total: 7.43E+13 1.27E+00 6.66E+OO Notes:

1. Avewage Release Concentration equal to: Concentration released from Channel 3, NSC Form 805
2. Diluted Concentration equal to: Average Release Concentration multiplied by 0.005 (Technical Specification 3.5.2, dilution value for release concentration at exclusion boundary)
3. Exh3ust Volume equal to: (# days/month)*( 24hrs/day)^( 60min/hr)*( 5000cfm)/ 3.53E-5cfm/cc)
4. Additional Release equal to: (Individual releases calculated from facility air monitoring data)
5. Total Release equal to: (Average Release Concentration)*( Exhaust volume)* (1Ci/ I E6 uCi)+(Additional Release)

MDA is based on the conversion factor for the Channel 3 (Stack gas detector):

2.65E-C'9 gCi/cc.

15

Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center Annual Report'2005 5.6 Liquid Effluent Monitoring Radioactive Liquid effluents are maintained in collection tanks before release from the confines of the Nuclear Science Center. Sample activity concentrations and isotope identifications were determined before each release. There were 14 releases in 2005, totaling 6.71E+5 gallons including dilution. The total radioactivity released was 1.29E-03 Ci with an annual average conceniration of 5.07E-07 gCi/cc. Summaries of the release data are presented in the table 5-4 (below l. Radioactivity concentrations for each isotope found were below the Effluent Concentration limits specified in 10 CFR 20, Appendix B. Some of the major radionuclides identified in the waste stream are Sc46 , Mn 54 , Co60 , Zn65 and Sb'2 4 .

Table '-4: Liquid Effluent Releases Total Average Number of Volume Released Radioactivity Concentration Quarter Month Releases (cc) (Ci) jPCi/cc)

I January 2 4.01E+08 1.3 1E-04 3.27E-07 February 1 1.02E+08 2.63E-05 2.57E-07 March * * *

  • Quarter Total: 3 5.03E+08 1.57E-04 II April 2 1.88E+08 1.44E-04 7.65E-07 May 1 9.58E+07 1.25E-04 131 E-06 June 2 4.37E+08 2.20E-04 5.02E-07 Quarter Total: 5 7.21E+08 4.88E-04 III July August 3 6.95E+08 4.08E-04 1.76E-06 September 2 4.60E+08 1.65E-04 7.19E-07 Quarter Total: 5 1.16E+09 5.73E-04 IV October November 1 1.60E+08 6.76E-05 4.21E-07 December * * *
  • Quarter Total: 1 1.60E+08 6.76E-05 Annual Total: 14 2.54E+09 1.29E-03 5.(17E-07 Summ:<y_______
  • No releases 16

Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center Annual Report :2005

6. Environmental Monitoring In conjunction with representatives from the Texas Department of Health, Bureau of Radiation Control., a quarterly environmental survey is conducted to insure compliance with federal regulations. This program consists of TLD monitors located at various locations on the NSC site and two background monitors one located at 3.84 miles NW of facility and the other at 0.25 miles SE of facility. The collection, analysis, and evaluation of NSC creek sediment are also included in the program.

6.1 Environmental Samples The environmental samples were collected in accordance with the schedules of the cooperative surveillance program between the Texas Department of Health and the Texas A&M University.

NSC creek sediment samples were analyzed using an intrinsic germanium detection system for isotopic identification at the NSC. A second set of sediment samples were analyzed by the Texas Department of Health for comparison. The concentrations of environmental samples determined for each quarter are listed below in table 6-1.

Table (i-1: Environmental Sample Analysis Quarter Sediment RGCi/g 1st NSC creek <8.9 E-06 2nd NSC creek <1.1 E-05 3rd NSC creek <4.0 E-06 4th NSC creek <5.6 E-06 6.2 Site Boundary Dose Rate The environmental survey program measures the integrated radiation exposures at the exclusion area boundaries. These measurements are made for periods of approximately 91 days using TLDs. Monthly measurements of direct gamma exposure rate in prem/h are also made at each of the TLI) locations. The dosimeters are provided and processed by Department of State Health Services, Environmental Monitoring, Division of Regulatory Services. Total TLD dose is multiplied by the occupancy factor (1/16) to determine total deep dose to the general public.

To determine internal exposure to individuals outside the site area the EPA's approved code COMPLY was used. The exposure calculated via COMPLY was 0.1mrem/yr. This exposure ::s added to the calculated total deep dose. This total is the dose received by the general public.

