ML13189A058

Texas A&M University Aerojet General Nucleonics Model 201-Modified Reactor, Confirmatory Action Letter Regarding Shutdown Related to Reactor Safety System

ML13189A058
Person / Time
Site:	Texas A&M University
Issue date:	07/30/2013
From:	Leeds E Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:	Hassan Y Texas A&M Univ
Boyle P, NRR/DPR 415-3936
References
EA-13-154, TAC ME1588
Download: ML13189A058 (2)

Text

July 30, 2013 CAL No. EA-2013-154 Yassin A. Hassan, Ph.D.

Department Head - Nuclear Engineering Texas A&M University 337 Zachry Engineering Center College Station, TX 77843-3133

SUBJECT:

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY AEROJET GENERAL NUCLEONICS MODEL 201-MODIFIED REACTOR CONFIRMATORY ACTION LETTER REGARDING SHUTDOWN RELATED TO REACTOR SAFETY SYSTEM (TAC NO. ME1588)

Dear Dr. Hassan:

As part of the license renewal process for Texas A&M University (TAMU) regarding the Aerojet General Nucleonics Model 201-Modified (AGN-201M) reactor, the U.S Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff reviewed your facility modifications dated July 11, 2011 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML11195A051), and identified a concern with the reactor protection and control system. Specifically, the replacement of a hardwired safety system with a computer based system introduced a single point of vulnerability that is not consistent with your existing design basis documents. This new condition has not been analyzed by TAMU or the NRC.

Pursuant to a phone conversation on June 25, 2013, between Christopher Crouch, Reactor Supervisor of your staff and Gregory Bowman, Branch Chief; Alexander Adams, Jr., Branch Chief; and Patrick Isaac, Senior Reactor Engineer representing the NRC, as documented in your letter on June 28, 2013 (ADAMS Accession No. ML13193A012), it is our understanding that you have ceased operations of the TAMU AGN-201M reactor on June 25, 2013. In addition, it is our understanding that TAMU will:

• Determine which method will be used to resolve the concerns of a common cause failure resulting from the introduction of computer software into the reactor safety system. You are considering:

o Submittal of a license amendment to incorporate additional safety system requirements, or o Restoring the analog hardwire portions of the safety system.

• Notify the NRC of additional actions being taken to ensure the facility is in compliance with all regulatory requirements.

TAMU will not operate the AGN-201M reactor until the concerns of the common-cause failure, resulting from the introduction of computer software into the reactor safety system has been resolved to the satisfaction of the NRC staff. TAMU shall submit to the NRC all documents requested by the NRC to demonstrate that the AGN-201M reactor can be operated safely.

Y. Hassan This Confirmatory Action Letter (CAL) will remain in effect until the NRC has (1) reviewed your information, including responses to staffs questions and the results of your evaluations, and (2) the staff communicates to you in written correspondence that it has concluded that the AGN-201M reactor can be operated safely without undue risk to the health and safety of the public or the environment.

Pursuant to Section 182 of the Atomic Energy Act, 42 U.S.C. 2232, you are required to:

1) Notify me immediately if your understanding differs from what is set forth above; and

2) Notify me in writing when you have completed the actions addressed in this CAL.

Issuance of this CAL does not preclude issuance of an order formalizing the above commitments or requiring other actions on the part of the licensee; nor does it preclude the NRC from taking enforcement action for violations of NRC requirements that may have prompted the issuance of this letter.

In accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 2.390, "Public inspections, exemptions, requests for withholding," a copy of this letter, and your response, if you choose to provide one, will be made available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room and in ADAMS, accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. To the extent possible, your response should not include any personal privacy, proprietary, or safeguards information so that it can be made available to the public without redaction.

If you have any questions, please contact Patrick Boyle by phone at 301-415-3936 or by e-mail Patrick.Boyle@nrc.gov.

Sincerely,

/RA/

Eric J. Leeds, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No.50-059 License No. R-23 cc: See next page

Texas A&M University Docket No.50-059 cc:

Mayor, City of College Station P.O. Box Drawer 9960 College Station, TX 77840-3575 Governors Budget and Planning Office P.O. Box 13561 Austin, TX 78711 Christopher Crouch AGN-201M Reactor Supervisor Nuclear Engineering Department 129 Zachry Engineering Center College Station, TX 77843 Radiation Program Officer Bureau of Radiation Control Dept. Of State Health Services Division for Regulatory Services 1100 West 49th Street, MC 2828 Austin, TX 78756-3189 Technical Advisor Office of Permitting, Remediation & Registration Texas Commission on Environmental Quality P.O. Box 13087, MS 122 Austin, TX 78711-3087 Test, Research, and Training Reactor Newsletter University of Florida 202 Nuclear Sciences Center

Y. Hassan This Confirmatory Action Letter (CAL) will remain in effect until the NRC has (1) reviewed your information, including responses to staffs questions and the results of your evaluations, and (2) the staff communicates to you in written correspondence that it has concluded that the AGN-201M reactor can be operated safely without undue risk to the health and safety of the public or the environment.

Pursuant to Section 182 of the Atomic Energy Act, 42 U.S.C. 2232, you are required to:

1) Notify me immediately if your understanding differs from what is set forth above; and

2) Notify me in writing when you have completed the actions addressed in this CAL.

Issuance of this CAL does not preclude issuance of an order formalizing the above commitments or requiring other actions on the part of the licensee; nor does it preclude the NRC from taking enforcement action for violations of NRC requirements that may have prompted the issuance of this letter.

In accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 2.390, "Public inspections, exemptions, requests for withholding," a copy of this letter, and your response, if you choose to provide one, will be made available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room and in ADAMS, accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html. To the extent possible, your response should not include any personal privacy, proprietary, or safeguards information so that it can be made available to the public without redaction.

If you have any questions, please contact Patrick Boyle by phone at 301-415-3936 or by e-mail Patrick.Boyle@nrc.gov.

Sincerely,

/RA/

Eric J. Leeds, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No.50-059 License No. R-23 cc: See next page DISTRIBUTION:

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