ML092720865
| ML092720865 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Reed College |
| Issue date: | 09/22/2009 |
| From: | Frantz S Reed College |
| To: | Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| References | |
| Download: ML092720865 (27) | |
Text
REED COLLEGE Portland,Oregon 97202 REACTOR FACILITY September 22, 2009 Document Control Desk US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555 Docket 50-288 Enclosed is Reed College Reactor's Annual Report.
Please feel free to contact me for additional information.
Regards, StephcenG. FRrantze Director, Reed College Reactor 3203 SE Woodstock Blvd., Portland,OR 97202-8199 503-777-7222 Fax: 503-777-7274reactor(a)reed.e&i
REED RESEARCH REACTOR ANNUAL REPORT September 1,2008 -- August 31,2009
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REED RESEARCH REACTOR ANNUAL REPORT September 1,2008 -- August 31,2009 3203 Southeast Woodstock Blvd.
Portland, Oregon 97202-8199 503-777-7222 Fax: 503-777-7274 http://reactor.reed.edu reactor@reed.edu Stephen G. Frantz Director; Reed Research Reactor Program Director, Nuclear Science Consortium of the Willamette Valley
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TABLE OF CONTENTS O VERVIEW ................................................................................................................ 7 PEOPLE .......................................................................................................................... 9 Reactor Staff ............................................................................................................ 9 Reactor Review Com mittee ................................................................................ 1I FACILITIES ................................................................................................................... 13 Reactor Facility ................................................................................................. 13 Rotating Specim en Rack Facility ........................................................................ 13 Pneum atic Transfer System ................................................................................ 13 In-Core Facilities ................................................................................................ 14 In-Pool Facilities ................................................................................................ 14 Beam Facilities ................................................................................................. 14 USERS ........................................................................................................................... 15 Reactor Operations Sem inar .............................................................................. 15 Outside U sers ...................................................................................................... 16 Colleges and Universities .................................................................................. 16 High Schools and Middle Schools .............................................. ............................. 16 Special Groups ................................................................................................... 16 High School Student Project .............................................................................. 17 Concordia University ......................................................................................... 17 Scaler Kits .............................................................................................................. 18 Reed Classes .................................................................................................... 18 Industrial and Com m ercial Applications .......................................................... 18 REACTOR OPERATIONS ................................................ 19 Operations ............................................................................ 19 Unplanned Reactor Shutdowns .................................... 20 REACTOR M AINTENANCE ........................................................................................... 21 Significant Maintenance .................................................................................... 21 10CFR50.59 Evaluations ................................................................................... 21 RADIATION PROTECTION ......................................................................................... 25 Personnel Dosim etry ......................................................................................... 25 Fixed Area Dosim etry ....................................................................................... 25 Gaseous Releases .............................................................................................. 26 Liquid Waste Releases ................................................. 26 Solid W aste Disposal ......................................................................................... 26 Environm ental Sam pling ......................................................................................... 26
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OVERVIEW This report covers the period from September 1, 2008 to August 31, 2009, and is intended to fulfill the reporting requirements of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission License No. R-1 12, Docket 50-288, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the Oregon Department of Energy Rule No. 345-030-010.
We specifically wish to thank Portland'General Electric and Concordia University for their financial aid.
Reed College operates a 250 kW TRIGA Mark I reactor. The Reed College Research Reactor has been a resource for research and educational projects in the Portland area since 1968. The main uses of the Reed Research Reactor are instruction and research, especially in the field of trace-element analysis.
During the year there were 617 visitors from schools, colleges, universities, and special groups. Additionally, there were 553 visitors as part of Reed College activities (prospective students, family of students, Reed classes, etc.). There were 1020 entries into the reactor bay by 43 students as part of the reactor training program and summer internships. Finally, there were 35 entries by 9 members of the NRC, plus 2 individuals from the State of Oregon.
Including tours and research conducted at the facility, the Reed Research Reactor contributed to the educational programs of 4 colleges and universities in addition to 16 pre-college groups. During the year the reactor was taken critical 369 times on 135 days.
