ML19296C412
| ML19296C412 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 07000033 |
| Issue date: | 07/10/1979 |
| From: | Ketzlach N NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19296C409 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8002260012 | |
| Download: ML19296C412 (3) | |
Text
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+f UNITED STATES
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.<q NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
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-l WASHINGTON D. C. 20555
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j JUL 10,W9 DOCKET N0.:
70-33 APPLICANT:
Texas Instruments, Inc.
FACILITY:
Attleboro,fiassachusetts
SUBJECT:
REVIEW 0F LICENSE AMENDMENT APPLICATION DATED MAY 1, 1979, AND SUPPLEMENTS DATED JUNE 12 AND JUNE 27, 1979 REVIEWER:
Norman Ketzlach Backaround Texas Instruments, Inc. (TI) by application dated fiay 1,1979, and supplements dated J. 1 12 and June 27, 1979, requested authorization for the storage and trar,;fer of HFBR, NBSR, ORR, or other box type fuel elements within the HFIR Facility in a newly developed borated phenolic foam insulated shipping container. Each element contains no more than 3519 235 The new container would replace the presently approved 0
container on a one to one basis.
The presently authorized shipping container (Certificate No. 5274) has a capacity for four box type elements. The void space within the inner and outer containers of the package is filled with vermiculite.
The newly designed shipping container, not yet approved for shipping, has a capacity for seven box type elements. The space between the inner fuel section and outer container is filled with the borated phenolic foam. Borated phenolic foam insulation has been previously used in approved shipping containers.
Discussion A.
Nuclear Criticality Safety Condition 24 in the present license authorizes the storage of a maximum of 12 loaded box type fuel element shipping containers (Certificate No.
5274) in the facility. A study by J. T. Thomas, " Nuclear Criticality Safety Assessment of ORR, NBS, and HFBR Shipping Packages" (ORNL/CSD/
TM-77, dated January 1979), using a discrete geometry fuel region model, indicates that an infinite array of packages would remain subcritical (maximum k = 0.74).
This was confirmed by an independent analysis made by the licensee using a homogenized fuel region model.
Both Thomas and 80022 6 0 0 [L
. the licensee used validated cross section sets and the KEN 0 IV Code.
Although the licensee did not provide sufficient details to check the results of the calculations, the additional information was not required in the present review. The amendment application is limited to the storage of only 12 containers, rather than an unlimited number. The surface density method of analysis was used, neglecting the neutron poisoning effect of the boron in the shipping container, to indicate the safety of 12 of the containers. The seven elements in a water-flooded package are no more than 0.41 of the equivalent bare critical number. A single infinite plane array of packages has a smeared surface density no more than 0.46 of the minimum critical; a double tiered infinite horizontal array (not practical to store the tall drums vertically in a two-tier array) of packages, a smeared surface density no more than 0.48 of the minimum critical. Therefore, there is no nuclear criticality safety problem associated with the storage of 12 drums in single and two-tier arrays.
In fact, due to the small size of the array, 12 drums are safe independent of stacking.
B.
Radiation Safety The change in drum type for the loading and storage of fuel elements should not result in a significant change in radiological safety effects.
C.
Effluent Control No significant environmental effect should result from the change in drum loading and storage.
D.
General The amendment application dated May 1, 1979, and its supplements dated June 12 and June 27, 1979, were discussed on June 27, 1979, with W. W. Kinney, Region I (I&E) Project Inspector of the Texas Instruments, Inc. facility.
He saw no safety or environmental problems associated with the authorization for change in drum storage.
Conclusion The controls associated with replacing the four-element HFBR shipping containers by the seven-element shipping containers are adequate to protect the health and safety of the operating personnel, the public and the environment.
. Issuance of the license amendment is recommended.
he 1.,,q n-40 "'
Norman Ketzlach v
Uranium Fuel Fabrication Section Fuel Processing & Fabrication Branch Division of Fuel Cycle and Material Safety j
b
/./,./
Approved by:
W. T. Crow, Section Leader
-m.
.