ML20091A250

Forwards Annually Updated HEU to LEU Fuel Conversion Schedule for Univ of VA 2 MW UVAR Reactor. Date of Conversion to LEU Fuel Projected Tentatively for Early 1993 Subj to Availability of Suitable Shipping Cask

ML20091A250
Person / Time
Site:	University of Virginia
Issue date:	03/18/1992
From:	Mulder R VIRGINIA, UNIV. OF, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA
To:	Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
NUDOCS 9203260181
Download: ML20091A250 (4)

Text

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March 18, 1992 & AITLIED SCIENCE Director of the Office of 11uclear Reactor Regulation # #

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U.S. 11uclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555 pniu.gn g yngig Re: University of Virginia's 2 MWth UVAR reactor, Itc.uu I acihh Facility License R-66 Docket flo. 50-62, n#ngi; y3 2,,ym.sm Annually Updated Fuel Conversion Schedule. W82E33R8333333W333N 804 982 5440 FM 804 982 5473 Gentlemen:

Every year at about this time, in order to meet the requirements of 10 CFR 50.64(c)(2), the University of Virginia Reactor Facility staff submits to the llRC an update of the HEU to I4Q Conversion Sc!1p_d_ql.e. In attachment, please find a tentative schedule based on the best information available to us at this date.

In early 1990, the U.Va. Reactor Facility received verbal communication from EG&G's Idaho office that LEU fuel elenents for the UVAR reactor would be manufactured only after September or October of 1991, due to budgetary constraints. Ilowever, this projected date slipped considerably. Consultations with personnel at the fuel manufacturer, the Babcock and Wilcox company in Lynchburg, Va., revealed that B&W delivered a fuel manufacturing proposal for the manufacture of the UVAR LEU core to EG&G Idaho on December 6, 1991. Perslatent attempts to communicate with personnel at EG&G responsible for the contract management were unsuccessful. For that reason, the probable date for the signing of this contract is not available. The manufacturer's representative stated that it would take about one year from the date of contract signing for the delivery of fuel to be possible. This information was used in the updating of the conversion schedule.

The delay in the conversion will not affect reactor operations significantly, for sufficient HEU fuel elements remain onsite and in storage at B&W, Lynchburg, VA.. However, U.VA. has communicated to EG&G by letter its great interest in proceeding with the conversion as soon as possible. This would permit a detailed core characterization to be made, which is needed for eventual high-fluence /long-term material irradiation studies.

The date of conversion to LEU fuel is projected now for the beginn3ng of 1993.

It is noted that this date is tentative and subject to the availability of a suitable spent-fuel shipping cask for offsite shipment of all HEU fuel. It also depends still on there being no further delays in the manufacture of the first UVAR LEU core.

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I (Conversion Schedule, page 2}

As the conversion date draws closer, th. U.Va. reactor staff will maintain ever closer contracts with the NRC, to coordinate a date

! for the issuance of an order to convert that is mutually agreeable. This order should bo 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 ilEU fuel can be avoided, to preclude security ramifications due to excessive decay of fission products, s

Sincere). p l

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Robert U. Mulder, Director C

U.Va. Nuclear Reactor Facility

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L .comonweruh of Virginia 1 Iseby certify that the attached document is a true and exact copy of a .I(lyff( Of fitdocument)

/ - presented before me this I day of Ib r t k 1902 .

by kO3Fr i Ma{th /

(nante of person teekerg ackmwiedgement) nuir, rutu Lt L i i@.tv My commission expires S,hN 19 9 .

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US NRC Document-Control Desk, Washington D C, 1 Mr. Alexander Adams, NRC Project Manager, Wash. D.C.

Regional Administrator, USNP.C Region II, Atlanta,-Georgia Mr. Keith Brown, Div. of University Programs, DOE Mr. Harry Mr. Anthony J.

Prebble, Babcock and Wilcox, Lynchburg, Va.

Vinnola, EG&G Idaho, Great Falls, Id.

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ANNUALLY UPDATED llEU TO LEU FUEL CONVERSION SCllEDULE FOR Tile UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA'S 2MW UVAR REACTOR Submitted to: (

Director of the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555 Submitted by:

Robert U. Mulder Director of U.Va. Reactor-Facility s Department of Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics University of Virginia 22902 March 1992 '

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4 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 4 Submittal to the NRC of UVAR LEU SAR with an application to convert to LEU Fuel, by U.Va.

November 89 Submittal to the NRC of Response to NRC's Follow-up Questionnaire re: UVAR LEU SAR, by U.Va.

February 91 Fitting of Dummy LEU Element (s) in UVAR core gridplate July 91 Notification Sent to NRC by U.Va.

of UVAR LEU fuel availability November 91 Issuance of NRC's " Order of Convert" A (March 1993)?

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 20.

Expected UVAR reactor downtime 1 mo.

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

Completion of Tech. Spec. required

, first LEU core parameter tests A + 3 mo.

Report to NRC of U71.R 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 pDd 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 be delayed accordingly, and a revised schedule submitted to the NRC.

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