The total energy produced was approximately 99 megawatt-hours.
The reactor staff consists of a Director, an Associate Director, a Health Physicist, and Reed College undergraduate students who are licensed by the NuclearRegulatory Commission as reactor operators or senior reactor operators. As this report is being' written the licensed operating staff consists of 17 women and 19 men. During the reporting period, all 13 reactor operator candidates passed their NRC exams and all 9 senior reactor operator candidates passed their NRC exams.
There were no radiation exposures to individuals in excess of one percent 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 was one shipment of radioactive waste.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission conducted their annual inspection during November 2008. There was one Level III Violation based on the overpower event on July 21,2008.
Please note that the next annual report will cover September 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010 to synchronize the report with our other requirements.
2008-2009 Page 7 Reed Reed Research Annual Report Reactor Annual Research Reactor Report 2008-2009 I Page 7
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Page 8 Reed Reed Research Reactor Annual Research Reactor Report 2008-2009 Annual Report 2008-2009 Page 8
PEOPLE Reactor Staff During the period September 1, 2008 to August 31, 2009, the staff consisted of:
ReactorDirector: Stephen Frantz (4/94 - Present)
Associate Director: Robin Bjorkquist (7/09 - Present)
Vanessa Holfeltz (7/07 - 7/09)
Reactor Supervisor: Reuven Lazarus (5/09 - Present)
Robin Bjorkquist (8/07 - 9/09)
TrainingSupervisor: Rosie Cottingham (5/09 - Present)
Tiffany Cook (8/07 - 5/09)
Assistant Training Supervisor: Mary Solbrig (5/09 - Present)
Reuven Lazarus (5/08 - 5/09)
RequalificationSupervisor: Celia Oney (5/09 - Present)
Radiation Safety Officer: Kathleen Fisher (1/03 - Present)
Health Physicist: Becky Day (4/07 - 5/09)
Senior Reactor Operators(SRO):
Sophie Berkman Reuven Lazarus Robin Bjorkquist Tracy Mehoke Steven Case Celia Oney Fluffy Cass Joseph Parmalee Tom Chartrand Carl Rodriguez Tiffany Cook Laura Sard Rosie Cottingham Jeremy Silver Ben Fischer Erin Smith Stephen Frantz Mary Solbrig Angela Frey Sarah Spiegel Vanessa Holfeltz Moriah Tobin Cindy Joe Stephen von Kugelen Molly King Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2008-2009 Page 9
Reactor Operators (RO):
Kaileigh Ahlquist May-Ling Li Caleb Arata Daniel Lidral-Porter Constance Bailey Ellen McManis Matthew Carlson Briana Patton Kathleen Conahan Maggie Post Francis Dieterle Alex Ragus Wesley Erickson Neal Reynolds Rachel Fordyce Brandy Ryan Todd Garron Nick Salter Edward Griffith Ahmad Shabbar Kimberly Hartfield Jonah Simpson Casey Hurstell Erik Thomas Matthew Jemielita Harry Traulsen Alina Kassenbrock Daniel Wall Benjamin Larson The list of operators includes everyone who held a license at any time during the reporting period. Reactor Operators who upgrade their licenses to Senior Reactor Operators during the reporting period are listed under Senior Reactor Operators. All of the licensed operators are Reed College undergraduate students with the exception of the director and associate director.
As this report is being written there are 7 women and 12 men with Reactor Operator licenses and 10 women and 7 men with SeniorReactor Operator licenses.
