ML20112J163

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Application to Amend License R-37,revising Tech Specs Governing Variable Reactivity & Performance of Experiments Re Closed Loop Control of Reactor Power
ML20112J163
Person / Time
Site: MIT Nuclear Research Reactor
Issue date: 01/11/1985
From: Bernard J, Lisa Clark
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, CAMBRIDGE
To: Thomas C
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Shared Package
ML20112J166 List:
References
NUDOCS 8501180194
Download: ML20112J163 (2)


Text

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  • ft%gNs 53a NUCLEAR REACTOR LABORATORY AN INTERDEPARTMENTAL CENTER OF kry/

MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY O.K. HARLING 138 Albany Street Cambridge. Mass. 02139 L. CLARK, JR.

Director (617)253- 4 2 1 1 Director of Reactor Operations January 11, 1985 Mr. Cecil Thomas, Chief Standardization and Special Projects Branch Division of Licensing U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555

Subject:

License No. R-37 Amendment Request, and SAR Revision No. 32 Docket 50-20 Gentlemen:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is writing this letter to the Commission for three purposes:

(1) to request an amendment to the Facility Operating License which would authorize a revision in the technical specification governing variable reactivity, (2) to request an amendment to the Facility Operating License which would authorize a new technical specification governing the performance of experiments concerning closed-loop control of reactor power, and (3) to submit Safety Analysis Report Revision No. 32 which revises the sections of the SAR concerning reactor control systems.

Background

As reported to Region I by our letters of 4 August 1980, 2 November 1982, and 30 September 1984, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Charles Stark Draper Laboratory have undertaken an experimental program to develop and apply advanced computer-based technology to the operational problems of nucicar power plants. One component of this program has been to deduce and experimentally demonstrate methods for the automatic control of reactor power. The experimental work has thus far been limited to tests involving the MIT Reactor's regulating rod. It is now desired to extend the program to include the use of the MIT Reactor's shim blades, which have much greater reactivity worth. This research is currently being supported by the National Science Foundation.

8501180194 050111 40 DR ADOCK 05000 hD I

P 9-Amendments to Facility Operating License The safety ramifications of using shim blades to insert .

reactivity while under closed-loop control have been extensively studied by the MITR staff. The results of that study and the requested changes in the Technical Specifications are contained in 1

safety review #0-84-11, " Closed-Loop Control of Reactor Power Using a l Shin Blade" and in safety review #0-84-12, " Closed-Loop Control of Reactor Power Using a Shim Blade: Technical Specification Changes". .

I Both of these safety reviews have been reviewed and approved 'by the i MIT Reactor Safeguards Committee (MITRSC). j SAR Revision No. 32 Safety review #0-84-12 contains SAR revision No. 32 to the Safety ,

j Analysis Report for the MIT Research Reactor (MITR-II), Report No.

i MITNE-115 (October 22, 1970), as amended. This revision either amends or adds to- the sections of the report concerning reactor c'ontrol.

This SAR revision also updates several other items so that they are ,

consistent with the MITR Technical Specifications, t Should you require any further information on this matter please contact Dr. John A. Bernard (617/253-4211). We have previously discussed this program with Mr. E. Greenman of the staff of Region I.

Also, by our letter of 30 Sept. 1984, we sent a draft copy of SR #0-84-11 to Dr. Thomas Murley (Region #1) as an item of l information.

Sincerely,

() u w f John A. Bernard L a Lincoln Clark, Jr.

M '- t Superintendent Director of Reactor Operations i

Enclosures:

Safety Review #0-84-11, #0-84-12 ,

SAR Revision #32 (part of SR #0-84-12) l

i xc MITRSC (w/o enclosure)

USNRC-NRR (3 signed and 19 copies, with enclosures)

!- USNRC-DMB (w/o enclosures)

USNRC-0MIPC (w/o enclosures)  !

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Subscribed and Sworn to before me this day I

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