ML102440042
| ML102440042 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Reed College |
| Issue date: | 08/23/2010 |
| From: | Frantz S Reed College |
| To: | Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| References | |
| Download: ML102440042 (22) | |
Text
REED COLLEGE Portland, Oregon 97202 REACTOR FACILITY August 23,2010 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, S
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3203 SE Woodstock Blvd.. Portland. OR 97202-8199 503-777-7222 Fax: 503-777-7274 reactor(týreedxdu
REED RESEARCH REACTOR ANNUAL REPORT
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September 1, 2009 -- June 30, 2010
REED RESEARCH REACTOR ANNUAL REPORT September 1, 2009 -- June 30, 2010 3203 Southeast Woodstock Blvd.
Portland, Oregon 97202-8199 503-777-7222 Fax: 503-777-7274 http://reactor.reed.edu reactor@reed.edu
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TABLE OF CONTENTS OVERVIEW..................................................................................................................
1 PEOPLE..........................................................................................................................
3 Reactor Staff.....................................................................................................
3 Reactor Review Committee...................................................................................
2 FACILITIES.....................................................................................................................
3 Reactor Facility....................................................................................................
3 Rotating Specimen Rack Facility..........................................................................
3 Pneumatic Transfer System..................................................................................
3 In-Core Facilities..................................................................................................
3 In-Pool Facilities..................................................................................................
4 Beam Facilities....................................................................................................
4 USERS.............................................................................................................................
5 Reactor Operations Seminar................................................................................
5 Outside Users...................................................................................................
6 Colleges and Universities.....................................................................................
6 High Schools and M iddle Schools........................................................................
6 Special Groups....................................................................................................
6 High School Student Project................................................................................
7 Concordia University............................................................................................
7 Scaler Kits........................................................................................................
8 Reed Classes.....................................................................................................
8 Industrial and Commercial Applications...............................................................
8 REACTOR OPERATIONS.............................................................................................
9 Operations........................................................................................................
9 Unplanned Reactor Shutdowns..........................................................................
10 REACTOR M AINTENANCE.........................................................................................
11 Significant M aintenance.........................................................................................
11 10 CFR 50.59 Evaluations......................................................................................
11 RADIATION PROTECTION.........................................................................................
13 Personnel Dosimetry...........................................................................................
13 Fixed Area Dosimetry.........................................................................................
13 Gaseous Releases................................................................................................
14 Liquid W aste Releases........................................................................................
14 Solid W aste Disposal..........................................................................................
14 Environmental Sampling.....................................................................................
14
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OVERVIEW This report covers the period from September 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010, 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 1028 visitors from schools, colleges, universities, and special groups. Additionally, there were 406 visitors as part of Reed College activities (prospective students, family of students, Reed classes, etc.). 124 members of emergency response organizations came for training. Finally, there were four entries by inspectors and regulators from state and federal agencies.
Including tours and research conducted at the facility, the Reed Research Reactor contributed to the educational programs of 14 colleges and universities in addition to 11 pre-college groups. During the year the reactor was taken critical 432 times on 111 days.
The total energy produced was approximately 25 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 Nuclear Regulatory Commission as reactor operators or senior reactor operators. As this report is being written the licensed operating staff consists of 18 women and 24 men. During the reporting period, all 15 Reactor Operator candidates passed their NRC exams and all nine Senior Reactor Operator candidates passed their NRC exams.
There were no radiation exposures to individuals in excess of two 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 were no shipments of radioactive waste.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission conducted their annual inspection during November 30 through December 3, 2009. No deficiencies were noted.
Note that this annual report will covers September 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010 to synchronize the report with our other requirements. Hence this report only covers ten month.
Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2009-2010 Page 1 Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2009-2010 Page I
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Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2009-2 010 Page 2 Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2009-2010 Page 2
IPEOPLE Reactor Staff During the period September 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010, the staff consisted of:
Reactor Director:
Associate Director:
Reactor Supervisor:
Training Supervisor:
Assistant Training Supervisor:
Requalification Supervisor:
Radiation Safety Officer:
Health Physicist:
Stephen Frantz Robin Bjorkquist Celia Oney Reuven Lazarus Mary Solbrig Rosie Cottingham Kathleen Conahan Mary Solbrig Jeremy Silver Celia Oney Kathleen Fisher Rupinder Kaur (4/94 - Present)
(7/09 - Present)
(5/10 - Present)
(5/09 - 5/10)
(5/10 - Present)
(5/09 - 5/10)
(5/10 - Present)
(5/09 - 5/10)
(5/10 - Present)
(5/09 - 5/10)
(1/03 - Present)
(1/10 - Present)
Senior Reactor Operators (SRO):
Sophie Robin Matthew Fluffy Kathleen Rosie Wesley Stephen Angela Alina Benjamin Reuven Ellen Celia Joseph Neal Carl Laura Ahmad Jeremy Erin Mary Mace Erik Moriah Stephen Berkman Bjorkquist Carlson Cass Conahan Cottingham Erickson Frantz Frey Kassenbrock Larson Lazarus McManis Oney Parmalee Reynolds Rodriguez Sard Shabbar Silver Smith Solbrig Spiegel Thomas Tobin von Kugelen Reactor Operators (RO):
Kaileigh Ahlquist Caleb Arata Gray Davidson Francis Dieterle Ian Flower Todd Garron Evan Green Luke Howard May-Ling Li Daniel Lidral-Porter Kathryn Linthicum Cristi Panda Briana Patton Evan Pikulski Neha Rao Michael Reichert Marcus Robinson Brandy Ryan Nick Salter Juliet Shafto Elisabeth Thomas Harry Traulsen Mike Vignal Patrick Wijngaard Florence Williams Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2009-2010 Page 3
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, AIJ 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 9 women and 16 men with Reactor Operator licenses and 9 women and 8 men with Senior Reactor Operator licenses.
