ML20211P107
| ML20211P107 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Reed College |
| Issue date: | 08/31/1997 |
| From: | REED COLLEGE, PORTLAND, OR |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20211P076 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9710200051 | |
| Download: ML20211P107 (17) | |
Text
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REED REACTOR FACILITY
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ANNUAL REPORT September 1,1996 -- August 31,1997 3203 Southeast Woodstock Blvd.
Portland, Oregon 97202-8199 voice: 503-777-7222 fax: 503-777-72 '4 email: reactor @ reed.edu Stephen G. Frantz Director, Reed Reactor Facility Program Director, Nuclear Science Consortium of the Willamette Valley Dgo2 Dobk00088 R PDR
l T A BLE OF CONTENTS l E X E C UT I V E S U M M A R Y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 I NT R O D U CT I O N . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 PERSONNEL.........................................................................3 Facility S taff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Radiation S afety Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Reactor Operations Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 FACILITIES..........................................................................5 Reactor Facility Floor Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Rotatin g S pecimen Rack Facility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Pneumatic Tran s fer S yst em . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 I n - Core Facilitie s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 In -Pool Faciliti e s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 B eam Fac ilitie s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 R E A CT O R U S E R S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 R ea c tor V i si tors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Reactor Operations Semin ar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Nuclear Science Consortium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 High S chool S tude nt Proj ects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Pacific University Science and Technology Camp for Girls ....... . ... ..... ..... ... .... . ........ 8 Pacific University Modem Physics Lab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Co ncordi a U n ivers i ty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Reed Classes, These s, and Faculty Re search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Industrial and Commercial Application s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 R E A CT O R O P E R AT I O N S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0 Operation s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Unplanned Reactor S hutdowns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Fue l Ele men t Leak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I 1 R E A CT O R M A I NT E N A N C E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3 Significant Maintenance .....................................................................13 S afe ty R e vie w s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3 R A D I AT IO N P R OT E CT I O N . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Person nel Do s imetry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 G aseou s Releases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Liq uid Waste Release s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 S olid Waste Dis po sal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Environ mental S amplin g . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Fix ed Area Dosimetry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Reed Reactor Facility Annual Report 1996-97
EX ECUTIV E SU MM A RY l This report covers the period from September 1,1996 to August 31,1997. This repon is intended to fulfill several purposes including the reponing requirements of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the US Department of Energy, and the Oregon Depanment of Energy.
Highlights of the last yearinclude:
Student panicipation in the program is very high. The number oflicensed student operators exceeds one percent of the student body.
. Ihe facility continues its succ~ in obtaining donated equipment from the Portland General Electric, US Department of , and other sources. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has been generous .ading valuable equipment to the college.
Progress is being made in a collaborative project with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory on isoiope production for medical purposes. This could be an exciting long term relationship which is very promising for the facility.
There were over 1700 individual visits to the Reactor Facility during the year. Most were students in classes at Reed College or area universities, colleges, and high schools. Including tours and research conducted at the facility, the Reed Reactor Facility contributed to the educational programs of eleven colleges and universities in addition to eighteen pre-college groups. Most of the reactor use by non-Reed personnel was conducted under the auspices of the Nuclear Science Consortium of the Willamette Valley, supported by a grant from the US Department of Energy through the -
Reactor-Use Sharing Program.
During the year, the reactor was operated almost 250 separate times. The total energy production was over 42 MW-hours. The reactor staff consists of a Director, an Associate Director, a contract Health Physicist, and approximately t zenty Reed College undergraduate students as hou:ly employees.
All radiation expm res to individuals during this year were well below one percent of the federal limits. There we ' < i releases of liquid radioactive material from the facility and airborne releases were well within regulatory limits.
The facility experienced a fuel element leak during the year. The leaking element was identified and removed from service.