Page 10 Reed Research Reactor Annual Research Reactor Report 2008-2009 Annual Report 2008-2009 Page 10
Reactor Review Committee The Reed Research Reactor has two oversight committees: the Reactor Safety Committee and the Reactor Operations Committee. Together they comprise the Reactor Review Committee. The Reactor Safety Committee is concerned with emergency preparedness, health physics, radiation safety, physical security, environmental impact, and the interface between the Reed Research Reactor, 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 period is shown below:
Reactor Safety Committee Wayne Lei - Chair (Directorof Research and Development, PortlandGeneralElectric)
Norm Dyer (OAR Services)
Daniel Gerrity (Chemistry Faculty, Reed College)
Kathleen Fisher (Director,Reed Environmental Health and Safety)
Reactor OperationsCommittee Darrell Schroeter - Chair (Physics Faculty, Reed College)
Steve Reese (RadiationCenter Director, Oregon State University)
Juliet Brosing (Physics Faculty, Pacific University)
Ron Ross (PortlandGeneralElectric)
Ex Officio without vote on both committees:
Peter Steinberger (Dean of the Faculty, Reed College)
Stephen Frantz (Director,Reed Research Reactor)
Vanessa Holfeltz (Associate Director,Reed Research Reactor)
Robin Bjorkquist (Reactor Supervisor)
Becky Day (HealthPhysicist,Reed Research Reactor)
Page 11 Reed Reed Research Reactor Annual Research Reactor Report 2008-2009 Annual Report 2008-2009 Page 11
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Page 12 Reed Reed Research Reactor Report 2008-2009 Annual Report Reactor Annual 2008-2009 Page 12
LFACILITIES Reactor Facility In addition to the reactor, Reed College has a radiochemistry lab. The equipment available at the reactor facility includes high purity germanium gamma spectrometers, alpha spectrometers, a whole body counter, gas flow proportional counters, ion chambers, beta counters, Geiger Muller tubes, neutron detectors, alpha detectors, and thermo luminescent dosimeter readers. These instruments are used for experiments and training in nuclear science and radiation detection. Two exit monitors are in the control room. 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 the 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 irradiation times (generally greater than five minutes) are required. The approximate thermal neutron flux in a rotating rack positionat full power is 1.7 xlO*2 n/cm 2 s 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 5x101 2 n/cm2 s when the reactor is at full power.
Page 13 Research Reactor Reed Research Report 2008-2009 Annual Report Reactor Annual 2008-2009 Page 13
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 l x 10"3 n/cm 2s. 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.
An iridium gamma irradiator is also in the reactor pool for gamma only irradiations.
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. Prompt gamma analysis and neutron radiography can be done. The flux above the beam exit is approximately Ix106 n/cm 2s when the reactor is af full power.
Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2008-2009 Page 14
U SER S Reactor Operations Seminar The Reed Research Reactor conducts an annual seminar series. 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, 13 out of 13 reactor operator candidates and 9 out of 9 senior reactor operator candidates passed their NRC exams.
Historically. students who fail the NRC exam only fail one section and they are allowed to retake that section later. Figure 2 is a graph of the number of license application each year showing how many new RO and SRO licenses were awarded at Reed and how many failed to obtain a license. Following the large class, in 2005 we began limiting the number of license candidates.
35 30 -EFailures 10 5
'H -4'4 - - - -~ '- - - -4 '- '- - -4 Figure 2 Reed Research Reacto r License Exam Results Page 15 Research Reactor Reed Research Report 2008-2009 Annual Report Reactor Annual 2008-2009 Page 15
Outside Users During the year there were 617 visitors from schools, colleges, universities, and special
.groups. Additionally, there were 553 visitors as part of Reed College activities (prospective students, family of students, Reed classes, etc.). There were 1020 entries into the reactor room by 43 students as part of the reactor training program and internships. There were 118 entries by 27 individuals for reactor maintenance and inspections. 43 members of emergency response organizations came for training. Finally, there were 35 entries by 9 members of the NRC, plus 2 individuals from the State of Oregon.
The following institutions have participated in facility tours, experiments, and research projects in the reporting period.
