Text

Texas A&M Univ., Submittal of 2015 Annual Operating Report
	ML16117A262
Person / Time
Site:	05000128
Issue date:	04/20/2016
From:	Newhouse J; Texas A&M Univ
To:	; Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
	2016-0026
	Download: ML16117A262 (22)
	v • d • e

Ji&I TEXAS AlrM ENGINEERING EXPERIMENT STATION. .

NUCLEAR SCIENCE CENTER April 20, 2016 2016-0026 Document Control Desk U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 50-12?

Washington, DC 20555-0001

Subject:

TEES Nuclear Science Center, License R-83, 2015 Annual Report Enclosed please find the TEES Nuclear Science Center 2015 annual report. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Jerry Newhouse at 979-845-7551.

K~

Associate Director Nuclear Science Center Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station Xe: 2.11/Central File TEL. 979.845.7551 I FAX 979.862.2667 nsc.tamu.edu 1095 Nuclear Science Rd. I 3575 TAMU I College Station, TX 77843-3575

Texas A&M University System .

Texas Engineering Experiment Station 2015 Annual Report

Facility Operating License R-83 Nuclear Science.Center *

1095 Nuclear Science Road College Station, Texas 77843-3575 Prepared By: Ashley Booth, NSC RSO & Scott Miller, NSC Reactor Operations Manager Reviewed By: S. McDeavitt, NSC Director March 2016

Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station Nuclear Science Center Annual Report 2015 CONTENTS

1. Introduction .................................................................................................. 3 1.1 Nuclear Science Center Staff ............................................................................................... 3

2. Reactor Utilization for 2015 ........................................................................ 5 2.1 TAMU Academic Support Program .................................................................................... 6 2.2 Commercial Activity and External Research ....................................................................... 6 *

3. Facility and Procedure Changes ................................................................... 7

.3.1 Facility Modifications ......................................... ,................................................................ 7 3 .2 Experiment Authorization and Modification Authorization ................................................ 7

4. Reactor Maintenance and Surveillance ........................................................ 8 4.1 Scheduled Maintenance ....................................................................................................... 8 4.2 Unscheduled Shutdowns ...................................................................................................... 8 4.3 Emergency Plan and *Review ............................................................................................. 10 4.4 Reactor Safety Board ......................................................................................................... 10 4.5 Inspections and Audits ........................................................................................................ 10 4.6. NRC Inspection Results ..................................................................................................... 10

5. Health Physics Surveillance ...................................................................... .11 5.1 Radioactive Shipments ....................................................................................................... 11 5.2 Personnel Monitoring .................................................................................. ,...................... 11 5.3 Facility Monitoring ............................................................................................................ 11 5.4 Particulate Effluent Monitoring ......................................................................................... 13 5.5 Gaseous Effluent Monitoring ......................................................... :................................... 14 5.6 Liquid Effluent Monitoring ................................................................................................ 15

6. Environmental Monitoring ......................................................................... 16 6.1 Site Boundary Dose Rate ................................................................................................... 16

7. Radioactive Waste Shipments ......................... ;.......................................... 18 Appendix A .................................................................................................................................... 19 Appendix B ....................... :............................................................................................................ 20 2

Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station Nuclear Science Center Annual Report 2015

1. Introduction The Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station Nuclear Science Center (NSC) is a multi-disciplinary research and education center supporting basic and applied research in nuclear related fields of science and technology as well as providing educational opportunities for students in these fields as a service to the Texas A&M University System and the state of Texas.

The NSC also provides services to commercial ventures requiring radiation or isotope production services.

The NSC reactor is a 1 MW TRIGA research reactor in a large (108,000-gal.) pool. The size of the NSC reactor pool provides great flexibility in the experiments that may be conducted near the reactor. The NSC reactor facility includes five neutron beam ports, a neutron/gamma irradiation cell, , hot cells with manipulator anns, and other supporting facilities. Moreover, NSC has Cs-13 7 calibrator for use in instrument calibration.

Laboratory facilities include counting laboratories with gas flow proportional detectors and high purity germanium detectors, a pneumatics sample transfer system, and a fast neutron irradiation system.

