ML12102A109

Annual Report for the University of Texas at Austin

ML12102A109
Person / Time
Site:	University of Texas at Austin
Issue date:	03/30/2012
From:	Whaley P University of Texas at Austin
To:	Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
DE-AC07-ER03919
Download: ML12102A109 (54)

Text

'N COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN Departmentof MechanicalEngineering"1 University Station C2200) Austin, Texar 78712-0292 Telephone(512)471-1131 FAX(512)471-8727 March 30, 2012 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Attn: Document Control Desk Washington D. C. 20555

Subject:

Annual Report for The University of Texas at Austin, Docket 50-602

Dear Sir:

Enclosed is the 2011 Annual Report for the Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory at The University of Texas at Austin. This report is being submitted in accordance with Section 6.6 of the Technical Specifications. I Please contact me at 512-232-5373 if you have any questions.

P. M. Whaley I NETL Associate Director AYO I Act 2, p VLJ

The University of Texas at Austin Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory 2011 Annual Report NRC Docket 50-602 DOE Contract No. DE-AC07-ER03919

2011 NETL Annual Report iiI

2011 NETL Annual Report Table of Contents Table of Contents iii Executive Summary v Forward vi 1.0 NUCLEAR ENGINEERING TEACHING LABORATORY ANNUAL REPORT I 1.1 General I 1.2 Purpose of the report 2 2.0 ORGANIZATION AND ADMINSTRATION 4 2.1 Level 1 6 2.2 Level 2 7 2.3 Level 3 11 2.4 Level 4 13 2.5 Other Facility Staff 13 2.6 Faculty and Facility Users 14 2.7 NETL Support 17 3.0 FACILITY DESCRIPTION 18 3.1 NETL History 18 3.2 NETL SITE, J.J. Pickle Research Campus 18 3.3 NETL Building Description 19 4.0 UT-TRIGA MARK II RESEARCH REACTOR 20 4.1 Reactor Core 21 4.2 Reactor Reflector 21 4.3 Reactor Control 22 5.0 EXPERIMENT AND RESEARCH FACILITIES 23 5.1 Upper Grid Plate 7L and 3L Experiment Facilities 23 5.2 Central Thimble 23 5.3 Rotary Specimen Rack 24.

5.4 Pneumatic Tubes 24 5.5 Beam Port Facilities 24 5.6 Other Experiment and Research Facilities 30 5.7 Experiment Facility Utilization 31 5.8 Nuclear Program Faculty Activities 33 6.0 OPERATING

SUMMARY

36 6.1 Operating Experience 36 6.2 Unscheduled Shutdowns 37 6.3 Facility Utilization 38 6.4 Routine Scheduled Maintenance 40 6.5 Corrective Maintenance 40 6.6 Facility Changes 41 6.7 Oversight & Inspections 43 iii

2011 .NETL Annual Report 7.0 RADIOLOGICAL

SUMMARY

45 7.1 Summary of Radiological Exposures 45 7.2 Summary of Radioactive Effluents 46 7.3 Radiological Exposure Received by Facility Personnel and Visitors 47 7.4 Environmental Surveys Performed Outside the Facility 47 iv

2011 NETL Annual Report EXECUTIVE

SUMMARY

The Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory (NETL) facility supports the academic and research. missions of The University of Texas, and has begun to provide these support functions to other institutions. The environmental research and analysis services performed by the NETL during the past year have been used to support the Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the Canadian government, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the University of Illinois, Texas A&M University and the State of Texas.

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2011 NETL Annual Report Department of Mechanical Engineering THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN Nuclear Engineering TrachingLaboratoy. Awtin, 7bnas 78758 512-232-5370- FAX 512-471-4589 htp//www. me. uexas.edu/-netl/nethtml FORWARD The mission of the Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory at The University of Texas at Austin is to:

" Educate the next generation of leaders in nuclear science and engineering.

" Conduct leading research at the forefront of the international nuclear community.

" Apply nuclear technology for solving multidisciplinary problems.

" Provide service to the citizens of Texas, the U.S., and the international community.

This objective is achieved by carrying out a well-balanced program of education, research, and service. The NETL research reactor supports hands-on education in reactor physics and nuclear science. In addition, students in non-nuclear fields such as physics, chemistry, and biology use the reactor in laboratory course work. The NETL is also used in education programs for nuclear power plant personnel, secondary schools students and teachers, and the general public.

The NETL research reactor benefits a wide range of on-campus and off-campus users, including academic, medical, industrial, and government organizations. The principal services offered by our reactor involve material irradiation, trace element detection, material analysis, and radiographic analysis of objects and processes. Such services establish beneficial links to off-campus users, expose faculty and students to multidisciplinary research and commercial applications of nuclear science, and generate resources to help support Nuclear Engineering activities.

Steven Biegalski, Ph.D., P.E.

Director, Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory vi

2011 NETL Annual Report 1.0 NUCLEAR ENGINEERING TEACHING LABORATORY ANNUAL REPORT The Nuclear Engineering Laboratory Annual Report covers the period from January through December 2010. The report includes descriptions of the organization, NETL facilities, the reactor, experiment and research facilities and summaries of operations and radiological impact.

1.1 General The NETL facility serves a multipurpose role, with the primary function as a "user facility" for faculty, staff, and students of the Cockrell School of Engineering. The NETL supports development and application of nuclear methods for researchers from other universities, government organizations and industry. The NETL provides nuclear analytic services to researchers, industry, and other laboratories for characterization, testing and evaluation of materials. The NETL provides public education through tours and demonstrations.

Figure 1-1, NETL - Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory Activities at NETL are regulated by Federal and State agencies. The nuclear reactor is subject to the terms and specifications of Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) License R-129, a class 104 research reactor license. A second NRC license for special nuclear materials, SNM-180, authorizes possession of a subcritical assembly, neutron sources, and various equipment. The NETL is responsible for administration and management of both licenses. Activities at the 1

2011 NETL Annual Report University using radioisotopes' are conducted under a State of Texas license, L00485. Functions of the broad license are the responsibility of the University Office of Environmental Health and.

Safety.

1.2 Purpose of this Report This report meets requirements of the reactor Technical Specifications and the Department Of Energy Fuels Assistance program, and provides an overview of the education, research, and service programs of the NETL for the calendar year 2010.

1.2.1 TRIGA II Reactor Technical Specifications The NETL TRIGA II reactor Technical Specifications (section 6.6.1) requires submission of an annual report to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Table 1.1 correlates specified requirements to the report.

Table 1.1, TRIGA Mark II Technical Specification and the Annual Report Specification Section A narrative summary of reactor operating experience including the energy 6.1,6.3 produced by the reactor or the hours the reactor was critical, or both.

The unscheduled shutdowns & corrective action taken to preclude recurrence 6.2 Major preventive & corrective maintenance operations with safety significance 6.4 Major changes in the reactor facility and procedures, tabulation of new tests or experiments, or both, significantly different from those performed previously, .6.6.

including conclusions that no unreviewed safety questions were involved A summary of radioactive effluents (nature & amount) released or discharged to the environs beyond effective control of the university as determined at or before the point of such release or discharge, including to the extent practicable an 7.2 estimate of individual radionuclides present in the effluent or a statement that the estimated average release after dilution or diffusion is less than 25% of the concentration allowed or recommended A summary of exposures received by facility personnel and visitors where such exposures are greater than 25% of that allowed or recommended.

A summarized result of environmental surveys performed outside the facility 7.4 2

2011 NETL Annual Report 1.2.2 The Department of Energy Fuels Assistance Program The DOE 'University Fuels Assistance program (DE-AC07-051ID14517, subcontract 00078206, 08/01/2008-08/31/2013) supports the facility for utilization of the reactor in a program of education and training of students in nuclear science and engineering, and for faculty and student research. The contract requires an annual progress report in conjunction with submittal of a Material Balance Report and Physical Inventory Listing report. Specific technical details of the report (listed in Table 2.2) are sent under separate cover to the DOE with this Annual Report.

Table 2.2, DOE Reactor Fuel Assistance Report Requirements Fuel usage (grams Uranium 235 & number of fuel elements)

Inventory of unirradiated fuel elements in storage Inventory of fuel elements in core Inventory of useable irradiated fuel elements outside of core Projected 5-year fuel needs Current inventory of other nuclear material items with DOE-ID project identifier (i.e., "J")

Point of contact for nuclear material accountability 3

2011 NETL Annual Report 2.0 ORGANIZATION AND ADMINSTRATION The University of Texas System (UTS) was established by the Texas Constitution in 1876, and currently consists of nine academic universities and six health institutions. The UTS mission is to provide high-quality educational opportunities for the enhancement of the human resources of Texas, the nation, and the world through intellectual and personal growth.

The Board of Regents is the governing body for the UTS. It is composed of members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. Terms are of six years each and staggered, with the terms of three members expiring on February 1 of odd-numbered years. Current members of the current Board of Regents are listed in Table 2.1.

Table 2.1 The University of Texas Board for 2011 Wm. Eugene Powell, Chairman Paul Foster, Vice Chairman R. Steven Hicks, Vice Chairman Jmes D. Dannenbaum, Vice Chairman Francie A. Frederick, General Counsel to the Board of Regents Printice L. Gary Robert L. Stillwell Alexis Cranberg Wallace Hall, Jr.