Reed Reactor Facility Annual Report 1996-97 Page1
INTRODUCTION l The Reed College Reactor Facility has been a resource for research and educational projects in the Portland area since its establishment in 1968. Cooperative programs between Reed and several public and private high schools, colleges, and universities in northwestern Oregon were established in 1970. These programs, fostered by the reactor staff, are an important part of the educational picture of the region. Partial funding from the US Depanment of Energy's Reactor Use Sharing Program through the Nuclear Science Consortium of the Willamette Valley enables use of the reactor by ed icational institutions other than Reed.
The Reed College reactor is a TRIGA Mark I reactor with zirconium hydride / umnium hydride fuel elements in a circular grid array. The uranium fuel is enriched to 19.9% in uranium-235. The reactor is at the bottom of a 25-foot-deep tank of water and is surrounded by a graphite reflector.
The Reed Reactor operates at various steady power levels. The reactor is brought up to a desired power level (up to the license ceiling of 250 kW-thermal) and is kept at that power until the experiment or irradiation is completed. This power level is usually maintained for periods ranging from a few minutes to several hours. Repeated operation over seve;al days are possible for long-term irradiations.
The main uses of the Reed Reactor Facility are instruction and research, especially trace-element analysis. In addition to providing student research opportunities, the reactor stdf has worked to educate the surrounding community on the principles of nuclear energy and radiation safety.
Reed Reactor Facility Annual Tepon 1996-97 Page 2 ya
PERSONNEL l Facility Staff During the period from September 1,1996 to August 31,1997, the facility staff consisted of:
Director: Stephen Frantz (4S4 - Present)
AssociateDirector: Chris Melhus (8S7 - Present)
Josh Filner (6/94- 8S7)
ReactorSupervisor Zoe VanHoover (8S7 - Present)
Traci Hilton (IS7 -6/97)
Chris Ghormley (996- 1/97)
Radiation Safety Officer: Cindy Savage (4S3 - Present)
Contract Health Physicist: Marshall Parrott (8/91 - Present)
SeniorReactor Operators: Reactor Operators:
Joshua Filner Patricia Bennett Stephen Frantz Tobias Boes Brian Halbert Jesse Brown Chris Melhus Nate Carstens Zoe VanHoover Si Cook Ryan Gaffney Claire Jouseau Chris Meecham Emmi Olson Matt Shaw Greta Vanderbeek Operators who held licenses during the period but who no longer have licenses:
Juliet Brosing Chris Ghormley Traci Hilton Michael Pollock Kathy Reeves Eric Saunders Aubin Whitley All staff members were Reed College undergraduates during the report period with the following exceptions. Mr. Frantz and Mr. Melhus are the Director and Associate Director, respectively. Mr.
Filner is the former Associate Director. Ms. Savage is the Reed Campus Safety Officer. Dr. Parrott works on contract to Reed College as Reactor Health Physicist. Dr. Brosing is Professor of Physics and Mathematics at Pacific University. Mr. Pollock was the previous director of the reactar. Nate Carstens is a student at Rex Putnam High School. Kathy Reeves graduated in 1997 and continued her research at Reed.