The NSC reactor design allows for easy loading/unloading of various types of samples. The NSC actively produces a variety of radioisotopes for academic and industry users. The NSC provides neutron activation analysis (NAA) services to many research and academic institutions in the United States. The Nuclear Engineering Department on campus is a major user of the NSC reactor. The NSC is also one of the major attractions on campus. Last year, the NSC hosted 1358 local and international visitors including: elementary, middle school, high school and college students as well as faculty members, national laboratory scientists, and industrial clients.

Through these tours, the NSC taught people with widely varying backgrounds about nuclear science.

With the DOE reactor upgrade funding from 2014, the NSC has acquired new continuous air monitors, a telemanipulator handling cell, replaced the heat exchanger, and began replacing the demineralizer system. These purchases will enhance and help extend the safe operation of the NSC for many years to come.

The NSC received a renewed facility license in October, 2015.

This annual report has been prepared to satisfy the reporting requirements of Technical Specification 6.6.1 of the facility operating license R-83 and of the Department of Energy University Reactor Fuel Assistance Program subcontract No. C87-101594 (DE-AC07-76ER02426).

1.1 Nuclear Science Center Staff The staff at the Nuclear Science Center consists of four major groups: Reactor Operations, Radiation Safety, Engineering, and Administrative Services. Personnel directly involved with the operation and maintenance of the reactor are NRC-licensed operators. The NSC is committed to 3

Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station Nuclear Science Center Annual Report 2015 its educational responsibilities and many members of the staff are part or full-time students at Texas A&M University. Appendix A shows the Nuclear Science Center Organization Chart.

The Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) of the Texas A&M University System operates the NSC. The Director of the NSC is responsible to the Director of the TEES for the administration and the proper and .safe operation of the facility. The NSC Radiation Safety Office is responsible to the Director of the NSC for matters relating to safety and for maintaining a proper radiation safety program. In addition to the internal structure, the Reactor Safety Board (RSB) advises the Director of the TEES and the Director of the NSC on issues or policy pertaining to reactor safety. The Texas A&M University Environmental Health and Safety Department (EHSD) provides assistance when required for emergencies and for special operations as agreed. The Texas A&M University Police Department provides security support on a daily basis and is a key support group in .the event of a security incident. The College Station Fire Department and Scott & White Medical Center provide offsite emergency support when required as per agreement.

4

Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station Nuclear Science Center Annual Report 2015

2. Reactor Utilization for 2015 The Nuclear Science Center (NSC) reactor has been in operation since 1961. The reactor is a 1 MW MTR-converted TRIGA reactor. Core IX is the current core configuration and has been in use since September 2006. The NSC reactor is pulse operational and was pulsed up to $1.75 for nuclear engineering laboratories, staff training, and public tours.

The NSC reactor operated for 1520.7 hours8.101852e-5 days 0.00194 hours 1.157407e-5 weeks 2.6635e-6 months in 2015 with a total integrated power of 57.3 MW-days. There were 435 "Requests for Irradiation" processed at the NSC during the reporting period. The NSC provided services to TAMU departments, other universities, research centers, and secondary schools in and outside the state of Texas. The cumulative total energy output since initial criticality of the LEU fuel is 678.6 MW-days. Table 2 shows the reactor utilization summary in 2015 and Figure 2 shows the annual reactor utilization in MW-hrs of operation.

Table 2: Reactor Utilization Summary in 2015 Days of Reactor Operation 236 Integrated Power (MW-days) 57.3 Number of Hours at Steady-State 1520.7 Number of Pulses 37 Number of Reactor Irradiations (RFS) 435 Number of Visitors 1358 Unscheduled Shutdowns 20 5

Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station Nuclear Science Center Annual Report 2015 Megawatt Hours of Operation 3000.0 2500.0 2413.4 2246.4 g 2080.8

~ 2000.0 1951.21915.2 1982.4 1834 6 1891.2 Q) c.. 1778.4 . 1748.8 0

.....0 1520.7

"' 1500.0 0

c:

~

~ 1000.0 tlO Q)

~

500.0 0.0 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Year Figure 2. Annual Reactor Utilization in MW-hrs of Operation 2.1 TAMU Academic Support Program Texas A&M University provides funding for the reactor for such academic activities as nuclear engineering laboratories, neutron activation analysis demonstrations and laboratories, graduate student thesis and dissertation research, and undergraduate research projects. The program has been very successful and is crucial for many graduate students who use the NSC reactor for research and have not received research grants. The wide range of academic users from the university reflects in the NSC ' s reputation as a multi-disciplinary institution.

