ML11264A037
| ML11264A037 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Texas A&M University |
| Issue date: | 09/05/2011 |
| From: | Juzaitis R Texas A&M Univ |
| To: | Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| References | |
| Download: ML11264A037 (3) | |
Text
DWIGHT LOOK COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Department of Nuclear Engineering
-UR September 5, 2011 Document Control Desk U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001
SUBJECT:
Request to Amend Facility License R-23, Docket No.50-059 Texas A&M University requests that the Technical Specifications to Facility License R-23, Docket No.50-059, be amended to allow implementation of a new reactor control console.
Please find the enclosed request for license amendment, which contains a detailed description of the proposed amendment and justification. Also enclosed is a copy of the replacement page for the amended Technical Specifications.
We respectfully ask that the review of this request for license amendment be completed as expeditiously as possible to enable the facility to operate the reactor for the upcoming fall semester.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at: (979) 862-1956, or e-mail at rjuzaitis(ýtamu.edu.
I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on September 5,2011.
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Ra ond u s hD Department He 129 Zachry Engineering Center 3133 TAMU College Station, TX 77843-3133 A
r Tel. 979.845.4161 Fax. 979.845.6443 http://nuclear.tamu.edu
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Request to Amend Texas A&M AGN-201M Technical Specifications A comprehensive 10CFR50.59 review of the Texas A&M University AGN-201M reactor control console upgrade has determined that a minor revision of the Technical Specifications (License R-23, Docket 50-059) is necessary to continue operations. The revision replaces the specified set point of one of the three nuclear safety channels with a previously used value. Specifically, the low-level scram set point specification for Channel 3 must be changed due to installation of the new control console. This change amounts to changing the current specification of 5% of full scale reading to an input signal of < I
- 1 0'2 amps. This change would allow for the new equipment to be used while still providing protection against a loss of signal to Channel 3 during operation and protection from startup without the required source neutron level. A discussion of Channel 3 follows.
Description of Channel 3 (Linear Channel)
The current Channel 3 consists of a BF 3 ionization chamber, high voltage power supply, picoammeter, and signal display meter. The detector is located in a waterproof housing in the shield tank. The electronic components are mounted in the instrument panel and channel display panel of the control console. This channel provides the primary indication of power over all ranges of power.
The detector signal is received from the BF 3 ionization chamber by a Keithley 6487 picoammeter, this signal is sent to the AGN computer where it is then processed, converting the signal to an output reading in watts. The converted signal is displayed on the channel display panel portion of the control console through a digital and analog meter. The power level is also displayed on the computer panel.
The picoammeter is equipped with an autoranging feature that allows the meter to automatically change ranges as the input signal increases or decreases. The Channel 3 analog meter has also been equipped with a self scaling feature. Previously the operator had to manually change the operating scale of the Channel 3 display meter. This change will simplify reactor operation and eliminate inadvertent scrams due to scale switching errors. Reducing the number of inadvertent scrams will help reduce mechanical stresses on the reactor control rods.
The proposed change to the low power scram setpoint of Channel 3 provides reactor protection at low power levels and prevents operation without operating instrumentation. Selecting the setpoint of"> 1.0
- 1012 amps" will provide protection at the same level as Channel 2. Prior to the current setpoint of 5% of full scale, the Channel 3 limit low trip setpoint was "> 1.0
- 10-12 amps" as stated in License Amendment No. 10 dated December 13, 1972.
Proposed revision to the Technical Specifications The following revision is required in order to operate with the autoranging meter for Channel 3. Table 3.1 of the Technical Specifications must be revised as follows:
Nuclear Safety #3 (Linear Power)
High Power
< 10 watt scram at power >10 watt Low Power
> 1.0
- 1012 amps scram at source levels
< 1,0
- 10-12 amps
Table 3.1 Safety Channel Nuclear Safety #1 Low count rate Nuclear Safety #2 (Log Power)
High Power Low Power Set Point Function
> 10 cps scram below 10 cps
< 10 watt
> 1.0
< 1.0
- 1012 amps scram at periods <5 sec Reactor period
> 5 sec Nuclear Safety #3 (Linear Power)
High Power Low Power Manual scram License Amendment No. 14
< 10 watt
> 1.0
< 1.0
- 10-12 amps scram at operator option 9