ML19338D676

Matl in Support of Application to Renew & Amend License R-80. Financial Rept,1978-1979, Final Safeguards Rept, Supp 1, Proposed Amend 8 to Tech Spec & License & Proposed Emergency Plan Encl

ML19338D676
Person / Time
Site:	05000097, 05000157
Issue date:	09/15/1980
From:	Cooke W CORNELL UNIV., ITHACA, NY
To:
Shared Package
ML19338D677	List: ML19338D676 ML19338D682 ML19338D689
References
NUDOCS 8009230643
Download: ML19338D676 (19)

Text

y p

.M$$

Cornell University u

3_

Ithaca, New York 14853 Docket No. 50-157 MATERIAL IN SUPPORT OF APPLICATION TO RENEW AND AMEND FACILITY LICENSE R-80 FOR THE CORNELL TRICA REACTOR September 15, 1980

References:

(1) Request dated May 27, 1980, for renewal of Facility License R-80 (2) Letter with enclos'ures' dated June 25, 1979, from Robert W. Reid, NRC (3) Facility License R-80, as amended in entirety August 18,1975, and further amended by Amendment No. 7l dated October 24,.1978 (4) Techn cal Specifications for Facility License R-80 dated August 18, 1975, and amended by Amendment No. 7 dated October 24, 1978

~5) Final Safeguards Report to.the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission for the Cornell University TRICA Reactor dated May, 1961 (designated as report number CURL-2)

(6) Applicable sections of Title 10 Code' of Federal Regulations, of Regulatory Guides'2.1 - 2.6, and'of ANSI Standards series ANS-15

^

W. D. Cooke Vice President for Research vLb SOPIITE F. CAPOIANGO Netary Public. State of New York No. 46.'0898 Qualified in Tompkins CW Term Expires Af arch'419 ff

-e 80.09280f R.

y

I" Application Material (September 1980)

Docket 50-157 TABLE OF CONTENTS

_Section Page 1.

SUKFtARY l-1 2.

BRIEF llISTORY 2-1 3.

PARTICULARS OF TiiE APPLICATION (in same order as 3-1 sections of 10 CFR 50) 3.1 Filing of Application (10 CFR 50.30) 3-1 3.2 Ceneral Information (10 CFR 50.33) 3-1 3.3 Technical Information (10 CFR 50.34) 3-3 3.4 Technical Specifications (10 CFR 50.36 and 50.36a) 3-4 3.5 Restricted Data (10 CFR 50.37) 3-4 Appendix I.

Financial Qualifications I-)

Appendix II.

Technical Qualifications 11-1 Appendix III.

Environmental Considerations III-l Appendix IV.

Plan for Preoperational Tests and Initial Operation IV-1 at 500 kW and $3 Pulses Attachements:

I-A.

Annual Financial Report of Cornell University (1978-79)

A.

Supplement No. 1 to the Final Safeguards Report to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission for the Cornell University TRIGA Reactor (CURL-2 Suppl. 1)

B.

Proposed Amendment No. 8 to Technical Specifications and License I

C.

Emergency Plan for Ward Laboratory l

l i

l I

l i

1-1 Application Mat:rizi (S:ptemb;r'1980)

Docket 50-157 '

1.

SUMMARY

The purpose of this document and its attachments is to support the application for renewal and amendment of Facility License R-80 for the Cornell University TRIGA reactor.

A class 104c license of 20 year duration is requested. An increase in authorized maximum steady state power from 100 to 500 kilowatts and' in authorized maximum' reactivity insertion in pulse mode from $2 to $3 is requested.

Amendment of the Technical Specifications to incorporate these changes, to reflect current regulations, and to update descriptions is also requested.

The TRICA reactor has been a very important component of broad teach-ing, research, and service programs of Cornell University in both basic and applied areas of science and engineering.

The renewal and amendment to upgrade operations will provide the opportunity to continue and improve these programs.

To summarize the substance of this application, reference should be made to the Table of Contents.