2.2 Commercial Activity and External Research The NSC provides services to a variety of users that provide their own funding. The majority of commercial activities focus on production of radioactive tracers for the petroleum and chemical industries. Outside research grants fund a significant amount of the NS C's research. The NSC is involved with neutron activation analysis and radioassays for a wide variety of samples for outside customers. The NSC has many years of experience producing radioisotopes and has developed several customer-specific methods for radioactive sample production and handling.

The production of radioisotopes generally involves handling radioactive material with high activities. The NSC staff takes precautions to minimize the exposures during the transfer of radioactive materials to shipping shields.

6

Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station Nuclear Science Center Annual Report 2015

3. Facility and Procedure Changes 3.1 Facility Modifications Replacement of the Demineralizer System 3.2 Experiment Authorization and Modification Authorization There were no new Experiment Authorizations (EA) and one Modification Authorization (MA) covered in 2015. Modification Authorization 62 was approved for the Water Demineralization System replacement.

7

Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station Nuclear Science Center Annual Report 2015

4. Reactor Maintenance and Surveillance 4.1 Scheduled Maintenance NSC personnel performed regular maintenance on the Fuel Element Temperature Channel, Area Radiation Monitors and the Linear, Log, and Safety Power Channels as required by the Technical Specifications. They also performed all surveillance required by the reactor license.

Control rod worth and scram time measurements performed in July 2015 gave the following results. The total rod worth was $14.682. The most reactive control rod was Shim Safety #4 with a worth of $4.07. The shutdown margin was $4.399 and core excess was $5.365. Scram times on all rods were less than 1.2 seconds. In addition, operators performed calorimetric calibration following each maintenance period, and fuel inspections with no abnormalities noted (as required by the Technical Specification). The cold critical reactivity worth, performed for each reactor experiment, shows that the most reactive fixed experiment is the EFI w/Lanthanum

($0.2927).

4.2 Unscheduled Shutdowns There were twenty unscheduled reactor shutdowns during 2015. The cause is detailed below in Table 4-2.

Table 4-2: Unscheduled Shutdowns 01/08/15 Reactor was manually scrammed after loss of signal was observed on Safety Amplifier #1 01/12/15 Reactor scrammed due to Safety Channel #2 High Power trip.

Cause was determined to be electrical noise.

01/23/15 Safety Channel scram due to new worker increasing power too fast - reactqr power was <3kw when event happened.

02/06/15 Shim Safety #3 magnet failed and dropped the control rod.

Unit was checked and returned to service.

02/09/15 Shim Safety #3 magnet failed and dropped the control rod.

Rod drive unit was replaced.

02/20/15 Manual scram due to object dropped into pool. Object was located and removed.

02/25/15 Manual scram due to object getting tangled on long stick and binding the sample rotisserie ..

8

Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station Nuclear Science Center Annual Report 2015 04/30/15 Safety Channel scram due to power increased too quickly.

Reactor power at time of scram was <3kw.

05/12/15 Manual scram initiated due to accidental shutdown of facility air compressor.

05/18/15 Experiment scram due to loose wire accidentally grounded at the cave door experiment area.

05/27/15 Manual scram due to Shim Safety #1 control rod dropping due to magnet failure. Magnet was swapped out.

06/03/15 Manual scram due to Shim Safety #3 control rod dropping due to magnet failure. Magnet was swapped out.

08/04/15 Startup was aborted due to fluctuation of magnet current on Shim Safety #1. Magnet was replaced.

09/15/15 Startup was aborted due to the startup source not being in place. Source was installed and startup proceeded normally.

09/18/15 Operator shutdown the reactor when it was noticed that the alarm reset/acknowledge button was sticking.

09/18/15 Operator shutdown the reactor during startup because prior scram recovery checklist had not been reviewed.

10/14/15 St~up was aborted when it was noticed that Shim Safety ~1 was driving in with no operator input.

10/30/15 Reactor was shutdown due to the facility receiving a tornado warnmg.

11/30/15 Reactor was shutdown, facility evacuated due to fire alarm activation. Alarm was the result of construction work on the demineralizer system causing large amounts of dust.

11/30/15 Manual scram initiated due to loss of FAM pump going offline due to flooding in the mechanical room as a result of a broken pipe.