Colleges and Universities Clark College Concordia University Pacific University Portland Community College Hihh Schools and Middle Schools Alice Ott Middle School Catlin Gabel High School C.S. Lewis Academy Lake Oswego High School Owyhee Combined School, NV Pioneer School Roosevelt High School (SEIS)
Southridge High School Sunset High School Wilson High School Woodlawn High School Special Groups Bend Science Station Boy Scouts I Have a Dream Foundation MESA Science Camp ON Semiconductors Portland Parks Senior Tour Saturday Academy Summer Institute for Intercultural Communication Page 16 Reed Research Reactor Report 2008-2009 Annual Report Reactor Annual 2008-2009 Page 16
Figure 3 is a graph showing the history of visiting groups.
40
.Collegesi and Universities-
-4, -High Schools and Middle Schools *'
gýSpecialG~roupsý 30 ,
25 ,
iA 8%
A A 15 -
' A
- A - -A .
- 10 ......... ................
l...r.... ....... .. ......
, 0 .......... 1
- A 1950 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Figure 3 Visiting Groups 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.
Several special programs for gifted children use the reactor for projects. These are designed to enrich their educational program and prepare them for college. Some of the groups who use the reactor target minority and disadvantaged youth who are historically under-represented in science professions.
High School Student Project The Reed Research Reactor continues to be used in independent science projects initiated by students from several Oregon and Washington State high schools.
Concordia University The reactor provides training and experiments involving radiation, radioactive material, and trace element analysis for Concordia University Classes.
2008-2009 Page 17 Research Reactor Reed Research Reactor Annual Annual Report Report 2008-2009 Page 17
Scaler Kits Through the generosity of Portland General Electric, the reactor lends out kits containing a Geiger counter, a scaler, and some small exempt sources to local high schools.
Reed Classes
- Chemistry 271 students used neutron activation analysis to determine chemical composition of an unknown compound.
- Chemistry 101 students determined the half-lives of chemical forms of vanadium.
" There was one Senior Thesis. Lillian Kuehl analyzed selenium uptake in plants as it affects herbivory.
Industrial and Commercial Applications The Reed Research Reactor 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.
During this reporting period Reed irradiated antimony sources for a customer for beryllium mining.
Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2008-2009 Page 18
REACTOR OPERATIONS Operations During the year the reactor was taken critical 369 times on 135 days. The total energy produced was approximately 99 megawatt-hours. The large total megawatt-hour was due to a special project activating antimony for a customer. Operating history by month appears in table 1. A history of the data is shown in figure 4.
Times Critical Days Operated MW-hours September 44 19 26.02 October 43 15 16.44 November 59 24 24.41 December 6 2 0.41 January 16 10 2.03 February 5 3 1.50 March 50 12 4.62 April 60 18 10.08 May 44 15 4.44 June 12 4 0.98 July 9 5 3.03 August 21 8 5.48 Total 369 135 99.43 Table 1 Operating History 400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 "2009 Figure 4 Operations Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2008-2009 Page 19
Unplanned Reactor Shutdowns There were six inadvertent reactor shutdowns (scrams) as shown in table 2. There were no unexplained scrams that required ROC permission to restart. The number of unplanned reactor shutdowns is consistent with the past as shown in figure 5. Note that following the over power event of 2008, we have lowered the scram setpoints from approximately 109% to approximately 101%, thus there is more likely to be a scram from overshooting the target power.
Date Scram Type Cause Of Scram 11/09/08 Linear, Percent Power Overshot target power.
11/12/08 Linear, Percent Power, Manual Facility power was momentarily interrupted.
12/04/08 Linear Placed channel in test while at power.
01/21/09 Percent Power Overshot target power.
05/06/09 None Facility power was momentarily interrupted.
06/29/09 Percent Power Overshot target power.
Table 2 Unplanned Reactor Shutdowns 25 20 is 10 5
0 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Figure 5 Unplanned Shutdowns Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2008-2009 Page 20
IREACTOR MAINTENANCE Significant Maintenance Reactor staff performs routine equipment checks 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 that were not part of a regular schedule are listed in table 3.
Date Maintenance 09/25/08 Replaced secondary cooling tower fan belt.
12/09/08 Sent Linear Channel module to General Atomics for repair 12/10/08 Replaced old Multitrend Recorder with new model.