Brenda Pejovich Kyle K. Lakwarf http://www.utsystem.edu/bor/currentRegents.htm, 03/30/2012 The chief executive officer of the UTS is the Chancellor. The Chancellor has direct line responsibility for all aspects of UTS operations, and reports to and is responsible to the Board of Regents. The current Chancellor and Staff are listed in Table 2.2.

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2011 NETL Annual Report Table 2.2 University of Texas System Chancellor's Office Francisco G. Cigarroa, MD, Chancellor David B. Prior, PhD, Executive Vice Chancellorfor Academic Affairs Scott C. Kelley, PhD, Executive Vice Chancellorfor Business Affairs Kenneth 1.Shine, MD, Executive Vice Chancellorfor Health Tonya Moten Brown, JD, Vice Chancellorfor Administration Barry D. Burgdorf, JD, Vice Chancellor and General Counsel Randa S. Safady, PhD, Vice Chancellorfor External Relations William H. Shute, JD, Vice Chancellorfor FederalRelations Barry McBee, JD, Vice Chancellorfor Governmental Relations Keith McDowell, PhD, Vice Chancellorfor Research and Technology Transfer Francie A. Frederick, JD, General Counsel to the Board ofRegents http://registrar.utexas.edu/catalogs/gi09-1O/chOO/giO9.officers.html , 03/30/2012 UT Austin is the flagship campus of the UTS. The facility operating license for the TRIGA Mark II at the NETL is issued to the University of Texas at Austin. Figure 2-1 reflects the organizational structure for 4 levels of line management of the NETL reactor, as identified in the Technical Specifications, as well as oversight functions. Other NETL resources (in addition to line management positions) include staff with specialized functions, and faculty and facility users. NETL support is through a combination of State allocation, research programs, and remuneration for service.

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2011 NETL Annual Report Figure 2-1,Organizational Structure for the University of Texas at Ausitn TRIGA Reactor 2.1 Level I Personnel Level 1 represents the central administrative functions of the University and the Cockrell School of Engineering. The University of Texas at Austin is composed of 16 separate colleges and schools; the Cockrell School of Engineering manages eight departments with individual degree programs. The Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory (NETL) is one of several education and research functions within the School. Current Level I personnel are reported in Table 2.3.

2.1.1 President, University of Texas at Austin The President is the individual vested by the University of Texas system with responsibility for the University of Texas at Austin.

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2011 NETL Annual Report 2.1.2 Executive Vice president and Provost (Provost)

Research and educational programs are administered through the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost. Separate officers assist with the administration of research activities and academic affairs with specific management functions delegated to the Dean of the Cockrell School of Engineering and the Chairman of the Mechanical Engineering Department.

2.1.3 Dean of the Cockrell School of Engineering The Dean of the Cockrell School of Engineering reports to the Provost. The School consists of 8 departments and undergraduate degree programs and 12 graduate degree programs.

2.1.4 Department of Mechanical Engineering Chairman The Chairman reports to the Dean of the Cockrell School of Engineering. The Department manages 8 areas of study, including Nuclear and Radiation Engineering.

Table 2.3 The University of Texas at Austin Administration (Level 1)

William Powers Jr., JD, President Steven W. Leslie, PhD, Executive Vice President and Provost Gregory L. Fenves, PhD, Dean, Cockrell School of Engineering Joseph J. Beaman, Chairman of Department of Mechanical Engineering http://registrar.utexas.edu/catalogs/gi09-10/chOO/giO9.officers.html, 03/29/2011 2.2 Level 2 Personnel The Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory operates as a unit of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at The University of Texas. Level 2 personnel are those with direct responsibilities for administration and management of resources for the facility, including the Chair of the Mechanical Engineering Department, the NETL Director and Associate Director.

Oversight roles are provided atLevel 2 by the Radiation Safety Committee, the Radiation Safety Officer and the Nuclear Reactor Committee. The current complement of Level 2 personnel is 7

2011 NETL Annual Report reported along with the NETL facility staff and the Nuclear and Radiation Engineering program faculty in Table 2.4.

Table 2.4 Facility Staff & NRE Faculty NETL Facility Staff NRE Faculty Director S. Biegalski S. Biegalski Associate Director P. M. Whaley S. Landsberger Reactor Supervisor M. Krause E. Schneider Health Physicist & Lab manager T. Tipping M. Deinhert Administrative Assbciate D. Judson Electronics Technician! Reactor Operator L. Welch, H. Fuentes Reactor Operators L. Patterson S. Robinson Health Physics Technician J. Sims 2.2.1 Director, Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory (NETL Director)

Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory programs are directed by an engineering faculty member with academic responsibilities in nuclear engineering and research related to nuclear applications. The Director is a member -of the Cockrell School of Engineering, and the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

2.2.2 Associate Director The Associate Director is responsible for safe and effective conduct of operations and maintenance of the TRIGA nuclear reactor. Other activities performed by the Associate Director and staff include neutron and gamma irradiation service, operator/engineering training courses, and teaching reactor short courses. In addition to Level 3 staff, an Administrative Assistant and an Electronics Technician report to the Associate Director. Many staff functions overlap, with significant cooperation required.

2.2.4 Safety Oversight Safety oversight is piovided for radiation protection and facility safety functions. A University of Texas Radiation Safety Committee is responsible programmatically for coordination, training 8

2011 NETL Annual Report and oversight of the University radiation protection program, with management of the program through a Radiation Safety Officer. Current personnel on the Radiation Safety Committee are listed on Table 2.5.

Nuclear reactor facility safety oversight is the responsibility of a Nuclear Reactor Committee; a request has been made to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to change the name "Nuclear Reactor Committee" to "Reactor Oversight Committee" to better describe the committee function for the University and avoid confusion with other NRC organizations. "Reactor Oversight Committee" will be used in this report pending approval. Current personnel on the Reactor Oversight Committee are listed on Table 2.6.

Radiation Safety Committee. The Radiation Safety Committee reports to the President and has the broad responsibility for policies and practices regarding the license, purchase, shipment, use, monitoring, disposal and transfer of radioisotopes or sources of ionizing 'radiation at The University of Texas at Austin. The Committee meets at least three times each calendar year. The Committee is consulted by the Office of Environmental Health and Safety concerning any unusual or exceptional action that affects the administration of the Radiation Safety Program.

Table 2.5 Radiation Safety Committee 2010-2011 Gerald W. Hoffmann, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Physics Juan M. Sanchez, Ph.D., Vice ChairVice President for Research Jon D. Robertus, Ph.D., Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry Tracy N. Tipping., Health Physicist, Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory Peter Schneider, Director, Office of Environmental Health & Safety Neal Armstrong, Ph.D., Vice Provost' W. Scott Pennington, ex-officio, Office of Environmental Health & Safety Bob G. Sanders, Ph.D., School of Biological Sciences http://www.utexas.edu/research/resources/committees.php#rsc, 03/29/2011 Radiation Safety Officer. A Radiation Safety Officer holds delegated authority of the Radiation Safety Committee in the daily implementation of policies and practices regarding the safe use of radioisotopes and. sources of radiation as determined by the Radiation Safety Committee.

Radiation Safety Officer responsibilities are outlined in The University of Texas at Austin Radiation Safety Manual. The Radiation Safety Officer has an ancillary function reporting to the 9

2011 NETL Annual Report NETL Director as required on matters of radiological protection. The Radiation Safety Program is administered through the University Office of Environmental Health and Safety.

A NETL Health Physicist (Level 3) manages daily radiological protection functions at the NETL, and reports to the Radiation Safety Officer as well as the Associate Director. This arrangement assures independence of the Health Physicist through the Radiation Safety Officer while maintaining close interaction with NETL line management.

Reactor Oversight Committee (ROC). The Reactor Oversight Committee (formerly known as the Nuclear Reactor Committee) evaluates, reviews, and approves facility standards for safe operation of the nuclear reactor and associated facilities. The ROC meets at least semiannually.

The ROC provides reports to the Dean on matters as necessary throughout the year and submits a final report of activities no later than the end of the spring semester. The ROC makes recommendations to the NETL Director for enhancing the safety of nuclear reactor operations.

Specific requirements in the Technical Specifications are incorporated in the committee charter, including an audit of present and planned operations. The ROC is chaired by a professor in the Cockrell School of Engineering. ROC Membership varies, consisting of ex-officio and appointed positions. The Dean appoints at least three members to the Committee that represent a broad spectrum of expertise appropriate to reactor technology, including personnel external to the School.

Table 2.6 Reactor Oversight Committee 2011-2012 Howard Liljestrand (CAEE), Chair Lynn Katz (CAEE)

Steven Biegalski (ME)

Erich Schneider (ME)

Joseph Beaman, ex-officio (ME)

Michael Krause, ex-officio (NETL)

Tracy Tipping, ex-officio (NETL)

Mike Whaley, ex-officio (NETL)

John G. Ekerdt, ex-officio Scott Pennington, other (Radiation Safety Officer)

Lawrence R. Jacobi (External Representative)

Jodi Jenkins (External Representative) http://www.engr.utexas.edu/faculty/committees/225-roc 10

2011 NETL Annual Report 2.3 Level 3 Personnel Level 3 personnel are responsible for managing daily activities at the NETL. The Reactor Supervisor and Health Physicist are Level 3. The current Reactor Supervisor and Health Physicist are listed on Table 2.4.

