ML20206U947

Requests Exemption from Conversion of Highly Enriched U Fuel for Training Reactor Per 10CFR50.64.c.Substitution of Available Low Enriched U Fuel Cannot Be Made W/O Major Redesign of Reactor Structural & Support Components

ML20206U947
Person / Time
Site:	05000087
Issue date:	09/29/1986
From:	Nardi A WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC COMPANY, DIV OF CBS CORP.
To:	Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
LA-86-80, NUDOCS 8610080461
Download: ML20206U947 (2)

Text

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. N WGStinghouSe PowerSystems Ba 355 j Pittsbu@ Pennsylvania 15230 0355 Electric Corporation I

IA 86-80 September 29, 1986 Director of the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation U. S. Nuclear Regulatory comission Washington, DC 20555

Dear Sir:

This latter constitutes a request for an exanytion fra conversion fra the use of HEU fuel for the Westinghouse Nuclear Training Reactor (NFR),

, Facility License R-119, Docket No. 50-87. This request is sulmitted in accordance with 10 CFR 50.64.c.

The NPR is a light water moderated and graphite reflected, highly enriched ali=im= uranim alloy, lw power, pool type reactc,_. The alt =4mmuranim alloy fuel is a unique tubular design consisting of three concentric rings held together by alunim= brackets at the top and bottom. The inner

{ diameter of the center ring is of sufficient size to permit the insertion of i

special apparatus for ===-4=mtal purposes. The reactor is specifically designed to align and support the unique tubular fuel assemblies in a h ==mnal configuration.

The NTR is used exc1"<:ively for the training of operators, technical staff and instructors frm menarcial utilities. The NPR has proven to be an invaluable tool for hands on training of utility personnel in the field of nuclear reactor theory and control. The experiments conducted by the students emphasize the theoretical concepts crucial to the safe operation of their larger PWR's and BWR's.

The reactor is operated at low power levels (less than 100 Watts) to maintain the neutron flux density in the HEU fuel low ar - h to minimize act.1vation of structural ocmponents and the experinsits inserted into the i core. This aids in maintaining stu& tat and staff erposure very low, l consistent with AIARA policies, as L significant amrunt of handling of these radioactive materials is fuphmarital to the NPR'r uique program.

Conversion to IEU would require signiflcantly higher neutron flux densities in the core to achieve the acceptable sig e to-noise ratio in the experimental results. This would increase the activation of structural i ocuponents and === 4=ts thereby increasing the doses received '

proportionally.

_ conversion to IEU fuel in some configuration other than the tubular design _

used currently at the NPR, would eliminate the possibility of conducting s e e of the experiments required to permit the continuation of the quality training of personnel in the nuclear industry. Currently, =mav4=ts are conducted, analyzing the effects of various poisons in the core as well as

the effects of void formation.

8610080461 860929 kO  !

PDR- ADOCK 05000087 I Q, p PDR m

. .s Di_ % r of the Office (2) IA 86-80 of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Sephunhat- 29, 1986 The current fuel loading of this unique design is a lifetime core. No refueling is required nor is any spent fuel generated through licensed operation. The facility was designed to take maF nnan 4 advantage of the unique characteristics of the specially configured HEU fuel. The substitution of any available LEU fuel could nc,t be made without major redesigning of the reactor structural and support ocuponents, fuel, tubular control rods with fuel element followers and experimental apparatus. The elimination of the experiments or increase in doses received, resulting from a conversion to LEU would be extremely detrimental to the value of the NPR program. Any degrandation of this program would have an adverse impact on the wtors' opportunity to gain an in depth comprehension of reactor theo q and kinetics, crucial to the safe operation of the countries ccanarcial nuclear power plants.

Sincerely, ,

/ .

A. Nardi, NES License A&ninistration ATN/dh v-- - , , - , - , , , , . , . . ,-a - rm-. . -.-v