Table 6-2 (next page) summarizes the site boundary dose rates.

17

Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center Annual Report :2005 Table 45-2: Site Boundary Dose Rates Site Exposure Rate TLD Deep Internal Total Location Q rterly Expsur e Dose Dose Dose (mr(mremr) (mrem) (mrem) 300 ft. W of 2 reactor building, 3.7 5.6 4.8 4.4 18.5 1.2 0.1 1.3 near fence corner 250 ft W-SW of 3 reactor building, 0.0 1.9 1.0 1.1 4.0 0.3 0.1 0.4 on SW chain link fence 200 ft NW of reactor building, 4 on chain link 6.1 9.4 6.5 5.7 27.7 1.7 0.1 1.8 fence, near butane tank.

225 ft NE of 5 reactor building, 2.5 2.8 1.9 2.2 9.4 0.6 0.1 0.7 on fence N of driveway 190 ft SE of 10 reactor building, 0.0 2.8 1.0 0.0 3.8 0.2 0.1 0.3 near fence corner 300 ft NE of 11 reactor building, 1.2 0.9 1.0 0.0 3.1 0.2 0.1 0.3 near fence comner 18 375 ft NE of 4.9 3.8 2.9 2.2 13.8 0.9 0.1 1.0 reactor building 18

Texas A&,M University System Nuclear Science Center Annual Report:2005 320 ft NE of 19 2.5 0.9 2.9 4.4 10.7 0.7 0.1 0.8 reactor building 14* 3.84 miles NW 0.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 1.0 0.1 0.1 0.2 of facility 23 0.25 miles SE 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 of facility

  • 14 The fourth quarter background TLD was relocated approximately 3 miles NW of NSC site due to the loss of TLD (#14) for the third quarter.
7. Radioactive Waste Shipments During the year 2005, there were two solid waste shipments from the NSC for disposal offsite.

The shipments were performed through Bionomics Incorporated, Kingston, TN 37763, which is a Texas A&M University radioactive waste contractor for the low level waste disposal facility. The first shipment contained three packages of aluminum cans and one package of dry liquid waste filters. The second shipment contained four packages of aluminum cans and two packages of dry liquid waste filters. Some of the major radionuclides identified in the liquid waste filters are 46SC, 54 n, 6 )Co, 65Zn, 137Cs and 152 Eu. The major isotopes identified in the aluminum cans were 61'Co and 52 Iu. Dry solid wastes with short half-lives (<300 d) were properly stored for decay, which will eventually be segregated, sorted and disposed as non-radioactive waste.

Table 7-1: Radioactive Waste Shipments Dry Liquid Waste Aluminum Cans Total Shipment Date

  1. of Total # of Total # of Pkgs Activity, [LCi Pkgs Activity, jiCi Pkgs Activity, jiCi siLt 9-Aug-2005 1 1.12E+01 3 4.47E+01 4 5.559E+01 2nd 8-Nov-2005 2 1.17E+02 4 2.18E-02 6 1.17 E+02 Total 3 1.28E+02 7 4.47E+01 10 I.73E+02 19

Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center Annual Report '2005

8. Reactor Safety Board The Reactor Safety Board is responsible for providing an independent review and audit of the safety aspects of the NSC reactor. The RSB meets at least once a year to review audit reports, security and emergency plans, new experiments and modifications to the facility.

8.1 Reactor Safety Board Membership (2005)

Chairman/Licensee:

Dr. Theresa Maldonado, Deputy Director Texas Engineering Experiment Station Members:

Dr. John Ford, Assistant Professor Nuclear Engineering Department Dr. Marvin Adams, Associate Professor Nuclear Engineering Department Dr. Bill Charlton, Associate Professor Nuclear Engineering Department Dr. William Dennis James, Research Chemist Chemistry Department Dr. John Hardy, Professor Physics Department Dr. Teruki Kamon, Professor Physics Department Ex-Officio Members:

Dr. Warren Reece, Director Nuclear Science Center Dr. Latha Vasudevan, NSC RSO Nuclear Science Center Dr. William Burchill, Professor and Head Nuclear Engineering Department 20

Texas A&M University System Nuclear Science Center Annual Report.2005 Mr. John SaIsman, Director Environmental Health and Safety Department Mr. Daniel Menchaca, RSO Environmental Health and Safety Department Mr. Jim Remlinger, Associate Director Nuclear Science Center 21

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