12/17/09 Reinstalled Linear Channel.
01/08/09 Replaced Fire Detection System 01/26/09 Replaced broken pipe on secondary cooling tower.
03/04/09 Replaced secondary heat exchanger pressure gage.
03/11/09 Relocated rabbit exhaust connection to the stack.
03/20/09 Changed primary filter.
05/14/09 Made adjustments to operation of ventilation system.
06/10/09 Replaced secondary heat exchanger temperature probes.
06/11/09 Replaced switch for primary pump.
06/11/09 Changed primary demineralizer resin.
07/17/09 Bypassed filter housing alarm on APM.
07/22/09 Installed additional fuel racks near core.
07/23/09 Repainted control room and hallway.
07/27/09 Replaced flooring in control room and hallway.
Table 3 Significant Maintenance Operations 10CFR50.59 Evaluations Screen Number: 08-09 Date: 9/23/08 Remove the old Mt. Hood Soap Company Safe from the reactor bay.
The safe is very large and hard to move. It is beyond the staff's ability to safely move it. A professional safe mover will be used to remove it from the bay. The reactor bay doors will have to be opened to get it out per our new procedure. If we get any new fuel we Will need a new safe to store the new fuel until it goes into the reactor pool.
Screen Number: 08-10 Date: 9/23/08 Remove the inoperable fume hoods in the reactor bay. They were only functioning as enclosed tables. They must be decontaminated before removal.
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Reed Reed Research Reactor Annual Research Reactor Report 2008-2009 Annual Report 2008-2009 Page 21
The dirty hood is contaminated and decontamination will be difficult due to the complicated surfaces. The safety concern is that some of the parts inside the hood are asbestos. An approved asbestos remediation company must remove them.
Screen Number: 08-11 Date: 9/23/08 Replace reactor bay floor linoleum.
There are no reactor safety concerns. The pool will be covered to keep out stray materials. The safety concern is that the flooring is asbestos backed so a professional asbestos abatement company must be used. All the flooring will have to be surveyed for radiological contamination after removal. The reactor room will be unavailable for other work during the time period, so weekly checklists and wipes will be scheduled around the process. Any asbestos flooring which is radiologically contaminated will take special precautions to dispose of. The asbestos abatement company will be:
Lake Oswego Insulation 0425 S.W. Iowa Street Portland, OR 97239 Screen Number: 08-15 Date: 9/23/08 Add a small portable washing machine next to the deep sink in the reactor bay to launder contaminated lab coats and towels.
The safety concern is that the washing machine may overflow. This would spread soapy water over the reactor bay, which would eventually end up in the reactor pool.
The clean up would take a long time. There are already other sinks and pipes that could similarly overflow to the pool, but this may be more prone to error. Only trained staff should use the washing machine to minimize the chances of mishap.
There will be laundry detergent stored in the reactor bay. There are other cleaning agents in the bay, already, but the amount of laundry detergent should be kept to the minimum necessary. There will be liquid bleach used in the reactor bay. The quantity there should be kept to a minimum, with the large containers kept elsewhere. The washing machine discharge will go into the deep sink in the reactor bay. This is where we hand-wash our lab coats, so the trace amounts of radioactivity going into the sink will not change.
Screen Number: 08-16 Date: 9/23/08 Add a small exhaust system from the top of the dirty table in the reactor bay to the normal exhaust system. The fan will have its own switch to turn on when we are opening Triga tubes on the dirty table and it will be off otherwise. It will turn off in isolation.
This will alter the ventilation system by adding another air inlet to the exhaust plenum between the reactor bay exhaust grill and the damper, V-10, V-13, and V-14.