Tht Reed Reactor Facility has two oversight committees: the Radiation Safety Committee and 'he Reactor Operations Committee. The Radiation Safety Committee is concerned with emergency preparedness, health physics, radiation safety, physical secuity, environmental impact, and the interface between the Reed Reactor Facility and the Reed College Campus and the surrounding Reed Reactor Facility Annual Report 1996-97 Page 3
Community. The Reactor Operations Committee deals with the day to-day crations of the
, reactor reactor maintenance, reactor safety, and operator training, and requ ification. The enembErship of the committees during the reporting period is shown below:
Radiation Safety Committee Voting hiembers:
Curt Keedy (Chair) (Chemistry Faculty, Lewis and Clark College)
Wayne Lei (Environmental Director, Portland General Electric)
J ack Mahoney (Neighborhood Resident)
Cindy S avage (Radiation Safety OBcer, Reed l'cIlege)
George Toombs (Radiation Control Section. + m n State Health Division - retired)
Ex Opcio:
Linda Mantel (Dean of the Faculty, Reed College)
Stephen Frantz (Director, Reed Reactor Facility)
Josh Filner (Associate Director, Reed Reactor Facility)
Marshall Parrott (Contract Health Physicist)
Traci Hilton(Reactor Supervisor)
Reactor Operations Committee Voting bfembers:
. John Essick (Chair) (Physics Faculty, Reed College)
Juliet Brasing (Physics Faculty, Pacific University)
Dan Genity (Chemistry Faculty, Reed College)
Johnny Powell (Physics Faculty, Reed College)
Bill Nncholson (Portland General Electric)
Michael Pollock (Geology Faculty, Portland State University)
Ex Oficio:
Linda Mantd (Dean of the Faculty, Reed College)
Stephen Franti(D; rector, Reed Reactor Facility)
Josh Filner (Associate Director, Reed Reactor Facility)
Marshall Parrott (Contract Health Physicist)
Traci Hilton(Reactor Supervisor)
Reed Reactor Facility Anmtal Report 1996-97 Page 4
F A CILITIES l Reactor Facility Floor Plan In addition to the reactor, the Reed Reactor Facility has associated space for a nuclear science lab.
A floor plan appears as Figure 1.
The equipment available at th reactor facility includes four gamma spectrometers (with High Purity Germanium), surface banier detectors, alph' spectrometers, Silicon Lithium X-ray detectors, a whole body counter, gas flow proportional counters, ion chambers, beta counters, Geiger Muller tubes, and thermoluminescent dosimeter readers. The instruments are used for experiments in basic nuclear science and radiation detection. Hand and shoe monitors are used in the reactor bay and the lab. A liquid scintillation detector is available in the chemistry depanment and serves the campus radioisotop. committee, a
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l Mech A Roorn Stairs up to pussa, Psychology Building
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on root)
Sump F Control =_
B Reactor Room storagg Tank Room l Z D l NuclearScience Lab Reactor Room Break Counting E I Room Room Exit Corridor f
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lUll M I I Electrical Closet i W Letters inita!ics indicate the positions of o S 10 20 Psychology -.4 FixedArea Dasimetry. Feet (approximate) 0"I'dI"9H U**Y .
Restroom -
Uostairs Figure 1 - Reed Reactor Facility Floor Plan The reactor facility has several special for performing irradiations, described below.
Rotating Specimen Rack Facility The rotating specimen rack (" lazy susan") is located in a well on top of the graphite reflector which surrounds the core. The rack consists of a circular array of 40 tubular receptacles. Each receptacle can accommodate two TRIGA-type irradiation tubes, so that up to 80 separate samples may be irradiated at any one time. Vials holding up to 17 ml (four drams) are routinely used in this system.
Depending upon its geometry, a sample up to about 40 ml could be inadiated by joining two vials.
Samples are loaded in the specimen rack prior to the start-up of the reactor. The rack automatically rotates during irradiation to ensure each sample receives the same neutron flux. Typically, the rotating rack is used by researchers when longer irradiation times (generally greater than five Reed Reactor Facility Anmtal Report 1996-97 Page5
minutes) are required. The average thermal neutron Dux in the rotating rack position is approximately 1.7 x1012 n/cm2 s with a cadmium ratio of 6.0 at full power.
The specimen rack can also be used for ganuna irradiations when the reactor is shutdown. The shutdown dose rate in the specimen rack is approximately 3 R/ min.
Pneumatic Transfer System The pneumatic transfer system (" rabbit") consists of an irradiation chamber in the outer ring of the core with its associated pump and pipirg. This allows samples to be transferred in and out of the reactor core very rapidly, while the reactor is at power.
