ML20137Q852

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Discusses 970307 Briefing of ACRS Re Scope of DOE Analyses Supporting Irradiation of Tritium Producing Burnable Absorber Rod Ltas.Memo Consisting of Concerns & Results of Preliminary Scoping Assessment,Encl
ML20137Q852
Person / Time
Issue date: 04/09/1997
From: Martin T
NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned)
To: Sohinki S
ENERGY, DEPT. OF
Shared Package
ML20137Q857 List:
References
PROJECT-697 ACRS-GENERAL, NUDOCS 9704110152
Download: ML20137Q852 (1)


Text

April 9, 1997 Stephen M. Snhinki, Director Office of Commercial Light l

Water Reactor Production Defense Programs Department of Energy Washington, DC 20585

)

SUBJECT:

ACRS SCOPING ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL UNREVIEWED SAFETY QUESTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH MATERIAL INTERACTIONS FOR TPBAR LTAs

Dear Mr. Schinki:

During your March 7, 1997, briefing of the Advisory Committee for Reactor i

Safeguards (ACRS), questions arose regarding the scope of DOE's analyses supporting irradiation of tritium-producing burnable absorber rod (TPBAR) lead test assemblies (LTAs).

Specifically, the ACRS wanted to know whether DOE's report PNNL-11419, " Report on the Evaluation of the Tritium Producing Bernable Absorber Rod Lead Test Assembly," had considered potential unreviewed safety questions associated with material interactions during design basis accident conditions and neutronic effects of LTAs adjacent to fresh and high burnup fuel assemblies during rod drop accidents.

The ACRS has conducted a preliminary scoping assessment of these concerns and its results are provided in the enclosed memorandum to the staff and ACRS from i

Dr. August W. Cronenberg, ACRS fellow.

You should note that the staff does not usually make reports of this kind, which have not undergone peer review, available outside the Commission.

However, because the information may prove useful to you in determining details of the ACRS's concerns, this memorandum is being provided for your use in accordance with the provisions of the May 22, 1996 joint memorandum of

. understanding between the NRC and DOE.

If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact the project manager, J. H. Wilson, at (301) 415-1108.

Sincerely, i

Merylee Slosson for/

Thomas T. Martin, Director Division of Reactor Program Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Project No. 697 Enclosure-As stated h- @

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Stephen M. Sohinki, Director Office of Commercial Light Water Reactor Production Defense Programs Department of Energy Washington, DC 20S85

SUBJECT:

ACRS SCOPING ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL UNREVIEWED SAFETY QUESTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH MATERIAL INTERACTIONS FOR TPBAR LTAs

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Dear Mr. Schinki:

During your March 7,1997, briefing of the Advisory Committee for Reactor Safeguards (ACRS), questions arose regarding the scope of DOE's analyses supporting irradiation of tritium-producing burnable absorber rod (TPBAR) lead i

test assemblies (LTA:,).

Specifically, the ACRS wanted to know whether DOE's report PNNL-Il419, " Report on the Evaluation of the Tritium Producing Burnable Absorber Rod Lead Test Assembly," had considered potential unreviewed safety questions associated with material interactiens during design basis accident conditions and neutronic effects of LTAs adjacent to fresh and high burnup fuel assemblies during rod drop accidents.

The ACRS has conducted a preliminary scoping assessment of these concerns and its results are provided in the enclosed memorandum to the staff and ACRS from Dr. August W. Cronenberg, ACRS fellow.

You should note that the staff does not usually make reports of this kind, which have not undergone peer review, available outside the Commission.

However, because the information may prove useful to you in determining details of the ACRS's concerns, this memorandum is being provided for your use in accordance with the provisions of the May 22, 1996 joint memorandum of understanding between the NRC and DOE.

If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact the project manager, J. H. Wilson, at (301) 415-1108.

Sincerely,

/)

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Thomas T. Martin, Director Division of Reactor Program Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Project No. 697

Enclosure:

As stated cc'w/ enc 1:

see next page

.