Section 3 gives detailed information and discussions addressed to individual subdivisions of Title 10, Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 1, Part 50.

Some of the supporting arguments for renewal and amendment are stated in this section. Many, however, are to be found in the four Appendices end in the Attachments, in particular Attachment A, which is an updating supplement to the original May, 1961, Final Safeguards Report -- all of which, taken together, comprise the Application.

9 Dm

fI" Applic tion Matsrial (S:ptemb r 1980) 2-1 Dock;t 50-157 2.

BRIEF HISTORY The principal licensing.and operating stages in the history of License R-80 are summarized below.

.A construction permit was applied for on February 24, 1960, and per-mit CPRR-58 was issued on June 29, 1960.

Application for conversion to an operating license was made June 1, 1961, and license R-80 was issued on January.11,1962.

Initial criticality for steady state operation was on January 12, 1962.

-Amendment to permit pulse mode operation was applied for April 23, 1964, and the license amendment was issued August 17, 1964.

Initial pulse mode operation was on St.tember 4,1964.

In spring 1964 the aluminum clad fuel elements were replaced with stainless steel clad elements because of their superior mechanical durabil-icy and their suitability for operation at higher power and higher pulse reactivity insertions.

The most recent amendment to the license was No. 7, issued October 24, 1978.

+

4 5

~

[ Applicction'Mattrie1 (Srpts.mb2r 1980)

.3-1

~

~

Docket 50-157-si-

3. PARTICULARS OF THE APPLICATION'

.(in same. order as sections of 10 CFR 50)

'3.lf, Filing of Application (10 CFR 50.30)_-

(e) Corne11' University is exempt from payment of a filing fee under this paragraph.

(f) Information relevant to the developmen't1of an Environmental ~ Im-pact Appraisal as' required by this paragraph and the interpretation thereof by NRC<is summarized in~ Appendix III of this application, entitled Environ-p

. mental Considerations.

3.2 General Information (10 CFR 50.33)

(a) The name of the' applicant is Cornell University.

(b)LThe address of the applicant is Ithaca, New York 14853.

(c) Cornell University is an institution of higher learning.

(d) (3)f(i)

Cornel'1 University is a corporation, incorporated in the -

-State of New York, and havir.g as its pricipal location of business Ithaca, New York.'

(ii) The names, addresses, and citizenship of its principal officers are as follows (all those named are U.S. citizens):

i Name-Home Address Office Held-

~603 Cayuga Heights Rd.

President Frank H.T. Rhodes Ithaca, NY W. Keith-Kennedy 3 Sandra Pl., Ithaca, NY Universit. Trovost Thomas Meikle, Jr.

333 E. ' 69 St., New York, Provost for Medical LNY Affairs l

William G. Herbster 903 Wyckoff Rd Ithaca,NY Senior Vice President W. Donald Cooke.

38 Deerhaven Rd., Ithaca,- Vice' President for NY -

Research

~ William D. Gurowitz 119 Oak Hill Rd., Ithaca, Vice President for NY Campus' Affairs

Robert T.' Horn

-113 1/2 Northview Rd.,-

Vice President,'Treas-

-Ithaca, NY urer, and' Chief Investment Officer

' Robert M.,Matyas.

409 Hanshaw Rd., Ithaca, Vice President for s

}0f Facilities and Business Operations-Richard M.- Ramin

_5 Brookhaven Drive,_

Vice President.for Ithaca, NY..

Public Affairs Alison P! Casarett' 144LPine-Tree Rd,Ithaca, -Vice Provost

~NY-fLarry I. Palmerc 377,. Comfort Rd., Ithaca, Vice Provost NY

^ ~

James W. Spencer' 416 Klinewoods Rd,Ithaca.-Vice Provost;.

NY' S alter ;J.l Relihan, ' Jr.' i 402 c CayugaL Heights. Road, _ Secretary of the Cor-W DIthaca,LNYf

.poration ;and '.Univer- -

~

sity:CounselJ

~

4 4

b u

r; 3-2 Applic tion-Matcrial (S;pt mb:r 1980)

Docket 50-157 3.2 General Information (con't)

The University has no " directors." A list of its 59 trustees can be furnished if required.

