ML20198L205

Accepts Replacement of High Enriched Fuel Elements Per 10CFR50.64(b)(2)(i).Inventory of Unirradiated HEU Fuel Must Conform to Requirements of Order Entitled, Reduction of Unirradiated HEU Fuel Holdings at Non-Power Reactors

ML20198L205
Person / Time
Site:	University of Lowell
Issue date:	01/08/1998
From:	Micheals T NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned)
To:	Bettenhausen L MASSACHUSETTS, UNIV. OF, LOWELL, MA (FORMERLY LOWELL
References
NUDOCS 9801150197
Download: ML20198L205 (3)

Text

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• gE-ISSUED TO CORRECT DATE *J:nuary 8, 1998 f, ur. Lee - wi...susen, Reactor Supervisor g Radiation Laboratory University of Massachusetts Lowell c

. Ons University Avenue Lowell, Massachusetts 01854

SUBJECT:

REPLACEMENT OF HIGH ENRICHED FUEL ELEMENTS  !

Dear Dr. Bettenhausen:

This is in regard to your letter of December 18,1997, wherein you informed us that you requtsted the Department of Energy to provide you with two replacement high enriched utenlutn (HEU) fuel el6ments to replace existing HEU fuel elements in the University of Massachusetts Lowell Research Reactor core. Your request was prompted by the fact that the reactor core will not have sufficient excess reactivity for the experiments that you are planning to conduct in February 1998, and that no low enriched uranium (LEU) fuel will be made available to you until, at the earliest, July 1998. Also, we note that these experiments are in the critical path of the development of several Department of Defense -

weapon systems as related in a letter to you from Aspen Systems Inc., dated May 14, 1997.

In view of these circumstances, and since no Llid fuelis available for you to conduct these experiments, we find that acceptance of this fuelis permissible in light of the regulation in 10 CFR 50.64(b)(2)(i). Howevoi, your inventory of unitradiated HEU fuel must conform to ,

the requ!rements of a Show Cause order appearing in the Federal Realster on October 3,-

1985 (50 FR 40464), entitled, " Reduction of Unirradiated High Enriched Uranium Fuel Holdings at Non. Power Reactors."

If you have any questions, please call me at (301) 41511U2.

Sincerely.

Original signed by:

Theodore S. Michaels, Senior Project Manager Non power Reactors and Decommissioning Project Directorate Division of Reactor Program Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50 223 cc: See next page gg DISTRIBUTION:

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• Jmniary 8,1998 Dr. Lee Bettenhausen, Reactor Supervisor Radiation Laboratory University of Massachusetts Lowell One University Avenue Lowell, Massachusetts 01054

SUBJECT:

REPLACEMENT OF HIGH ENRICHED FUEL ELEMENTS

Dear Dr. Bettenhausen:

This is in regard to your letter of December 18,1997, wherein you informed us that you requested the Department of Energy to provide you with two replacement high enriched oranium (HEU) fuel elements to replace existing HEU fuel elements in the University of Massachusetts Lowell Research Reactor core. Your request was prompted by the fact that the reactor core will not have sufficient excess reactivity for the experiments that you are planning to conduct in February 1998, and that no low enriched uranium (LEU) fuel will be made available to you until, at the earliest, July 1998. Also, we note that these experhnents are in the critical path of the development of several Department of Defense weapon systems as related in a letter to you from Aspen Systems Inc., dated May 14, 1997, in view of these circumstances, and since no LEU fuelis available for you to conduct these experiments, we find that acceptance of this fuelis permissible in hght of the regulation in 10 CFR 50.64(b)(2)(l). However, your inventory of unirradiated HEU fuel must conform to the requirements of a show Cause order appearing in the Federal Rejlster on October 3, 1985 (50 FR 40464), entitled,

• Reduction of Unitradiated High Enriched Uranium Fuel Holdings at Non Power Reactors."

if you have any questions, please call me at (301) 4151102.

Sincerely, N A$. h Theodore S. Michaels, Senior Project Manager Non power Reactors and Decommissioning Project Directorate Division of Reactor Program Management '

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50 223 cc: See next page -

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, University of Massachusetts Lowell Docket No. 50 223 i

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Mayor of Lowell i City Hall Lowell, Massachusetts 08152

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Mr. Lee H. Bettenhausen f Nuclear Reactor Supervisor i University of Massachusetts Lowell.  ;

One University Avenue Lowell, Massachusetts 01854 :

Office of the Attorney General i Environmental Protection Division l 19t') Floor .

One Ashburton Place >

Boston, Massachusetts 02108 l

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