9

Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station Nuclear Science Center Annual Report 2015 4.3 Emergency Plan and Review The members of Reactor Safety Board (RSB) reviewed the NSC Security and Emergency Plans.

4.4 Reactor Safety Board The Reactor Safety Board is responsible for providing an independent review and audit of the safety aspects of the NSC reactor. The Reactor Safety Board met as required in the year 2015.

4.5 Inspections and Audits The Reactor Safety Board performed the required audits and inspections as per the Technical Specifications requirement. The results of the audit were shared with the RSB members. Facility inspections were performed by the U:S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission in March and November 2015. Both inspections were concluded favorably and closed all previously open items.

4.6 NRC Inspection Results The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission conduced two inspections, one in March and the other in November. Both inspections were concluded favorably, no new findings were opened, and the two findings opened in 2014 were closed.

10

Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station Nuclear Science Center Annual Report 2015

5. Health Physics Surveillance The purpose of Health Physics surveillance is to ensure safe use of radioactive materials in the Nuclear Science Center's research and service activities and to fulfill the regulatory requirements of U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and State agencies. The NSC maintains a Health Physics group as an integral part of the organization. They are responsible for radiological as well as chemical and physical safety concerns. The radiation safety team at the TAMU Environmental Health and Safety Department provides additional support to the NSC Health Physics group upon request.

5.1 Radioactive Shipments The Health Physics monitoring and technical support that was provided in 2015 assured minimal exposure during sample handling, shipment of radioactive material, and normal reactor operation. The radiation exposures were maintained ALARA. During 2015, about 248 radioactive samples were handled and released to various facilities including Texas A&M University campus. A total of 242 curies were. handled in 2015.

5.2 Personnel Monitoring Personnel Monitoring was provided on a monthly basis to approximately 51 personnel. All measured doses to personnel were below the limits set forth in 10 CFR 20. One individual received whole body dose greater than 10% of the annual limit in 10 CFR 20. Their deep dose equivalent (DDE) recorded was 0.62R for the year. Airborne monitoring during sample handling continued to show no significant airborne activity, therefore, total effective dose equivalent will equal deep dose equivalent for 2015. A total of 4.8 manrem was recorded for the year 2015.

When total manrem/curie was determined for 2015, the dose per curie equaled 0.02 (manrem/Ci).

During 2015, about 1358 visitors toured the Nuclear Science Center. Minimal exposures were

measured with pocket ion chambers worn by these visitors and the pocket ion chamber readings of their respective tour guides.

NSC employees who were likely to exceed 10% of their total annual dose wore whole body badges (Luxel dosimeter) and extremity badges (TLD dosimeters) that were provided by Landauer, a NVLAP accredited supplier. Landauer also provides the reports of the doses received. Employees who potentially handle more radioactive materials on a regular basis were provided two e((tremity badges and were changed out on a monthly basis.

5.3 Facility Monitoring Surveys of the Nuclear Science Center facilities were performed to assess radiological hazards to NSC workers. Radiation levels and sources of radioactive contamination were routinely monitored. All areas accessible to the general public at the NSC were surveyed for radiation and contamination levels monthly by ion chamber readings and evaluation of smear samples. Areas where contamination is expected are access/egress controlled and are evaluated on shorter 11

Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station Nuclear Science Center Annual Report 2015 intervals as needed. Building monitors and Area monitors are located strategically throughout the reactor facility, providing dose equivalent (mrem) on a monthly basis. Table 5-3 summarizes the annual accumulated dose equivalent (mrem) recorded on the area monitors for the year 2015.

Table 5-3: Total Dose Equivalent (mrem}Recorded on Area Monitors Accumulated Dose Monitor ID Location Equivalent (mrem)

Upper Research Level BLDGMNTRl 768 Mezzanine Lower Research Level 850a BLDGMNTR2 Mezzanine BLDGMNTR3 Lower Research Level 1066a AREA Control Room 1527 AREA Upper Research Level 386 AREA Room next to MHA 34b aRadioactive shipments were stored in the LRL area pending transport bRadioactive materials were stored in the temporary locations in MHA.

