ML11171A566

University of Maryland, NRC Response to Letter Dated May 2, 2011

ML11171A566
Person / Time
Site:	University of Maryland
Issue date:	06/22/2011
From:	Alexander Adams Research and Test Reactors Licensing Branch
To:	Al-Sheikhly M Univ of Maryland
Adams A
References
TAC ME1592
Download: ML11171A566 (4)

Text

June 22, 2011 Dr. Mohamad Al-Sheikhly, Professor and Director Radiation Facilities and Nuclear Reactor Chemical and Nuclear Engineering Building 090 University of Maryland College Park, MD 20742

SUBJECT:

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND - RESPONSE TO REQUESTS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DATED MAY 2, 2011 (TAC NO. ME1592)

Dear Dr. Al-Sheikhly:

The U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) received your letter dated May 2, 2011 (Agencywide Document Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession Number ML11124A124), responding to items 8, 10, and 12 of the NRCs request for additional information (RAI) dated August 20, 2010. On February 18, 2011, we met to discuss these items. The discussion resulted in revisions to the items which we provided to you by email dated March 4, 2011 (ADAMS Accession Nos. ML110940219 and ML110940222).

In your letter you stated that there are two open issues with regard to the dose calculations performed by the Radiation Safety Office. The first concerns the maximum dose to the closest person in the event of a Maximum Hypothetical Accident (MHA) with the ventilation fans off.

You stated that you will revise the current emergency plan to require evacuation of the areas surrounding the reactor building, to maintain doses below Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 20 limits. However, in your letter you did not provide an estimated date for closing this item. In our teleconference on June 6, 2011, you committed to providing to the NRC the revised emergency plan by August 1, 2011. We find this date to be acceptable.

The second issue is the maximum dose to the closest person during normal operation with the ventilation fans off. In your letter you stated that you will measure the Ar-41 diffusing from the pool to the air by taking grab samples and counting them on a gamma spectroscopy system.

You stated that these measurements will be done as soon as possible once the reactor is again operational since you are currently replacing the fission chamber so you cannot run the reactor.

You also stated that a new fission chamber has been procured but has not yet been delivered.

However, in your letter you did not provide an estimated date for closing this item. In our teleconference on June 6, 2011, you committed to providing the Ar-41 grab sample measurements and the dose calculations by September 30, 2011. We have concluded that this will significantly impact the review schedule of your license renewal application. Please provide a justification for your schedule including a timetable for all related activities by July 8, 2011.

Additionally, please provide a monthly status letter by the 12th of each month beginning with August 12, 2011, regarding your progress toward meeting the response date of September 30, 2011.

M. Al-Sheikhly In reviewing the dose calculations in enclosure 4 to your letter dated May 2, 2011, we found that you did not include the intermediate calculation steps used to determine the occupational and public doses for the MHA and normal operations. In our teleconference of June 6, 2011 you committed to sending us the calculation file. Please provide the calculation file by July 8, 2011.

We continue to review enclosures 1, 2, and 3 included in your letter dated May 2, 2011.

In accordance with 10 CFR 50.30(b), you must execute your final response in a signed original document 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.

If you have any questions please contact Spyros A. Traiforos at 301-415-3965 or by electronic mail at Spyros.Traiforos@nrc.gov or me at 301-415-1127 or by electronic mail at Alexander.Adams@nrc.gov.

Sincerely,

/RA/

Alexander Adams, Jr., Senior Project Manager Research and Test Reactors Licensing Branch Division of Policy and Rulemaking Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-166 License No. R-70 cc: See next page

University of Maryland Docket No. 50-166 cc:

Director, Dept. of Natural Resources Power Plant Siting Program Energy & Coastal Zone Administration Tawes State Office Building Annapolis, MD 21401 Mr. Roland G. Fletcher, Program Manager IV Radiological Health Program Maryland Department of Environment 1800 Washington Blvd., Suite 750 Baltimore, MD 21230 Mr. Vincent G. Adams Facility Coordinator Chemical and Nuclear Engineering Building 090 University of Maryland College Park, MD 20742 Tom OBrien Radiation Safety Officer Department of Environmental Safety 3115 Chesapeake Building 338 University of Maryland College Park, MD 20742 Test, Research, and Training Reactor Newsletter University of Florida 202 Nuclear Sciences Center Gainesville, FL 32611

ML11171A566 NRR-106 OFFICE PRPB: PM PRLB : PM PRPB: LA PRLB: BC PRLB : PM NAME STraiforos AAdams GLappert JQuichocho, WBK for AAdams DATE 6/20/2011 6/20/2011 6/20/2011 6/21/2011 6/22/2011