ML19269C983
| ML19269C983 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 07000371 |
| Issue date: | 01/18/1979 |
| From: | Stevenson R NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7902260061 | |
| Download: ML19269C983 (2) | |
Text
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j UNITED STATES t
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
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WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555 JAN 181979
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DOCKET N0.: 3 LICENSEE:
United Nuclear Corporation FACILITY:
Naval Fuel Fabrication Plant Montville, Connecticut
SUBJECT:
REVIEW 0F LICENSE AMENDMENT APPLICATION DATED DECEMBER 15, 1978, CONCERNING POISON RACKS, REFERENCE NIS:78-12-30 (CLASSIFIED),PC78044A,MC
Background
By classified application dated February 3, 1978, United Nuclear Corporation (UNC) applied for a license amendment to authorize fuel storage in horizontal racks of two different designs, and for fuel storage in accordance with the solid angle method. Following NRC review of the February 3 application as supplemented May 12, 1978 (see safety review dated August 6,1978), Amendment No. 6 to SNM-368 was issued on August 15, 1978. Amendment No. 6 authorized use of the solid angle method with specified limitations and use of the horizontal rack without poison plates, but did not approve the rack design using poison plates because of an inadequate margin of safety under certain conditions of accidental moderation.
The supplement of December 15, 1978, provides pages for the conditions section of the license that incorporate the limits on the use of the solid angle method specified in Amendment No. 6, and a revised description of the poison rack design to preclude through the use of fuel covers, accidental moderation from sprinkler operation or comparable fire fighting operations.
Discussion The application is concerned solely with nuclear criticality safety during fuel storage. The specific conditions of accidental moderation of the poisoned horizontal fuel storage arrays that could lead to higher than acceptable multiplication factors would be prevented by the use of covers over the fuel.
Fuel stored in the poison racks would be subcritical under nonnal or accident conditions and meet the double contingency principle.
79022600(o(
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v JAN 181979 The revised poison rack design was discussed on January 15, 1979, with Mr. J. Roth, Region I principal inspector fc-the Naval Fuel Fabrication Plant, and he saw no objection to issuance of an'
authorizing amendment.
Conclusion UNC's February 3,1978, application for authorization to use the b
horizontal poison racks as revised December 15, 1978, provides a design and limits that ensure subcriticality under normal and accident conditions.
Issuance of an authorizing amendment is recommended.
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Robert L. Stevenson Uranium Fuel Fabrication Section Fuel Processing & Fabrication Branch Division of Fuel Cycle and Material Safety Approved by:
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[W W. T. Crow, Section Leader
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