Routine use of the pneumatic transfer system involves placing samples into vials, which in turn are placed in special capsules know n as " rabbits." The capsule is loaded into the system in tha laboratory next to the reactor and is then transferred pneumatically into the core-irradiatis position. At the end of a predetermined time the sample is transferred back to the receiving terminal, where it is removed for measurement. The transfer time from the core to the terminal is about seven seconds, making this method ofirradiating samples particularly useful for experinwnts involving radioisotopes with short half-lives. The flux in the core terminal is approximately 5x1012 n/cm2s when the reactoris at full power.
In Core Facilities The central thimble, which is a water-filled irradiation chamber about 3 cm in diameter, provides the highest available neutron Oux, about 1x1013 n/cm 2s. Special sample holders can be designed for the central thimble to provide maximum flexibility in experiment design.
A source holder assembly can also be used. The chamber fits into a fuel-element position within the core itself. However, it holds only one specially positioned irradiation container, containing a cavity 7.5 cm in length and 2.5 cm in diameter. Use of the chamber as an irradiation facility necessitates special arrangements.
Foil insertion holes,0.8 cm in diameter, are drilled at various positions through the grid plates.
These holes allow inserting special holders containing flux wires into the core, to obtain neutron flux maps of the core.
In Pool Facilities Near core, in-pool irradiation facilities can be arranged for larger samples. Neutron fluxes will be lower than in the lazy susan and will depend on the sample location.
Beam Facilities The central thimble can be evacuated with gas, producing a vertical neutron beam. This beam can be used to generate directional neutron flux, or for limited irradiations above the tank. Neutron radiography is also possible. The flux above the beam exit is approximately lx103 n/cm2s when the reactor is at full power.
Reed Reactor Facility Annual Report 1996-97 Page 6
RE ACTOR USERS e g Reactor Visitors A total of 1725 individuals visited the Reed Reactor Facility during the year, as derived from the visitors log - Entry List B. Individuals who visited more than once are counted for each visit.
Visitors include all individuals who are not listed as facility staff. A large percentage of these were students in classes at area universities, colleges, and high schools as discussed below. A monthly breakdown of the number of visitors is shown on Table A.
Reactor Operations Seminar The Reed Reactor Facility conducts a annual seminar series for students and faculty from Reed and other area educational institutions. This non-credit course serves as an introduction to nuclear reactor theory, health physics, and reactor operation. Some of the students continue with in-depth reactor operator training and subsequently apply for a reactor operator license. If successful, the individual may be hired to operate the reactor. In addition, existing reactor operators may take the NRC senior reactor operator exam to upgrade their licenses. For those NRC exams administered during this reporting period, all eight reactor operator candidates passed and both senior reactor operator candidates passed.
Nuclear Science Consortium in order to better use the resources of the Reed Reactor Facility, Dr. Scott and representatives of several area colleges and universities established the Nuclear Science Consonium of the Willamette Valley in 1970. Funding for the Consortium has been derived from Reactor Use Sharing Grants of the US Department of Energy. This made the facility available without charge to classroom groups and unfunded research projects for consortium members.
The following institutions have participated in facility tours, experiments, and reseamh projects in the reporting period.
COLLEGE TOURS Concordia University Clackamas Community College George Fox University Lewis and Clark College Mt. Hood Community College Oregon Health Sciences University Pacific University Portland Community College Portland State University Wamer Pacific College Western Oregon State College HIGH SCHOOL & MIDDLE SCHOOL TOURS Benjamin Franklin Home School Bensen High School Crater High School Dufur High School Forest Grove High School Reed Reactor Facility Annual Report 1996-97 Page 7
. ~
f Jefferson High School LaSalle High School Lincoln High School hiilwaukee High School Oregon Episcopal School Rogue River High School Wi son High School Snecial Groups Academy of Certified Hazardous hiaterials Managers (ACHhihi) (Professional)
Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement (hiESA) (Pre-College)
Portland Area College Chemistry Teachers (PACCT)
Saturday Academy (Pre-College)
Watson Fellows (Post Graduate)
Most of the reactor tours include actual hands-on use of facility equipment to conduct experiments in basic radiation science, health physics, and nuclear physics. The most popular experiments for middle school students are a demonstration of the inverse square law and the absorption of radiation by different types of material. For high school classes, a typical lab expenence would involve determining the background of a Geiger-Muller scalar system and then determining the half-life of a radioactive material.
