ML20207R576

Advises of Const of Low Level Radwaste Processing & Storage Facility at Site.Assistance in Determining Acceptability of Using Liquid Radwaste Tanks in Nonseismic Facility Due to Unclear Guidance in Generic Ltr 81-38 Requested

ML20207R576
Person / Time
Site:	Duane Arnold
Issue date:	03/11/1987
From:	Norelius C NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III)
To:	Bernero R Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
GL-81-38, NUDOCS 8703170389
Download: ML20207R576 (2)

Text

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. brid MAR 111987 MEMORANDUM FOR: Robert M. Bernero, Director, Division of Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) Licensing FROM: Charles E. Morelius, Director, Division of Reactor 4

Projects

SUBJECT:

REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE Iowa Electric Light and Power Company has constructed a Low Level Radwaste Processing and Storage Facility at_the Duane Arnold Energy Center site.

4 The facility was built to provide storage for low level radioactive waste if burial sites were not available starting January 1987. The licensee c also provided space in the facility for laundry, decontamination, and liquid f processing activities. Long tem storage of low level radwaste is no longer i

necessary since the burial sites have remained open; however, the licensee intends to use the facility for laundry, decontamination, liquid processing activities, and short term storage of waste while preparing it for shipment.

-During our inspection of this facility we noted that the facility was not built to the seismic criteria of Regulatory Guide 1.143 as discussed in the guidance given by Generic Letter 81-38 as it relates to structures that house liquid radwaste storage tanks. The facility includes a presently installed 4,000 gallon storage tank and a planned future 70,000 gallon storage tank.

During discussions with the DAEC NRR Project Manager, it was determined that Generic Letter 81-38 was not applicable to the laundry, decontamination,

i. liquid processing, and short term radwaste storage activities since, although liquid radwaste is routinely present during these activities, the waste is routinely facility no(processed or pumped seismic criteria to an existing was required tank for the in the radwaste existing existing radwaste facility in the operating license) and there is no long term storage of the liquid radwaste.

It is not clear, however, that use of the presently installed 4,000 gallon storage tank and the planned future 70,000 gallon storage tank does not fall under the guidance in Generic Letter 81-38 since the liquid radwaste would remain in the facility for longer periods. In response to this concern the licensee has included the effects of a seismic event in their 50.59 review i

and has infonnally agreed not to use these tanks until this issue is resolved.

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MAR 111987 - -

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MEMORANDUM FOR

Robert M. Bernero, Director Division of Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) Licensing .

FROM: Charles E. Norelius, Director Division of Reactor Projects S'UBJECT: REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE i

IohaElectricLightandPowerCompanyhasconstructedaLowLevelRadwaste '

Processing and Storage Facility at the Duane Arnold Energy Center site.

Th facility was built to provide storage for low level radioactive waste ~

E if urial sites were not available starting January 1987. The licensee ,

al provided space in the facility for laundry, decontamination, and liquid -

processing activities. Long tem storage of _ low level radwaste is no longer necessary since the burial sites have remained open; however, the licensee intends to use the facility for laundry, decontamination, liquid processing activities, and short term storage of waste while preparing it for shipment.

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During our inspection of this facility we noted that the facility was not built to the seismic criteria of Regulatory Guide 1.143 as discussed in the guidance given by Generic Letter 81-38 as it relates to structures that house liquid radwaste storage tanks. The facility includes a presently installed 4,000 gallon storage tank and a planned future 70,000 gallon storage tank.

During discussions with the DAEC NRR Project Manager, it was determined that Generic Letter 81-38 was not applicable to the laundry, decontamination,

. liquid processing, and short term radwaste storage activities since, although liquid radwaste is routinely present during these activities ~, the waste is processed or pumped to an existing tank in the_ existing radwaste routinely (no seismic criteria was required for the existing radwaste facility facility in the operating license) and there is no long term storage of the liquid radwaste.

It is not clear, however, that use of the presently installed 4,000 gallon storage tank and the planned future 70,000 gallon storage tank does not fall under the guidance in Generic Letter 81-38 since the liquid radwaste would remain in the facility for longer periods. In response to this concern the licensee has included the effects of a seismic event'in their 50.59 review and has informally agreed not to use these tanks.until this issue is resolved.

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Robert M. Bernero 2 Since the guidance in Generic Letter 81-38 is not clearly applicable, we request the you determine the acceptability of using these liquid radwaste tanks in the non-seismic facility.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact N. Jackiw (388-5697) of Joel S. Wiebe (319-851-5111) of my staff.

I'dridinci tised ly c,L }3.rettegg Charles E. Norelius, Director Division of Reactor Projects cc: N. Chrissotimos, RIII J. Harrison, RIII R. Greger, RIII R. Gilbert, NRR J. Wiebe, SRI Duane Arnold RIII 7

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