2.3.1 Reactor Supervisor The Reactor Supervisor function is incorporated in a Reactor Manager position, responsible for daily operations, maintenance, scheduling, and training. The Reactor Manager is responsible for the maintenance and daily operations of the reactor, including coordination and performance of activities to meet the Technical Specifications of the reactor license. The Reactor Manager plans and coordinates emergency exercises with first responders and other local support (Austin Fire Department, Austin/Travis County EMS, area hospitals, etc.).

The Reactor Manager, assisted by Level 4 personnel and other NETL staff, implements modifications to reactor systems and furnishes design assistance for new experiment systems.

The Reactor Manager assists initial experiment design, fabrication, and setup. The Reactor Manager provides maintenance, repair support, and inventory control of computer, electronic, and mechanical equipment. The Administrative Assistant and Reactor Manager schedule and coordinate facility tours, and support coordination of building maintenance.

2.2.1 Health Physicist The Health Physicist function is incorporated into a Laboratory Manager position, responsible for radiological protection (Health Physics), safe and effective utilization of the facility (Lab Management), and research support. Each of these three functions is described below. The Laboratory Manager is functionally responsible to the NETL Associate Director, but maintains a strong reporting relationship to the University Radiation Safety Officer and is a member of the Radiation Safety Committee. This arrangement allows the Health Physicist to operate independent of NETL operational constraints in consideration of radiation safety.

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2011 NETL Annual Report Health Physics. NETL is a radiological facility operating in the State of Texas under a facility operating license issued by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Radioactive material and activities associated with operation of the reactor are regulated by the NRC, and the uses of radioactive materials at the NETL not associated with the reactor are regulated by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) Radiation Control Program. The NETL Health Physicist ensures operations comply with these requirements, and that personnel exposures are maintained ALARA ("as low as is reasonably achievable"). One or more part-time Undergraduate Research Assistant (URA) may assist as Health Physics Technicians.

Lab Management. The lab management function is responsible for implementation of occupational safety and health programs at the NETL. The Laboratory Manager supports University educational activities through assistance to student experimenters in their projects by demonstration of the proper radiation work techniques and controls. The Laboratory Manager participates in emergency planning for NETL and the City of Austin to provide basic response requirements and conducts off-site radiation safety training to emergency response personnel such as the Hazardous Materials Division of the Fire Department, and Emergency Medical Services crews.

Research Support. The mission of The University of Texas at Austin is to achieve excellence in the interrelated areas of undergraduate education, graduate education, research and public service. The Laboratory Manager and research staff supports the research and educational missions of the university at large, as well as development or support of other initiatives.

The Laboratory Manager is responsible for coordinating all phases of a project, including proposal and design, fabrication and testing, operation, evaluation, and removal/dismantlement.

Researchers are generally focused on accomplishing very specific goals, and the research support function ensures the NETL facilities are utilized in a safe efficient manner to produce quality data. The Laboratory Manager obtains new, funded research programs to promote the capabilities of the neutron beam projects division for academic, government and industrial organizations and/or groups.

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2011 NETL Annual Report The NETL provides unique facilities for nuclear analytic techniques, including but not limited to elemental analysis (instrumental neutron activation analysis, prompt gamma analysis),

measurements of physical characteristics (neutron depth profiling, neutron radiography) and experimental techniques investigating fundamental issues related to nuclear physics and condensed miatter. Nuclear analytical techniques support individual projects ranging from class assignments to measurements for faculty research.

The Laboratory Manager manages the use of the five beam ports with the Texas Cold Neutron Source, Neutron Depth Profiling, Neutron Guide and Focusing System, Prompt Gamma Activation Analysis Neutron Radiography and Texas Intense Positron Source. Projects are supported in engineering, chemistry, physics, geology, biology, zoology, and other areas.

Research project support includes elemental measurements for routine environmental and innovative research projects. The neutron activation analysis technique is made available to different state agencies to assist with quality control of sample measurements.

2.4 Level 4 Personnel Reactor Operators and Senior Reactor Operators (RO/SRO) operate and maintain the reactor and associated facilities. An RO/SRO may operate standard reactor experiment facilities as directed by the Reactor Supervisor.

2.5 Other Facility Staff In addition to the line management positions defined in Figure 2-1, NETL staff includes an Administrative Assistant, and Electronics Technician, and variously one or more Undergraduate Research Assistants assigned either non-licensed maintenance support (generally but not necessarily in training for Reactor Operator licensure) or to support the Laboratory Manager as Health Physics Technicians and/or research support.

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2011 NETL Annual Report 2.6 Faculty and Facility Users The complement of faculty and facility users at the NETL is extremely variable. Functionally faculty and facility users are associated with the NETL in the capacity of academic utilization, other educational efforts, or research & service. A description of these activities follows.

2.6.1 Academic Utilization The NETL is integrated in the Nuclear and Radiation Engineering program (NRE) of Mechanical Engineering (ME). The ME faculty complement directly supporting the nuclear education program is listed in Table 2.7. Successful participation in the undergraduate program results in a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering certification; the degree is essentially a major in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Nuclear Engineering. All Mechanical Engineering degree requirements must be met with an additional set of specific nuclear engineering courses successfully completed.

Table 2.7 University of Texas Nuclear and Radiation Engineering program Faculty Dr. Sheldon Landsberger, Nuclear and Radiation Engineering Professor Dr. Steven Biegalski, Nuclear and Radiation Engineering Associate Professor Dr. Erich Schneider, Nuclear and Radiation Engineering Assistant Professor Dr.. Ofodike A. Ezekoye, Thermal Fluids Systems Professor Dr. Kendra M. Foltz-Biegalski, Nuclear and Radiation Engineering Research Engineer Dr. Elmira Popova, Operations Research Associate Professor Dr.Mark Deinert, Nuclear and Radiation Engineering, Thermal Fluid Systems, Assistant Professor Dr.Mitch Pryor, Robotics Research Group Research Associate Of the five undergraduate Nuclear Engineering courses and the dozen graduate Nuclear Engineering courses, five courses make extensive use of the reactor facility. Table 2.8 lists the courses currently in the UT course catalog, many of which use the reactor and its experiment facilities.

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2011 NETL Annual Report Table 2.8, Nuclear Engineering Courses Undergraduate ME 136N, 236N: Concepts inNuclear and Radiological Engineering ME 337C: Introduction to Nuclear Power Systems ME337F: Nuclear Environmental Protection ME 337G: Nuclear Safety and Security~li ME 361E: Nuclear Operations and Reactor Engineering ME 361 F: Radiation and Radiation protection Laboratory Graduate ME 388C: Nuclear Power Engineering ME 388D: Nuclear Reactor Theory 1111 ME 388F: Computational Methods in Radiation TransportP]

1 ME 388G: Nuclear Radiation Shielding[ I ME 388H: Nuclear Safety and Security~ll ME 388J: Neutron Interactions and their Applications in Nuclear Science and Engineeringlil ME 388M: Mathematical Methods for Nuclear and Radiation Engineerslil ME 388N: Design of Nuclear Systems ILI 111 ME 388P: Applied Nuclear Physics ME 388S: Modem Trends in Nuclear and Radiation Engineering~li ME 389C: Nuclear Environmental Protection 111 NE 389F: The Nuclear Fuel Cycle ME 390F: Nuclear Analysis Techniques ME 390G: Nuclear Engineering Laboratory ME390T: Nuclear- and Radio-Chemistry NOTE[)), Academic courses with minimal or no use of the reactorfacilities The NRE program's graduate degrees are completely autonomous; they are Master of Science in Engineering (Concentration in Nuclear Engineering) and Doctor of Philosophy (Concentration in Nuclear Engineering). Course requirements for these degrees and the qualifying examination for the Ph.D. are separate and distinct from other areas of Mechanical Engineering. A Dissertation Proposal and Defense of Dissertation are required for the Ph.D. degree and acted on by a NRE dissertation committee.

The Nuclear and Radiological Engineering program faculty in 2010 conducted a Summer Nuclear Engineering Institute (SNEI), with credit hours extended to participants. Initial program enrollment was fifteen students from schools around the country. This one month institute is designed for sophomores and juniors majoring in technical fields outside of nuclear engineering interested in a career or graduate school in the field. SNEI students study fundamental nuclear engineering concepts, and gain hands-on experience at the research reactor and other experiment facilities.

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2011 NETL Annual Report 2.6.2 Other Education Efforts The NETL hosted an education program for members of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 2011, and is scheduled to continue a similar effort in 2012. The NETL has participated in the IAEA Fellowship programs for the past decade, with one visiting fellow in 2011.

The Nuclear Engineering Teaching Lab also extends its facilities to two Historically Black Colleges or Universities (HBCUs) for summer internship programs and undergraduate research opportunities. Both Hutson-Tillotson University in Austin and Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens, Florida have participated in this these educational efforts.

