ML19312E746
| ML19312E746 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 05000083 |
| Issue date: | 05/07/1980 |
| From: | Diaz N FLORIDA, UNIV. OF, GAINESVILLE, FL |
| To: | Robert Lewis NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION II) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19312E742 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8006090485 | |
| Download: ML19312E746 (2) | |
Text
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b NUCLEAR FACILITIES DIVISION EGE 4
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA g
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OF
- EPARTVENT OF NUCLEAR ENGINEERING SCIENCES 102 NUCLEAR DEAcTCR BUILotNG ENGINEERING GAINEsv1LLE. FloorDA 32ati AREA cooE 90s moNE 3321429 May 7,1980 Mr. R.C. Lewis Reactor Operations and Nuclear Support Branch U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region II 101 Marietta C'... PG, Sui te 3100 Atlanta, GA 30303 RE
RII: AGW; 50-83/80-01 NRC License R-56
Dear Mr. Lewis:
In compliance with the requirements of 10 CFR 2.201, and in reference to the apparent item of noncompliance found during the March 1980 inspection of our Facility, the following statements are respectfully submitted.
I.
Item of Non-Compliance and Comments The apparent item of non-compliance is due to failure to test for opsrability of the Count Rate (Source) Inhibit Interlock prior to startup, as specified by Tech Spec IV.C.
The CR(S) Inhibit Interlock intends to inhibit the with-drawal of control blades unless the count rate, as measured by the wide range drawer channel, exceeds two counts per second (2 cps).
The UFTR cannot consistently comply verbatim with this requirement. It has not been complied with for the past 10 years (since the new console was installed),
but we comply with the intention established t3 the interlock by maintaining a safe condition with normally more than 2 cps.
II. Explanation The UFTR is equipped with a pemanent Sb-Be neutron source and a removable Pu-Be neutron source.
Under normal operating, startup and prior-to-startup conditions, the CR(s) channel registers more than 2 cps. There are no electronic provisions to test the inter-lock by zaroing tne CR(s) channel or changing the bi-stable conditions. The op-erators frequently observe the source interlock light when the core is empty but seldom when sources are in the core.
An analysis of the circuitry indicates that a major modification of our modules will be necessary to electronically test the interlock. Removal of the sources is definitaly an operation that will decrease safety and is not censidered.
NILS J. OlAZ. DIRECTOR (904) 3321 tC6 8006090 ' D
" " * " " ~ " " " " " " " "
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.v.ay 7, 1980 N.J. Diaz to R.C. Lewis page two The UFTR has been operated with the certainty that the safe condition is to have sufficient source neutrons to maintain instruments in their operating range and that safety will be decreased in any attempt to check the interlock when compared to the safety of having the interlock requirements satisfied.
III. Conclusions 1.
Corrective Steps Taken No corrective steps related to the apparent infraction have been taken. Any actions taken to reducing the amount of source neutrons in the core to check the interlock is contrary to reactor safety practices.
2.
Future Corrective Steps a) The Technical Specifications of the Facility have been completely changed, includinc deletino the recuirement of testing the source Interl'v:k orior to startup.
The new TS are to be submTtted to the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regu-lation by July 31, 1980.
Implemntation is dependent on official approval by the NRC.
b) The Daily Check (prior to startup) is being changed to incorporate a re-stricted testing of the Count Rate Blade Withdrawal Interlock.
It consists of:
(1) recording the source count rate; (2) If the count rate is less than 2 cps (source interlock light should be on), a test will be made to verify that no blade can be withdrawn; (3) If the count rate is larger than 2 cps (source inter-lock light off) no test can be performed, the interlock is considered to be sath-fled and the reactor considered to be in a safe startup condition as monitored by the Source Channel. These changes are to be effective by June 1,1960.
Please let us know if you require further information.
Sincerely yours,
(
,9
)
. i s J/ 'az Professo and Director of Nuclear Facilities Appr E.E.. Carroll,Jr.
/t Acting Chairman c,c. E.E. Carroll, Jr.
UFTR Subcocinittee
,