ML20134J791

Annual Rept for 1996

ML20134J791
Person / Time
Site:	05000134
Issue date:	12/31/1996
From:	Bobek L WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE, WORCESTER, MA
To:	NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM)
References
NUDOCS 9702120316
Download: ML20134J791 (3)

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Leslie C. Wilbur Nuclear Reactor Facility

"*"'" " d WORCESTER Worcester, MA 01609-2280 POLYTECHNIC

508) 831 5276 (508) 83t-5236 INSTITUTE FAX

(508) 831-5680 http://www.wpi.edu January 28,1997 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Document Control Desk Washington, D.C. 20555 Re:

Docket No. 50-134 License R-61 Annual Report for 1996 In accordance the technical specifications for the WPI Nuclear Reactor Facility (License R-61), I am submitting the Annual Operating Repon for 1996.

The WPI reactor is a non-power, university-based, teaching reactor. It continues to be used primarily in the academic mission of Worcester Polytechnic Institute, for the instruction of students, and in occasional scholarly research.

Please conta::t me if funher information is required.

Sincerely, Leo M. Bobek, l

Director WPI Reactor LD 9702120316 961231 PDR ADOCK 05000134 R

pyg 120050

4 e-1996 Annual Operating Report Worcester Polytechnic Institute Nuclear Reactor Facility License R-61 Docket No. 50-134 I.

Operations Summary (a)

ChangesIn Facility Design There were no changes in facility design during 1996.

(b)

Performance Characteristics The operation of all reactor safety system components were normal during 1996.

Performance of fuel was also normal. One non-safety system related component, the Ar-41 monitor, has been inoperable during the year. This system is designed to monitor Ar-41 gas releases above 10% (1 kW) operations. The system is not required by technical specifications. It is referenced in both the FSAR and SER for the reactor. Because of the small production of Ar-41 (much less than 10CFR 20 limits), an evaluation is c9rrently underway to determine the need for this system.

(c)

Changesin Operating Procedures Only one change has been made to operating procedures ducing 1996. The Reactor Check-Out and Operation Procedure OP-1 has been modified to include a specific check to assure the safety system annuniciator panel is operational. This is a technical specification requirement that has been previcesly satisfied indirectly by observation during performance of the reactor check-out procedure. The change to the procedure provMes a specific documented check.

(d)

AbnormalResidts OfSurveillance Tests AndInspections There were no unusual findings from the performance of surveillance tests and inspections.

(e)

Personnel Changes in Reactor Facility Director, Health Physicist, or Radiation, Health, and Safety Committee Members Two members have retired from the Radiation Health and Safeguards Committee. One is the Provost for WPI, who was replaced in July. A professor from the biology department resigned as of April. Another professor from that department has volunteered to serve on the committee.

6-WPI 1996 Annual Report Page 2 of 2 II.

- Power Generation (kilowatt-hours) 1996 Output:

396.9 Total LEU-Fuel :

927.4 Total Reactor:

8341.4 Ill

- Unscheduled Shutdowns There were seven unscheduled shutdowns during 1996. Of these, three were due to

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inadvertent disturbance of signal cables while the reactor was sub-critical and four were due to operator or trainee manual-range switching errors on the linear power channels. None of the scrams had any safety significance given the scope of the facility and the majority were due its teaching and training mission.

IV.

Maintenance Nc, corrective maintenance was performed on safety related systems or components during 1996.

t V.

Changes. Tests. Atd Experiments Pursuant To 10CFR 50.59 t

Two safety evaluations pursuant to 10CFR 50.59 are proceeding for facility changes.

l i.

One is to determine the need of the Ar-41 monitor as previously described in section I (b) of this report. The second is to evaluate the safety significance, if any, for the installation oflead shielding above the reactor.

VI.

Radioactive Effluents Release 2

4 There have been no measurable releases of radioactivity above background for liquid effluent releases. Gaseous Ar-41 has been released in trace amounts that are conservatively calculated to be well within 10CFR'20 release limits.

i t

A End