Undergraduate students from the University of Texas, Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas and tcole Nationale Sup~rieure d'Ing~nieurs de Caen, France have participated in a variety of research projects.

In addition to formal classes, the NETL routinely provides short courses or tours for Texas agencies, high schools and pre-college groups such as the Boy Scouts of America. Tours and special projects are available to promote public awareness of nuclear energy issues. A typical tour is a general presentation for high school and civic organizations. Other tours given special consideration are demonstrations for interest groups such as physics, chemistry and science groups.

2.6.3 Research & Service A more comprehensive description of the nuclear analytic techniques and facilities available at the NETL is provided in section 5. Personnel support for these activities includes faculty, graduate and undergraduate research assistants, and NETL staff.

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2011 NETL Annual Report 2.7 NETL Support NETL funding is provided by state appropriations, research grants, and fees accrued from service activities. Research funding supplements the base budget provided by the State and is generally obtained through competitive research and program awards. Funds from service activities supplement base funding to allow the facility to provide quality data acquisition and analysis capabilities. Both sources of supplemental funds (competitive awards and service work) are important to the education and research environment for students. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission supported development of the Summer Nuclear Engineering Institute, and supports continuation of the program.

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2011 NETL Annual Report 3.0 FACILITY DESCRIPTION 3.1 NETL History Development of the nuclear engineering program was an effort of both physics and engineering faculty during the late 1950's and early 1960's. The program became part of the Mechanical Engineering Department where it currently resides. The program installed and operated the first UT TRIGA nuclear reactor in Taylor Hall on the main campus. Initial criticality for the first UT reactor was August 1963. Power at startup was 10 kilowatts with a power upgrade to 250 kilowatts in 1968. Total burnup during the 25 year period from 1963 to final operation in April 1988 was 26.1 megawatt-days. Pulse capability of the reactor was 1.4% Ak/k with a total of 476 pulses during the operating history.

In October 1983, planning was initiated for the NETL to replace the original UT TRIGA installation. Construction was initiated December 1986 and completed in May 1989. The NET'L facility operating license was issued in January 1992, with initial criticality on March 12, 1992.

Dismantling and decommissioning of the first UT TRIGA reactor facility was completed in December 1992.

3.2 NETL SITE, J.J. Pickle Research Campus Land development in the area of the current NETL installation began as an industrial site during the 1940's. Following the 1950's, lease agreements between the University and the Federal government led to the creatiori of the Balcones Research Center. The University became owner of the site in the 190's, and in 1994 the site name was changed to the J.J. Pickle Research Campus (PRC) in honor of retired U.S. Congressman James "Jake" Pickle.

The PRC is a multidiscipline research campus on 1.87 square kilometers. The site consists of two approximately equal areas, east and west. An area of about 9000 square meters on the east tract is the location of the NETL building. Sixteen separate research units and at least five other academic research programs conduct research at locations on the PRC. Adjacent to the NETL site are the Center for Research in Water Resources, the Bureau of Economic Geology, and the 18

2011 NETL Annual Report Research Office Complex, illustrating the diverse research activities on the campus. A Commons Building provides cafeteria service, recreation areas, meeting rooms, and conference facilities.

3.3 NETL Building Description The NETL building is a 1950 sq meter (21,000 sq ft), facility with laboratory and office spaces.

Building areas consist of two primary laboratories of 330 sq m (3600 sq ft) and 80 sq m (900 sq ft), eight support laboratories (217 sq m, 2340 sq ft), and six supplemental areas (130 sq m, 1430 sq ft). Conference and office space is allocated to 12 rooms totaling 244 sq m (2570 sq ft). One of the primary laboratories contains the TRIGA reactor pool, biological shield structure, and neutron beam experiment area. A second primary laboratory consists of 1.3 meter (4.25 ft) thick walls for use as a general purpose radiation experiment facility. Other areas of the building include shops, instrument & measurement laboratories, and material handling facilities.

The NETL Annex was installed in 2005, a 24 by 60 foot modular class room building adjacent to the NETL building. The building provides classroom space and offices for graduate students working at the NETL.

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2011 NETL Annual Report 4.0 UT-TRIGA MARK II RESEARCH REACTOR TRIGA is an acronym for Training, Research, Isotope production, General Atomics. The TRIGA Mark 1I reactor is a versatile and inherently safe research reactor conceived and developed by General Atomics to meet education and research requirements. The UT-TRIGA reactor provides sufficient power and neutron flux for comprehensive and productive work in many fields including physics, chemistry, engineering, medicine, and metallurgy kTROL -' -L UXIINU TWI ME ao~ttvj.*uatnlnnat Fiue4-,U TRG n&Cl akI ularRsac iPBEFLECTOR.. eco OIOL 100 CON ~iBPOT

"*FLOOIR LINE . " "

Figure 4-1, UT TRIGA Mark 11 Nuclear Research Reactor The NETL UT-TRIGA reactor is an above-ground, fixed-core research reactor. The reactor core is located at the bottom of an 8.2 meter deep water-filled tank surrounded by a concrete shield structure. The water serves as a coolant, neutron moderator, and transparent radiation shield.

The reactor core is surrounded by a reflector, a 1 foot thick graphite cylinder. The reactor is controlled by manipulating cylindrical "control rods" containing boron.

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._1

2011 NETL Annual Report 4.1 Reactor Core.

The reactor core is an assembly of about 100 fuel elements surrounded by an annular graphite neutron reflector. Fuel elements are positioned by an upper and lower grid plate, with penetrations of various sizes in the upper grid plate to allow insertion of experiments. Each fuel element consists of a fueled region with graphite sections at top and bottom, contained in a thin-walled stainless steel tube. The fuel region is a metallic alloy of low-enriched uranium in a zirconium hydride (UZrH) matrix. Physical properties of the TRIGA fuel provide an inherently safe operation. Rapid power transients to high powers are automatically suppressed without using mechanical control; the reactor quickly and automatically returns to normal power levels.

Pulse operation, a normal mode, is a practical demonstration of this inherent safety feature.

Figure 4-2, Core and Support Structure Details 4.2 Reactor Reflector.

The reflector is a graphite cylinder in a welded aluminum-canister. A 10" well in the upper surface of the reflector accommodates an irradiation facility, the rotary specimen rack (RSR), and horizontal penetrations through the side of the reflector allow extraction of neutron beams. In 2000 the canister was flooded to limit deformation stemming from material failure in welding 21

2011 NETL Annual Report joints. In 2004, the reflector was replaced with some modification, including a modification to the upper grid plate for more flexible experiment facilities.

4.3 Reactor Control.

The UT-TRIGA research reactor can operate continuously at nominal powers up to 1.1 MW, or in the pulsing mode with maximum power levels up to 1500 MW (with a trip setpoint of 1750 MW) for durations of about 10 msec. The pulsing mode is particularly useful in the study of reactor kinetics and control. The UT-TRIGA research reactor uses a compact microprocessor-driven control system. The digital control system provides a unique facility for performing reactor physics experiments as well as reactor operator training. This advanced system provides for flexible and efficient operation with precise power level and flux control, and permanent retention of operating data.

The power level of the UT-TRIGA is controlled by a regulating rod, two shim rods, and a transient rod. The control rods are fabricated with integral extensions containing fuel (regulating and shim rods) or air (transient rod) that extend through the lower grid plate for full span of rod motion. The regulating and shim rods are fabricated from B 4 C contained in stainless steel tubes; the transient rod is a solid cylinder of borated graphite clad in aluminum. Removal of the rods from the core allows the rate of neutron induced fission (power) in the UZrH fuel to increase.

The regulating rod can be operated by an automatic control rod that adjusts the rod position to maintain an operator-selected reactor power level. The shim rods provide a coarse control of reactor power. The transient rod can be operated by pneumatic pressure to permit rapid changes in control rod position. The transient rod moves within a perforated aluminum guide tube.

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2011 NETL Annual Report 5.0 EXPERIMENT AND RESEARCH FACILITIES Neutrons produced in the reactor core can be used in a wide variety of research applications including nuclear reaction studies, neutron scattering experiments, nuclear analytical techniques, and irradiation of samples. Facilities for positioning samples or apparatus in the core region include cut-outs fabricated in the upper grid plate, a central thimble in the peak flux region of the core, a rotary specimen rack in the reactor graphite reflector, and a pneumatically operated transfer system accessing the core in an in-core section. Beam ports, horizontal cylindrical voids in the concrete shield structure, allow neutrons to stream out away from the core. Experiments may be performed inside the beam ports or outside the concrete shield in the neutron beams.

Areas outside the core and reflector are available for large equipment or experiment facilities.

Current NRE and NETL personnel and active projects are tabulated at the end of this section (Table. 5.3, 5.4).

In. addition to reactor facilities, the NETL has a subcritical assembly, various radioisotope sources, radiation producing machines, and laboratories for spectroscopy and radiochemistry.

5.1 Upper Grid Plate 7L and 3L Facilities The upper grid plate of the reactor contains four removable sections configured to provide space for experiments otherwise occupied by fuel elements (two three-element and two seven-element spaces). Containers can be fabricated with appropriate shielding or neutron absorbers to tailor the gamma and neutron spectrum to meet specific needs. Special cadmium-lined facilities have been constructed that utilize three element spaces.