College classes are generally more closely tailored to the individual interests and needs of the Consortium faculty member involved. Experiments include more direct use of the reactor itself by the students, more detailed analysis of materials, and emphasize the incorporation of other classroom activities as much as possible.
Several special programs for gifted children used the reactor. These are designed to enrich their educational program and prepare them for college. Many of the groups who use the reactor target minority and disadvantaged youth who are historically t;nder-represented in science professions.
High School Student Projects The Reed Reactor Facility continued to be used in independent science projects initiated by students from several Oregon high schools. Students from Oregon Episcopal School, Elmira High School,
. and Gold Beach High School performed special science research projects at the reactor this year.
Pacific University Science and Technology Camp for Girls The Pacific University Science and Technology Camp for Girls holds a summer camp for 7th and 8th grade girls. This, camp is funded by the US Department of Energy. The overall goal is to encourage the participants to continue in math and science.
Pacific University Modern Physics Lab Each year the Modern Physics Lab at Pacific University spends two lab sessions (4-5 hours each) at the reactor. The students do several labs including basic health physics, suberitical multiplication, and neutron activation analysis.
Reed Reactor Facility Annual Report i996-97 Page 8
Concordia University Two or three times each year the Environmental Remediation & Hazardous hiaterial hianagement Program (ERHhthi) at Concordia University visits the facility The reactor provides training and experiments involving radiation and radioactive material.
Reed Classes, Theses, and Faculty Research The Reed College Reactor Facility was used in three Reed College Classes and six senior theses.
. The Chemistry 110 class conducted a lab using neutron activation analysis to analyze for potassium in a compound synthesized earlier in the course.
. Chemistry 315 students evaluated the presence ofimpurities in aluminum foil.
. Natural Science 100 students studied the effects of acid rain on sediment taken from the Reed Canyon.
- Six Reed students used the reactor this year for their thesis work.
= Radiopharmaceutical Adsorption, EDTA Concentration, And Paper Chromatography /
Christopher S. Ghormley. Advisor, Thomas G. Dunne.
= Self-Shielding Effects Of hiedical Radiosotopes / Christopher S. hielhus. Advisor, Robert Reynolds.
= Determination Of Corticotropin Releasing Hormone Efficacy As A Boron Delivery Vehicle For Boron Neutron Capture Therapy By Alpha Radiography / Traci Leigh Hilton. Advisor, hiaryanne hicClellan.
o Effects Of Acidification On Lanthanum hiobility In Soils Of The Pacific Nonhwest /
Jenny H. Hamilton. Advisor, Thomas Dunne.
= Cooking With Salt To hiake Pepper : Novel Syntheses Of Reduced Titanium Oxides /
Liam Noailles. Advisor, hiargaret Geselbracht.
= Synthesis Of Novel Layered Perovskite Acids By Traditional Routes / Leo Spitz hiacdonald. Advisor, hiargret J. Geselbracht.
Industrial and Commercial Applications The Reed Reactor Facility is available for use by industrial or commercial concerns whenever it does not conflict with our educational goals. As in past years, the primary operations involve neutron activation analysis of materials or environmental samples. Arrangements may be made either on a time lease basis or the industry may contract for sample analysis.
This year work included attempts to find trace elements in soil samples and renting analytical equipment. The facility is expanding its commercial activities by providing radiation protection training to interested parties and schools in the area.
