ML20076N019

Submits Annual Updated Fuel Conversion Schedule,Per Nov 1989 Application for Amend to License R-66.Date for Conversion from High to Low Enriched U Projected for End of 1991 or Beginning of 1992

ML20076N019
Person / Time
Site:	University of Virginia
Issue date:	03/14/1991
From:	Mulder R VIRGINIA, UNIV. OF, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA
To:	Murley T Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
NUDOCS 9103260385
Download: ML20076N019 (3)

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March 14, 1991 & APPUED SCIENCE Director of the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulatio [,[,[

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555 mmr M Vir p ia Attn: Mr. Thomas E. Murley g ym,p,c q Charlouewille. VA 22WO-N42 Re: University of Virginia's 2 MWth UVAR reactor, g g,y 3 ,y y,p g g g,97,,2n34 Facility License R-66, Docket No. 50-62, Annually Updated Fuel Conversion Schedule.

Gentlemen:

In November 1989, the University of Virginia Reactor Facility submitted to the NRC an application to convert the UVAR reactor to LEU fuel. The submittal included an LEU SAR and a tentative conversion schedule. To meet the requirements of 10 CFR 50.64 (c) (2) , this conversion schedule is being updated now (please see the enclosure).

In early 1990, the U.Va. Reactor Facility received verbal communication from EG&G's Idaho office to the effect that LEU fuel elements for the UVAR reactor would be manufactured only after September or October of 1991, due to budgetary constraints.

The consequent delay in the conversion will not adversely affect reactor operations, for sufficient HEU fuel elements remain onsite and in storage at B&W, Lynchburg, VA..

The date of conversion to LEU fuel is projected for the end of 1991, or beginning of 1992. It is noted that this still tentative date is subject to the availability of a suitable spent-fuel shipping cask for offsite shipment of all HEU fuel, as well to no further delays in the manufacture of the first UVAR LEU core. As the conversion.date draws closer, the U.Va. reactor staff will maintain even closer contacts with the NRC, to coordinate a date that is mutually agreeable. The order to convert should be issued only when it .is certain that U.Va.'s HEU fuel can be shipped. It is hoped that a period for simultaneous possession of both LEU and HEU fuel can be avoided, to preclude security ramifications due to excessive de6 f fission

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,anmonwealth of Virg,'nia '

Ibereby certify that the attached docurnent is a true and W\U.NMul er, " Director nact copy of a - le Ner R bert

emmu,g.g-- c presented before U.Va. Nuclear Reactor Facility NN$ day of JTignk ,19 11~'

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N!$))dhzt" "TcT' tJT*NREEDocument Cont ~r'o1 Desk, Washington D.C.

/Ir lsdla.j .A'dklqQrgtor, USNRC Region II,Wash.

1Reh.MaryinMendonca,NRCprojectManager, D.C.

Atlanta, Georgia "tr'FKeith Brown, D'iV! of University Programs, DOE My commssion emies jl[7g _ j g{L i I  !

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ANNUALLY UPDATED

]} HEU TO LEU FUEL CONVERSION SCHEDULE FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA'S 2MW UVAR REACTOR Submitted to:

Director of the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation U.S. J Olear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555 Attn: Mr. Thomas E. Murley Submitted by:

Robert U. Mulder Director of U. Va. Reactor Facility Department of Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics University of Virginia 22903 March 1991

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UVAR FUEL CONVERSION SCHEDULE Milestones Dates *

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Availability of DOE conversion study funds September 86 EG&G's New Fuel Element Drawing Approved by U.Va. November 89 Submittal to the NRC of UVAR LEU SAR with an application to convert to LEU Fuel, by V.Va.- November 89 Submittal to the NRC of Response to NRC's Follow-up Questionnaire re: UVAR LEU SAR, by U.Va. Febru try 91 Fitting of Dummy LEU F1sment(s) in UVAR core gridplate July 91 Notification Sent to NRC by U.Va.

of UVAR LEU fuel availability Novenber 91 Issuance of NRC's " Order of Convert" A (December 91?)

Several HEU Spent Fuel Shipments by U.Va. to Savannah River A + 1 mo.

Completion of HEU Fuel Shipments and Receipt of fresh LEU -core A + 2 mo.

Expected UVAR reactor downtime 1 mo.

Loading of LEU fuel in UVAR core A + 2 mo.

Completion of Tech. Spec, required first LEU core parameter tests A + 3 mo.

l Report to NRC of UVAR LEU first core parameters, as per TS and SOP's A+ 12 mo.

A = Date of NRC's Order to Convert; this date is expected to be selected based both on the date of LEU fuel availability and the availability of a suitable spent-fuel shipping cask.

• If, despite best efforts, the milestones can't be met as indicated in this schedule, then the conversion of the UVAR will l

be delayed accordingly, and a revised schedule submitted to the NRC.

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