(d)

(3) (iii) Cornell University is neither owned, controlled, nor dominated by an alien, a foreign corporation, nor foreign government.

(4) Cornell University is not acting as an agent or represen-tative of another person in filing this application.

(e) The class of license applied for is 104c.

The use to which the reactor will be put is to serve a broad pro-gram of instruction, research, and service in fields of engineering, physi-cal science, and biological science. Thisisfcontinuationofthefunctions of the reactor as it has been used in the past.

Further description of past patterns of use and of expected future uses is provided in section 6 of Attachment A to this application, entitled Supplement No. 1 to the Final Safeguards Report to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission for the Cornell University TRIGA Reactor, and designated as report number CURL-2 (Suppl. 1).

The period of time for which the license is sought is twenty years.

Amendment of the license is requested to increase the maximum authorized steady state power from 100 kW(thermal) to 500 kW(thermal) and the maximum authorized reactivity insertion in pulse mode from $2.00 to

$3.00.

These limits, though higher than at present, are aqual to or less than those that extensive experience at similar TRICA reactors elsewhere has demonstrated safe and reliable operation. The new limits are needed to permit more effective use of the reactor for several experimental programs and to make possible some that could not be carried out at the present level.

Not all uses require the higher limits; c onsquently, the average power and average integrated power in kW-hours are expected to increase in a smaller ratio than the limits themselves.

Amendment of the license is also requested to reflect the enrich-ments as _ well as the quantities in the description of the. special nuclear material that the license permits.

Specific wording of changes in the license to incorporate the requested amendments is proposed in Attachment B to this application, entitled Proposed Changes to Technical Specifications and License.

The only other NRC license issued to Cornell University for use on the Ithaca campus is Facility License R-89 for the Zero Power Reactor, a critical facility housed in the same building as the TRIGA reactor.

(f) Information relevant to the financial qualifications of Cornell University to ope: ate the reactor in accordance with regulations including annual operating costs, costs of permanently shutting down the reactor, and annual costs to maintain the shutdown reactor in a safe condition is supplied in Appendix I of this application.

u-

Applic: tion MetEri11 (SeptembTr 1980) 3-3 Docket 50-157 3.2 General Information (con't)

(h) The proposed increases in limits on steady state power and on pulse reactivity insertion require no alterations in or new construction on the reactor other than changes such as relatively simple modifications and recalibrations of instrumentation to accommodate the increased range.

Arjendix IV to this application, entitled Outline of Plans for Tests and Initial Operation at 500 kW and $3 Pulses, provides some details.

The requirement of this paragraph of stating " earliest and latest dates for completion of... alteration" is felt to be inapplicable in this case.

3.3 Technical Information (10 CFR 50.34)

(b) Final Safety Analysis Report (FSAR).

."he FSAR submitted June 1, 1961, with the application for an operating license, entitled Final Safe-guards Report to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission for the Cornell University TRIGA Reactor anc designated as report number CURL-2, is in many respects still suitable for the present application for license renewal. Therefore, instead of preparing a complete new FSAR, we have written an updating supple-ment entitled Supplement No. 1 to the FSR, designated by report number CURL-2 (Suppl.1) and submit it as Attachment / to thir Application. The Supple-ment clearly states which sections of the earlier document still apply and supplies additional or n'ew sections where needed. The Hazards Analysis section was thoroughly revised using current analysis techniques, informa-tion, and standards; also, it was done for the higher power and higher pulse reactivity being requested.

Most of the material required under paragraph (b) appears in appropri-ately named sections of CURL-2 and the Supplement.

For clarity, required material presented in other places than CURL-2 and Supplement No 1. is specifically liated below:

(6)(iii) Plans for preoperational testing and initial opera-tion at 500 kW and $3 pulses are given in Appendix IV of the Application.

(v) A proposed emergency plan for Ward Laboratory is pre-sented as Attachment C.