Reed Reactor Facility Anmtal Report 1996 M Page 9
REACTOR OPERATIONS Operations During the year the reactor was taken critical 248 times on 117 days. The total energy production was 42.59 MW-hr. Operations by month appear in Table A:
Table A - Operations IIistory Times Cntical Days Operated MW-hrs Visitors Sep 15 6 0.50 65 Oct 8 3 0.84 112 Nov 42 17 3.81 233 Dec 31 9 3.48 52 Jan 12 10 1.16 131 Feb 15 9 2.07 200 Mar 24 11 3.23 119 Apr 31 16 7.74 276 May 28 13 9.60 231 Jun 12 7 1.36 116 Jul 18 8 1.86 51 Aug 12 8 6.94 139 Total 248 117 42.59 1725 Average 20.7 9.8 3.55 143.8 Unplanned Reactor Shutdowns There were nine unplanned reactor shutdowns (scrams) during the period, as shown in Table B. All were classified as inadvertent. The number of unplanned reactor shutdowns is slightly less than previous years.
Table B . Unplanned Reactor Shutdowns Date Type Cause Of Shutdown 9/28//96 Linear Power Ope ator ranged too late 11/7/96 Linear Power "UP" button on control rod stuck 12/4/96 Period Instrument noise during rod movement 2/11/97 Percent Power Operator was only watching the Linear Power Channel 3/27/97 Period Instrument noise from Fire Alarm Reset 5/15/97 Percent Power Operatorinatteation 5/20/97 Loss of Power Construction in neighborhood 7/7/07 Linear Power Operator ranged in wrong direction 7/27/97 Period Operator inattention Reed Reactor Facility Annual Report 1996-97 Page 10
4 Fuel Element Leak
'On Friday,8/22/97, the Reed Reactor experienced a fuel element leak. A month was spent locating the leaking element and then removing it from service. Presumably this is the same element which leaked momentarily in November 1991 and January 1994.
Chronology On 8/22/97 the reactor had been operating at 240 kW (96% of full power) for eight hours and the water temperature was over 30 C. These are the same conditions that existed during the two previous fuel leaks. Pool temperature is normally 15-25 C.
The staff were completing an the eight hour run with a reactor operator (trainee) who was regaining his Licensed Requalification status and a licensed reactor operator (RO) who holds a senior reactor operator license. The Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) of record was the facility din:ctor. The RO noticed the Air Particulate Monitor (APM) was higher than normal. The trainee shutdown the reactor as scheduled a minute later. The RO sav that the APM continued to increase. The Gaseous Stack Monitor (GSM) was also above normal. The Continuous Air Monitor (CAM) which samples inside the reactor room did not show any increase. The filters for the APM and CAM were taken to the gamma spectroscopy detectors for counting. The APM filter showed clear peaks for Rubidium-89 and Cesium-138, decay products for the fission product gases Krypton-89 and Xenon-138 respectively. This is the expected indication of a fuel element leak. The CAM filter did not show much unusual activity. The leak stopped after the reactor was shut down.
The SRO and the RO started the Emergency implementation Procedures (EIPs) and calculated the off-site dose. The release was well below all Effluent Concentration limits and the event was below any classification threshold. Estimated off site dose was five microrem. The NRC and Oregon were notified. The EIPs were completed, and plans were made for the next day.
During the next week the staff tried to identify which fuel element had leaked in accordance with SOP-91 (Looking for Leaking Fuel Elements). This procedure uses a funnel (either a large one to cover approximately sixteen elements or a small one to cover just one) connected through a tygon tube and a peristaltic pump to a marinelli beaker. The beaker sits on top of a high purity germanium detector. The water then retums to the pool. There is a long delay loop inside a lead shield before the pump to allow for N-16 decay (7 second half-life). The germanium detector and multi-channel j analyzer are inside the reactor room; the computer is in the con 91 room.
The staff was unsuccessful in re-creating the leak at low powers and low pool temperatures. With the reactor at full power and high temperature, however, fission products were detected in the APM filter and the silver zeolite breathing zone filter in the reactor room. The primary (pool) water samples had krypton and xenon as expected. The was no iodine in the water stack monitor filters, or silver zeolite filters. There were no fission products in the control room air.
