ML19267A093
| ML19267A093 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 09/24/2019 |
| From: | Maldonado Marilyn Diaz NRC/NMSS/DFCSE/FLB |
| To: | |
| Duvigneaud D | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19260G152 | List: |
| References | |
| Download: ML19267A093 (9) | |
Text
NMSS ACTIVITIES ON ATF AND INCREASED ENRICHMENT FCSE CER Presentation By Marilyn Diaz September 2019 1
ITEMS TO DISCUSS
Background
Major Accomplishments NMSS Activities and Updates Licensing Critical Path Conclusion 2
BACKGROUND o Accident Tolerant Fuel (ATF) is a set of new technologies that have the potential to enhance safety at U.S. nuclear power plants by offering better performance during normal operation, transient conditions, and accident scenarios.
o The nuclear industry is working to deploy batch loads of accident tolerant fuel designs in the operating nuclear reactors by late 2023.
o The NRC staff is taking steps to make agency licensing processes more efficient and effective to enable timely licensing/certification.
o ATF Project Plan - Document available in ADAMS (ML18261A414).
o Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS) is responsible for the oversight of the front-end and back-end of the fuel cycle.
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ATF REGULATORY ACTIONS -
FRONT END 4
o LWR Fuel Types Conventional uranium oxide (UO2)-Zr clad fuel (up to 5% enrichment(E))
Conventional UO2-Zr clad fuel (up to 10%)
ATF - UO2 fuel with different cladding ATF - UO2 fuel with different cladding (up to 10%)
ATF - Non-UO2 fuel with different cladding ATF - Non-UO2 fuel with different cladding (10%<E<20%)
NMSS MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS -
LICENSING o Issued a letter of authorization to Global Nuclear Fuels for shipment of lead test assemblies in the RAJ II package.
o Issued a letter of authorization to Westinghouse for one shipment of two types of ATF pellet designs, each in different lead test assemblies in the Traveller package.
o Issued a certificate of compliance to Framatome authorizing transport of ATF assemblies in the MAP-12/MAP-13 packages.
o Approved a license amendment to URENCO Louisiana Energy Services (LES) to modify their validation report to allow the use of MCNP 6 to perform criticality safety calculations in August 2019.
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NMSS ACTIVITIES AND UPDATES o Nuclear industry is now considering the development of ATF and conventional fuel concepts with higher enrichment.
High assay low enriched uranium (HALEU) = 5% < E < 20%
o NRC developed the high burnup and increased enrichment (HBU+IE) project plan.
Document available in ADAMS (ML19242E192).
Public Meeting on September 12, 2019.
o In early September, NRC sent a letter to the Nuclear Energy Institute that identifies NMSS licensing critical path to support industrys goal of ATF deployment in 2023.
Document available in ADAMS (ML19235A265).
o Currently reviewing an application from GE-Hitachi for transport of irradiated ATF in the GE-2000 package. The review is expected to be 6
7 February 2022 August 2021
CHALLENGES oFuel Cycle Facilities All commercial fuel cycle facilities are licensed to produce up to 5% enriched material.
NRC is not aware of plans to enrich material above 5%.
oUF6 Transportation Existing UF6 transportation packages are approved for up to 5% enrichment.
10 CFR 71.55 limit to 5% enrichment - water intrusion analysis.
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CONCLUSION oNRC staff believes the current regulatory framework is adequate for the licensing of ATF and ATF with high burn up and increased enrichment fuel designs.
oNRC identified regulatory actions critical path based on available information. Letter sent to NEI request feedback on critical path.
oTo improve the efficiency of regulatory efforts, the NRC encourages NMSS licensees, certificate holders and applicants to engage in pre-application discussions and/or share any plans for submittals or licensing strategy.
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