ML17216A029

Reed College - Submittal of Reactor'S Annual Report for July 2016 - June 2017

ML17216A029
Person / Time
Site:	Reed College
Issue date:	07/18/2017
From:	Krahenbuhl M Reed College
To:	Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
Download: ML17216A029 (17)

Text

REED COLLEGE REACTOR FACILITY 3203 Southeast Woodstock Boulevard July 18,2017 Portland, Oregon 97202-8199 telephone 503/777-7222 Document Control Desk US Nuclear Regulatory Commission fax Washington, DC 20555 503/777-7274 email Docket 50-288 reactor@reed.edu web Enclosed is Reed College Reactor's Annual Report.

http://reactor.reed.edu Please feel free to contact me for additional information.

A~

Melinda P. Krahenbuhl Director, Reed College Reactor

.\

REED RESEARCH REACTOR ANNUAL REPORT July 1, 2016 -- June 30, 2017 3203 Southeast Woodstock Blvd.

Portland, Oregon 97202-8199 503-777-7222 http:/!reactor .reed .edu reactor@reed.edu

((TABLE OF CONTENTS Overview...................................................................................................................................... 1 People .......................................................................................................................................... 2 Reactor Staff ....................................................................................................................................... 2 Reactor Operations Committee (ROC) ....................................................................................... 3 Fac;:ilities ...................................................................................................................................... 4 Reactor Facility .................................................... ;.......................................... ~ .................................. 4 Rotating Specimen Rack Facility ...................................................... ~ ............................................ 4 Pneumatic Transfer System .......................................................................................................... 4 In-Core Facilities ............................................................................................................................... 4 In-Pool Facilities ............................................................................................. ;................................. 4 Beam Facilities ................................................................................................................................... 4 Inspections and Audits ....................................................... ;..................................................... 5 Users ............................................................................................................................................ 6 Reactor Operations Seminar ......................................................................................................... 6 Outside Users ;.................................................................................................................................... 6 High School Student Project .......................................................................................................... 7 Scaler Kits ............................................................................................................................................ 7 Reed "classes ........................................................................................................................................ 8 Industrial and Commercial Applications .................................................................................. 8 Reactor Operations ................................................................................................................. 9 Operations ........................................................................................................................................... 9 Unplanned Reactor Shutdowns .................................................................................................. 10 Reactor Maintenance **************D****************************,.************************************************************** 12 Significant Maintenance ......................... :..................................................................................... 12 Radiation Protection ........................................................................................................... 13 Personnel Dosimetry ............................................................... ."...................................................... 13' Fixed Area Dosimetry ....................................................................... :............................................ 13 Gaseous Releases ............................................................................................................................ 14 Liquid Waste Releases .................................................................................................................... 14 Solid Waste Disposal ........................................................... ,.......................................................... 14 Environmental Sampling .............................................................................................................. 14 Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2016-2017 3

II OVERVIEW This report covers the period from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017, and is intended to fulfill the reporting requirements of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commissfon License No. R-112, Docket 50-288, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the Oregon Department of Energy Rule No. 345-030-010.

Reed College operates a 250 kW TRI GA Mark I reactor. The Reed College Research Reactor has been a resource for research and educational projects in the Portland area since 1968. The main uses of the Reed Research Reactor are instruction and research, especially in the field of trace-element analysis.

During the year there were 2100 visitors froin schools, colleges, universities, and special groups. Additionally, 1213 visitors were part of Reed College activities (prospective students, family of students, Reed classes, etc.). Fifty members of emergency response organizations came for training. Including tours and research conducted at the facility, the Reed Research Reactor contributed to the educational programs of 30 colleges, universities and K-12.

During the year the reactor was taken critical 116 times on 45 days. The total energy produced was approximately 10 megawatt-hours. A new log channel, fission chamber and uncompensated ion chamber were installed on the reactor during the reporting period.

• The reactor staff consists of a Director, a Reactor Operations Manager, and Reed College undergraduate students who are licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission as reactor operators or senior reactor operators. During the reporting period, 12 RO candidates and 9 SRO candidates received NRC licenses after passing NRC exams administered in May 2016.

There were no radiation exposures to individuals in excess of the any limits during the year. There were no releases of liquid radioactive material from the facility and airborne releases were well within regulatory limits. There was one shipment of low-level radioactive waste from the facility.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission conducted two regular and one reactive inspection during this reporting period.