This plan furnishes a description in the format and nomenclature recommended in Regulatory Guide 2.6 of emergency planning and procedures that have been in force at Ward Laboratory from the start.

(7) Technical qualifications of Cornell University personnel for operating and carrying on activities using the reactor are provided in Appendix II of this Application.

(8) An operator requalification program cubmitted to and approved on November 4,1974, by the NRC, is in force at Ward Laboratory. The plan covers both TRIGA and ZPR.

b

.Applicctio'n Matsricl (S:ptemb;r 1980) 13-4

~

r Dockst 50-157 (c) A physical security plan covering both R-80 and R-89, submitted to and. approved.on-September 16, 1974, by the NRC, is in force at Ward Laboratory. A careful review of this plan in the-light of applicable sections of 10_CFR 73 as currently issued shows that, in our opinion, it fullyjmeets all requirements.except for being written in the newly recommended format and nomenclature. A rewritten version will be sub-mitted fo'r approval (separately and in accordance with 10 CFR 2.790) when'it is ready.

3.4 Technical Specifications (10 CFR 50.36 and 50.36a)

(c) The Technical Specifications currently in force were approved August 18, 1975, and were amended October 24, 1978. Additional amend-ments are proposed in Attachment 'B of this Application.

The proposed versions-reflect the increased power and pulse reactivity limits, include specific reference to ALARA requirements'of ANS 15'12 regarding effluents to offsite, update organizational and administrative items, and incorporate new requirements on pool water quality and on prohibition of explosives.

3.5 Restricted Data (10 CFR 50.371 Cornell University agrees that it will.not permit any individual to have access to Restricted Data until the Civil Service Commission shall have made an investigation and report to the Commission on the character Associations, and loyalty of such individual, and the Commission shall have determined that permitting such person to have access to Restricted Data will not endanger the common defense and security.

The agreement of the applicant in this regard shall be deemed part of the license or construction permit, whether so stated therein or not.

I ->

- ?

+e c ; -

..J.,

y 74-

,. 3 j;

{t r.

L Applicatibn Mat:;rici (S:pt:mb;r 1980)-

I - '

Docket;50-157; APPENDIX'I'

" FINANCIAL QUALIFICATIONS

' CONTENTS

'I.1=

General Des'cription'........................................

I-2.

I.2.. 5stimated Annual Operating Costs'..........................

I-3

1.3 ' Estimated Costs of Pdrmanently. Shutting Down I-3 the' Reactors........................................

LI.4. Estimated Annual Cost of-Maintaining Shutdown Facilities..

I-4'

' Attachment I-A'

' Annual Financial Statement of Cornell Universit'y-d4b.

SOPHIC F. C POLONGO Notary PuPie, State of New York lic. 4620098 Oualified m Tompkins Couetr

'littit Explies March 4197/

+

-O s.

L 1

7 w

e.

r K *

,f g

. :j]..

~

m.;,-

If" yi j

q

Applic

tion MatdrialL(Shpt. 19 80)

~I-2 Dock;t 50-157' 1.1 GENERAL DESCRIPTION Cornell University is a. private, endowed. institution. The J. Carlton

~ Ward, Jr. Laboratory of Nuclear Engineering is administratively'part of the Nuclear Science and Engineering Program _(a department except for the title) i which in. turn is part of the College of Engineering. ' Ward Laboratory nouses three' licensed facilities:.a TRICA reactor-(NRC license R-80), a Zero Power

. Reactor (NRC license R-89),cand a gamma irradiation cell, New York State license 5-3A.

A 3 MV Dynamitron. accelerator,. currently not in use, is also housed in Ward Laboratory.

The activities of the Nuclear Science'and Engineering Program are funded by three types of sources:

(1) appropriations in the University budget, as allocated by'the Dean of the College, (2) earnings from providing services using Ward Laboratory facilities, and- (3) research grants and contracts. (Cor-nell University is also the' land grant college of the State of New York and receives State funds for operations of several of its colleges, but Engineering.

is not one of them.) Table 1.1 shows the amount of each type for each of the last three fiscal years (July 1 - June 30).