The large sniffer was used in the six regions of the core that it can reach (the large sniffer can reach 90% of the element; the other six elements are located in between control rods, the rabbit, etc., and must be sniffed one at a time), but did not find any fission products in the water. Sniffing did not was not successful during the entire week.
Since it was possible to make the fr.1 leaked by operating the reactor for several hours above 40 C, and since the sniffer was not providing useful information, the staff decided to replace some of the fuel elements with new ones, and see if it produced fission products.
On 9/2/97 three fuel elements were replaced with new stainless-steel clad ones. Operations at high power and temperature produced fission products. On 9/8/97 four elements were replaced and Reed Reactor Facility Anmial Report 1996-97 Page il
operations at high pc.ver and temperature produced fission products. On 9/13/97 five elements
,were replaced with elements removed the previous week Operations at high power and temperature produced barely perceptible traces of fission products. The APM and GSM were elevated, but consistent with long operation with very wann pool water. The conditions were similar to before the leak. It was determined that the leaking fuel element was one of the five that were not in the core during these operations.
Operations over the next week identified which of the five elements was leaking. The element was in C-8 and had been in that location since initial loading. The inspections every five years showed nothing unusual. It is a standard aluminum clad element.
Release Data All releases were less than the Effluent Concentration limit. Total geseous activity released was approximately 3.5 millicuries. The concentration in the room was at proximately one Derived Air Concentration. Neither of the concentrations were reponable or constituted a health risk. Only two operators entered the reactor room after the leak was detected and then exited the room quickly.
Operators wore disposable gloves and booties while in the reactor room. Their gloves and booties were contaminated after entering the reactor room (shon lived Rb and Cs), so a step-pad and frisking zone was established outside 'he reactor room. The general radiation levels in the reactor room were less than 2 mrem /hr. The radiatior, levels in the control room were background. A silver zeolite breathing zone filter in the control room showed no activity other than background. In accordance with 10CFR20 the facility does not use respirators. The director's whole body count later in the week showed only K-40 (naturally occurring).
The activity released is shown in Table C.
Table C Fuel Element Failure Release Data G as e o u s Stack M o nito r Date Duration Roading Background in Room At Boundary EC-hours Total (hours) (cpm) (cpm) (uCi/ml) (uComi) (u Cl-br/ml) (uCi) 8/22/97 3 150 90 6.1 E-6 6.9 E-9 0.36 216 8/26/97 2 300 70 2.3 E-5 2.6 E- 8 0.93 552 1 200 70 1.3 E- 5 1.5E-8 0.26 156 6 150 70 8.1 E-6 9.2E-9 0.97 576 8/27/97 5 150 70 8.1 E-6 9.2E-9 0.81 480 9/4/97 2 100 70 3.0E 6 3.4 E-9 0.12 72 2 125 70 5.6 E-6 6.3 E- 9 0.22 132 2 150 70 8.1 E-6 9.2 E-9 0.32 192 9/9/97 3 130 70 6.1 E-6 6. 9 E-9 0.36 216 4 120 70 5.1 E-6 5.7E 9 0.40 240 9/22/97 4 100 70 3.0E-6 3.4 E 9 0.24 144 3 120 70 5.1E-6 5.7E-9 0.30 180 9/23/97 7 110 70 4.0E-6 4.6 E-9 _
0.57 336 Total 5.88 3492 Reed Reactor Facility Annual Report 1996-97 Page 12
RE ACTOR M AINTEN ANCE Significant Maintenance Routine equipment checks are conducted by reactor staff members on a daily, weekly, bimonthly, semiannual (January and July) and annual (January) basis as required by facility procedures. Reed College maintenance personnel assist with reatine preventative mai-.tenance to auxiliary equipu"t.
