ML20125D310
| ML20125D310 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 05000130 |
| Issue date: | 07/24/1964 |
| From: | Boyd R US ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION (AEC) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20125A538 | List:
|
| References | |
| FOIA-85-54 NUDOCS 8506120306 | |
| Download: ML20125D310 (2) | |
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DOCKET NO. S0-130 HAZARDS ANALYSIS BY THE RESEAROI AND POWER REACTOR SAFETY BRANOI DIVISION OF REACTOR LICENSING IN Tile MATTER OF NORTHERN STATES POWER COMPANY PATHFINDER ATOMIC POWER PLANT INCREASE IN NINBER OF INITI AL START-UP SOURCES Introduction By application dated July 13, 1964, the Northern States Power Company (NSP) has requested an amendment to the Pathfinder Atomic Power, Plant Facility License DPR-11 to authorize receipt, possession, and use of an additional 6-curie plutonium-beryllium neutron source for use in the reactor during initial fuel loading and low-pressure testing.
It has requested that the total number of grams of plutonium encapsulated as two 1-curie and two 6-curie plutonium-beryllium neutron sources be increased from 128 grams to 224 grams.
In addition, Northern States Power has requested that i
Sections 5.5.1, 5.7.1(a), 7.4.1 and 7.4.2 of the Technical Specifications i
be changed to allow the use of not more than two Pu-Be neutron sources as required. These changes have been requested so that during portions of the low pressure test program two sources could be used to enhance the ability '
of the neutron detectors to monitor the core.
Evaluation Northern States Power has stated that the additional neutron source will be the same as the original source.
It will have the same strength, 6-curies, the same dimensi'ons and will be manufactured b'y the same vendor. The operating environment, handling and storage of the additional source will be the same as those permitted with the original source.
Any hazards considerations associated with these neutron sources, beyond those initially considered, would be a function of the increase in number of sources used. The facilities and procedures to be used by the appli-cant in handling and installing these sources into the reactor core are adequate from a safety standpoint, in our opinion, for activities of the magnitudes described.
i Conclusions i
Based upon our review of the information submitted, we have determined that the licensee can operate the Pathfinder reactor with two Plutonium-Beryllium sources, as proposed,without undue hazard to the health and safety of the public.
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l Accordingly, we -believe that paragraph 2(B)(2) of Provisional Operating I
License DPR-11 should be amended to read as follows:
"224 grams of Plutonium encapsulated as two 1-curie and two 6-curie Plutonium-Beryllium neutron sources."
In addition, we believe that Section 5.5.1, 5.7.1(a), the third paragraph of Section 7.4.1, and the second. paragraph of Section 7.4.2 of the Technical Specifications to License DPR-11 should be changed as indicated
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hereunder:
"5.5.1 Initial Start-up Source During initial fuel loading and low-pressure testing, not more than two 6-curie plutoniua-beryllium neutron sources shall be used. 'These sources shall be posi-tioned in superheater process tubes. At all times the maximum thermal during the use of these sourcesg flux shall be limited to 5 x 10 ny at the position of the sources.
5.7.1(a)
Refueling Partial core tests may be run, but the reactor power shall be limited to 1.0 Mwt, exclusive of core decay heat. When using the plutonitss-berylliu:n sources, the power shall be limited as described in 5.5.1.
7.4.1 Basic Test Conditions Not more than two 6-curie Pu-Be neutron sources shall be provided to yield meaningful readings on neutron sensitive chambers. The neutron population shall be monitored during the loading.
7.4.2 Boiler Slab Core Loading and Criticality With the core drained, the boiler boxes and control rods shall be loaded into the vessel. Nuclear instrumentation for information and protection shall be operable in accordance with 7.4.1.
Not more than two 6-curie Pu-Be neutron sources shall be located in the superheater process tubes. The boiler fuel elements shall be loaded into the dry core to form a slab array. The neutron pop-ulation shall be monitored during the loading."
al signed by:
Rogers.Soyd Roger S. Boyd, Chief Research 6 Power Reactor Safety Branch Division of Reactor Licensing I
Date: Jul. 241964 I