Table I.1 1977-78 1978-79 1979-80 Appropriated salaries.and benefits

$134,845

$181,893

$193,627 Appropriated general expenses 7,900 9,250 9,600 Earnings from all facilities 31,669 39,090 30,994 Research grants and contracts 88,592 25,225 80,556

$263,006

$255,458

$314,777

• Amounts do not include research in the Laboratory of Plasma Studies It should be noted that these funds cover all programs and activities of Nuclear

' Science and Engineering; operation and staffing of Ward Laboratory facilities only' a part, and 'are not separately budgeted. Estimated prorated costs of operation of each of the two NRC-licensed facilities are provided in the next section.

The_ appropriated funds in the budget'of the University are determined by

. annual reviews and approvals at several levels up to and including the Board of Trustees. The-income from rendering services and success in securing grants Land contracts are subject to variation.

Figures such as those in Table 1.1 cannot be guaranteed or predicted _with certainty for future years.

Nevertheless, the University recognizes its continuing. responsibilities and obligations for safe operation of the facilities of Ward Laboratory and for their eventual permancat_ shutdown and subsequent disposal and/or maintenance in a safe con-dition.

b

y Applicction' Mat ricl '(S5p't.11980).

1-3

~

Docket 50-157 The most.recent annual report of Cornell University is hereby submitted as Attachment-I-A as evidence'on its general financial condition and ability to meet the estimated costs (given in the following sections) for operation of the two NRC-licensed. facilities, for their permanent shutdown, and for

.their safe maintenance or disposal.

I.2. ESTIMATED ANNUAL OPERATING COSTS

.The estimated prorated annual costs for operation of the TRIGA reactor and.Zero Power Reactor are tabulated below. The salary and benefit figures include appropriate-fractions for the time-of the following individuals:

Laboratory Director (a ' faculty member), -Reactor Supervisor, one electronics engineer..two technician-operators, and one secretary, for the 1979-80 fiscal.

year. The figures in the other' categories are based on recent experience, and

. include allowance for replacements and improvements to keep the facilities up to. contemporary performance standards.

General costs such as utilities, janitorial services, and building main-tenance that are covered by centralized accounts rather than by Nuclear Science and Engineering funds are not included.

TRICA ZPR Prorated salaries and benefits

$38,500

$6,500 Supplies and-services 2,000 500 Maintenance and replacement 2,500 350 Major improvements (average / year) 12,000 750

$55,000

$8,100 1.3 ESTIMATED COSTS 0F PERMANENTLY SHUTTING DOWN THE REACTORS The shutting down option chosen for the purposes of this cost estimate is that of (1) removal of the fuel and.some structures and mothballing the remaining s'tructures, (2)' maintaining radiation surveillance for several years, a'nd (3)~ final removal, demolition and/or conversion, and decontamination of the remaining structures.

Stage (1) wili include fuel removai and disposition, removal or decontami-nation of piping and: process equipment external to the. core. structure, sealing off.to' prevent unauthorized access tolthe structures being left in place, removal or decontamination'of ancillary facilities such as sample transfer

-systems and ventilation systems,,and general decontamination.

It would be expectedito carry' out stage (1) in about 18 months. with Cornell employees doing much-of t the' work.

r lThe length.of: stage (2):will depend upon'the levels an'd halflives of the radioactivities that are encountered and upon the plans that-are developed for-4 d'

y I-4

~Applic: tion Mat:rici (Sept. 1980)

Dockat 50-157

'further use of the building. Probably the elapsed time from removal of fuel to the end of stage (2) will be at least three years. The surveillance and security control under a possession-only license will require only limited manpower.

(See section I.4.)

Stage (3) will require more manpower in' general, and several persons trained in radiation measurements and decontamination procedures will L..

needed. At this time it appears likely that partial demolition followed by conversion will be the choice, since the remaining radioactivities from our levels of operation will be small and the building as a whole will be useful for other experimental programs that employ radiation and therefore can be' conducted in a controlled radiation area.

