ML19336A409
| ML19336A409 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Pennsylvania State University |
| Issue date: | 09/10/1980 |
| From: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19295C416 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8010230020 | |
| Download: ML19336A409 (2) | |
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o UNITED STATES 3
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION j
j WASHINGTON. D. C. 20066
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l SAFETY EVALUATION 1
1 BY THE 0FFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION 1
SUPPORTING AMEN 0 MENT NO. 20 TO LICENSE NO. R-2 i
PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY i
00CXET NO. 50-5 Introduction i
By letter dated May 1,1980, The Pennsylvania State University requested an amendment to License No. R-2 for its TRIGA reactor to increase the amount of U-235 that the University is authori:ed to receive, possess, and use in connection with operation of the reactor and to reduce the amount of contained U-235 in MTR-type fuel elements.
j Discussion l
At present License No. R-2 authorizes the applicant to receive, possess, and use up 7 kilograms of U-235 in connection with operation of the reactor j
and 4.990 kilograms of contained U-235 in MTR-type fuel elenents. The applicant has requested an increase from 7 kilograms to 9 kilograms of U-235 to allow procurement of additional fuel elements for their TRIGA I
Mark III nuclear core in order to facilitate anticipated refuelings of the reactor. The applicant also requested a reduction to 0.900 kilograms 4
of contained U-235 in MTR-type fuel elements to bring the authorized limit closer to the actual amount possessed.
2 I
Evaluation The Technical Specifications of the applicant's reactor which enumerate the operating procedures and limitations considered necessary for safe operation do not specify the quantity of fuel loaded into the reactor core.
This parameter is controlled by the specified ifmits on the total excess reactivity of the core and on the required reactivity shutdown margin.
This amendment does not change those limitations. Furthermore, the Technical Specifications contain adequate provisions to ensure safe storage of the additional fuel when it is not in use in the reactor. Therefore, we conclude that increasig the amount of low enrichment uranium-235 authorized and available will not decrease the safety of operations at the facility.
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envirorinental Considerations
- We have determined that the amendment does not authori:e a change in effluent f
smoaso
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. types or totai quant' ties, nor an increase in power level, and will not t
l result in any significant environmental impact. Having made this deter-mination, we have concluded further that the amendment involves an action which is insignificant from the standpoint of environmental impact, and l
pursuant to 10 CFR 551.5(d)(4), that an environmental impact statement or negative declaration and environnental impact appraisal need not be prepared in connection with the issuance of this amendment.
Conclusion We have concluded, based on the considerations discussed above, that: (1 )
because the amendment does not involve a significant increase in the pro-bability or consequences of accidents previously considered, and does not involve a significant decrease in a safety margin, the amendment does not involve a significant hazards consideration, (2) there is reasonable assur-ance that the health and safety of the public will not be endangered by i
operation in the proposed manner, and (3) such activities will be conducted in compliance with the Ccmmission's regulations and the issuance of this i
amendment will not be inimical to the common defense and security or to the health and safety of the public.
Cated : Septenber 10, 1980 l
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