ML17319A064
| ML17319A064 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Kansas State University |
| Issue date: | 11/16/2017 |
| From: | Traiforos S Research and Test Reactors Licensing Projects Branch |
| To: | |
| Helvenston E, NRR/DLP, 415-4067 | |
| References | |
| Download: ML17319A064 (5) | |
Text
November 16, 2017 LICENSEE: KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
SUBJECT:
SUMMARY
OF NOVEMBER 7, 2017, PUBLIC MEETING WITH KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY TO DISCUSS A PROPOSED REACTOR CONSOLE UPGRADE AT THE KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH REACTOR On November 7, 2017, a Category 1 public meeting was held between the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff and representatives from Kansas State University (KSU) and Thermo Fisher Scientific at NRC Headquarters, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss a proposed reactor console upgrade at the KSU research reactor. The meeting notice and agenda, dated October 17, 2017, are available in the Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) at Accession No. ML17290B069. A list of meeting attendees is provided as an enclosure.
The representative from KSU provided an overview of KSUs plans for its reactor console upgrade. KSU also described new console equipment it proposed to install, which would be provided by Thermo Fisher Scientific. KSU stated that no part of the upgrade would change reactor operation, and that it planned to complete the upgrade in the summer of 2018. KSU indicated that the existing analog components of the current console would be replaced with new, more modern analog components, and digital equipment that would be added would be used for redundancy and/or displaying channel outputs only. KSU also stated that its current neutron detectors would be replaced with similar components as part of the upgrade, and that its current control rod drives would not be changed. KSU stated that it would use the criteria in Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) 50.59, Changes, tests, and experiments, to determine whether an NRC license amendment would be required for the upgrade. KSU stated that its evaluation of whether a license amendment would be required was not yet complete, but that it did not expect the upgrade to require a license amendment. KSU provided a handout, which is available in ADAMS at Accession No. ML17317A931, summarizing some of its proposed equipment changes, and showing an example of a matrix it stated it could use to help evaluate the effects of the changes.
The NRC staff stated that it appreciated KSU taking the opportunity to keep the NRC informed about the proposed console upgrade. The NRC staff emphasized that in evaluating its changes, KSU should consider the possibility of unintended consequences of the changes, or ways that the changes could affect reactor operations. The NRC staff also stated that KSU should consider how operators will react to the new console interface, for example, whether operators would refer to digital channel outputs over analog ones, and any consequences of this. Finally, the NRC staff emphasized the importance of KSU adequately documenting any 10 CFR 50.59 evaluations it performs.
Please direct any inquiries regarding this public meeting to me at 301-415-3965, or Spyros.Traiforos@nrc.gov, or to Edward Helvenston at 301-415-4067, or Edward.Helvenston@nrc.gov.
Sincerely,
/RA/
Spyros Traiforos, Project Manager Research and Test Reactors Licensing Branch Division of Licensing Projects Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-188 License No. R-88
Enclosure:
As stated cc: w/enclosure
Kansas State University Docket No. 50-188 cc:
Office of the Governor State of Kansas 300 SW 10th Avenue, Suite 2125 Topeka, KS 66612-1590 Thomas A. Conley, RRPJ, CHP Section Chief Radiation and Asbestos Control KS Dept of Health & Environment 1000 SW Jackson, Suite 330 Topeka, KS 66612-1365 Mayor of Manhattan City Hall 1101 Poyntz Avenue Manhattan, KS 66502 Test, Research and Training Reactor Newsletter P.O. Box 118300 University of Florida Gainesville, FL 32611 Dr. Amir Bahadori (Acting)
Nuclear Reactor Facilities Manager Kansas State University 118 Ward Hall Manhattan, KS 66506-5204
ML17319A064; *concurred via email NRC-001 OFFICE NRR/DLP/PRLB/PM* NRR/DLP/PRLB/PM* NRR/DLP/LA*
NAME EHelvenston STraiforos NParker DATE 11/16/17 11/16/17 11/16/17 OFFICE NRR/DLP/PRLB/BC NRR/DLP/PRLB/PM NAME AAdams STraiforos DATE 11/16/17 11/16/17 LIST OF ATTENDEES NOVEMBER 7, 2017 MEETING WITH KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY 1:00 P.M - 4:00 P.M.
Name Organization Max Nager Kansas State University Jere Jenkins Thermo Fisher Scientific Rossnyev Alvarado U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Ed Helvenston U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Spyros Traiforos U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Dan Warner U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Anthony Mendiola U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Duane Hardesty U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Enclosure