12

Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station Nuclear Science Center Annual Report 2015 5.4 Particulate Effluent Monitoring Radioactive particulates were monitored at the base of the central exhaust stack and summarized on a monthly basis. The annual average release concentration was l.05x10- 17 ~LCi/cc . The total radioactivity released for 2015 was 2.63x 10-2 µCi. Table 5-4 summarizes monthly particulate effluent releases during 2015 . The most common isotopes noted during particulate effluent releases were Sc-46, Sb-1 24, and Ir-192.

Table 5-4: Particulate Effluent Releases Particulate Additional Dilution Total activity Activity from Exhaust releases Concentration released Quarter Month channel! Volume {cc) {µCi} (µCi/cc) (Ci}

(uCI)

January <BG 9.96 E+12 O.OOE +OO <BG <BG Feb r uary <BG 8.99 E+12 O.OOE+OO <BG <BG I M arch 2.65E-03 9. 96E+12 O.OOE+OO 1.33E-18 2.65E-09 Average: 2.65E-03 2.89E+13 O.OOE+OO 4 .59E-19 2.65E-09 Apri l 3.28E-02 9.64 E+12 O.OOE+OO 1.70E-17 3.28E-08 M ay <BG 9.96 E+12 O.OOE+OO <BG <BG II June <BG 9.64 E+12 O.OOE+OO <BG <BG Average : 3.28E-02 2.92E+13 O.OOE+OO S.GlE-18 3.28E-08 July <BG 9.96 E+12 0.00E+OO <BG <BG August <BG 9.96E+12 O.OOE+OO <BG <BG Il l September 3.13E-02 9.64E+12 O.OOE+OO 1.62E-17 3.13E-08 Ave rage : 3.13E-02 2.96E+13 O.OO E+OO 5.30E-18 3.13E-08 October 4.96E-03 9.96E+12 O.OOE+OO 2.49E-18 4.96 E-09 November <BG 9.64 E+12 O.OOE+OO <BG <BG IV December 7.13E-02 9.96 E+12 O.OOE+OO 3.58E-17 7.13E-08 Average : 3.82E-02 2.96E+13 O.OOE+OO 6.4SE-18 3.82E-08 SummaryYTD 2.62E-02 1.17E+14 O.OOE+OO 4.46E-18 2.62E-08 notes:

1. Activity released from the stack: Activity sampled from Ch 1 multiplied by volume of air going through the stack

2. Diluted Concentration equal to: Activity Released/e xhaust volume

0.005 (Technical Specification 3.5.2, dilution value for rel ease concentration at exclusion boundary)

3. Exhaust Volume equal to : (#days/mont h)*( 24hrs/day)*{60min/hr)*( 7875 cfm)/ 3.53E-Scc)

4. Add itional Release equal to : (Individual release s calculated from facility air monitoring data)

5. Total Release equal to : (Act ivity Released+Add itional Releases) *conve rsion factor 13

Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station Nuclear Science Center Annual Report 2015 5.5 Gaseous Effluent Monitoring Argon-41 is the major gaseous effluent produced and released at the Nuclear Science Center.

This effluent is monitored at the central exhaust stack. Total Argon-41 released during 2015 was approximately 12.5 mCi with an annual average release concentration of 5.32xl0-13 µCi/cc .

Table 5-5 summarizes monthly gaseous effluent (Ar-41) releases during 2015.

Table 5-5: Gaseous Efflu ent (Ar-41) Releases Argon-41 Dilution Additional Total activity Activity from Concentration Exhaust releases released Quarter Month channel3 at boundary Volume (cc)

(µCi) (µCi) (µCi/cc) (Ci)

January 2.33 E+02 9.96 E+12 O.OOE+OO l .17E-13 2.33E-04 February 3.06E+02 8.99E+l2 0. 00 E+OO <BG <BG I March 3. 62E+02 9.96 E+12 O.OO E+OO l .82 E-13 3.62E-04 Sum : 9.01E+02 2.89E+l3 O.OOE+OO 1.56E-13 9.0lE-04 Apri l 2.12E+03 9.64E+12 O.OOE+OO l.lOE-12 2.12E-03 May <BG 9.96 E+12 O.OOE+OO <BG <BG II June 1.43E+03 9. 64E+12 O.OO E+OO 7.40E-13 1.43E-03 Sum: 3.54E+03 2.92E+13 O.OOE+OO 6.06E-13 3.54E-03 July <BG 9.96E+12 O.OOE+OO <BG <BG August l .02E+02 9.96E+12 O.OOE+OO S.13E-14 l.02E-04 Ill September <BG 9.64E+l2 O.OOE+OO <BG <BG Sum : 1.02E+02 2.96E+13 O.OOE+OO 1.73E-14 1.02E-04 October <BG 9.96E+12 O.OOE+OO <BG <BG November 1.33E+03 9.64E+l2 O.OOE+OO 6.89E-13 1.33E-03 IV December 6.6SE+03 9.96E+12 O.OOE+OO 3.34E-12 6.6SE-03 Su m: 7.98E+03 2.96E+13 O.OOE+OO 1.35E-12 7.98 E-03 SummaryYTD 1.25E+04 1.17E+14 O.OOE+OO S.32E-13 1.25 E-02 not es:

