ML19256F384
| ML19256F384 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission |
| Issue date: | 11/27/1979 |
| From: | Check P Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Reid R Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7912190060 | |
| Download: ML19256F384 (2) | |
Text
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Docket Number: 50-193 MEMORANDLH FOR: Robert W. Reid, Chief, Operating Reactors Branch fe, Division of Operating Reactors FROM:
Paul S. Check, Chief, Reactor Safety Branch, Division of Operating Reactors
SUBJECT:
RHODE ISLAND NUCLEAR SCIENEE CENTER REQUESTED CHANGES TO THE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS TO UTILIZE ALUMINIDE AND OXIDE FUEL PLANT NAME: Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center DOCKET NUMBER:
50-193 RESPONSIBLE BRANCH & PROJECT MANAGER: ORB-4, D. Oilanni REVIEW BRANCH: Reactor Safety REVIEW STATUS: Complete The Reactor Safety Branch has completed its review of the Rhode Island Nuclear Science Center (RINSC) request to amend its technical specifications to pemit the use of UA1x and U308 fuel in addition to alloy type fuel in its reactor facility. RINSC states that their proposed modifications to the RINSC reactor are simjlar to those for the University of Michigan Ford Nuclear Reactor (50-2).ll) A safety evaluation prepared by NRC for the Ford Nuclear Reactor (2) in October 1978, approved the use of UAlx and U308 fuel in the reactor. Our evaluation finds that the Univers~ty of Michigan request and the Rhode Island request are essentially the same except for the following plant specific differences:
Fuel Plate Geometry The RIMSC core consists of 28 flat plate elements instead of 25 curved plate elements in the FNR core. Some wa ming caused by swelling was observed in flat plate samples irradiated to the 7% AV/V swelling level. However, up to a fission density limit of 1.5 x 1021 fissions /cc (current limit for RINSC),
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NOV2 7 879 Robert W. Reid.
U-235 per Element (am.)
The RINSC element contains only 124 grams of U-235 as opposed to 140 grams for Michigan. This results in a larger core, lower power density, smaller burnup '.15.3% vs 35% for Michigan) and lower fuel element surface temperature (150*F vs 159'F) for the RINSC reactor. This produces a more conservative condition than in the University of Michigan facility.
Core wt% Uranium The RINSC core utilizes a 26 weight percent element as compared to 14 percent for the Michigan element. This is below what has been utilized in other reactors and is well within tne capability of the technology for both UAlx and U308 fuel.
We therefore find the evaluation in Reference 2 to be also valid for the Rhode Island facility and conclude that the proposed modifications as described in the application to be acceptable.
Paul S. Check, Chief Reactor Safety Branch Division of Operating Reactors cc:
D. Eisenhut R. Tedesco B. Grimes D. Dilanni, M. Fairtile V. Panciera B. Coffman S. Weiss S. Sands DISTRIBUTION:
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