~PEOPLE Reactor Staff During the period July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017, the staff consisted of:

Table 1 Supervisory Staff 2016-2017 Reactor Director: Melinda Krahenbuhl 6/11 - present Reactor Operations Manager: Christina Barrett 6/15 - present Radiation Safety Officer: April Karr Sams 5/16 - present Operations Supervisor:, Joewie Koh.* 5/16 - 5117 Sarah Brodesser: . , 5/17 - present Training Supervisor: Margie Oxley 5116 - present Sarah Brodesser 5/16-5/17 Colin Whitmore 5117 - present Requalification Supervisor: Trent Freeman 5/16 - present Pro* ects Supervisor Malcolm McCarthy 5/15 - present*

Table 2 Staff 2016-2017 Senior Reactor Operators (SRO)

Sarah Brodesser Trenton Freeman Noah Lerner Helena Pedrotti Christina Barrett Kevin Freymiller Anthony Loya Edgar Perez Sarah Black Vincent Griffith Malcolm McCarthy Anton Zytsev Audrey Dannar Melinda Benjamin Morrison Helen Zhang Krahenbuhl Yuka Esashi Joewie Koh Margie Oxley Reactor Operators (RO)

Amanda Asato Hunter Gill Claire Mashlan- Andrew Simler Miland er Alexander Natalie Hawkins Maileen Nakashima Colin Whitmore Abrahams Zachery Beadle Kristen Hirata Gray Perez Gabe Yeung Brianna Dobson Palak Jain Helena Pedrotti Toria Ellis Rhody Kaner Tenzien Sangpo Nick Egan EmmetKahn Matyas Szabo The list of operators includes everyone who held a license at any time during the reporting period. Reactor Operators who upgrade their licenses to Senior Reactor Operators during the reporting period are listed under Senior Reactor Operators. There are forty licensed operators at Reed College.

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Reactor Operations Committee (ROC)

For the 2016-- 2017-; the membership of the :R.dctor Operation committee is listed.

Reactor Operations Committee

• - Wayne Lei - (Director of Research and Development, J>ortland General Electric)

• Norm Dyer (OAR Services).

• Lucus Illing (Physics Faculty, Reed College) _- -

• Robert McCollough (Neighborhood Association)

• April Karr Sams (Director ~Reed Environmental Health :and-Safety)

'!I Dan Gerrity- (Chemistry faculty,Reed College)_

• - Steve Reese (Radiation Center Director, Oregon State University)

• Nigel Nicholson (Dean of ~he Faculty, Reed College) _

• Melinda Krahenbuhl (Director, RRR) * * "i:

• Christina Barrett (Reactor Operations Manager, RRR)

• Joewie Koh (Supervisor, RRR)

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• .,  ;* l Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2016-2017 3

~FACILITIES Reactor Facility In addition to the reactor, Reed College has a radiochemistry lab. The equipment available at the reactor facility includes high purity germanium gamma spectrometers, ion chambers, beta counters, Geiger Muller tubes, and alpha detectors. These instruments are used for experiments .and training in nuclear science and radiation* detection. One exit moni.tor is in the control room. A liquid scintillation detector serves both the reactor and

• broad scope 'license users. The reactor facility has' several systems for performing irradiations, described below .

• • .1.

Rotating Specimen Rack Facility The rotating specimen rack is located in a well on top of* the graphite reflector surrounding the core, The rack consists of a circular array of 40 tubular receptacles, each of which can accommodate two irradiation tubes. The rack automatically rotates during irradiation to ensure each sample receives the same neutron flux. The approximate thermal neutron flux in a rotating rack position at full power is 1.7 xl0 12 n/cm2 s with a cadmium ratio of 6.

Pneumatic Transfer System The pneumatic transfer system ("rabbit) consists of an irradiation chamber in the outer F-ring of the core and its associated blower and piping. This allows samples to be transferred in and out of the reactor core very rapidly while the reactor is at power. The

,flux in the core terminal is approximately 5xl0 12 n/cm2s when the reactor is at full power.

In-Core Facilities The central thimble is a water-filled irradiation chamber about 3 cm in diameter. It provides the highest available neutron flux, about lxl0 13 n/cm2 s.

Foil-insertion holes, 0.8 cm in diameter, are drilled at various positions through the grid plates. These holes allow inserting special holders containing flux wires into the core, to obtain neutron flux maps of the core.

In-Pool Facilities Near core, in.:pool irradiation facilities can be arranged for larger samples. Neutron fluxes will be lower than in the rotary specimen rack and will depend on the sample location.

