ML20010B405

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Ro:On 810730,operator Failed to Measure k-excess Prior to First Reactor Power Operation.Excess Reactivity,Measured on Daily Basis,Has Not Varied Outside Normal Operational Conditions.Internal Administrative Procedure Instituted
ML20010B405
Person / Time
Site: Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute
Issue date: 07/31/1981
From: Adcock B
DEFENSE, DEPT. OF, DEFENSE NUCLEAR AGENCY
To:
NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I)
References
00549, 549, NUDOCS 8108140446
Download: ML20010B405 (1)


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L6A DEFENSE NUCLEAR AGENCY ARMED FORCES RADIOBIOLOGY RESEARCH eNSTITUTE

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'8 ' o BETHESDA, MARYLAND 20014 E.3 1 bdi DIR 50 -l 79 Director, Region I b.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 631 Park Avenue King of Pruss!a, PA 19406

Dear Sir:

This Information is provided asiollow-up action to our telephonic report to Mr. McCabe of your office, by Major Ronald R. Smoker, at approximately 1520 hours0.0176 days <br />0.422 hours <br />0.00251 weeks <br />5.7836e-4 months <br /> on 30 July 1981.

On 30 July 1981, an operatu inadvertently failed to measure k-excess prior to the first reactor power operation of the day. Two steady-state reactor operations at 21.0 kW (thermal) and one pulse of $1.50 were subsequently performed prior to measuring k-excess. The AFRRI License Number R-84, Docket 50-170, Technical Specifications, Section ILC.7., states "The core excess reactivity shall be measured at the beginning of each day of normal operation or prior to each continuous operation extending mort. than one day." Excess reactivity as measuaed on 30 July 1981 was $3.46 within $.01 of the last k-excess measurement performed the previous day, and well below ' AFRRPs authorized maximum k-excess cf $5.00.

Historically, excess _ reactivity measured on a daily operational basis has never varied outside of normally expected operational conditions.

An internal administrative procedure has been instituted to prevent recurrence of such an event.

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chould you have any questions or require additional information or reports regarding this matter, please contact Major Ronald R. Smoker, Chief, Radiation Sources D; vision at (202) 295-1092/1290.

,,i Sincerely,

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Acting Director j

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