ML20140H850

Responds to to Show Cause.Std 10 Plate Element Used as Spare & Other Three Elements Used Sporadically in Critical Experiments Constitute Irradiated Fuel

ML20140H850
Person / Time
Site:	05000134
Issue date:	10/04/1985
From:	Wilbur L WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE, WORCESTER, MA
To:	NRC OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY (SECY)
References
NUDOCS 8510230152
Download: ML20140H850 (3)

Text

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WORCESTER Worcester POLYTECHNIC Wssactiusetts 01609 gM October 4,1985

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_J INSTITUTE Secretary of the Commission

'85 0CT -9 A10:22 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Comission Washington, DC 20555 crr:tt oc d.

SOCKETING 6 SEPW '

Re: Facility Operating License R-61 MAN H

Dear Sir:

This is written in response to your Order to Show Cause dated September 27, 1985. The Worcester Polytechnic Institute Open Pool Reactor has a normal core loading of 24 elements and is authorized to use two different types of elements,10 plate and 18 plate. We have stored outside the core one standard 10 plate element for a replacement spare, one 10 plate element with 8 individually removable plates for use in critical experiments, and two 18 plate elements. The present core is composed entirely of 10 plate elements.

The WPI reactor is used primarily as a teaching aid, and student laboratory and project work varies with student interest. Our two eighteen plate elements are used on demand in the core to demonstrate how their nuclear characteristics differ from the 10 plate elements, and the removable plate element is used to approach critical plate by plate in loading to other than

" standard" core configurations. Such experiments have been performed with students in recent years. Thus both of the 18 plate elements and the removable plate element have been in the reactor at power and have been irradiated.

In summary, our understanding is that our standard 10 plate element may be retained as a spare, and the other three elements, used sporadically in critical experiments, constitute irradiated fuel. If this interpretation of the Order is correct, we are already in compliance with it and no fuel ship-ments are necessary.

If we are incorrect in these assumptions, please notify us.

Sincerely,

& c. WL 4

8510230152$

134 L. C. Wilbur, Professor of PDR ADOCK DR Mechanical Engineering P

and Director, t

LCW:ama Nuclear Reactor Facility cc: Executive Legal Director, USNRC Mr. John DOSA, USNRC f

Dean R. Gallagher, Mr. T. Newton Professors D. N. Zwiep, and J. A. Mayer C0tMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS l

Worcester SS Signed and sworn before me by Leslie C. Wilbur this 4th day of October 1985

'Nb.n ?y qt t1Fti Helen L. Bugdenovich, Notary Public i

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UNITED STATES 8'

' NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION o

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wAsHW3 TON, D. C. 20665

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EDO PRINCIPAL CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL FROM:

DUE:

EDO CONTROL: 001082 DOC DT 10/04/85 L.

C. WILBUR FINAL REPLY:

WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE TO:

SECRETARY FOR SIONATURE OF OREEN SECY NO: 85-861 DESC:

ROUTING:

l RESPONSF TO 9/27/85 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE RE DENTON REDUCTION OF HEU AT NON-POWER REACTORS TAYLOR MURLEY DATE: 10/11/85 GCUNNINGHAM/ BURNS ASSIONED TO: NMSS CONTACT: DAVIS (PDR SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS:

FOR APPROPRIATE ACTION.

COORDINATEWITHELD(STEVEBURNS)

L.C. Wilbur CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL TICKET SECY NUMBER:.85-861 LOGGING DATE 10/10/85 0FFICE OF THE SECRETARY ACTION OFFICE:

EDO L. C. Wilbur AUTHOR:

AFFILIATION:

Worchester Polytechnic Inst--Mass LETTER DATE:

10/4/85 FILE CODE SECY ADDRESSEE:

Facility operating lic R-61--order to show cause dtd 9/27/85

SUBJECT:

Appropriate ACTION:

RF i

DISTRIBUTION:

None SPECIAL HANDLING:

FOR THE COP 9t!SSION.. Champ SIGNATURE DATE:

Ree'd Ott, gan Date,,,,, /,0,- / / -7[,

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4 EDO --- 001082

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