An iridium.gamma irradiator is also in the reactor pool for gamma only irradiations.

Beam Facilities The central 'thimble can be evacuated with gas, producing a vertical neutron beam. The flux above the beam exit is approximately lxl06 n/cm2 s when the reactor is at full power.

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II INSPECTIONS AND AUD.ITS The Nuclear Regulatory Commission conducted routine inspections during Oct. 31-Nov.

3, 2016 and Nov. 28-Dec. 2. 2016. Two Severity Level IV violations were cited. An additional infraction was treated as a nori-cited violation. V.le responded to the violations in a letter dated Jan. 2, 2017. The NRC acknowledged the response in a letter dated Feb.

27, 2017 and will evaluate the proposed corrective actions in a future inspection.

A reactive inspection was conducte.d on April 17-May 3, 2017. This inspection resulted in no significant findings.

One audit was completed during this period. Karen Langley (recently retired Radiation Safety Officer University of Utah) conducted an external audit on May 22, 2017. ' ' l* I Recommendations are currently being evaluated.

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Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2016-2017 5

~USERS Reactor Operations Seminar The Reed Research Reactor conducts an annual seminar series. This non-credit course serves as an introduction to nuclear reactor theory, health physics, and reactor operation.

Some of the students continue with in-depth reactor operator training and subsequently apply for ~ Reactor Operator (RO) license. If successful, the individual may be hired to operate the reactor. In addition, existing ROs may take the NRC Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) exam to upgrade their licenses.

During the reporting period, 12 out of 13 RO candidates and 9 out 9 of SRO candidates receiyM NRC licenses after passing NRC exams in May 2016.

Figm:e 1 is a graph of the pass rate for RO and SRO since 2000.

• SRO pass ~ate

ii RO pass rate 120%

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..-i N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N Figure 1 Reed* Research Reactor License Exam Results Outside Users During the year there were 2100 visitors from schools, colleges, universities, and special groups: Additionally" 1,213 individuals visited as part of Reed College activities i

(prospective students, family of stude*nts, Re~d Classes, etc.). Fifty *members of emergency response organizations came for training.

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Figure 2 is a graph showing the history o(visiting groups.

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Colleges and Universities

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- Special Groups 30+-----~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ .......~~----~~~~~"'-------1-~----'lt--_____,

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2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Figure 2 Visiting Groups Many reactor tours include hands~on use *of faciEty equipment to condud experiments in radiation science, health physics, and nuclear physics. A typical lab involves'.-determining the background of a Geiger Muller scaler system and then determining the :fialf-life of a sample of radioactive material. - - ,,

Several special programs for gifted children .use the reactor for projects-; These are designed to enrich their educational program and prepare them for college. Some of the groups who use the reactor target_ minority and disaqvantaged youth who are historically under-represented in science professions. Additionally, several Boy Scouts of j\merica troops have visited the facility to complete the Nuclear Science merit badge.

High School Student Project The Reed Research Reactor contin-qes to be used_ in independent scie11ce projects initiated by students from several Oregon and Washington State high schools.

Scaler Kits

l' Through the generosity of Portlan_d Gene"r~i Electric," tbe reactor lends. :out- kits, containing a Geiger counter, a scaler, and some smaUexempt_sources to local high schools._

Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2016-2017 7

Reed Classes

• Chemistry 101 (Molecular Structure and Properties) students explored the properties of alpha, beta and gamma irradiation.

Industrial and Commercial Applications The Reed Research Reactor is available for industrial or commercial concerns when it I

does not conflict with our educational* goals. As in the past, the primary operations involved analysis of environmental samples. The facility also provides radiation

,protection trainin*g to .interested parties and schools in the area.

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REACTOR OPERATIONS Operations During the year the reactor was taken critical 116 times on 45 days. The total energy produced was approximately 10 megawatt-hours. Operating history by month appears in Table 3. A history of the data is shown in Figure 3.

Table 3 Operating History 2016-2017

• TIMES CRITICAL DAYS OPERATED* * . MW-HOURS" July 2016 0 0 0 August 2016 0 0 0 September 2016 0 0 0 October 2016 14 7 2.68 November 2016 0 0 0 December 2016 0 0 0 January 201 7 0 0 0 February 2017 o. 0 0 March 2017 0 0 0 April 2017 10 3 1.11 May 2017 58 20 4.30 June 2017 36 15 1.85 Total 116 45 9.94 Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2016-2017 9

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Times Critical

__,.__ Days Operated 500 -<---------<

-:--<>--Irradiations

- - MW-hrs 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2003 . 2009 2010 2011: 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Figure 3. Operations Unplanned Reactor Shutdowns There were 3 inadvertent reactor shutdowns (scrams) as shown in Table 4. The number of unplanned reactor shutdowns is shown in Figure 4.