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 (Director of Research and Development, Portland General Electric)
Norm Dyer (OAR Services)
Daniel Gerrity (Chemistry Faculty, Reed College)
Kathleen Fisher (Director, Reed Environmental Health and Safety)
Robert McCullough (Community Member)
Rupinder Kaur (Health Physicist, RRR)
Reactor Operations Committee Darrell Schroeter - Chair (Physics Faculty, Reed College)
Steve Reese (Radiation Center Director, Oregon State University)
Juliet Brosing (Physics Faculty, Pacific University)
Ron Ross (Portland General Electric)
Steven Congdon (Community Member)
Rupinder Kaur (Health Physicist, RRR)
Ex Officio without vote on both committees:
Peter Steinberger (Dean of the Faculty, Reed College)
Stephen Frantz (Director, RRR)
Robin Bjorkquist (Associate Director, RRR)
Reuven Lazarus (Reactor Supervisor, RRR)
Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2009-2010 Page 2
1FACILITIES R."eac tor 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, alphaspedtrometers, 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 position at full power is 1.7 xlO' 2 n/cm 2s 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 reoriasutement. 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 5x 10'1 n/cm 2s,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 l x 10 " n/cm 2s. Special sample holders are used in the central thimble to provide maximum flexibility in experiment design.
Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2009-2010 Page 3
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 lx106 n/cmas when the reactor is at full power.
Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2009-2010 Page 4
IUSERS Reactor Operations Seminar The ReedResearch 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 (RO) license. If successful, the individual may be hired to operate the reactor. In addition, existing ROs may take the NRC Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) exam to upgrade their licenses.
During the reporting period, 15 out of 15 RO candidates and 9 out of 9 SRO 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 to 15 ROs per year.
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Outside Users During the year there were 1028 visitors from schools, colleges, universities, and special groups. Additionally, there were 406 visitors as part of Reed College activities (prospective students, family of students, Reed classes, etc.). 124 members of emergency response organizations came for training. Finally, there were four entries by inspectors and regulators from state and federal agencies.
The following institutions have participated in facility tours, experiments, and research projects in the reporting period.
Collep-es and Universities Clark College Concordia University Hood River Community College Linn Benton College Marylhurst University Oregon Health Science University Oregon Institute of Technology Oregon State University Pacific University Portland Community College Portland State University Saint Martin's University School of Science & Technology University of Oregon High Schools and Middle Schools Cleveland High School Jason Lee Middle School Northwest Academy Pacific Crest Middle School Sunset High School Trillium School Waldorf School Special Groups Anyone Can Join Atlas Obscura Boy Scouts Math, Engineering, Science Academy Meek Professional Technical Model Engineering nConnect NW Saturday Academy Summer Institute for Intercultural Communication Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2009-2010 Page 6 Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2009-2010 Page 6
Figure 3 is a graph showing the history of visiting groups.
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-*--High Schools and Middle Schools
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-z-I 10 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 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 foi 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.
Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2009-2010 Page 7
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.
- Four Reed students used the reactor as part of their senior thesis.
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.
Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2009-2010 Page 8 Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2009-2010 Page 8
I REACTOR OPERATIONS Operations During the year the reactor was taken critical 432 times on 111 days. The total energy produced was approximately 25 megawatt-hours. Operating history by month appears in table 1. A'history of the data is shown in figure 4. Note that the 2010 data is only for ten months due to changing the reporting date.
Times Critical Days Operated MW-hours September 2009 82 15 1.85 October 2009 52 16 2.37 November 2009 72 16 3.99 December 2009 21 4
1.93 January 2010 12 8
1.66 February 2010 61 11 1.77 March 2010 24 8
2.53 April 2010 57 13 3.53 May 2010 40 14 4.19 June 2010 11 6
1.43 Total 432 111 25.25 Table 1 Operating History 2009-2010 500 450
--4-Times Critical Days Operated Irradiations
-MW-hrs
/
400 I,r' 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0
................ Jil 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Figure 4 Operations Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2009-2010 Page 9
Unplanned Reactor Shutdowns There were three 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 the 20010 data is only for ten months due to changing the reporting date. Note that followingthe over power event of 2009, 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 / 18/09 Linear Power Operator overshoot target power 11/21/09 Linear Power.
