ML20055D531
| ML20055D531 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Pennsylvania State University |
| Issue date: | 07/02/1990 |
| From: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20055D527 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9007090061 | |
| Download: ML20055D531 (3) | |
Text
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- p urg'o, UNITED STATES
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g NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
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WASHING TON, o. C. 20555
'g SAFETY EVALUATION BY THE OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION SUPPORTING AMENDMENT NO. 27 TO l
FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO. R-2 4
PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY DOCKET NO. 50-5 t
1.0 INTRODugIf In a letter dated March 27, 1990 as supplemented on April 23, 1990, the Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) requested an amendment-to Facility Operating License No. R-2 for the Penn -State Breazeale Reactor Facility-(PSBR)..
The amendment would add to the license fifty grams of uranium-235 (U-235) in the form of fission detectors and fission foils of any enrichment and also ado such special nuclear meterial-as may be produced by operation of the reactor.
2.0 EVALUATION Amendment No. 24 issued on May 15, 1986 amended Paragraph 2.B.(2) of Facility Operating License R-2 to read:
(2) Pursuant to the Act and 10 CFR Part 70, " Domestic Licensing of Special Nuclear Material," to receive, possess and use in connection with operation of the reactor, up to nine (9) kilograms of contained l'
uranium-235 enriched to less-than 20%.-
Prior to Amendment No. 24 there were no license limits concerning enrichment of contained U-235.
The intent of Amendment No. 24 was to delete authorization to receive, possess and use high-enriched uranium fuel elements from the license. However, all authorization to receive, possess and use high-enriched uranium was deleted from the license in error. The licensee has continued to L
possess fission detectors-enriched to greater than 20% U-235 which are necessary to operate the reactor. This discrepancy in the license was discovered _by the licensee and was reported to the Penn State NRC Project Manager during a tele-phone conversation on' February 12,1990 followed by a letter dated February 13
-1990.
Penn State has requested that Paragraph 2.B.(2) be amended to read:
(2) Pursuant to the Act and 10 CFR Part 70, " Domestic Licensing of.Special Nuclear Material," to receive, possess, and use in connection with the operation of the reactor, up to nine (9) kilograms of contained uranium-235 enriched to less than 20% in the form of fuel elements and up to fifty (50) grams of contained uranium-235 without limit as to enrichment in forms such as fission detectors or fission foils, and to possess but not separate such special nuclear material as may be produced by the operation of the reactor.
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O This wording would correct the discrepancy and allow possession of fission detectors and foils of any enrichment. Fission detectors are used to monitor the reactor during start up and operation.
Fission foils are used as dosimeters to seasure neutron flux in the reactor which is important in experipental work and calibrations. These detectors and foils will be used in accordance with the facility Technical Specifications and in accordance with the regulations.
The amendment also allows possession, but not separation, of special nuclear material (SNM) produced by operation of the reactor. Normal operation of tne reactor produces SNM. An example is the production of )1utonium from U-238.
This wording clarifies the license to include the SNM tiat is produced in the fuel. This condition has been assumed to exist but has not been stated.
This amendment will not require changes in "The Physical Security Plan for the Pennsylvania State University Breazeale Reactor Facilities Possessing Special Nuclear Material of Low Strategic Significance."
There is no specific accident 1n this type of research reactor associated with use of this material in accordance with the Technical Specifications and regulations.
Because this material was previously approved, is necessary for operation of-the facility, and will be used in accordance with the Facility Operating License and the regulations, the staff concludes that the changes to the Facility Operating License are acceptable.
3.0 ENVIRONUEN,TALCONSIDERATION This amendment involves changes in the installation or use of facility components located within the restricted area es defined in 10 CFR Part 20 and changes in inspection and surveillance requirements. The staff has determined that the an.endment involves no significant increase in the amounts, and no 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 anendment meets the eligibility criteria for categorical exclusion set forth in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(9). Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.22(b), no Environmental Impact Statement or Envtronmental Assessnent need be prepared in connection with the issuance of this amendment.
4.0 C_0NCLUSION The staff has concluded, based on the considerations discussed above, that:
(1)becausetheamendmentdoesnotinvolveasignificantincreaseinthe 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,ll not be(2)there is reasonable assurance that the health and safety of the public wi endangered by the proposed activities, and (3) such activities will be conducted
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in compliance with the Comission's regulations and the issuance of this-amendrr.ent will not be inimical to the common defense and security or the health and safety of the public.
Principal Contributor: Alexander Adams, Jr.
Dated:
July 2, 1990 F
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