Table 4 Unplanned Reactor Shutdowns DATE SCRAM CHANNEL CAUSE OF SCRAM Oct 9, 2016 Percent power Loss of high voltage Oct 19, 2016 Linear channel High power scram May 19, 2017 All channels Loss of facility power 10

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Figure 4 Unplanned Shutdowns Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2016-2017 11

~REACTOR* MAI NTE NANCE Significant Maintenance Reactor staff performs routine equipment checks on a daily, bi.weekly, bimonthly, semiannual (January and July) and annual (January) basis as .required by facility procedures. Reed College maintenance personnel assist with routine. preventative a

maiptenance to auxiliary equipment. The following is list of significant maintenance preformed during this reporting period. During thi.s period the reactor remained shut down to repair and ultimately replace both the percent and log power channels. The in-core detectors were damaged as a result of a malfunction of the auto water fill sensor.

The malfunctioning auto water fill system was deactivated in June 2016 and removed in November 2016.

• Table 5 Maintenance 2016-2017

.. COMPONENT EXPLANATION 4/19/2017 Log .Channel including Replace the channel including the fission Fission Chamber chamber.

10/14/16 .

. . ~

Detector on the Percent Replaced the in core detector.

Power channel 11/22/16 Auto fill Removed automatic primary water adding system 4/16/11 Pump Bypass Pump overheating, bypass installed 12

If RADIATION PROTECTION Personnel Dosimetry Dosimeters are changec:J on a calendar quarter schedule. Individuals were issued beta-gamma sensitive ring badges and whole-body badges.

The highest individual doses received were 610 mrem to a left ring dosimeter and 640 mrem to a right ring dosimeter and 41 mrem to chest dosimeter. An in house evaluation found the doses were the result of'a single project. The doses are below occupational dose limits and no further action was required.

Fixed Area Dosimetry  :****..

Radiation levels are continually monitored to provide an indication of the average radiation levels in the reactor bay and dose outside the facility. Ali* dosimeters monitor beta and gamma radiation. Three locations also measure neutron dose.

The deep dose equivalent radiation measured by fixed dosimeters during the period April 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017 are shown in Table 5. Dosimeters from April 1, 2017 to June 30, 2017 are currently being. processed. An "M" indicates less than 1 mrem above background during the quarter.

Table 6 Area Radiation Dosimeters (doses are in mrem per calendar quarter)

HEIGHT RAD IATl ON APRIL 1- WL 1- OCT 1- 'JAN 1 -

LOCATION JUNE 30 SEP 30 DEC31 MAR31 TOTAL (M) DETECTED Reactor East Wall 1.5 p,y M M M M M Reactor North Wall 1.6 p,y 5 3 5 1 14 Reactor West Wall 1.0 p,y,n 7 10 3 7 27 Reactor South Wall 1.6 p,y,n 7 0 2 0 9 Reactor North Wall -

2.3 p,y M M M M M High Control Room 1.5 p,y 3 6 3 3 15 Outside North 2.8 p,y M M M M M Outside Roof 0.4 p,y,n M M M M M Outside East 1.5 p,y M M M M M Outside South 0.4 p,y M M M M M Counting Room 1.5 p,y M 3 M M 3 Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2016-2017 13

Gaseous Releases The only routine release of gaseous radioactivity is from 41 Ar (l.83-hour half-life) and 16 N (7.13-second half-life). These come from activation of pool water and air in the pool water and in. the irradiation facilities. For the reporting period, the average gaseous activity at the site boundary was 2.0 x 10- 10 µCi/ml, which would deliver a dose to a member of the public of approximately 1.0 mrem, well below regulatory guidelines and constraints. Figure 5 shows the . gaseous releases for each year.

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 *2015 2016 2017 Figure 5 Gaseous Releases Activity (µCi/ml) at Site Boundary Liquid Waste Releases No liquid radioactive waste was released from the Reed Research Reactor during this report period.

Solid Waste Disposal There was one shipment of low-level radioactive waste from the facility during this reporting period.

Environmental Sampling Soil samples taken from the area surrounding the facility showed no activity above background. Water from the facility's secondary cooling system and the nearby canyon were sampled for activation products and tritium, but showed no activity above normal background.

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