/

Cost estimates for the above can be roughly estimated as given below.

The figurea are based in part on our own experience in fuel shipments and in part'on estimates from other facilities.

TRIGA ZPR I

Removal and shipment of fuel

$25,000

$15,000 Shipment of other structures 20,000 10,000 Manpower during stage (1) 100,000 50,000 Miscellaneous and contingency 25,000 12,000

$170,000

$77,000 Final demolition / conversion

$250,000

$70,000 1.4 ESTIMATED ANNUAL COST OF MAINTAINING SHUTDOWN FACILITY The costs in this category are those of maintaining security and sur-veillance during the mothball stage befare final demolition or conversion.

It is assumed that the equivalent of one full-time trained person will be necessary, at _ an annual cost (salary, benefits, and overhead) of $40,000.

II-l 8

Applic tion Matcrici (S:ptemb:r 1980)

Docket 50-157 APPENDIX II lfECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS Cornell University has operated and used the Ward Laboratory facilities since 1962. The record shows that the institution and the individuals responsible for Ward Laboratory-have been able to carry on NRC-licensed activities safely and efficiently.

The ultimate dependence for safe operations is on the individuals doing the day-to-day operating and the daily supervision of operations. Accordingly, names and brief qualifications are given below for the current staff and Laboratory Safety Committee members.

Ward Laboratory Staff Howard C. Aderhold, Reactor Supervisor Chief Responsible Person (ZPR, Radioactive Sources and Materials)

SOP-308-8 (TRIGA and ZPR)

Basil E. Blank, Electronics Technician A.S. (Computer' Engineering Technology)

Tampa Technical Institute,1980 K. Bingham Cady, Associate Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering Ph.D. (Nuclear Engineering)

Massachusetts Institute of Technology,1962 SOP-175-3 (ZPR)

David D. Clark, Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering Director, J. Carlton Ward Laboratory of Nuclear Engineering Ph.D. (Physics)

University of California at Berkeley, 1953 SOP-309-8 (TRIGA and ZPR)

Paul I. Craven, Senior Research Technician Chief Responsible Person (TRIGA)

SOP-1594-4 (TRIGA)

David A. Hammer, Associate Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering Ph.D. (Applied Physics)

Cornell-University, 1969 Vaclav 0. Kostroun, Associat'e Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering

~

Chief Responsible Person (Dynamitron)

EPh.D. (Physics)

University-of Oregon,_1968 H

Charles R. Strohman, Research Support Specialist II

'B.S.

(Electrical Engineering Corne11' University,-1977 l

--w

7_

x

• /

Applic tion Matcri:1.(Septemb;r 1980) 11-2 Dock:t-50-157 Laboratory Safety Committee K. Bingham Cady (Chairman)

Associate Professor of Nuclear Sciente and Engineering Alison P. Casarett Professor of Radiation Biology llans H. Fleischmann Associate Professor of Applied and Engineering Physics George !!. Morrison Professor of Chemistry Robert L. Von Berg Professor of Chemical Engineering Chief Responsible Person (Camma Cell)

Derid D. Clark (ex-officio)

Laboratory Director William E. Kiker (ex-officio)

Director of Radiation Safety Ph.D. (Physics)

University of Tennessee, 1964 Extensive experience in radiation safety and protection.

Mark Nelkin (ex-officio)

Nuclear Science.and Engineering Program Representative Professor of Applied and Engineering Physics lloward C.:Aderhold (ex-officio, Secretary)

Reactor Supervisor

p. -

t

p. _y

~ _.

m

-f.

[

SApplic2 tim Matcrici (5:ptanticr:1980) '

III-l

~

Docket 50-157 -

.e r

IAppendixfIII EENYT.RONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS' J

In this section.we provide the information for an Environmental Impact Appraisal by NRC..:As a matter of policy,;the NRC has datermined that re-search reactors and critical facilities.under-2 MWt.do not require. Environ-mental Impact Statements, but that an Environmental Impact-Appraisal is required: to substantiate the policy for. each research reactor license ap-

. plication.-

Facility-Description g

The; Ward Laboratory is fully described in the May,1961, edition' of

~

the' Final. Safeguards Report.and.the 1980 Supplement.