1. Activity released from the stack : Activity sampled from Ch 3 multiplied by volume of air going through the stack

2. Diluted Concentration equal to : Activity Released/exhaust volume* 0.005 (Technical Specification 3.5 .2, dilution value for release concentratio n at exclusion boundary)

3. Exhaust Volume equal to: (#days/month)*( 24hrs/day)*(60min/hr)*( 7875 cfm)/ 3.53E-5cc)

4. Additional Release equal to : (Individual releases calculated from facility air monitoring data)

5. Total Release equal to: (Activity Released+Additional Releases)*conversion factor 14

Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station uclear Science Center Annual Report 2015 5.6 Liquid Effluent Monitoring Radioactive Liquid effluents are maintained in collection tanks before release from the confines of the Nuclear Science Center. Sample activity concentrations and isotope identifications were determined before each release. The concentration values for each isotope were compared with the effluent concentrations in water (10 CFR 20) and were determined to be in compliance.

There were 30 releases in 2015, totaling 3.8x10 5 gallons including dilution. The total radioactivity released was 2.49 mCi with an annual average concentration of 3.86x1 o-6 µCi/cc.

The annual dose to the public calculated from liquid effluents is about 0.96 mrem. Summary of the release data are presented in the following Table 5-6. Radioactivity concentrations for each isotope found were below the Effluent Concentration limits specified in 10 CFR 20, Appendix B.

The radionuclides identified in the waste stream were Sc-46, Cr-51 , Mn-54, Ir-192, Co-58, Co-60, Zn-65 , Sb-122, Sb-124, and Cs-137.

Table 5-6: Liquid Effluent Releases Total Number of Volume Released Total Quarter Month Co ncentration Releases (cc) Radioactivity (Ci)

(µCi /cc)

January 3 I .53E+08 4.27E-04 2.SOE-06 February 0 O.OOE+OO O.OOE+OO O.OOE+OO I

March 3 I .28Et08 2.66E-04 2.07E-06 Total 6 2.81E+08 6.93E-04 4.87E-06 Ap ril I 5.0 I E+07 9.53E-05 l .90E-06 May 5 2.77E+08 3.94E-04 I .43E-06 II June 2 9.49E+07 1.12E-04 l.18E-06 Total 8 4.22E+08 6.0IE-04 4.SIE-06 July 5 2.4 lE+08 3.06E-04 1.27E-06 August 3 l.12 E+08 8.91E-05 7 98E-07 III September 3 1.5JE+08 2.43E-04 I .60E-06 Total 11 5.06£+08 6.38E-04 3.67E-06 October 3 l.34E+08 1.47E-04 l .09E-06 November 2 9.68E+07 1.0JE-04 I .06E-06 IV December 0 O.OOE+OO O.OOE+OO O.OOE+OO Total 5 2.35E+08 5.59E-04 2.40£-06 Average An nual Total 30 l.44E+09 2.49£-03 3.86E-06 Summary 15

Texas A&M Engineering Expertment Station Nuclear Science Center Annual Report 2015

6. Environmental Monitoring In conjunction with representatives from the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) Radiation Control, a quarterly environmental survey is conducted to insure compliance with federal regulations. This program consists of TLD monitors located at various locations on the NSC site and two background monitors; one located at 3.84 miles NW of facility and the other at 0.25 miles SE of facility.

6.1 Site Boundary Dose Rate The environmental survey program measures the integrated radiation exposures at the exclusion area boundaries. These measurements are made for periods of approximately 91 days using TLDs. Monthly measurements of direct gamma exposure rate in µR/h are also made at each of the TLD locations. The dosimeters were provided and processed by Texas Department of State Health Services, Environmental Monitoring, Division of Regulatory Services, Austin, Texas.

