ML20046C673
| ML20046C673 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | University of Missouri-Columbia |
| Issue date: | 07/21/1993 |
| From: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20046C668 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9308110338 | |
| Download: ML20046C673 (2) | |
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION k,
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WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 SAFETY EVALUATION BY THE OFFICE OF NUCLEAR GEACTOR REGULATION SUPPORTING AMENDMENT NO. 24 TO FACILITY AMENDED LICENSE NO. R-103 DOCKET NO. 50-186 THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT COLUMBIA 1.0 INTRODUc, TION By letter dated April 30, 1993, as supplemented on July 9, 1993, the University of iMssouri at Columbia (UM) submitted a request for a change to Amended Facility License No. R-103 for the University of Missouri at Columbia Research Reactor (h0RR). The requested change would temporarily increase the license possession limit for uranium-235 (U-235).
2.0 EVALUATION The UM has requested a temporary increase in the license possession limit, from 45 kilograms to 60 kilograms, of contained uranium-235 of any enrichment.
This increase would be in effect until May 31, 1994. This request has been made because the Department of Energy Savannah River Plant (SRP) may not be able to accept spent fuel from MURR on a schedule that will allow.the MURR to i
continue to operate without exceeding their current possession limit of 45 kilograms. MURR submitted a letter dated July 7,1993, from the SRP that verifies this problem.
i The temporary possession limit of 60 kilograms was derived by considering projected operating schedules, anticipated experimental usage, operating experience with the fuel cycle, the need for excess reactivity, and Technical 1
Specification constrains on fission density. The practice of MURR is to keep the amount of U-235 on site to a minimum and to maximize fuel depletion.
The staff agrees with the licensee estimates.
1 The change to the license will not require changes in the " Physical Security i
Plan for tne University of Missouri Research Reactor Facility" because fuel will remain self protecting (2100 R/hr at 3 feet) for the term of ths amendment. Storage of spent fuel will be in existing or new storage racks that meet the requirements of the Technical Specifications. The fuel will be stored in a geometry such that the calculated K effective is less than 0.9 l
under all conditions of moderation and permits sufficient material convection j
cooling.
This increase is temporary in nature and will be in effect until May 31, 1994.
When the fuel is removed from site, MURR will apply for a license amendment to return the possession limit to 45 kilograms. While this temporary possession limit is in effect, MURR will provide information on the status of the-establishment of shipping capability and other activities relevant to the amendment as part of their required annual report to the NRC.
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I This amendment is similar to Amendment No. 19 issued on June 6, 1990 that raised the U-235 possession limit on a temporary basis to 60 kilograms and Amendment No. 21 issued on May 8, 1991 that raised the U-235 possession limit on a temporary basis to 75 kilograms.
There are no specific accidents in this type of research reactor associated with the storage of spent fuel in accordance with the Technical Specifications. The maximum hypothetical accident of complete fission product release of four fuel plates in the reactor core is not affected by increasing the amount of stored fuel.
Because the fuel will be stored in accordance with the Technical Specifications, accidents previously evaluated are not changed and no new or different kind of accident is created. Therefore, the staff concludes that the temporary increase in the possession limit of U-235 is acceptable.
3.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATION
This amendment involves changes in the installation or use of facility components located within the restricted area as defined in 10 CFR Part 20 and changes in inspection and surveillance reouirements. The staff has determined that the amendment involves no :ignificant increase in the amounts, and no i
significant change in the types, of any effluents that may be released offsite, and there is no significant increase in individual or cumulative occupational radiation exposure. Accordingly, this amendment meets the eligibility criteria for categorical exclusion set forth in 10 CFR i
51.22(c)(9).
Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.22(b), no Environmental Impact Statement or Environmental Assessment need be prepared in connection with the issuance i
of this amendment.
4.0 CONCLUSION
The staff has concluded, based on the considerations discussed above, that:
(1) because the amendment does not involve a significant increase in the probability or consequences of accidents previously evaluated, or create the possibility of a new or different kind of accident from any accident previously evaluated, and does not involve a significant reduction in a margin of safety, the amendment does not involve a significant hazards consideration, l
(2) there is reasonable assurance that the health and safety of the public will not be endangered by the proposed activities, and (3) such activities will be conducted in compliance with the Commission's regulations and the issuance of this amendment will not be inimical to the common defense and security or the health and safety of the public.
Principal Contributor: A. Adams, Jr.
u Dated: July 21, 1993 l