ML20198B075

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Responds to G Pollack Rept Re Conversion from High to Low Enriched Fuel at Univ Research Reactors.Univ Has Neither Funds Nor Manpower for Conversion.Misconceptions in Rept Re Univ Research Reactors Addressed
ML20198B075
Person / Time
Site: 05000000, Purdue University
Issue date: 11/08/1983
From: Clikeman F
PURDUE UNIV., WEST LAFAYETTE, IN
To: Gilinsky V
NRC COMMISSION (OCM)
Shared Package
ML20155J110 List:
References
FRN-49FR27769, RULE-PR-50 49RF27769, AB60-2-091, AB60-2-91, AB61-2-91, NUDOCS 8605210500
Download: ML20198B075 (1)


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SCHOOL OF NUCLEAR ENGINEERING November 8,1983 Mr. Victor Gilinsky, Comissioner United States Nuclear Regulatory Comission

. Washington.DC 20555

Dear Comissioner Gilensky:

Thank you for the preli inary copy of the report by Gerald't. Pollack university research/ training reactors to low enriched on converting (LEU). The sumary of comments by the universities, uranium fuel as stated by Mr. Pollack in the introduction, reflects our position accurately in that we have neither the funds nor the manpower to spare at this time. However, if the conversion to LEU becomes a requirement, we will, of course, comply.

The information provided for the Purdue reactor, while accurate, is because of its brevity, somewhat misleading. It is true that we have. carried out neutronic studies, using our computer codes and a UO fuel design, for converting the reactor to LEU f.ue2. These 2

stuotes were not meant to be an engineering design.

If the design was carried through, it would mean the fabrication of a whole new core and control rod drive systems. A much less expensive process would be the straight substitution of LEU, MTR type fuel plates for the present fuel. But even this conversion would require the acquisition and veri,fication of computer codes approved by the l

NRC as well as the expense in shipping spent fuel and the fabrica-tion and s. hipping of new fuel in addition to the license admendments.

As stated above,,we.do not have the manpower for even the code acquisition and verification required for the neutronic studies to study the proposed conversion.

Should the NRC or DOE institute a grant prograra to help the universities prepare for conversion to LEU and ultimately to make the conversion, we would be glad to participate. We hope that you will use your influence to ini.tiate such a program.

Thank you for you'r interest.

Sincerely, g52g500e60514 g

50 49FR27769 PDR F. M. Clikeman Professor j

cc: Dr. S. C. Beering Dr. J. C. Hancock #'%,,

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