ML14066A357

Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission - Request for Additional Information for the Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center Reactor License Renewal

ML14066A357
Person / Time
Site:	Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission
Issue date:	03/20/2014
From:	Patrick Boyle Research and Test Reactors Licensing Branch
To:	Goodwin C State of RI, Atomic Energy Comm, Nuclear Science Ctr
Boyle P
References
TAC ME1598
Download: ML14066A357 (4)

Text

March 20, 2014 Dr. Cameron Goodwin, Director Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission 16 Reactor Road Narragansett, RI 02882-1165

SUBJECT:

RHODE ISLAND ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION - REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR THE RHODE ISLAND NUCLEAR SCIENCE CENTER REACTOR LICENSE RENEWAL (TAC NO. ME1598)

Dear Dr. Goodwin:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is continuing the review of the Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission application for the renewal of Facility Operating License No. R-95 by letters dated May 3, 2004, as supplemented, for the Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center reactor.

During our review, questions have arisen, which we require additional information and clarification. Please provide responses to the enclosed request for additional information no later than 30 days from the receipt of this letter.

In accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Section 50.30(b), your response must be executed in a signed original under oath or affirmation. You must submit your response in accordance with 10 CFR 50.4, Written communications. Information included in your response that is considered security, sensitive, or proprietary, that you seek to have withheld from the public, must be marked in accordance with 10 CFR 2.390, Public inspections, exemptions, requests for withholding.

If you have any questions regarding this review, please contact me at 301-415-3936 or by electronic mail at Patrick.Boyle@nrc.gov.

Sincerely,

/RA/

Patrick G. Boyle, Nuclear Engineer Research and Test Reactors Licensing Branch Division of Policy and Rulemaking Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-193

Enclosure:

Request for Additional Information cc: See next page

ML14066A357 NRR-106 OFFICE NRR/DPR/PRLB/PM NRR/DPR/PRLB/LA NRR/DPR/PRLB/BC NRR/DPR/PRLB/PM NAME PBoyle PBlechman AAdams PBoyle DATE 03/19/2014 03/19/2014 03/19/2014 03/20/2014

Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission Docket No. 50-193 cc:

Governor State House Room 115 Providence, RI 02859 Dr. Stephen Mecca Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission Providence College Department of Engineering-Physics Systems River Avenue Providence, RI 02859 Dr. Clinton Chichester, Chairman Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission College of Pharmacy Pharmacy Building 7 Greenhouse Road Kingston, RI 02881 Dr. Jack Breen, Chairman Nuclear and Radiation Safety Committee Providence College 549 River Avenue Providence, RI 02918 Dr. Nancy E. Breen Marine and Natural Sciences Building 226 Roger Williams University One Old Ferry Road Bristol, RI 02809 Dr. Bahram Nassersharif Dean of Engineering University of Rhode Island 102 Bliss Hall Kingston, RI 02881 Dr. Peter Gromet Department of Geological Sciences Brown University Providence, RI 02912 Supervising Radiological Health Specialist Office of Occupational and Radiological Health Rhode Island Department of Health 3 Capitol Hill, Room 206 Providence, RI 02908-5097 Test, Research, and Training Reactor Newsletter University of Florida 202 Nuclear Sciences Center Gainesville, FL 32611

Enclosure REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR THE LICENSE RENEWAL FOR THE RHODE ISLAND ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION RHODE ISLAND NUCLEAR SCIENCE CENTER REACTOR LICENSE NO. R-95 DOCKET NO. 50-193 The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is continuing the review of your application for renewal of Facility Operating License No. R-95 for the Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center reactor by letters dated May 3, 2004 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession Nos. ML041270519 and ML14038A386), as supplemented. In your letter dated March 15, 2013 (ADAMS Accession No. ML13080A362), you included a discussion regarding changes to the pneumatic tube irradiation (rabbit) system (response to request for additional information (RAI) 10.5, NRC letter dated December 17, 2012, ADAMS Accession No. ML121350815).

1. The RAI response discussed the potential for argon-41 (Ar-41) build-up and the features relied upon to prevent the Ar-41 from entering the room. The potential exists for the rabbit tubing to fail in the room.

a. Provide an analysis for the concentration of Ar-41 that could be produced during operation of the system and resulting dose consequence should this Ar-41 be discharged into the room.

b. Provide a description of the equipment in the room that would alert personnel in the room to this hazard should a failure of the system occur.

2. Discuss the consequence of a sample encapsulation failing upon return to the rabbit terminus with emphasis on how airborne contaminants are managed since the rabbit terminus is not located within a fume hood.