5.2 Central Thimble The reactor is equipped with a central thimble for access to the point of maximum flux in the core. The central thimble is an aluminum tube extending through the central penetration of the top and bottom grid plates. Typical experiments using the central thimble include irradiation of small samples and the exposure of materials to a collimated beam of neutrons or gamma rays.

23

2011 I

NETL Annual Report 5.3 Rotary Specimen Rack (RSR)

A rotating (motor-driven) multiple-position specimen rack located in a well in the top of the graphite reflector provides for irradiation and activation of multiple samples and/or batch production of radioisotopes. Rotation of the RSR minimizes variations in exposure related to sample position in the rack. Samples are loaded from the top of the reactor through a tube into the RSR using a specimen lifting device. A design feature provides the option of using pneumatic pressure for inserting and removing samples.

5.4 Pneumatic Tubes A pneumatic transfer system supports applications using short-lived radioisotopes. The in-core terminus'of the system is normally located in the outer ring of fuel element positions, with specific in-core sections designed to support thermal and epithermal irradiations. The sample capsule is conveyed to a sender-receiver station via pressure differences in the tubing system. An optional transfer box permits the sample to be sent and received to three different sender-receiver stations. One station is in the reactor confinement, one is in a fume hood in a laboratory room, and the third operates in conjunction with an automatic sample changer and counting system..

5.5 Beam Port Facilities Five neutron beam ports penetrate the concrete biological shield and reactor water tank at core level. Specimens may be placed inside a beam port or outside the beam port in a neutron beam from the beam port. The beam ports were designed with different characteristics to accommodate a wide variety of experiments. Shielding reduces radiation levels outside the concrete biological shield to safe values when beam ports are not in use. Beam port shielding is configured with an inner shield plug, outer shield plug, lead-filled shutter, and circular steel cover plate. A neutron beam coming from a beam port may be modified by using collimators, moderators and/or neutron filters. Collimators are used to limit beam size and beam divergence. Moderators and filters are used to change the energy distribution of neutrons in beams (e.g., cold moderator).

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2011 NETL Annual Report BP #5 BP #1 Pool (H20)

Figure 5-2, Beam Ports Table 5-2, Dimensions of Standard Beam Ports BP#1, BP#2, BP#4 At Core 6 in. 15.24 cm At Exit 8 in. 20.32 cm BP #3, BP#5 At Core 6 in. 15.24 cm 8 in. 20.32 cm 10 in. 25.40 cm At Exit: 16 in. 40.64 cm 5.5.1 Beam Port I (BP1)

BP1 is connected to BP5, forming a through port. The through port penetrates the graphite reflector tangential to the reactor core, as seen in Figure 5-2. This configuration allows introduction of specimens adjacent to the reactor core to gain access to a high neutron flux from either side of the concrete biological shield, and can provide beams of thermal neutrons with relatively low fast-neutron and gamma-ray contamination.

25

2011 NETL Annual Report A reactor-based slow positron beam facility is being fabricated at BP1. The facility (Texas Intense Positron Source) will be one of a few reactor-based slow positron beams in the world.

The Texas Intense Positron Source consists of a copper source, a source transport system, a combined positron moderator/remoderator assembly, a positron beam line and a sample chamber.

The copper source will be irradiated in the middle section of the through port (BPI -BP5).

The isotope 6 4 Cu formed by neutron capture in 6 3 Cu (69 % in natural copper) has a half life of 12.7 hours8.101852e-5 days <br />0.00194 hours <br />1.157407e-5 weeks <br />2.6635e-6 months <br />, with the branching ratio for P3+ emission of 19 %.. A source transport system in a 4 meter aluminum system will be used to move the source to the irradiation location and out of the biological shield. The source will be moved away from the neutron beam line outside the biological shielding to an ultra high vacuum (at around 10-10 torr) chamber, where the moderator assembly is located. High energy positrons from the source will be slowed down to a few eV by a tungsten foil moderator that also acts as a remoderator to reduce the beam size to enable beam transport to a target for experimentation. The beam will be electrostatically guided to deliver about 108 positrons/sec in the energy range of 0 - 50 keV.

5.5.2 Beam Port 2 (BP2)

BP2 is a tangential beam port, terminating at the outer edge of the reflector. A void in the graphite reflector extends the effective source of neutrons into the reflector for a thermal neutron beam with minimum fast-neutron and gamma-ray backgrounds. Tangential beams result in a "softer" (or lower average-) energy neutron beam because the beam consists of scattered reactor neutrons. BP2 is configured to support neutron depth profiling applications, with a prompt-gamma neutron activation analysis sharing the beam port.

Neutron Depth Profiling (NDP) Some elements produce charged particles with characteristic energy in neutron interactions. When these elements are distributed near a surface, the particle energy spectrum is modulated by the distance the particle traveled through the surface. NDP uses this information to determine the distribution' of the elements as a function of distance to the surface.

Prompt-Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis (PGNAA) Characteristic gamma radiation is produced when a neutron is absorbed in a material. PGNAA analyzes gamma radiation to 26

2011 NETL Annual Report identify the material and concentration in a sample. PGNAA applications include: i) determination of B and Gd concentration in biological samples which are used for Neutron Capture Therapy studies, ii) determination of H and B impurity levels in metals, alloys, and semiconductor, iii) multi-element analysis of geological, archeological, and environmental samples for determination of major components such as Al, S, K, Ca, Ti, and Fe, and minor or trace elements such as H, B, V, Mn, Co, Cd, Nd, Sm, and Gd, and iv) multi-element analysis of biological samples for the major and minor elements H, C, N, Na, P, S, Cl, and K, and trace elements like B and Cd.

I .E+01 1.E+00 V

Un 1.E-01 r 1.E-02 0

0 1.E-03 1.E-04 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 Energy [keV]

Figure 5-3, PGAA Spectra of Carbon Composite Flywheel 5.5.3 Beam Port 3 (BP3)

BP3 is a radial beam port. BP3 pierces the graphite reflector and terminates at the inner edge of the reflector. This beam port permits access to a position adjacent to the reactor core, and can provide a neutron beam with relatively high fast-neutron and gamma-ray fluxes. BP3 contains the Texas Cold Neutron Source Facility, a cold source and neutron guide system.

27

2011 NETL Annual Report M Boral inshdttr Boce

.-.. Li*

-CwIvedI Sufn gui Boaeplehk Laad WN1ethyiere I 1 4i 0 ) u er a RmI H) e 4Ie co u mar Figure 5-4, Prompt Gamma Focused-Neutron Activation Analysis Facility Texas Cold Neutron Source. The TCNS provides a low background subthermal neutron beam for neutron reaction and scattering research. The TCNS consists of a cooled moderator, a heat pipe, a cryogenic refrigerator, a vacuum jacket, and connecting lines. The TCNS uses eighty milliliters of mesitylene moderator, maintained by the cold source system at -36 K in a chamber within the reactor graphite reflector. A three-meter aluminum neon heat pipe, or thermosyphon, is used to cool the moderator chamber. The heat pipe working fluid evaporates at the moderator chamber and condenses at the cold head.

Cold neutrons from the moderator chamber are transported by a 2-m-long neutron guide inside the beam port to a 4-m-long neutron guide (two 2-m sections) outside the beam port. Both neutron guides have a radius of curvature equal to 300 m. All reflecting surfaces are coated with Ni-58. The guide cross-sectional areas are separated into three channels by 1-mm-thick vertical walls that block line-of-sight radiation streaming.

Prompt Gamma Focused-Neutron Activation Analysis Facility The UT-PGAA facility utilizes the focused cold-neutron beam from the Texas Cold Neutron Source. The PGAA sample is located at the focal point of the converging guide focusing system to provide an enhanced reaction rate with lower background at the sample-detector area as compared to other facilities 28

2011 NETL Annual Report using filtered thermal neutron beams. The sample handling system design permits the study of a wide range of samples and quick, reproducible sample-positioning.

5.5.4 Beam Port 4 (BP4)

BP4 is a radial beam port that terminates at the outer edge of the reflector. A void in the graphite reflector extends the effective source of neutrons to the reactor core. This configuration is useful for neutron-beam experiments which require neutron energies higher than thermal energies. BP4 was configured in 2005 to support student laboratories.

5.5.5 Beam Port 5 (BP5)

A Neutron Radiography Facility is installed at BP5 (Figure 5-5). Neutrons from BP5 illuminate a sample. The intensity of the exiting neutron field varies according to absorption and scattering characteristics of the sample. A conversion material generates light proportional to the intensity of the neutron field as modified by the sample.

Vk"manI Figure 5-5, Neutron Radiography System The conversion material is integral in one imaging system at the NETL; there are two independent conversion devices available at the NETL. A Micro-Channel Plate image intensifying technology system (NOVA Scientific) is characterized by high resolution (up to 30

ýtm) over a small (approximately 1/2/2 in.) field of view. A larger image can be obtained using a more conventional 7X7 in. 2 6LiF/ZnS scintillation screen.

29

2011 NETL Annual Report A conversion screen mounted on a video tube provides a direct single in one neutron radiography camera at the NETL. The image produced by the independent conversion apparatuses can eb recorded in one of three available digital cameras. Cameras include a charge injection device (CID) camera, a cryogenically cooled charge coupled device (CCD) camera, and an electronically cooled CCD camera. The digital image is captured in a computer, where image analysis software produces the final product.

