ML19263B514
| ML19263B514 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 07000033 |
| Issue date: | 12/08/1978 |
| From: | Joyner J, Zibulsky H NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19263B509 | List: |
| References | |
| 70-0033-78-16, 70-33-78-16, NUDOCS 7901180337 | |
| Download: ML19263B514 (4) | |
Text
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U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT Region I Report No.70-33/78-16 1
Safeguards Group __
Docket No.
70-33 License No.
SNM-23 Priority 1
Category UR Licensee:
Texas Instruments, Incorporated 34 Forest Street Attleboro, Massachusetts 02703 Facility Name:
HFIR Project Inspection at:
Attleboro, Massachusetts Inspection conducted:
November 13-17, 1978 Inspectors:
(2/ Sky M
/ 2 -p - 79 H. Zibulsky,' Chemist date signed date signed s
\\
date signed l L 7 7 Approved by:
(
ALU cs J. H. Joyner, Chief, Nuclear Material date signed Control Support Section, Safeguards Branch Insoection Summary:
Inspection on November 13-17,1978 (Report No. 70-33/78-16)
Areas Inspected:
Routine, unannounced inspection by a regional based inspector of nuclear material control and accounting including:
(1) facility organization; (2) facility operation; (3) shipping and receiving; and, (4) storage and internal control.
The inspection involved 28 inspector-hours on site by one NRC regional based inspector.
Results: Of the four areas inspected, no items of noncompliance were identified.
Region I Form 12 (Rev. April 77)
DETAILS 1.
Persons Contacted
- Mr. F. Sherman, Manager, HFIR Project
- Mr. C. M. Hopper, Manager, Nuclear Materials
- Mr. S. Roman, Manager, HFIR Quality Assurance
- Mr. D. Talan, Health Physics
- Mr. H. Ortelt, MBA Custodian denotes those present at the exit interview 2.
Facility Organization The inspector reviewed an updated overall organizational stru:ture, including names of individuals currently holding position.
It was ascertained that all SNM control and accountability functions are included in the organization.
The organization is structured to provide the necessary assignments of SNM responsibilities along with the authority and freedom of action.
No items of noncompliance were identified.
3.
Facility Operation The inspector toured the licensee facility, acquired a flow diagram of the SNM and reviewed a current general description of the plant processes and operations.
The manufacturing of fuel elements for the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR), the High Flux Beam Reactor (HBFR), the Oak Ridge Research Reactor (0RR), and other similar elements is done at the TI facility.
Twenty-four (24) individual compact charges (alur..inum metal and U03 8 powder) are weighed for each manufacturing lot.
The amount of uranium end U-235 contained in the lot is calculated by using the charge weight, the actual weight, the element and isotopic content of U 03 8 and a correction factor. Two compacts are placed in one aluminum frame. Top and bottom covers are welded to the frame and are then bonded into one metallurgical piece which is sheared into two plates.
Fuel plates are pickled in a nitric acid-hydro-fluoric acid-water solution and are then assembled to make an element.
No items of noncompliance were identified.
3 4.
Shipping and Receiving Receipts and shipments of SNM are accomplished directly by the Nuclear Materials Management Group.
The inspector determined that the licensee has established and is maintaining a program to assure that SNM receipts and shipments are accurately accounted for and measured, and that S/R differences are evaluated for statistical significance at the 95% confidence level.
An investigation is con-ducted if the S/R difference is statistically significant.
No statistically significant S/Rs occurred in the period reviewed (6/29/78 to 10/31/78).
5.
Storage and Internal Control The licensee is currently operating four material control areas as shown below:
ICA #1 - Receiving U 03 8 powder MBA #1 - In Process Fuel Manufacturing Area ICA #2 - Fuel Plate and Element Production and Storage MBA #2 - Laboratories (Chemical and Metallurgical)
A custodian is established for each f1BA and ICA with responsibility for maintaining the records of the ftBA and ICA.
The custodians report to the Project Manager and are independent of the Quality Assurance, manufacturing and site accounting groups.
The inspector tested the system by randomly selecting lot numbers from the MBA records and checking the number of plates to see if the records were in agreement with the actual plate counts.
There were no discrepancies.
No items of noncompliance were identified.
6.
Facility Tour The inspector walked through various areas of the facility to observe operations and activities in progress, and to confirm that the licensee's use of SNM were restricted to locations and purposes authorized by his license.
No items f noncompliance were identified.
4 7.
Exit Interview The inspector met with licensee representatives (denoted in paragraph
- 1) at the conclusion of the inspection on November 17, 1978.
The inspector summarized the scope and the findings of the inspection.