ML20151U082
| ML20151U082 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | University of Virginia |
| Issue date: | 04/25/1988 |
| From: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20151T981 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8804290247 | |
| Download: ML20151U082 (3) | |
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 5
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SAFETY EVALUATION BY THE OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION SUPPORTING AMENDMENT NO.,16 TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO. R-66 UNIVgSITYOFVIRGINIA DOCKET N0. 50-62
1.0 INTRODUCTION
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By letter dated July 2, 1987, as supplemented, the University of Virginia (UVA) requested changes in the Technical Specifications of Facility Operating License No. R-66 for the University of Virginia Reactor (UVAR).
T1ese changes would add to the Technical Specifications the followino limitations on the use of cobalt-60 rod sources in the UVAR pool: (1)a minimum distance for storage and usage of the rod sources of five feet from the operating reactor, (2) irradiation facilities shall be designed to prevent physical damage to the rod sources, and (3) the reactor pool water will be checked monthly (interval not to exceed six weeks) for cobalt-60 to assure that substantial leakage from the rod sources to the j
reactor pool does not occur.
2.0 BACKGROUND
Amendment No. 8 was issued to Facility Operating License No. R-66 on August 4, 1971 authorizing the possession, storage and use in the UVAR pool of 70,000 Curies of cobalt-60 in the form of encapsulated rod i
sources.
In letters to the Commission dated July 21, 1971, July 23, 1971, and July 28, 1971 the licensee comitted to limitations on the use of the cobalt rod sources. These limitations were, (1) the cobalt-60 sources will be kept at a lateral distance of at least five feet from the reactor and stored under at least 20 feet of water, and (2) the reactor pool water will be sampled for cobalt-60 at intervals not to exceed 40 days. However, these limitations were not specifically addressed in the Technical Specifications at the time of the 1971 license amendment. This amendnent formally adds to the Technical Specifications limitations on the use of the cobalt rods sources in the UVAR reactor pool.
3.0 EVALUATION The cobalt rods are used and stored at least five feet from the operating reactor. This is not a new requirement. This will prevent neutron activation damage to the double encapsulation which consists of a i
stainless-steel jacket and an aluminum jacket.
Because usage and stcrage will be consistent with the requirements of 10 CFR Part 20 and the D
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concept of ALARA, the requirement to store the sources under at least 20 feet of water is restrictive and does not enhance safety. This require-ment is not carried over into the hchnical Specifications.
Irradiation facilities that will use the cobalt rods will be designed to. prevent physical damage.
This is a new requirement to ensure that the sources are used in a safe, conservative manner. To assure that the cobalt rods have not suffered any cladoing failure, the reactor pool water will be analyzed on a monthly frequency (interval not to exceed six weeks) for cobalt-60. Tais represents an increased frequency of sampling over the previous 40 day interval because the new average is one month. The six week interval allows for operation flexibility. The"exisiting limits on pool pH and conductivity assure that corrosion of the rods is minimized.
If the cobalt-60 concentration of the reactor pool water exceeds the concentrations for restricted areas given in 10 CFR 20, Appendix B, Table 1, this will be considered a reportable event by the Technical Specifica-tions and the NRC will be notified in accordance with the Technical Specifications. This is a new requirement to ensure that rod failure is quickly brought to the attention of the Comission.
l Accidents were considered in the 1971 submittal.
It was detennined that the cobalt rod cladding would remain intact in the event of a loss 1
of pool water c eident and that the radiation fields in the reactor building during this accident would not be noticeably increased by the presence of the cobalt over that of the reactcr core. These conclusions are still valid and do not change.
4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATI0ll This amendment involves changes in the installation or use of facility components located within the restricted area as defined in 10 CFR Part 20 and changes in inspection and surveillance requirements. The staff has determined that the amendment involves no significant increase in the amounts, and no significant change in the types, of any effluents that may be released offsite, and there is no,significant increase in individual or cumulative occupational radiation exposure. Accordingly, this amendment meets the eligibility criteria for categorical exclusion set forth in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(9).
Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.22(b), no Environmental Impact Statement or Environmental Assessment need be prepared in connection with the issuance of this amendment.
5.0 CONCLUSION
The staff has concluded, based on the considerations discussed above, that:
(1) because the amendment does not involve a significant increase in the probability or consr.quences of accidents previously evaluated, or create the possibility of a new or different kind of accident from any l
accident previously evaluated, and does not involve a significant reduction in a margin of cafety, the amendment does not involve a significant hazerds consideration, (2) there is reasonable assurance that
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' proposed activities, and '3) public will not be endangered by the the health and safety of the such activities will be condi"'ad in co.apliance with the Commission's regulations and the isst. -.uc of this amendment will not be inimical to the common defense and security or the health and safety of the public.
Principal Contributor: Alexander Adams, Jr.
Dated:
April 25, 1988 i
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