5.6 Other Experiment and Research Facilities The NETL facility makes available several types of radiation facilities and an array, of radiation detection equipment. In addition to the reactor, facilities include a subcritical assembly, various radioisotope sources, machine produced radiation fields, and a series of laboratories for spectroscopy and radiochemistry.

5.6.1 Subcritical Assembly A subcritical assembly of 20% enriched uranium in a polyethylene moderated cylinder provides an experimental device for laboratory demonstrations of neutron multiplication and neutron flux measurements. A full critical loading of fuel previously at the Manhattan College Zero Power Reactor is currently at the facility.

5.6.2 Radioisotopes Radioisotopes are available in a variety of quantities. Gamma and beta sources generally in microcurie to, millicurie quantities are available for calibration and testing of radiation detection equipment. Neutron sources of plutonium-beryllium and californium-252 are available.

Laboratories provide locations to setup radiation experiments, test instrumentation, prepare materials for irradiation, process radioactive samples and experiment with radiochemical reactions.

30

2011 NETL Annual Report 5.6.3 Radiation Producing Machines The NETL houses a 14-MeV neutron generator. The generator is currently being developed for high-energy neutron activation analysis and portable neutron radiography applications.

5.6.4 Support Laboratories There are several laboratories adjacent to the reactor. One laboratory supports sample and standards preparation. Labs are also used for various types of radio assay, with one dedicated to a receiving station for rabbit system operations and sample counting. A control system permits automated operations.

The DOE is anticipating a loss of nuclear workforce with limited prospects for replacement of radio chemists in the national laboratory system. Therefore, a graduate-level radiochemistry laboratory was developed with support from the Department of Energy (DOE). The laboratory consists of state-of-the-art Alpha Spectroscopy Systems, Liquid Scintillation Counting System and several High Resolution Gamma Counting Systems. Students are encouraged to develop skills and interests that make them viable replacements for the nuclear workforce.

5.7 Experiment Facility Utilization Figure 5-1 provides the number of hours of reactor operation allocated to experiments in the applicable facility, with abbreviations in Figure 5.1 explained in the table following. There were 1180.1 hours1.157407e-5 days <br />2.777778e-4 hours <br />1.653439e-6 weeks <br />3.805e-7 months <br /> of utilization for experiments; operations supported irradiation in more than one experiment facility simultaneously for 30.2 hours2.314815e-5 days <br />5.555556e-4 hours <br />3.306878e-6 weeks <br />7.61e-7 months <br /> in 2011, therefore total time for reactor operations was 1149.9 hours1.041667e-4 days <br />0.0025 hours <br />1.488095e-5 weeks <br />3.4245e-6 months <br />. The number of operating hours allocated to experiments includes the "console key on" time.

31

2011 NETL Annual Report TOMi and pub" aitpa 1% _\T~t3%

\ 3% NAA RSR ftSL 5%

NAA EPUT 30%

Figure 5-1, Utilization of Experiment Hours Table 5.1 Terminology for Figure 5-1 PGNAA Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis Sample material irradiated in the lead-lined (enhanced for lower gamma) 3-Pb3L element position in-core facility (isotope production)

Sample material irradiated in the cadmium-lined (enhanced for epithermal Cd3L neutrons) 3-element position in-core facility (generally used for NAA)

NAA Neutron Activation Analysis for samples irradiated in epithermal neutron EPTNT pneumatic tube (irradiation position lined with cadmium)

Neutron Activation Analysis for samples irradiated in thermal neutron NAA TPNT pneumatic tube NAA RSR Neutron Activation Analysis for samples irradiated in rotary specimen rack Tour General facility tours Academic support (ME337, ME361, ME388, ME389N, Health Physics, Classes Summer Nuclear EngineeringInstitute)

Training Operations supporting reactor operator training or requalification program Pulse Time required to support approximately 36 pulses Radiography Neutron radiography 32

2011 NETL Annual Report 5.8 Nuclear Program Faculty Activities Projects and publications associate with the NETL during 2011 are provided below.

Table 5.3 NUCLEAR FORENSICS EDUCATION AWARD PROGRAM, DHS Educational Collaboration with the Nuclear Engineering Teaching Lab and the National University of Singapore Historically Black Colleges and Universities Educational and Research Outreach Program in Nuclear Science and Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. ONR Radiation Effects in PZT Materials, Sandia National Lab UNIVERSITY RESEARCH PROGRAM IN ROBOTICS (URPR), DOE- NNSA NRC Scholarships for Nuclear Undergraduates - 2010, USNRC Summer Nuclear Engineering Institute for Texas and Big-12 Undergraduates COMPUTATIONAL SUPPORT FOR NUCLEAR REACTOR DESIGN AND MODELING OF NEUTRON RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEMS AT SANDIA NATIONAL LAB, Sandia National Lab Nuclear Education Fellowshi Pro am at The Universit of Texas at Austin, USNRC DOE Fellowship and Scholarship Support at The University of Texas at Austin" Department of Energy "Improving the capability of radioxenon measurements by reducing the memory" Battelle "Modeling of Radioxenon Production and Release Pathways", Department of Energy "Advanced Radiological-Nuclear Detection and Forensics" Defense Threat Reduction Agency "Nuclear Scholarship Program at The University of Texas at Austin" Nuclear Regulator Commission.

Advanced Nuclear Fuel Cycles in thermal spectrum reactors Traveling wave reactors Atmospheric radiation transport Non-equilibrium fluid and mass transport in porous media Neutron radiography of phase changes Table 5.4, Publications - 2011 Dasgupta-Schubert, N., M.G. Barrera, C. J. Alvarado, O.S. Castillo, E. M. Zaragoza, S.

Alexander, S. Landsberger and S. Robinson, "The Uptake of Copper by Aldama Dentata:

Macro-Ecophysiological Response and Implication for the Phytoremediation of Contaminated Soil, Water, Soil and Air Pollution, 220, 37-55 (2011).

Landsberger, S., J. Hashem, B. Phathanapirom, J. Williams and M. Cournoyer "Photon Attenuation in Non-Leaded Glovebox Gloves" Trans. ANS, 104, 625-627, (2011).

O 'Neil, B., M. Pryor, S. Landsberger," Graph-Based Modeling for Glove-Box Deployed Robots" Trans. ANS, 103, 39-40, (2011.).

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2011 NETL Annual Report Table 5.4, Publications - 2011 Landsberger S., T. Tipping, D.. Tamalis , J. Jones, S. Alexander AND G. Ban, "Undergraduate Research Opportunities In Neutron Activation Analysis For Local Regional And International Students", Trans. ANS, 104, 115-116, (2011).

Landsberger, S. K. Dayman 1, C. Orton, "An Automated Measurement of Burnup Credit Using PLS", Trans. ANS, 104, 217-218, (2011).

Graham J., S. Landsberger, G. Brennecka "Ferroelectric Changes in Neutron Irradiated Lead Zirconate Titanate", Trans. ANS, 104, 241-242, (2011).

Williams, J., M. Pryor, and S. Landsberger," A Complete Approach to Reduce Operator Dosage in Hazardous Environments" American Nuclear Society EPRRSD - 13th Robotics & remote Systems for Hazardous Environments and 11 th Emergency Preparedness & Response, Nashville, TN, (2011).

S.R. Biegalski, , TW Bowyer, P Eslinger, JA Friese, LR Greenwood, DA Haas, JC Hayes, 1.

Hoffman, M Keillor, HS Miley, M. Moring, "Analysis of Data from Sensitive U.S. Monitoring Stations for the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Reactor Accident," submitted to Journalof EnvironmentalRadioactivity,http://dx.doi.org/l0.1016/j.jenvrad.2011.11.007, 2011.

L. Blackberg, A. Fay, S. Biegalski, K. Elmgren, T. Fritioff, M. Klintenberg, L. M5rtensson, F.

Nielsen, A. Ringbom, H. Sj6strand, "Investigations of surface coatings to reduce memory effect in plastic scintillator detectors used for radioxenon detection," Nucl. Instrum Meth. :A, 656(1),

84-91, (2011).

T.W. Bowyer, S.R. Biegalski, M. Cooper, P.W. Eslinger, D. Haas, J.C. Hayes, H.S. Miley, D.J.

Storm, V. Woods, "Elevated Radioxenon Detected Remotely Following the Fukushima Nuclear Incident." Journalof EnvironmentalRadioactivity, 102(7), 681-687, 2011.

C. Rios Perez, J. Lowrey, S. Bieglski, M. Deinert, "Xenon Diffusion Studies with Prompt Gamma Activation Analysis," accepted to Journalof RadioanalyticalandNuclear Chemistry, 2011.

C. Egnatuk, J. Lowrey, S. R. Biegalski, D. Haas, J. Orrell, V. Woods, M. Keillor, "Production of 47 Ar in the University of Texas TRIGA Reactor Facility," accepted to Journalof Radioanalyticaland Nuclear Chemistry, 2011.

