ML102670321

Kansas State University- Request for Additional Information Regarding the Request for Possession Limit Increase for the Kansas State University Triga MK-II Nuclear Reactor Facility

ML102670321
Person / Time
Site:	Kansas State University
Issue date:	02/24/2011
From:	Geoffrey Wertz Division of Policy and Rulemaking
To:	Guether J Kansas State University
montgomery c 415-3398
References
tac me4730
Download: ML102670321 (4)

Text

February 24, 2011 Mr. Jeffrey A. Geuther, Manager Kansas State University Department of Mechanical Nuclear Engineering 3002 Rathbone Hall Manhattan, KS 66506-5205

SUBJECT:

KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY - REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE REQUEST FOR POSSESSION LIMIT INCREASE FOR THE KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY TRIGA MARK-II NUCLEAR REACTOR FACILITY (TAC NO. ME4730)

Dear Mr. Geuther:

We are reviewing the application for possession limit increase for Facility Operating License No. R-88, Docket No. 50-188 for the Kansas State University TRIGA Mark-II Nuclear Reactor Facility. The request was submitted by letter dated June 23, 2010 and supplemented by letters dated July 29, 2010 and November 1, 2010.

During our review of the application, questions have arisen for which we require additional information (RAI) and clarification. Please provide responses to the enclosed RAI within 30 days of the date of this letter. In accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations Section 50.30(b), your response must be executed in a signed original under oath or affirmation. Your response must be submitted in accordance with 10 CFR 50.4, Written Communications. Information included in your response that is considered security, sensitive, or proprietary, that you seek to have withheld from the public, must be marked in accordance with 10 CFR 2.390, Public inspections, exemptions, requests for withholding. Following receipt of the requested information we will continue our evaluation of your application.

If you have any questions regarding this review, please contact me at 301-415-0893.

Sincerely,

/LTran for RA/

Geoffrey Wertz, Project Manager Research and Test Reactors Licensing Branch Division of Policy and Rulemaking Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-188 License No.: R-88

Enclosure:

As stated cc: See next page

Kansas State University Docket No. 50-188 cc:

Office of the Governor State of Kansas Topeka, KS 66612 Thomas A. Conley, RRPJ, CHP, Section Chief Radiation and Asbestos Control KS Dept of Health & Environment 1000 SW Jackson, Suite 320 Topeka, KS 66612-1366 Mayor of Manhattan P.O. Box 748 Manhattan, KS 66502 Test, Research, and Training Reactor Newsletter University of Florida 202 Nuclear Sciences Center Gainesville, FL 32611

ML102670321 NRR-088 OFFICE PRLB: PM PRPB: LA PRLB: BC PRLB: PM NAME GWertz GLappert JQuichocho GWertz DATE 2/23/11 2/23/11 2/23/11 2/24/11 OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING LICENSE AMENDMENT REQUEST FOR KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY NUCLEAR REACTOR FACILITY LICENSE NO. R-88; DOCKET NO. 50-188 We are continuing our review of the application for the special nuclear material possession limit increase for Facility Operating License No. R-88, Docket No. 50-188 for the Kansas State University (KSU). During our review, questions have arisen for which we require additional information and clarification.

1. NUREG 1537, Part 1, Section 11.1.1 provides guidance for demonstrating that sources of radiation are monitored and controlled. Please indicate if the fuel is unirradiated.

2. NUREG 1537, Part 1, Chapter 9.2, Handling and Storage of Reactor Fuel, provides guidance to demonstrate that subcriticality is ensured. Your November 1, 2010 letter indicated that the new fuel would be stored in sets of two racks, with the fuel in two rows of six (6) fuel elements, but at different axial elevations to reduce neutron coupling. However, the KSU SAR, Section 9.2, Fuel Handling and Storage of Reactor Fuel Rev. 5/08, indicates that the fuel racks allow only for single row spacing up to six elements. Please clarify the storage orientation of the fuel storage racks and if a change to SAR is needed.

3. Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Section 50.54 (q) requires research reactor licensees to develop and implement an Emergency Plan; 10 CFR 73 requires research reactor licensees to develop and implement a Security Plan; and 10 CFR 20 requires research reactor licensees to develop and implement a Radiation Protection Program. Please indicate if any changes to the Emergency or Security Plans, or Radiation Protection Program are necessary as a result of this license amendment request.

4. Regulation 10 CFR 50.36 requires research reactor licensees to develop technical specifications. Please indicate whether any changes to the KSU technical specifications are necessary as a result of this license amendment request.

5. NUREG-1537, Part 1, Section 13, Accident Analysis, provides detailed guidance for research reactors to evaluate accident scenarios relevant to their specific facility in their safety analysis report (SAR). Please describe if any changes to the accident scenarios, as currently described in the KSU SAR, result from this license amendment request.