The total TLD dose is multiplied by the occupancy factor (1 /16) to determine the deep dose. To determine the dose to the public outside the site area from air effluents, the EPA approved code COMPLY was used. The annual dose calculated using COMPLY was 4.1 x10*4 mrem/yr. This is added to the deep dose to determine the total dose to the general public and the maximum dose 16

Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station Nuclear Science Center Annual Report 2015 T a bl e 6-1: s*Ite B oun dary TLDD ata Internal TLD Deep Dose Total Site Quarterly Exposure rates Dose Dose=TLD (mrem) Dose

Location (mrem/91 days) (total) dose*(1/16) comply (mrem) 300 ft. W of reactor building, near fence 2 comer 4 52 544 107 707 44 .1875 4.lE-04 44.29 250 ft W-SW ofreactor building, on SW chain 3 link fence 1 3 1 2 7 0.4375 4.lE-04 0.538 200 ft NW of reactor building, on chain link 4 fence 5 7 5 2 19 1.1875 4.lE-04 1.29 225 ft NE of reactor building, on fence N of 5 driveway 3 5 1 1 10 0.625 4.lE-04 0.73 190 ft SE of reactor building, near fence 10 comer 0 4 0 0 4 0.25 4.lE-04 0.36 300 ft NE of reactor building, near fence 11 comer 2 5 0 0 7 0.4375 4.lE-04 0.54

14 3.84 miles NW of facility 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.lE-04 0.1 375 ft NE of reactor 18 building 0 7 0 4 11 0.6875 4.lE-04 0.79 320 ft NE of reactor 19 building 4 6 1 0 11 0.6875 4.lE-04 0.79 E Wall of Accelerator 20 Building 0 4 0 0 4 0.25 4.lE-04 0.35 W Wall of Accelerator 21 Building 11 23 0 0 34 2.125 4.lE-04 2.23 22 S Wall of accelerator 0 2 0 0 2 0.125 4.lE-04 0.23

23 0.25 miles SE of facility 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.lE-04 0.1 North Wall of Accelerator 24 Building, First Floor 1 4 3 0 8 0.5 4.lE-04 0.6 North Wall of Accelerator 25 Building, Second Floor 0 3 9 0 12 0.75 4.l E-04 0.86 W Fenceof hyberbaric lab, 26 10 ft from SW Corner 2 6 0 0 8 0.5 4.lE-04 0.6 E Fence of hyberbaric, lab 27 1O ft S of personnel qate 0 4 0 2 6 0.375 4.lE-04 0.48 S Fence og hyperbaric lab, 28 10 ft E of personnel qate 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.l E-04 0.1 325 ft SW from reactor 29 building , SW corner 1 5 2 2 10 0.625 4.lE-04 0.73

Background TLD station 17

Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station Nuclear Science Center Annual Report 2015

7. Radioactive Waste Shipments In 2015, there was one radioactive waste shipment. Stored material was counted and packaged into appropriate shipping boxes and remanded into the care of the contracted waste hauler, Bionomics on 12/3/2015 . The material was hauled to EnergySolutions (formerly Duratek), and processing was completed on 021512016.

There were a total of 598.29 kg of waste shipped, with a total volume of3 .9 m3 . The total activity of the shipped waste was measured at 514.8 uCi (19.0MBq).

18

I/")

0 N

t::

0 p.

Nuclear Science Q) TAMU/TEES M anagement

~ Center {NSC} !IDr. M . K.~ th.erine Ban~;, V'ice' Chancellor and Dean of Engineering Cii Morc/1 2016

l i:::

t:l

<i: Director, Nuclear Science Center

- - - - Reactor Safety Board Dr. Sean M . McDeavitt, SRO

...="""

~

Associate Direct or u

-= ~

0 Jerry Newhouse, SRO

~

Manager of Reactor O Manager of the NSC Saf Manager of NSC Engine Adminstrative Coorainato1r 11

.~ Scott Miller, SRO, DHP Ashley Booth, RSO Jan Verrnaak, SRO Vacant Q)

=

~

ell Reactor Supervisor Health Physics Supervisor Material Shipping Busi ness Office c Q) 0"""

cameron Macdonnell, DHP, SRO Vacant Robert Pack Electronics Shop Shandy Stagg u Vi\tor Vlassov, Supervisor Anna Buffaloe*

Q) u t:l Q)

..."""c::

~

NSC Student Worker IV ISROJ Vacant NSC StUdPn\ Worker IV !DHP)

David Worden Anthony Restivo (ret.)

