ML20055D054

Provides Response to Request for Addl Info & Clarification Re 900419 Amend Application,Per 900621 Request.Max Verification Interval for Proposed Tech Spec 4.3.3 Changed from 60 to 45 Days

ML20055D054
Person / Time
Site:	Washington State University
Issue date:	06/27/1990
From:	Wilson W WASHINGTON STATE UNIV., PULLMAN, WA
To:	Alexander Adams Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
NUDOCS 9007030153
Download: ML20055D054 (5)

Text

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b Washington-StateUniversity Nuclear Radiation Center, Pullman, Washington 99164-1300 / 509 335 8641 June 27,-1990 Alexander Adams, Jr.

Project Manager Non-Power' Reactors, Division of Reactor Projects III, IV, V Office-of Nuclear Reactor Regulations US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555 Re: Docket No. 50-27

Dear Mr. Adams,

In response to your letter dated June 21, 1990, requesting additional information and clarification of certain aspects of the application for amendment of the license for the Washing-ton State University modified TRIGA research reactor submitted on April 19, 1990, the following information and clarifica-tions are submitted:

1. Attached is a revised copy of Table 3.2 that reflects the proposed change in the maximum power level of the reactor.

2. Attached is a revised copy of specification 3.14(3) which addresses the concerns raised by your question number 2.

Specification number (1) now sets a maximum curie limit of 100,000 curies and requires that sources be designed p so that a loss of pool water will not compromise the cladding on the sealed source. The 100,000 curie limit would approximately double the long-term sky shine dose above the pool in the event of a loss of pool water acci-dent. Specification number (3) has been modified for a maximum analysis interval not to exceed six weeks and to L specifically refer to radionuclides from sealed sources L in the pool. A basis for specification 3.14(3) is also attached.

l 3. The maximum verification interval for proposed technical L specification 4.3.3 is hereby change from 60 days to 45 days.

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4. Add item (d) to amendment request item 9 to correct the regional office address to read as follows:

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June'27, 1990 Page 2 (d) Replace'the words, "NRC Region V Office of Inspec-tion and Enforcements," in 6.10 (1) , (2) , (3 ) and (5) with.the words, " Regional Administrators USNRC Region V Office."

Sincerely, W.

S E. Wilson W

Associate Director Enclosures-WEW: crc

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1 3.6;3l Reactor Safety' System-- 7

-Applicability: This specification applics1 to the reactor safety system channels.

' Obj ective:' Thelobjective is to specify the minimum number of reactor safety,

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-system channels that must.be operabic for safe operation.

- Specification: ,The reactor shall'not be operated unless.the safety channels

described-in Table 3;2

are:operabic. ,

- Table 3.2 Minimum reactor safety. channels Number _ operable J in specified mode L Safety channel ' Function SS Pulse'

. Fuel _ temperature Scram if fuel' temperature 1 .1 exceeds 500'C -

Power level -Scram if power level exceeds-1100 kW 1. l' '

, a-Manual scram, Prevent initiation of afpulse wide range above 1 kWJ 1  ;

Prevent control elemente

withdrawal"when neutron' count is less thanl2. cps. -1

'lligh-voltage - Scram on loss of high voltage to power channels 1 1-Lmonitor.

EPulse-mode switch Prevent withdrawal: . of: standard control and regulation elements.

in pulse mode -1

. Preset' timer Transient rod scram 15 seconds or less after pulse I Pool level Alarm if pool IcVel falls belue 16 ft over the core 1 1

?Thansient rod: Prevent application of air icontro11 unless fully inserted 1 Note: SS = steady state 1

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4-p - ~ Specification: 3.14 (3) -

. (1) Sealed: sources shal11only be stored and used in-the. cast end,orfstorage M, portion;of the reactor pool and not in the portion of the pool:in which q

thefreactor core is normally situated. Scaled-sources-shall not at any

' time be stored or used closer than five (5) feet away from the-face of

' rut operating reactor core. The total. activity of alliscaled sources

stored in the pool shall:not exceed. 100,000 curies.-'All scaled source

. configurations shall oe. designed so that a -loss. of pool water accident willEnot precipitate a sealed source incapulation integrity problem.

-(2) EA11Lstorage.and use"of scaled sources in the reactor pool shall be -!

i considered as an experiment and shall be reviewed and approved by the

. Reactor Safeguards Committee. A written operating procedure.for the.

storage andLuse of sealed sources -in the reactor pool shall be'in '

0 effect urder the requirements:of 6.8.'1. ,

- bO b L(3); The radionuclidefcontent of the reactor pool water shall be monitored ,

monthly at an interva.! not to exceed six (6) weeks in order to detect a a'significant leak in the sourcessstored in the reactor pool. If the -

specific radionuclide content:ofz the pool water:for radionuclides from a scaled. source stored in -the reactor pool exceeds 10 times _the 10 CFR 120' Appendix B, Tabic II, Column 2 value, stepsishall be taken to iso-t , late the source of theractivity' and .to mitigate' the problem.

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Bases for 3.14(3).

Bases:: ? Limiting the proximity with which . sealed sources.may be stored and -

6 n t used in the:. reactor pool- minimizes the _ possibility of interaction between :

4 the scaled sources and an operating reactor thereby minimizing any con-

'ceivable direct effect of the sources on the operation of the reactor.

-Limiting'the total activity.of all stored scaled _ sources to 100,000 curies E insures. that' the scaled ~ sources do not. significantly increase radiation -

hazard: at the facility in the event of a loss of pool water accident.

All scaled sources, even-those stored and used in the reactor pool, fall under the jurisdiction of the State of Washington rather than the- Federal government since Washington is.an agreement state, llaving.the Reactor, Safeguards 1 Committee review and approve the usage and storage of all scaled sources _used and. stored'in the reactor pool provides appropriate oversight for such-sources in relation to the reactor. facility.

Experience has=shown that monitoring the reactor pool water monthif will provide early detection of any potential scaled source leakage problems. '

The detection limits.are many orders of magnitude below the 1cvel at which the activity from a leaking scaled source becomes a problem.

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