Operator overshot target-power 02/10/10.
Linear Power Operator overshoot target power Table 2 Unplanned Reactor Shutdowns 25 20 15 10 5
0 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 Figure 5 Unplanned Shutdowns 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2009-2010 Page 10 Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2009-2010 Page 10
REACTOR MAINTENANCE Significint 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 10/2/09 Installed temperature control for secondary cooling system. Removed secondar 1ow pressure alarm.
10/26/09 Replaced mounting for pool level detector....
- 11/23/09 Replaced primary-secondary heat exchanger with one rated for 500 kW.
01 / 19/10 Repaired potentiometer on linear channel.
05/21/10 Replaced vacuum _pump on Continuous Air Monitor.
06/23/10 Replaced vacuum pump on Continuous Air Monitor with new model.
Table 3 Significant Maintenance Operations 10 CFR 50.59 Evaluations Screen Number: 09-09 Revision to the RRR Emergency Plan. Most of the changes are clarifications or stylistic. The only changes of interest are:
1.3, 1.4 Eliminated maps and floor plan for security reasons.
3.1.1 Changed from Agreement Letters to Arrangement Letters since some offsite agencies are no longer willing to sign an agreement. 10CFR50.59 only requires arrangements.
3.1.2 Stated that the Emergency Coordinator (EC);may classify the event and notify offsite agencies even if no one on the Emergency Notification Call List (ENCL) is present.
3.1.2 Specified that the Health Physicist will act as EC only for health physics events. The Health Physicist really shouldn't take charge of other reactor related events.
3.1.2 Specifically added Reactor Operators and other staff to the EC hierarchy rather than being implicit in the text.
3.1.3 Included the reactor director under RRR Management, since that is normally the person who performs those functions.
Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2009-2010 Page ll
- 4. L.b Specified that injuries must be '"significant" to be classified as a Non-Reactor Safety Related Event. We don't classify events when someone gets a paper cut.
4.1.c Specified that contamination must be "significant" to be classified"as a Non-Reactor Safety Related Event. We don't classify events when the floor gets contaminated.
4.2.b Specified that either an alarm or visual indication of abnormal loss of pool level will be classified as a Notification of Unusual Event. As it was written, you needed both.
4.2.c Added classification for fire or explosion in the control room, reactor bay, mech room, or loft. Clarified Other fire and explosion requirements.
4.2, 4.3 Eliminated redundant footnotes about estimating offsite dose based on air monitor readings.
7.2 Eliminated text about emergency dose limits that was redundant with 3.5.
10.4 Clarified that the Reactor Safety Committee approves changes to the Emergency Plan, but does not need to approve changes to the Emergency Implementation Procedures (EIP).
Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2009-2010 Page 12
RADIATION PROTECTION Personnel Dosimetry During'th6 period July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010 personnel dosimeters were issued to 54 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 4 mrem deep dose equivalent.
The largest annual extremity dose was 40 mnrem shallow dose equivalent. 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, 2009 to June 30, 2010 are shown in table 4. M indicated less than 1 mrem during the quarter.
Location Height Radiation Jul 1 -
Oct 1-Jan 1-Apr 1 Total (M)
Detected Sep 30 Dec 31 Mar 31 Jun30 Reactor North Wall 1.6 3, Y 16 20 14 13 63 Reactor North Wall 2.3 b, g 14 17 25 8
64 Reactor East Wall 1.5
[3,y, n 10 12 6
6 34 Reactor West Wall 1.0 3,, n 19 18 12 15 64 Reactor South Wall 1.6
[3,Y 42 42 31 35 150 Control Room 1.5 Y3,3 26 28 17 26 97 Outside North 2.8 Y3,y 12 14 N/A 11 37 Outside Roof 0.4 Y3,,
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M Table 4 Area Radiation Dosimeters (doses are in mrem per calendar quarter)
Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2009-2 010 Page 13 Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2009-2010 Page 13
Gaseous Releases The only routine release of gaseous radioactivity is from 41Ar (1.83-hour half-life) and "6N (7.13-second half-life). These come from activation of pool water and air in the pool water and in the irradiation facilities. For the reporting period, the average gaseous activity at the site boundary was 1.36 x 10-`0 yCi/ml, which would deliver a dose to a member of the public of approximately 0.68 mrem, well below regulatory guidelines and constraints. Figure 6 shows the gaseous releases for each year.
1.E-06 1.E-07 I.E-08 1.E-09 1.E-10 1.E-11 1.E-12 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Figure 6 Gaseous Releases Activity (/Ci/ml) at Site Boundary Liouid Waste Releases No liquid radioactive waste was released from the Reed Research Reactor during this report period.
Solid Waste Disnosal There were no shipments of radioactive waste from the facility during this reporting period.
Environmental Sampling Soil samples taken from the area surrounding the facility showed no activity above background. Water from the facility's secondary cooling system and the nearby canyon were sampled for activation products and tritium, but showed no activity above normal background.
Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2009-2010 Page 14