Reception & Security

~ Vacant

"<3 C/) u vacant

.... ~ Engineering Grouo Hannah Shirley*

<<:l Q) u NSC Student Worker Ill !RO) u::l z

=

~

u Hannah Moss*, RO Kyrone Riley*, RO NSC Student Worker Ill !HP)

Jake Seiter" Matthew Deck (25%) .. , SRO James Tompkins**, SRO Guillermo Villanueva *, RO rJJ Debra Roussell ' , RO t:l Scott Boni.agni '. RO

.s.... Lauren Overbay", RO

~ Machine Shop

<<:l ~ Ryan Sexton*. RO U5 u Hong Jun Zhu*, RO Mike Kerstettler c :::: Jim Reynolds Q) 6 z Tyler Prues.._I.

Shane Swientek

Q) p.

~~ntWorker l Joe Snook (ret.)

>< ~1Meigs*

µ.:i Affiliated NSC Researchers OJ)

.s.... NSC Student Worker I Dr. Rupak Mahapatra (PHYS),

Dr. Marvin Adams, Dr. Les Q) Britten Haney', Melanie Vincltore*

Q) Braby, Dr. John Ford, Dr. Jim

.s OJ)

Morel, Dr. Delia Perez-Nunei, Yesenia Gonzalez**,

t:l

µ.:i < (many more)

! .~

a(! 't:l

<i: c::

~

Undergraduate Student

- Graduate Student

<<:l c.

c.

Q)

E-< <

Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station Nuclear Science Center Annual Report 2015 Appendix B Reactor Safety Board Membership (2015)

Chair/Licensee:

January- October: Dr. Dimitri Lagoudas, Deputy Director Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station October - Present Dr. Kathy Banks, Director Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station Chair pro temp:

Dr. Emile Schweikert, Professor Chemistry Department Members:

Dr. Marvin Adams, Associate Professor Nuclear Engineering Department June - Present: Dr. Steve Biegalski, Professor Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Texas

. January - May: Dr. Bill Charlton, Associate Professor Nuclear Engineering Department June - Present: Dr. Charles Folden, Assistant Professor Cyclotron Institute Dr. John Ford, Associate Professor Nuclear Engineering Department Dr. John Hardy, Professor Physics Department Dr. Teruki Karnon, Professor Physics Department June - Present: Dr. Bryan Tomlin, Manager Center for Chemical Characterization and Analysis Dr. Karen Vierow, Associate Professor Nuclear Engineering Department Ex-Officio Members:

Dr. Sean McDeavitt, Director uclear Science Center 20

Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station Nuclear Science Center Annual Report 2015

.Mrs. Ashley Booth, NSC RSO Nuclear Science Center Dr. Y assin Hassan, Professor and Head Nuclear Engineering Department Dr. Latha Vasudevan, RSO Environmental Health and Safety Department 21

Ji&I TEXAS AlrM ENGINEERING EXPERIMENT STATION. .

NUCLEAR SCIENCE CENTER April 20, 2016 2016-0026 Document Control Desk U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 50-12?

Washington, DC 20555-0001

Subject:

TEES Nuclear Science Center, License R-83, 2015 Annual Report Enclosed please find the TEES Nuclear Science Center 2015 annual report. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Jerry Newhouse at 979-845-7551.

K~

Associate Director Nuclear Science Center Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station Xe: 2.11/Central File TEL. 979.845.7551 I FAX 979.862.2667 nsc.tamu.edu 1095 Nuclear Science Rd. I 3575 TAMU I College Station, TX 77843-3575

Texas A&M University System .

Texas Engineering Experiment Station 2015 Annual Report

Facility Operating License R-83 Nuclear Science.Center *

1095 Nuclear Science Road College Station, Texas 77843-3575 Prepared By: Ashley Booth, NSC RSO & Scott Miller, NSC Reactor Operations Manager Reviewed By: S. McDeavitt, NSC Director March 2016