ML20196E120
| ML20196E120 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Vallecitos Nuclear Center |
| Issue date: | 12/31/1987 |
| From: | Cunningham G, Danni Smith GENERAL ELECTRIC CO. |
| To: | |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8802290047 | |
| Download: ML20196E120 (6) | |
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GENERAL ELECTRIC NUCLEAR TEST REACTOR ANNUAL REPORT NO. 28 LICENSE R-33 DOCKET 50-73 i
NUCLEAR OPERATIONS e GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY VALLECITOS NUCLEAR CENTER, PLEASANTON, CALIFORNIA 94566 g pr/
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GENERAL ELECTRIC NUCLEAR TEST REACTOR ANNUAL REPORT NO. 28 I.
INTRODUCTION
-l This report summarizes the operation, changes, tests, experiments, ' and major maintenance at the Nuclear Test Reactor (NTR) which were authorized pursuant to License R-33 and 10CFR50, Section 50.59, for the period January 1,1987, through December 31, 1987.
i II.
GENERAL A.
The reactor was operated at or above critical for 973.25 hours2.893519e-4 days <br />0.00694 hours <br />4.133598e-5 weeks <br />9.5125e-6 months <br />, 427 startups were made.
There were no scrams during this report period.
Total plant operation equaled 3.843 MW days in 1987.
B.
The average radiation exposure to facility personnel was 3.91 Rem.
C.
There was one occurrence during 1987 that required notification of the NkC.
D.
There was one citation (Severity Level IV) issued as the result of an NRC inspection.
III.
ORGANIZATION There were no organizational changes in 1987.
IV.
CHANCES, TESTS, AND EXPERIMENTS APPROVED BY THE FACILITY HANAGER A.
Chances Pursuant to 10CFR50.59(a), the Facility Manager authorized the following change in 1987.
A Change Authorization allowed installation of a portable pump in the stack effluent monitoring system sample line. The tempotary pump allowed the central pump to be taken out of service for maintenance.
Safety Analysis:
The temporary pump provided an equivalent function as the permanent unit for the stack sampling system.
The flow rate was adjusted to be within specifications. Other area samp1" stations were out of service, and work was not permitted in these areas during that time.
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'NTR Annual Report No. 28 B.
Tests Pursuant to 10CFR50.59(a), there were no special' tests performed during 1987 which required the approval of the Facility Manager.
C.
Exoeriments There were 1,221 individual experiments reviewed,' approved, and performed in 1987. Three experiment type approvals were reviewed and approved.
'One was for irradiation and two for detector calibrations. These are discussed below.
1.
An Experiment Type Approval authorized testing a standard product compensated ion chamber in the~ North Room modular stone monument (MSM), the horizontal facility thermal column, and the east face facility.
Safety Analysis: The only potential hazard is a radiation hazard to the involved personnel. The potential hazard is minimal, and it was determined that the experiment could be conducted safely-utilizing existing procedures. The test will have no reactivity effect on the reactor.
2.
An Experiment Type Approval authorized irradiation of salts or oxides of copper, gold, lanthanum, scandium, and sodium for use in calibration of a repaired germanium detector.
Safety Analysis: The irradiation can be safely conducted using existing hand tools and proceduree. Only milligrams of the oxide and mil 11 curies of activity are involved, i
3.
An Experiment Type Approval authorized testing of GE product line wide range monitor detectors in the neutron beam outside the graphite j
- pack, Safety Analysis: Areas for safety consideration such as reactivity, reactor effects, hazardous materials, radiation, and radioactive material release were addressed.
It was determined that the experiment could be conducted safely within existing limits and restrictions.
V.
MAJOR PREVENTIVE OR CORRECTIVE MAINTENANCE A.
The stack fan motor bearings were replaced requiring one day of nonoperation.
B.
The Hoffman blower which provides a flow for the NTR stack and room filter sample stations was shut down for maintenance. A moto-air unit described in the previous section was used to provide stack sampling while the blower was out of service, s
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'l NTR' Annual _ Report No. 28 VI.
UNSCHEDULED SHUTDOWNS There were no scrams'or unscheduled shutdowns.in 1987.
VII.
RADIATION LEVELS AND SAMPLE RESULTS AT ON-AND OFF-SITE MONITORING STATIONS The data below are from sample and dosimeter results accumulated during-1987.
Except for=the NTR stack data, these data are for the entire VNC site and include the effects of operations other than the NTR.
A.
NTR Stack Total airborne releases (stack emissions) for 1987 are as follows.
Alpha Particulate, < 0.13 pCi (predominantly radon-thoron dau6 ter products) h Beta-Gamma Particulate, 0.86 pCi Iodine-131, < 19.0 pCi Noble cases, 2.1 x 102 Ci Noble gas activities recorded from the NTR stack integrate background readings with the acrual releases which may account for 40 to 50% of the activity released.
B.
Air Monitors (Yearly average of all meteorological stations.)
Four environmental air monitoring stations are positioned approximately 90 degrees apart around the operating facilities of the site.
Each station i
is equipped with a membrane filter which is changed weekly and analyzed j
for gross alpha and gross beta-gamma.
l Alpha Concentration:
-15 Maximum
< 4.5 x 10 pCi/cc (predominantly radon-thoron Average
< 2.93 x 10' pCi/cc Beta Concentration:
Maximum
< 8.1 x 10 4 pCi/cc Average
< 2.99 x 10 pCi/cc C.
Gama Radiation The yearly dose results for the year 1987 as determined from evaluation of site perimeter TLD environmental monitoring dosimeters showed normal background.
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1 NTR Annual-Report No. 28
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D.
Vegetation
.No alpha, beta-or gamma activity attributable to activities at the NTR facility was found on or in vegetation in the vicinity of the site.
E.
-Water There was no release of radioactivity in water or to the ground water greater than those limits specified in 10CFR20, Appendix B, Table II, Column 2.
F.
Off-Site Samples taken off the site indicate normal background for the area.
VIII.
RADIATION EXPOSURE The highest annual exposure to NTR Operations personnel was 5,020 mrem, and the lowest was 3,150 mrem.
The average exposure was 3,913 mrem per person.
There was no significant exposure to outside (non-operations) personnel.
An NTR operator received 1,530 mrem in the third quarter without a documented review of the individual's exposure on a Form NRC 4 as required by 10CFR20.101.
This was reported to Region V on October 30, 1987.
IX.
CONCLUSIONS The overall operating experience of the Nuclear Test Reactor reflects another year of safe and efficient operations. There were no scrams or unusual occurrences and one reportable event. Updated equipment and procedures should provide increased reliability in the ensuing years.
CENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY Irradiation Processing By R. Smith, Manager 1 clear Test Reactor 4
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- o GENER AL $ ELECTRIC NUCLEAR ENERGY BUSINESS OPERATIONS GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY e VALLECTOS NUCLEAR CENTER e PLEASANTON, CAUFORNtA 94566 February 17, 1988 i
U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C.
20555 Attention:
Document Control Desk
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Reference:
License R-33, Docket 50-73 Gentlemen:
Enclosed are three signed copies of Annual Report No. 28 for the General Electric Nuclear Test Reactor.
Sincerely,
- y. {, C G.
E.
Cunningham Senior Licensing Engineer (415) 862-4330 i
/ca Enclosures
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