L. Welch, M. Krause, B. Copple, A. Brand, T. H. Pun, K. Dayrnan, S. Biegalski, S. Landsberger, "An Automated Thermal and Epithermal Neutron Pneumatic System used for In-Core Irradiations using the TRIGA Reactor at the Pickle Research Center at the University of Texas at Austin," submitted to Journalof Radioanalyticaland Nuclear Chemistry, 2011.

J. Lowrey, S. Biegalski, "Comparison of Least-Squares vs. Maximum Likelihood Estimation for Standard Spectrum Technique of P3-y Coincidence Data," Nuclear Instruments and Methods: B, doi: 10.1016/j.nimb.2011.09.005, 2011.

C. Egnatuk, S. Biegalski " 42Ar Production in The University of Texas Mark II TRIGA Reactor 34

2011 NETL Annual Report Table 5.4, Publications - 2011 Facility," Transactionsof the American Nuclear Society, Vol. 105, 2011.

S. Biegalski, M. Deinert, J. Lowrey, C. Rios Perez, "Radioxenon Signatures from Underground Transport and Radiopharmaceutical Facilities," Proceedings of the 2011 Monitoring Research Review, Tucson, AZ, Sept. 2011.

S. Biegalski, A. Flory, B. Schrom, J. Ely, D. Has, T. Bowyer, J. Hayes, "Implementing the Standard Spectrum Method for Analysis of P3-7 Coincidence Spectra," Proceedings of the 2011 Monitoring Research Review, Tucson, AZ, Sept. 2011.

35

2011 NETL Annual Report 6.0 FACILITY OPERATING SUMMARIES 6.1 Operating Experience The UT-TRIGA reactor operated for 1141.3 hours3.472222e-5 days <br />8.333333e-4 hours <br />4.960317e-6 weeks <br />1.1415e-6 months <br /> on 230 days in 2011, producing a total energy output of 381.9 MW-hrs. The history of operations over the past seventeen years of facility operation is provided in Figures 6-1 and 6-2. As illustrated, operating time has shown a marked increase from the first several years and has been relatively stable for the past decade. Varying research requirements over the past few years have led to a decrease in total energy generation.

250.00 W

200.00 150.00 0 100.00 0

50.00 E1 3U 0.00 I, 1992 1995 1998 2001 2004 2007 2010 Year of Operation Figure 6-1, Days of Operation LX 35.00 30.00 25.00 20.00 15.00 10.00 5.00 0.00 1992 1995 1998 2001 2004 2007 2010 Year of Operation Figure 6-2, Energy Generation 36

2011 NETL Annual Report 6.2 Unscheduled Shutdowns Reactor safety system protective actions are classified as limiting safety system (LSSS) trip, a limiting condition for operation (LCO) trip or a trip of the SCRAM manual switch. The use of the manual scram switch in normal reactor shutdowns is not a protective action. The following definitions in Table 6.1 classify the types of protective actions recorded.

Table 6.1, Protective Action Definitions Protective Action Description Safety System Setting Automatic shutdown actuated by detection of limiting LSSS safety system setting such as fuel temperature or percent power Condition for Operation Automatic shutdown actuated detection of a limiting LCO - (analog detection) condition for operation within a safety channel or the instrument control and safety system such as pool water level, a loss of detector high voltage or an external circuit trip Condiiion for Operation Automatic shutdown actuated by software action LCO - (digital detection) detecting inoperable conditions within a program function of the instrument control and safety system such as watchdog timers or program database errors Manual Switch Manually initiated emergency shutdown (protective action)

Table 6.2 lists 15 unscheduled shutdowns that occurred in 2011, all of which were initiated by the reactor safety system.

Table 6.2, SCRAM Log for 2011 Date Time Type Comments 02/17/2011 14:12 SCRAM FT I Thermocouple Intermittent Failure 03/03/2011 13:54 SCRAM FT I Thermocouple Intermittent Failure 04/13/2011 14:28 SCRAM NP Power Fluctuations at Full Power 04/29/2011 14:32 SCRAM FTI Thermocouple Intermittent Failure 05/31/2011 15:27 SCRAM NM Power Fluctuations at Full Power 06/16/2011 14:40 SCRAM FTI Thermocouple Intermittent Failure 06/29/2011 10:37 SCRAM FTI Thermocouple Intermittent Failure 07/26/2011 16:12 SCRAM KEY OFF DIS064 Scanner Intermittent Failure 07/28/2011 08:09 SCRAM NP Power Fluctuations at Full Power 08/03/2011 15:31 SCRAM FT I Thermocouple Intermittent Failure 08/29/2011 14:26 SCRAM FT I Thermocouple Intermittent Failure 10/25/2011 14:49 SCRAM FTI Thermocouple Intermittent Failure 10/26/2011 09:18 SCRAM KEY OFF DIS064 Scanner Intermittent Failure 11/09/2011 13:09 SCRAM FTI Thermocouple Intermittent Failure 11/09/2011 14:50 SCRAM FTI Thermocouple Intermittent Failure 37

2011 NETL Annual Report The ten temperature channel trips related to thermocouple intermittent failures were the major" contributor to safety system scrams in 2011. In all cases, time dependent'data indicates fuel temperatures were normal and the trips occurred because of signal transients not indicative of actual fuel temperature. Attempts to isolate the trip to a specific component or recreate the failure have not been successful. The failure mode is conservative and acceptable until either the channel fails in a more consistent mode or the characteristics leading to the actuations can be identified.

Power level monitoring signals during steady state operations fluctuate because the digital power level monitoring has some intrinsic noise related to signal sampling and analysis. Three reactor trips occurred as transient fluctuations during high power operations exceeded the steady state power level trip point. Safety analyses demonstrate transients (pulses) to orders of magnitude greater than the steady state power level limit do not result in unacceptable consequences, and these trips are not a safety issue.

6.3 Facility Utilization Utilization of the NETL reactor facility is near the maximum possible under a 5-day per week schedule. The main categories of facility utilization include education, undergraduate research, graduate research, and external research collaborations. Fig.6-3 provides a representation of the facility research with these categories. Table 6.3 lists external research collaborations at NETL since 2009. Facility usage is largely dominated by the use of nuclear analytical techniques for sample analysis. These techniques include neutron activation analysis, neutron radiography, neutron depth profiling, and prompt gamma activation analysis.

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2011 NETL Annual Report Figure 6-3, Facility Utilization Table 6.3, NETL External Research Collaborations since 2009 External Collaborator Location Facility Utilization Trinitek Services, Inc. Sandia Park, NM Soil sample analysis Gatineau, Quebec, Environment Canada Arctic air filter analysis Canada Bridgeport Instruments Austin, TX Radiation detector development Carollo Engineering Austin, TX Radiation damage studies Evergreen Solar Marlboro, MA Silicon wafer trace element analysis Kaizen Innovations Georgetown, TX Soil sample analysis Idaho National Laboratory Idaho Falls, ID Isotope production Illinois State Geological Champaign, IL Water sample analysis Survey UT Biology Austin, TX Soil sample analysis Department of Geological Austin, TX Geological sample irradiation Sciences Los Alamos National Los Alamos, NM Sample irradiations Laboratory Lolodine, LLC Jersey City, NJ Nut Analysis UT Health Science Center Houston, TX Nanoparticle analysis Pacific Northwest National Richland, WA Isotope Production Laboratory RMT, Inc. Madison, WI Water sample analysis Material irradiations and shrapnel Signature Science Austin, TX analysis Biomedical Engineering Austin, TX Tissue sample analysis Department Plant sample analysis and student Southwestern University Georgetown, TX laboratories 39

2011 NETL Annual Report Table 6.3, NETL External Research Collaborations since 2009 External Collaborator Location Facility Utilization Comprehensive Nuclear- Vienna, Austria Radioxenon production Test-Ban Treaty Organization Clarkson University Potsdam, NY Air filter analysis JWK Corporation Annandale, VA Sample irradiations Civil and Environmental Austin, TX Fly ask sample analysis Engineering Department National Center for Energy, Science and Nuclear Rabat, Morocco Soil sample analysis Technologies Nanospectra Biosciences, Houston, TX Tissue sample analysis Inc.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Rockville, MD Reactor operations training Comnmission NTS Albuquerque, NM, Isotope production Omaha Public Power District Blair, NE Boral coupon analysis TEKLAB Collinsville, IL Water sample analysis XIA Hayward, CA Radioxenon production Lawrence Livermore Livermore, CA Isotope production National Laboratory 6.4 Routine Scheduled Maintenance All surveillances and scheduled maintenance activities were completed during the reporting year at the required frequencies. All results met or exceeded the requirements of the Technical Specifications.

6.5 Corrective Maintenance Activities this reporting period predominately consisted of adjustment of instrument system components (potentiometers or digital system constants) to re-tune or recalibrate the circuits to recommended levels. Corrective maintenance activities included the replacement of individual components or assemblies with like or similar replacement parts. The following list is a summary of the corrective maintenance activities accomplished by facility staff:

• Replacement of burnt out indicator lamps in radiation monitoring systems.

• Replacement of two control console pushbutton switches.

Adjustment ofNM1OOO Startup Fission Chamber cable shield ground.

40

2011 NETL Annual Report

• Replacements of pool water purification pump motor bearings, mechanical seal, and starting capacitor.