Normally the new table exhaust fan will be off, but when samples are being opened at the dirty table the fan may be turned on to draw any gasses from the samples out the exhaust stack and away from the person opening the vials. The gasses will continue on through the normal exhaust stack and the exhaust monitors. When the table ReedResarchReator nnul Rport200-200 Pae 2 Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2008-2009 Page 22
exhaust fan is turned on, damper V-10 will close to ensure we are not recirculating the gasses into the reactor bay. The fan will be started and stopped from a switch in the reactor bay. Normally it would only be used with opening Triga tubes that have come out of the lazy susan. It is expected that this will average fewer than four hours per week. On ventilation isolation signal the table exhaust fan will turn off so that the system will work as originally designed. The only difference would be that instead of all 630 liters per second of air being draw into the exhaust plenum between the reactor bay exhaust grill, a small fraction would go-through the idle table exhaust duct. This should not change the negative pressure in the bay under isolation. This will have no more than a minimal effect on safety systems.
Screen Number: 09-06 Date: 06/12/09 Amendment Number 8 to Technical Specifications.
The details will not be included since the NRC has deferred action on this until the new licensed is issued in 2010-11.
Page 23 Reed Research Reactor Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2008-2009 Annual Report 2008-2009 Page 23
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L Page 24 Reed Research Reed Reactor Annual Research Reactor Report 2008-2009 Annual Report 2008-2009 Page 24
RADIATION PROTECTION Personnel Dosimetry During the period July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009 personnel dosimeters were issued to 45 Reed students and staff. 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 annual whole body dose was 14 mrem deep dose equivalent.
The largest annual extremity dose was 140 mrem shallow dose equivalent. Both of these were staff members (not students). No one exceeded two percent of the 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. All dosimeters monitor beta and gamma radiation. Two locations also measure neutron dose.
The deep dose equivalent radiation measured by fixed dosimeters during the period July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009 are shown in Table 4. Since dosimeters are changed on a calendar quarter schedule, this period is the closest to the reporting period. The larger than normal doses along the south wall are due to storing the antimony source while waiting for shipment.
Location Height Radiation Jul 1 - Oct 1 - Jan 1 - Apr 1- Total (m) Detected Sep 30 Dec 31 Mar 31 Jun30 East Wall 1.5 y3,
,n 69 79 13 61 222 North Wall 1.6 Y3,, 73 83 21 67 244 West Wall 1.0 13,yn 79 76 22 79 256 South Wall 1.6 3,,Y 207 215 43 106 571 North Wall 2.3 Y3,
, 72 67 30 60 229 North Outside 2.8 13, 14 7 31 24 76 Roof Outside 0.4 3,,Y 5 1 M M 6 East Outside 1.5 13, M M M M M South Outside 0.4 Y3,, M M M M M Counting Room 1.5 y3,y M M M 4 4 Control Room 1.5 13,7 108 124 ý23 46 301 Table 4 Area Radiation Dosimeters
.(doses are in mrem per calendar quarter)
Page 25 Reed Research Reactor Annual Research Reactor Report 2008-2009 Annual Report 2008-2009 Page 25
Gaseous Releases The only routine release of gaseous radioactivity is from 41Ar (1.83-hour half-life) and 16 N (7.13-second half-life). These come from activation of pool water and air in the pool water and in the irradiation facilities. For calendar year 2008, the average gaseous activity at the site boundary was 2.96 x 10"0 pCi/ml, which would deliver a dose to a member of the public of approximately 1.48 mrem, well below regulatory guidelines and constraints. Figure 6 shows the gaseous releases for each year.
1.E-06 1.E-07 1.E-08 1.E-09 I.E-IO 1.E-11 1.E-12 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Figure 6 Gaseous Releases Activity (/Ci/ml) at Site Boundary Liquid Waste Releases No liquid radioactive waste was released from the Reed Research Reactor during this report period.
Solid Waste Disposal There was one shipment of radioactive waste from the facility during this reporting period. On June 18, 2009, three 55-gallon drums containing a total of 6.61 mCi of waste were shipped via Thomas Grey & Associates to US Ecology in Richland, WA.
Environmental Sampling 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. The nearby canyon was sampled for activation products and tritium, but showed no activity above normal background.
Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2008-2009 Page 26