ML20059E302

Application for Amend to License R-37,authorizing Temporary Increase in Possession Limit for U-235 from 29 Kg to 41 Kg

ML20059E302
Person / Time
Site:	MIT Nuclear Research Reactor
Issue date:	10/29/1993
From:	Bernard J MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, CAMBRIDGE
To:	NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM)
References
NUDOCS 9311030162
Download: ML20059E302 (2)

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t2 NUCLEAR REACTOR LABORATORY .

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. MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY O. K. HARLING 138 Albany Street. Cambridge, Mass. 02139 4296 J. A. BERNARD lJR.

Director Telefax No (617) 253-7300 Director of Reactor Operations.

Telex No. 92-1473-MIT CAM Tel. No.(617) 253 4202 29 October 1993 ,

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ,

Washington, D.C. 20555 Attn.: Document Control Desk

Subject:

Expiration of Temporary Increase in U-235 Possession Limit for License No.

R-37, Docket No. 50-20, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Research Reactor Gentlemen:

Amendment No. 26 to License No. R-37 (MIT Research Reactor) authorized a temporary increase in the possession limit for U-235 from 29 kg to 41 kg. The reason for that increase was to perniit continued facility operation pending the return of spent fuel to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). This temporary increase expires 31 December '

1993. We are pleased to report that we were able to return a substantial portion of our inventory of spent fuel to DOE and that, as a result, our inventory is now below the i original 29 kg limit. Accordingly, license amendment No. 26 should be allowed to expire.

This will occur automatically and no action is needed by either MIT or NRC.

As you are aware, the U.S. Department of Energy has not yet established a

, pemianent arrangement for the return of spent fuel from research reactors and it is unlikely that any returns will be possible after mid 1994. Accordingly,it is possible that MIT will require a reissuance of a temporary increase in the possession limit at some point in the future, perhaps as early as a year from now (October 94). In this regard, the following information may be of use:

't Temporary possession limit: 41.0 kg Inventory prior to 1 ilreturn to DOE: 36.5 kg Pemianent possession limit: 29.0 kg Current inventory: 25.9 kg Inventory if remaining spent fuel were returned to DOE: 18.9 kg Our present inventory (25.9 kg) would allow us to receive six additional elements. If one ,

, accounts for the depletion of the existing fuel that will occur over the next year, then several onn n, gI 0, 9311030162 931029 m PDR P

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"U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

. Page 2 more elements could be obtained. However, it is evident that the 29 kg limit would.

,be approached fairly soon. Accordingly, a reissuance of the temporary possession limit may be necessary. The only alternative would be for DOE to' accept the return of our-remaining spent fuel. This would lower the current inventory to 18.9.kg and probably allow continued operation until the time at which DOE now estimates that it will be able to-accept returns of spent fuel on a routine basis. We are pursuing this option.

Sincerely, I <- ( 6( k ohn A. Bernard, P .D. l Director of Reactor Operations i MIT Research Reactor -

JAll/CRM cc: USNRC - Project Manager, NRR/ONDD ,

USNRC - Region I - Chief, Effluents Radiation Protection Section (ERPS)

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