ML20004E421
| ML20004E421 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | North Carolina State University |
| Issue date: | 06/01/1981 |
| From: | NRC |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20004E413 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8106120163 | |
| Download: ML20004E421 (2) | |
Text
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UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION g
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ENVIRONf1 ENTAL' IMPACT APPRAISAL SUPPORTING ORDER AUTHORIZING' DISMANTLING 0F-FACILITY AND DISPOSITION OF COMPONENT PARTS NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY bOCKETNO.50-111 l
Introduction By letter dated June 5,1980, as revised by letters dated February 19 and March 27, 1981, the North Carolina State University (the licensee) applied l
for authorization to dismantle the 10 Kw Research and Training Reactor (the facility), dispose of its component parts, and tenninate the facility license.
This evaluation deals with those features and characteristics of reactor dis-mantling and disposition of component parts which may affect the environment.
Discussion ot' Facility Dismantling The facility is a 10 Kw, graphite reflected, pool-type reactor that used MTR-type fuel elements. The core lattice is a 5x5 array of 21 fuel assemblies and
'4 graphite assemblies. The reactor was operated from 1960 to 1973. Operations were then tenninated and License No. R-63 amended to " Possess-but-not-operate" status.
All fuel has been removed from the reactor facility. The irradiated fuel has i
been shipped to the Department of Energy (DOE) Savannah River Plant for re-processing. The remaining fueli 4 unirradiated fuel assentlies, have been transferred to the licensee's PULSTAR reactor facility for dry storage. Amend-ment No. 6 dated September 17, 1980, to License No. R-120 authorized the trans-far of the 4 unused fuel assemblies to the PULSTAR reactor. These 4 assemblies I
will remain at the PULSTAR facility until they are shipped to another licensed reactor facility for reuse or to a Federal reprocessing facility.
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The facility accumulated a total of 52.5 megawatt hours of operation. Calcu-1ations by the licensee indicate thM the total residual activity in all reactor components and structures is less than 0.5 curies, Environmental Considerations j
Radioactive material produced during the dismantling process will be sent to a licensed burial ground. The reactor will be dismantled in accordance with the licensee's dismantling plan, as revised. Dismantling will consist primarily of removal of activated reactor internal components, beam tubes and the pool liner. Only minor decontamination effort is expected because of the low level of activity in the cooling water during reactor operation.
If any decontamination liquids are generated they will be
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handled in accordance with 10 CFR Part 20 requirements and procedures presently in existence at the adjacent PULSTAR reactor. All reactor systems of the 10 Kw reactor are now dry, hence there are no existing liquids for disposal.
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EIA The licensee proposed to remove all byproduct materials, radioactive wastes and radioactive components to reduc.e radiation to levels acceptable for release to unrestricted access. Radioactivity will be removed to the levels specified in our letter of March 6,1981 to the licensee. The facility may be renovated following removal of radioacti.ve material, or the major structures incluv'ng the reactor building may be removed to make mom for a new building.
In either event, the site will be returned to productive use by the University.
Therefont, dismantling will cause no significant environmental impact because of the low residual activity and the controls established. The facility will b3 released for unrestricted use following dismantling and inspection by the NRC.
Alternatives to Dismantling of Reactor and Disposal of' Components Tne reactor has not been used for 8 years and is of no present or future use It occupies space which can be used by to No.rth Carolina State University'There are no reasonable alternatives to dis-the licensee for other purposes.
mantling.
Long Term Effects of Dismantling and Disposal of Reactor Components i
Upon removal of reactor components, the reactor facility rooms can be used for other purposes or the reactor building can be removed and the space used for a new University building. The reactor fuel will be used at another research reactor or reprocessed at the DOE Savannah River Plant. Reactor components that are radioactive will be disposed of as radioactive waste. Nonradioactive reactor components will be scrapped except for parts that can be put to use in other projects by the licensee.
Costs and Benefits of Reactor Dismantling The costs of dismantling the facility and disposal of its components is esti-j mated to be about $60,000.
The licensee has not been able to sell the reactor during the eight years it has been shutdown.
Its disposal as scrap materials is therefore preferable to its remaining in its present status where it serves no useful purpose. No benefits would be served by not dismantling the reactor.
Conclusions We conclude that there will be no significant envircnmental impact associated j
with the dismantling of the facility and disposal of its component parts, and that no environmental impact statement is required to be written for dismantling of the facility and disposal of the component parts.
Dated:
June 1, 1931 l
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