The building has all normal' connections to the environment: water, sanitary sewer, electricity, telephone,~ building ventilation systems, doors and windows.

In addition, there'are.several more specialized connections:

1) roof and footerldrains connect to a storm sewer discharging' into Cascadilla Creek,

2) steam heating supply and condensate return lines connect to the Cornell heating-plant system, 3)-chilled water from the. Cornel 1~ cooling system cools the TRIGA pool heat exchanger, the. reactor bay air conditioning heat ex-changeri(30 tons), and:other building air conditioning heat

.. exchangers.(7. tons),

4):a wet 1 cooling tower services the dynamitron air conditioning system (25; tons);

5) several chemical fume hoods are exhausted to the atmosphere,-

6) the TRIGA bay. ventilation system has supply and exhaur connec-tions1to the atmosphere, and~

7) the liquid waste : hold-up tank Lean connect to the sanitary sewer or to a truck pump-out station..

Environmental Impact of Site Preparation and Facility Construction

- During Construction of ' Ward _ Laboratory. and modifications to the Labors-

.cory,:a small impact:on the-environment occurred similar to any comparable buildingJconstruction. LThere was no significant effect on.the terrain,7

-vegetation, wildlife,:or the-Cascadilla Creek water or acquatic life. Ward Laboratory does;not detract aesthetically. from the appearance of the Cornell

. Campus..

Environmental Impacts of' Operation-The_' main:environmentalCimpacts of Ward Laboratory are small discharges

- of. gaseous, liquid, and solid-wastes,

'The'following' table: lists'the radioactivity releasedLbetween' July-1,

< 19 74',-: and ' April 730, 1980.:

a t

e y

vL

+

Application' Mat:ric1 (S:ptcmb;r 1980)

III-2 2

Dockst.50-157 Ward Laboratory Radioactive Waste Release Record.

for the period beginning July 1,1974, and ending April 30, 1980 Year Sading

. June 30-

. Liquid Gaseous-Solid 1980 to date 108 pCi 155 mci 26.71 uC1 1979 332 uC1

~ 181 mci None 1978 2414 pCi 194 mci None 1977-

< 10 uCi 162 mci None 1976

< 10 pCi 212 mci None 1975

< 10 pCi 174' mci None On December 4,1979, 5 drums (55 gal.) of solid waste from the TRIGA pool water : purification system (resins, carbon, sand, etc.) were removed from WardLaboratorybyRadiationSafetyfortransportbyTgggdyneCorporation.

The following is a list of the isotopes and amounts:

Eu - 3.07 uC1, 124Sb - 1.17 uC1, 65Zn - 2.27 pC1, 60 o - 12.9 uC1, 54Mn -- 7.3 pCi.

C The-liquid wastes shown in'the table come-from a waste hold-up tank and'are discharged to the sanitary sewer after hold-up and sample analysis by'the Radiation Safety Office.. Tha 2.4 mil 11 curies discharged in 1978 were from the cleaning.of the walls and equipment in the TRIGA pool.

Expected liquid discharges are kept as : low as reasonably achievable and are expected to be 5-6 mci / year and'in concentrations smaller than those specified in

.ANS standard 15.12 and 10 CFR 20.1/-

The gaseous waste listed in the table is argon-41 from air activation in the-beam ports and sample insertion tubes.

The argon-41 is discharged from the reactor bay ventilation c* stem,- The expected annual discharges of'3-4 curies / year result in annual doses to individuals in the unrestricted areawhichareyerymuchsmallerthanthosespecifiedinANSstandard15.12 and 10 CFR 20.2,

>1/ Design Objectives for a Monitoring of Systems Controlling Research

~

' Reactor Effluents,. ANSI /ANS-15.12-19 77 (N647).. See also 10 CFR 20,

' Standards-for Protection'against Radiation.

