ML20211P346
| ML20211P346 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | General Atomics |
| Issue date: | 10/09/1997 |
| From: | NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20211P326 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9710200171 | |
| Download: ML20211P346 (2) | |
Text
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p'p urg t-UNITED STATES g
,j NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
'f WASHINGTON. D.C. 30666 4 001 os,...../
SAFETY EVALUATION BY THE OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION SUPPORTING AMEprJMENT NO. 34 TO AMENDED FACILITY LICENSE NO. R-38 GENERAL ATOMICS DOCKET NO. 50-89
1.0 INTRODUCTION
By letter dated September 15,1997, General Atomics (GA or licensee) submitted a request for amendment to the Technical Specifications (TSs) of Amended Facility License No. R-38 for the GA TRIGA Mark I Research Reactor. The requested change would require calibrations of the power measuring channels only if the reactor could achieve criticality.
2.0 EVALUATION The licensee ha3 requested a change to TS 5.2.5 concerning calibrations of the reactor power measuring channels to only require the calibration if the reactor could achieve criticality.
TS 5.2.5 currently reads:
i The reactor power measuring channels shall be calibrated at least quarterly by comparing with heat balance.
The licensee had proposed that this TS be amended to read:
If the reactor is capable of achieving criticality, the reactor power measuring channels shall be calibrated at least quarterly by comparing with heat balance.
The licensee's proposed change w;:17 quire calibrations of the power measuring channels only when the reactor could achieve criticality. This also means that calibration of the reactor power measuring channels is not required for a reactor incapable of achieving criticality. The licensee has completed unloading the reactor core into fuel storage in anticipation of going to possession-only status. Performing this calibration with a subcritical reactor is impossible because the reactor is incapable of producing the heat needed to perform the heat balance.
The purpose of calibrating the power measuring channels is to ensure that true reactor power is known and that the reactor safety system shuts down the reactor before license limits are exceeded. There is no safety reason to calibrate the reactor power measuring channels if the reactor will not achieve criticality. Therefore, the staff finds that the proposed change to the TS is acceptable.
9710200171 971009 PDR ADOCK 05000009 p
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3.0- ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATION l
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. The staff has determined that this amendment involves no I
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 4
radiation exposure. Accordingly, this amendment meets the eligibility criteria for categorical 4
exclusion as stated in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(9). Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental 1
impact statcment or environmental assessment need be prepared in connection with the j-issuance of this amendment.
4.0 CONCLUSION
The staff has concluded, on the buis of the considerations discusseo ibove, 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 j
Commission's regulations, and the issuance of this amendment will not be inimical to the i _
common defense and security or the health and safety of the public, Principal Contributor: A. Adams, Jr.
Date: October 9, 1997 c