Significant maintenance operations which were not part of a regular schedule are listed in Table is.
Table D - Significant Maintenance Operations Date Maintenance 10/17/97 Changed Primary Resin 2/17S7 Changed Primary Filter 6/6S7 Changed Primary Filter Safety Reviews There were no changes performed during the reporting period under the provisions of 10CFR50.59:
c Reed Reactor Facility Annual Report 1996-97 Page 13
R A DI ATION PROTECTION l Personnel Dosimetry During the period from July 1,1996 to June 30,1997, personnel dosimeters were issued to 28 Reed students and staff and 1 contractor working at the reactor. Since dosimeters are changed on a calendar quarter schedulc, this perio:1 is the closest to the reporting period. During the year 112 whole body dosimeters were issued of which 112 were below detection limit. During the year 112 ring dosimeters were issued of which 111 were below detection limit. Individuals were issued beta-gamma sensitive ring badges and a whole body badges. The director and associate director were issued beta-gamma-neutron sensitive dosimetry.
One individual exceeded the detection limit, as indicated on Table E. No exposures exceeded one percent of the federallimit.
Table E - Details Of Dosimeters Exceeding Detection Limit (doses are in mR per calendar quarter)
Reed student: 40 mR to finger ring Gaseous Releases The only routine release of gaseous radioactivity is from 41 Ar (1.8 hour9.259259e-5 days <br />0.00222 hours <br />1.322751e-5 weeks <br />3.044e-6 months <br /> half-life) and 16N (7 second half-life). These come from activation of pool water and air dissolved in the pool water.
The average annual gaseous activity released at the site boundary is approximately 1.8 x 10-11 a mci /ml; well below regulatory guidelines.
Radioactive fission product gases were released during the fuel leak and during the process of locating the leaking element as explained earlier in this report.
Liquid Waste Releases No liquid radioactive waste was released from the Reed Reac;or Facility during this report period.
Solid Waste Disposal No solid radioactive waste was shipped from the Reed Reactor Facility during this report period.
Environmental Sampling Soil samples taken from the area surrounding the facility showed no activity above background.
Water samples taken from the facility's secondary cooling system showed no activity above background.
Fixed Area Dosimetry Radiation levels are continually monitored to provide an indication of the average radiation levels in the reactor bay and dose outside the facility. The locations of these dosimeters are shown on Figure
- 1. All are thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) designed to monitor beta and gamma radiation. In addition, locations C and E have TLDs that measure neutron dose.
Reed Reactor Facility Anmtal Report 1996 97 Page 14
The radiation Ases measured during the period beginning July 1,1996 and ending June 30,1997
,are shqwn in Table F. Since dosimeters are changed on a calendar quarter schedule, this period is th closest to the reoorting period. There are radioactive material sample storage locations along the north wall: a radioactive source storage safe and a lead enclosed sample box where samples are placed immediately upon removal from the reactor. During most of the year a neutron howitzer source was stored along the east wall along with some other radioactive material.
Table F Area Radiation Dosimeters (doses are in mR per calendar quarter)
Location height 2/1-9/30 10/1-12/31 1/1-3/31 4/1-6/30 1 9131 (m)
A North wall 1.5 P,Y 160 170 130 140 600 B North wall 2.5 P,Y 45 65 45 45 200 C East wall 1.7 P,Y 60 110 80 320 570 C East wall 1.7 neu; e n S0 130 80 0 290 D South wall 1.7 P,Y 25 45 25 25 120 E West wall 10 ,Y 0 0 0 60 60 E West wall 1.0 neutron 0 0 0 0 0 F North outside 3.0 P,Y 0 0 25 20 45 G East outside 1.5 P,Y 0 0 0 0 0 H South outside 0.2 P,Y 0 0 0 0 0 I Roof outside 0.0 pY 0 0 0 0 0 Reed Reactor Facility Anmtal Report 1996-97 Page 15