ML19326D882

Submits Operations Rept for June 1979 to June 1980

ML19326D882
Person / Time
Site:	University of Maryland
Issue date:	07/01/1980
From:	Belcher R MARYLAND, UNIV. OF, COLLEGE PARK, MD
To:	Goller K NRC OFFICE OF STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT
References
NUDOCS 8007230495
Download: ML19326D882 (4)

Text

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Uniwrsity of Maryland Department of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND 20742 July 1, 1980 $

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Dr. Karl R. Goller --

Assistant Director for ~D ' '

Reactor Operations  : x 3J Nuclear Regulatory Commission j 7 Washington, D.C. 20595

Dear Dr. Goller:

In accordance with the requirements set forth in our Technical Specifications for the Maryland University Triga Reactor this report is submitted. This report covers the period from June 30, 1979 throttgh June 30, 1980.

A. Summary of Operation Eyperience No reportable diffictities were encountered with the reactor during this period. We continued to provide reactor service to several Nuclear Engineering courses, primarily, ENNU 320-Nuclear Engineering Technology. This service utilized the reactor five afternoons a week.

l Our Saturday morning volunteer program in Reactor l Operation Training was decimated by graduation and industrial l offers. As a result no examination for Reactor Operators License was given. Consequently, due to carry overs we anticipate about 4 to 6 new licensed operators this year.

In prior years we h' ave been more oriented toward' teaching ,

and providing service to the university in areas such as reactor technology, operator training, neutron activation and education in power conversion. In addition to this, we are now offering neutron activation analysis to the non-university community with a view to making the facility more self supportive.

No major changes were made to the reactor during this period.

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.o Dr. Goller July 1, 1980 page 2-B. Reactor Operations a

During the period 30 June 1979 through 30 June 1980 thc reactor was operated 176 times and produced a total of 11 megawatt-hours of energy.

C. Equioment Surveillance and Tests Fuel rod inspection was performed on 3 August, 1979.

Fuel clusters C-3, B-4, C-5 and C-8 were removed from the core-and visually inspected (total of 16 fuel rods). No indication of corrosion or unusual surface defects were observed. At the same time the regulation rods, Shim I and Shim II wers I_ moved. The diameter and length of each rod was measured. Results are tabulated below. _

SHIM I Position Diameter Length Top 1.25" 16.25" i 1/16"'

Middle 1.27" Bottom 1.27" No visual signs of deterioration.

Shim II Position Diameter Length Top 1.25" Middle 1.25" Bottom 1.25" 16.19" i 1/16" No visual signs of deterioration.

Reg. Rod Position Diameter Length Tcp 1.25" 16.25" i 1/16" Middle 1.25" Bottom 1.25" No visual signs of deterioration.

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Dr. Goller July 1, 1980 page 3 The control rod drop time was measured. The results are given below:

Rod Identification Drop Time, sec.

Shim I 0.68 Shim II 0.68 Reg. Rod 0.61 The worth of each rod was determined by the asymptotic i period method. The results are shown below:

Rod Identification -

Rod Worth, S Shim I 2.40 Shim II 2.40 I Reg. Rod 2.38 l I

All area monitors are calibrated on a monthly basis l or when operations indicate the need. '

l D. Emergency Shut-down and Scrams No emergency shut-down or scram occurred during this operating period.

E. Maintenance Items No reportable maintenance was required for this period; however, several improvements were made to the equipment.

They are:

a) Difficulty was encountered with premature rod drops when operating for. periods greater than an hour or so.

The top half of the electromagnets were removed and inspected.

We found that the electromagnet was surrounded by a potting compound that extended to the contacting surface of the electro-magnet. As.the temperature of the magnet increased with use the potting compound was expanding beyond the surface of the

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magnet and forcing the two halves apart. The problem was solved by milling away a few thousands of one inch of the potting compound. Since this was performed no premature rod drops have occurred.

Dr. Goller July 1, 1980 page 4 b) A new compensated ion chamber was installed to replace the original one which had been in use since about 1961.

The function of the instrument is primarily one of power read out and is not part of the safety system.

c) The old ion exchange system in the water purification system was replaced with a new type which permits us to more easily replaca the resin as needed.

d) A new exhaust motor was installed in the glove box containing the sample inj'ection station for sample irradiation.

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F. A summary of ths nature and amount of radioactive effluents released or discharged to the environment and or radioactive waste shipped off site for disposal.

During this reporting period no waste water containing any measurable radioisotope was discharged to the sewage system. In addition, monthly air samples were taken in the reactor area. The samples received no acti.-ity greater than background.

G. Radiation Exposures In the period June 30, 1979 through June 30, 1980 over 300 people visited t!.a reactor facility. This is in addition to the budget personnel taking reactor courses and operating personnel. In all cases the radiation received was negligible.

Floor and area wipes have been routinely carried out with the results that any contamination was far below the maximum permissible level.

H. Changes to the Facility on Procedures, Tests, and Experiments.

No substantial changes were aade to any of these catagories during this reporting period.

1 Sincerely, Ralph . Belcher Nuclear Reactor Director RLB/ der l

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