2/; ibid.-

a

f. -

._i.

Applisition Mat;rici (S:ptemb r 1980) l*

Dock t 50-157 III-3 4.

+

Solid radioactive wastes: consist mainly (by volume) of' blotting paper,

- wipes, gloves, and other low level contaminated wastes. The expected volum-of' these wastes.is several 55. gallon. drums per year and is taken from the Laboratory and. packaged by-the: Radiation Safety Office who contracts with a

~.

, carrier to transport these low level wastes to an NRC approved site in accorc-ance with NRC and' DOT regulations..

. Environmental Impact'of A'ecidents-Accidents.up to and includ ng a maximum hypothetical accident are dis-cussed in the Hazard Analysis.3 Under the unlikely event of the worst case assumptions, the' doses to individuals in the unrgstricted area would be very small compared to the' guidelines in 10 CFR'100.i' They'are also considered negligible with respect to the natural environment.

Environmental Impact o'f the Use of Raw Materials The raw materials used-in' fabricating the materials of construction for the Ward Laboratory and the fissionable materials used in the TRIGA-

~

are non-recoverable and unavoidable. 'The amount of these materials is negligible in comparison with other uses of these same materials.and is small compared to the benefits derived from construction and operation of Ward Laboratory.

Costs of Facility Construction and Operation The cost of construction of the Ward Laboratory facilities was' about one million dollars and the annual costs of operating the Laboratory facilities is ab'out $65,000 per year.

Benefits of Facility Operation Tha Ward Laboratory reactors are used for research and education.

Research sreas -include:

activation analysis, tracer isotope studies, low-energy nuclear physics,

' biology, atomic and molecular physics.

Educational uses include:

undergraduate and graduate engineering courses, Master of Engineering' (Nuclear),

'3/ lSection'7, Final: Safeguards Report for the Cornell University TRIGA

. Reactor,-CURL-2, Supplement l',.1980.

3/ 10~CFR[100, Reactor Site' Criteria.

7 I

p-1

' Application Mat rici (Septenbir^1980).

'III-4

. Docket 50-157

} ' /*

Master of-Science,

. Doctor of. Philosophy.-

Ward I.aboratory is a Cornell.. University facility and like its libraries, is available for use by the' entire Cornell community.

' Alterations to Facility' Operation Some, but not all,. of the benefits could be 'obtained using radioactive sources and/or accelerators t.hich would be more costly.and'less efficient.

There is no: reasonable. alternative to a university research reactor-for the-class of activities it~ performs.

i l,

t I

l

~:

Applic tion. Mat:ricl-(S:;ptemb;r 1980).

IV-1 Docket 50-157-APPENDIX. IV Plan for Preoperational Tests and Initial Operation at 500 kW and $3 Pulses 3.

Facility Changes 1.1 Installation of pool water cooling system (completed 8/11/76) 1.2 Installation of N-16 diffuser 2.

Steady State Test Plan 2.1 Adjust core loading and install instrumented fuel elements 2.2 -Perform 100 kW power calibration 2.3 Reposition neutron detectors and adjust for 500 kW operation and $3 pulse operation 2.4 Measure and record the following data at 100 kW a) fuel element centerline temperatures in B ring and F ring b) control rod positions and excess reactivity c) radiation levels at pool top and in reactor bay experimental areas d) N-16 ac'tivity in pool water discharge line 2.5 Raise TRICA power in 80-100 kW increments 2.6 Repeat measurements in 2.4 after each increment 2.7 Perform 480 kW powt calibration 2.8 Measure and record argon-41 releases 3.

Pulse Mode Ter.t Plan 3.1 Adjust pulse rod to $2.80 3.2 Pulse reactor with reactivity insertions starting at $1.75 and incrementing by $0.25 3.3 Measure and record the following data for each pulse a). fuel element centerline temperatures in B ring and F ring b) peak power (nv) c) integrated power (nyt)

!