ML20202A744
| ML20202A744 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | University of California - Irvine |
| Issue date: | 01/22/1999 |
| From: | NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20202A689 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9901280268 | |
| Download: ML20202A744 (4) | |
Text
, - . - . . . . . _. .-
gB Rff .
- +4 i 3 UNITED STATES s" g NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION j t WASHINGTON, D.C. 20056-0001 '
l SAFETY EVALUATION BY THE OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION SUPPORTING AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO. R-116 THE UNIVERSITY OF CAllFORNIA. IRVINE l I'
DOCKET NO. 50-326
1.0 INTRODUCTION
i By letter dated August 24,1998, as supplemented on November 13 and December 7, 1998, the University of California, Irvine (UCI or the licensee) submitted a request for amendment to the Technical Specifications (TSs) for the UCI TRIGA research reactor. The ,
amendment provides surveillance requirements applicable to shutdown conditions, air l effluent release limits consistent with the current 10 CFR Part 20, and clarifying, editorial !
and administrative changes.
2.0 EVALUATION !
2.1 Surveillance Reauirements for Shutdown Conditions The licensee proposed to add TS 1.27. TS1.27 would provide that certain surveillances are n,t required when the reactor is shut down. The specific TSs surveillances to be omitted during shutdown conditions are TS 4.1 on fuel element !
dimensions, TS 4.2 on control rod integrity, and TS 4.3 on reactor power and fuel l temperature monitoring channels. l These TSs are to ensure acceptable conditions during reactor operations. Also, the key parameters of these TSs have no reasonable physical mechanism to change with the reactor shutdown. That is, without operational conditions of increased fuel temperature, the fuel, control rods or associated power and temperature channels are not likely to change. The proposed change also specifies that the TSs will be done before reactor start-up, except those that cannot be done with the reactor shutdown.
The TSs that cannot be done during shut down are specified as TS 4.2(a) for control rod reactivity worth, and TSs 4.3(d) and (f) for calorimetric and temperature measurements at power conditions. However, TSs 4.2(a),4.3(d) and 4.3(f) will be done within 30 days of reactor startup. Other surveillances provide additional assurance that the parameters for these delayed TS will be acceptable.
9901290268 990122 PDR ADOCK 05000326 P PDR 4
d For TS 4.2(a) on control rod reactivity worth, visual inspections of the fuel and control rods are required by TSs 4.1(a) and 4.2(c), respectively, and provide i l assurance that the fuel and control rods are not damaged. Further, radiation monitoring provides additional verification of fuelintegrity. Control rod drop time '
measurements as required by TS 4.2(b) ensure another related aspect for control rod function. Further, the functional check of the transient rod required before pulsing by TS 4.2(d) provides verification that it is not damaged. Therefore, the control rods' reactivity should not be affected as there is no change due to operations and i condition will be verified by other TSs.
For TS 4.3(d) on the calorimetric calibration of the power level channels, TS 4.3(c) requires a channel check of the power level measuring chanr.els before operation and provides assurance that the power level channels are functioning as required.
For TS 4.3(f) on the fuel temperature comparison at power conditions, TSs 4.3(b) and (e) require channel check and calibration and provide assurance that the temperature measuring channels are functioning as required.
Therefore, this change ensures that conditions required for operation will be verified before startup. It also provides assurance that conditions that cannot be verified without the reactor operating are functioning through the requirements of other TSs and that they will be verified soon after reactor startup.
1 Based on the above, this change to add TS 1.27 is acceptable. .
1 2.2 Change from Counts Per Minute to Percent Power Level '
l The change from counts per minute or count rate to percent power level or power }
level is in TSs 3.1(i),3.3 and 3.4. The values in percent power verify and perform the same functions as specified in the bases for these TSs. Percent power level or power level corresponds to current instrumentation at the facility. Therefore, these changes are acceptable. '
2.3 Air Effluent Release Limits j The change to TS 3.5 makes the release limits for argon 41 consistent with the current 10 CFR Part 20 limits. Besides being consistent with the requirements, this change is conservative. Therefore, this change to TS 3.5 is acceptable.
2.4 Clarification on Emergency Exhaust System The change to TS 3.6 is to add the word " shutdown" to the emergency exhaust system description. This change more accurately describes the function of the
- system and therefore is acceptable.
i 4
-r-.
t l
s l
2.5 Clarification on Pool Water Level Alarm The changes to TS 3.7 update the location that the pool water level alarm is delivered and add the words "or less" to indicate that the alarm will sound when the water level is 13 feet "or less" above the top grid plate. These clarifications acceptably describe the function of this alarm.
l 2.6 Administrative Changes l
Changes to TS 6.1(a) and to " Chart 1" change the words " Chemistry Department of the School of Physical Sciences" or " Chemistry Department" to " School of Physical Sciences." A change to TS 6.1(b) changes " Chemistry Department" to "UCl." These l changes raise the responsibility for the facility to a higher levelin UCl, and therefore are acceptable.
.The changes to TS 6.2(c) change " Department of Chemistry" to " School of Physical Sciences." As previously stated, this change raises the responsibility for the facility to a higher level in UCl, and therefore is acceptable. The changes also change the membership requirement for the Reactor Operations Committee. This change is from two members outside the Department of Chemistry to one member outside the School of Physical Sciences. Since the school is larger and more diverse, the intent of diversity of the committee is met. Therefore, this change is also acceptable.
2.7 Editorial Changes Changes to TS 6.1(b),6.1(c) and 6.8 remove gender specific language. These l changes are editorial and are therefore acceptable.
2.8 Clarification on Regulatory Function The changes to TSs 6.4 and 6.5 update "AEC" to "NRC.".
The changes to TS 6.7 similarly change reporting requirements from AEC to NRC,
! change reporting to headquarters rather than regional organizations, and update addresses. These changes are consistent with the current regulatory organization and therefore are acceptable.
3.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATION
This amendment involves changes in the installation or use of a facility component located
{ within the restricted area as defined in 10 CFR Part 20 or changes in inspection and surveillance requirements, or changes in recordkeeping, reporting, or administrative procedures or requirements. The staff has determined that this amendment involves no significant increase in the amounts, and no significant change in the types, of any effluents that may be released off site, and no significant increase in individual or cumulative occupational radiation exposure. Accordingly, this amendment meets the eligibility criteria I
l t
for categorical exclusion set forth in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(9) and (10). Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmentalimpact statement or environmental assessment need be prepared in connection with the issuance of this amendment.
4.0 CONCLUSION
The staff has concluded, on the basis of the considerations discussed above, that (1) because the amendment does not involve a significant increase in the probability or consequences of accidents previously evaluated, or create the possibility of a new or different kind of accident from any accident previously evaluated, and does not involve a significant reduction in a margin of safety, the amendment does not involve a significant hazards consideration; (2) there is reasonable assurance that the health and safety of the public will not be endangered by the proposed activities; and (3) such activities will be conducted in compliance with the Commission's regulations and the issuance of this amendment will not be inimical to the common defense and security or the health and safety of the public.
Principal Contributor: Marvin Mendonca Date: January 22, 1999
- _ _ _ _ _ - _ _ _ _