• Repair of conductivity meter.

• Replacement of control console video/computer monitors.

• Replacement of the magnet power ground detection module.

In addition, the argon purge fan motor was replaced by UT Facility Maintenance personnel.

6.6 Facility Changes During the 2011 calendar year changes in facility staffing included termination of two operator licenses and two new operator licenses issued by the NRC. Facility modifications and procedures changes are described below, 6.6.1 Staff changes:

There were two operator licenses (1 senior reactor operator, one reactor operator) terminated during 2011 for two graduating student operators. One senior operator license was suspended for faculty on sabbatical. Two reactor operator licenses were granted to undergraduate students.

6.6.2 Facility changes Two facility modifications occurred in 2011 which resulted in replacement of original equipment with replacement equipment by another manufacturer which was determined to be a functional equivalent of the original equipment. The control console standard and graphics video monitors were replaced with new monitors. A signal conditioning module sensing control rod magnet power ground faults was replaced with a new module.

During 2011 planning for enhancements to the existing facility access control and security monitoring systems supported by the Global Threat Reduction Initiative (DOE/NNSA) was in progress. Facility modifications are scheduled for installation and commissioning in 2012.

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2011 NETL Annual Report 6.6.3 Procedure revision/updates Several minor procedure revisions and one new procedure were approved in 2011. Minor revisions included clarifying or specifically listing items previously not listed but performed in an operating procedure, such as describing actions taken when preparing to startup the reactor. A new procedure, "Specialized Work Permits", was approved to cover routine activities previously performed under the control of a "Radiation Work Permit" procedure. This new p~rocedure provides a work process controls template for activities which are well characterized with respect to radiation hazard potential and decreases the level of required controls and documentation to a level more appropriate for the activity. Under this new SWP procedure template a number of "Specialized Work Permits" for specific activities previously governed by RWP's' were developed and approved for use. Approved SWP's include procedures for: access to beam port experiments, manual or pneumatic loading or unloading of samples from the reactor, and various maintenance or calibration activities.

Pending procedure updates include revision of security procedures based on NRC rulemaking in IOCFR73 and federal reclassification of threat advisory levels. Additional changes pending include changes resulting from requested but not yet approved Technical Specification amendments.

6.6.4 Facility Changes Accomplished in Accordance with Other Regulatory Requirements:

There were no changes to the security plans, the license, or Technical Specifications.

One new experiment was approved by the Reactor Oversight Committee during this reporting period, Irradiation of Argon Gas in the existing 3L experiment assembly Proposed or Pending Changes:

0 Add Criticality Accident classification to Emergency Plan Procedure Attachment.

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2011 NETL Annual Report

• Some Technical Specifications and license changes have been proposed and submitted to the USRNC for review, including:

i. A set of changes for clarification and correction of terminology, ii. A request for a license, amendment/revision to permit byproduct and source material under the control and used by the reactor facility to support reactor operations to be controlled under the reactor license, iii. A request to define initial startup, and iv. A request to require an operator at the controls when the reactor is not secured (currently required when the reactor is shutdown).

• A request for renewal of the facility operating license was made, with notification by the USNRC, that the UT facility meets requirements for operation under "timely renewal."

6.7 Oversight & Inspections Inspections of laboratory operations are conducted by university and licensing agency personnel.

Two committees, a Radiation Safety Committee and a Reactor Oversight Committee review operations of the NETL facility. The Reactor Oversight Committee convened on the dates listed in Table 6.3.

Table 6.3, Reactor Oversight Committee Reviews First Quarter April 20, 2011 Second Quarter None Third Quarter None Fourth Quarter October 25, 2011 No recommendations were identified by the Committee.

Inspections by licensing agencies include federal license activities by the U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Nuclear Reactor Regulation Branch (NRR), and state license activities by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) Radiation Control Program. An NRC inspection was conducted as indicated in Table 6.4. No findings of significance were identified.

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2011 NETL Annual Report Table 6.4, License Inspections at the NETL License Dates R-129 August 29-September 1, 2011 R-129 November 15-16, 2011 SNM-180 None L00485 (81) None A meeting with the USNRC occurred 16 March 2011 preparation for NETL Facility License renewal.

Routine inspections by the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (OEHS) for compliance with university safety rules and procedures are conducted at varying intervals throughout the year. In response to safety concerns at other sites on the main campus, several additional OEHS inspections have been made. Inspections cover fire, chemical, and radiological hazards. No significant safety problems were found at NETL, which reflects favorably on the positive safety culture for all hazard classes at the NETL. Safety concerns included such items as storage of combustibles, compressed gases, and fire extinguisher access.

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2011 NETL Annual Report 7.0 RADIOLOGICAL

SUMMARY

7.1 Summary of Radiological Exposures The Radiation Protection Program for the NETL facility provides monitoring for personnel radiation exposure, surveys of radiation areas and contamination areas, and measurements of radioactive effluents as indicated in Table 7.1. Site area measurements include exterior points adjacent to and distant from the building.

Table 7.1, Radiation Protection Program Requirements and Frequencies Frequency Radiation Protection Requirement Weekly Gamma survey of all Restricted Areas.

Swipe survey of all Restricted Areas.

Swipe survey of Radioactive Materials Areas.

Response check of the continuous air monitor.

Response checks of the area radiation monitors.

Neutron survey of the reactor bay (during reactor operation).

Monthly Gamma, neutron and swipe surveys of exterior walls and roof.

Exchange personnel dosimeters & interior area monitoring dosimeters.

Review dosimetry reports.

Response check emergency locker portable rad. measuring equipment.

Review Radiation Work Permits.

Response check of the argon monitor.

Response check hand and foot monitor.

Background checks of low background alpha/beta counting system.

Collect and analyze TRIGA primary water.

As Required Process and record solid wastes and liquid effluent discharges.

Prepare and record radioactive material shipments.

Survey and record incoming radioactive materials.

Perform and record special radiation surveys.

Issue radiation work permits, provide HP for maintenance operations.

Conduct orientations and training.

Quarterly Exchange OSL environmental monitors.

Gamma and swipe surveys of all non restricted areas.

Swipe survey of building exterior areas.

Calibrate area monitors in neutron generator room.

Perform Chi-square test, and determine HV plateaus and detection efficiencies on the low background alpha/beta counting system.

Semi-Annual Inventory emergency locker.

Calibrate portable radiation monitoring instruments.

Calibrate continuous air monitor, argon monitor, area rad. monitors.

Calibrate personnel pocket dosimeters.

Leak test and inventory sealed sources.

Annual Conduct ALARA Committee meeting.

Conduct personnel refresher training.

Calibrate emergency locker portable radiation detection equipment 45

2011 NETL Annual Report 7.2 Summary of Radioactive Effluents The radioactive effluent paths are ventilation for air-borne radionuclides, and the sanitary sewer system for liquid radionuclides. The most significant airborne radionuclide effluent is argon-41.

Two other airborne radionuclides, nitrogen-16 and oxygen-19, decay rapidly and do not contribute to effluent releases. Argon-41, with a half-life of 109 minutes, is the only airborne radionuclide emitted by the facility during normal operations.

7.2.1 Released There were no releases of solid radioactive materials during calendar year 2010. A small quantity of radioactive waste is stored for decay or aggregation for a shipment.

7.2.2 Discharged Airborne Releases. A differential pressure control system in the facility assures airborne radioactive releases are controlled. The reactor room is ventilated by a general area system, and a sub-system to collect and discharge argon 41 generated from routine reactor operations. There were 5.42x106 pCi of argon 41 discharged during calendar year 2010, with the annual average release 2% of the value permitted by Technical Specifications.

Liquid Discharges. There are no routine releases from the facility associated with reactor operation. Large liquid-volume radioactive waste is captured in holding tanks, where liquid radioactive waste may be held for decay or processed to remove the radioactive contaminants as appropriate. To date no discharges have occurred.

Small, quantities of liquid scintillation cocktail or dilute concentrations below the limits of 10 CFR 20 in the NETL laboratories may be disposed directly to the sanitary sewer. Liquid disposals are infrequent.

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2011 NETL Annual Report 7.3 Radiation Exposure Received by Facility Personnel and Visitors For calendar year 2011, no facility personnel received radiation exposures in excess of 25% of the allowed limit. Similarly, no visitors to the facility received in excess of 25% of the allowed limit.

-J 7.4 Environmental Surveys Performed Outside the Facility NETL monitors exterior locations indicated as positions 1 through 6 on the exterior dosimeter map. No deep dose equivalent above the minimal reporting service of 1 mrem was recorded on any of the exterior dosimeters for the first three quarters of calendar year 2011. During the fourth quarter of calendar year 2011, doses at these six positions were reported from 2 mrem to 6 mrem.

However, no background dose was subtracted from these reported doses due to a faulty control dosimeter. Thus, it is likely that the actual fourth quarter doses were similar to the previous three quarters of calendar year 2011.

Sidevalk, NEn facility front ant ace Ra ctor bay *aterlor wall# east Reactor bay exterior wall. Vest Mh power transfonmr NIM service door MtML roof etack Indicatea lo*ation of dosicetry withia the Wgildinig PARKING Figure 7-1, NETL Environmental Monitor Locations' 47