ML20237J436
| ML20237J436 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 08/21/1987 |
| From: | Sjoblom G NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| References | |
| REF-PROJ-M-32 NUDOCS 8708260166 | |
| Download: ML20237J436 (3) | |
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. . August 21, 1987 Note to File: M-32 TRIP TO WEST VALLEY, STATUS OF THE WEST VALLEY DEMONSTRATION PROJECT (WVDP)
On August 6-7, 1987, Glen Sjoblom and Davis Hurt of NMSS and Tim Martin, Walt Martin, and Jerry Roth of NRC Region I visited the West Valley site for the urpose of understanding the status of the West Valley Demonstration Project p(WVDP) . The Department of Energy (D0E) representative Willis Bixby, and staff i' of West Valley Nuclear Services (WVNS), a subsidiary of Westinghouse, provided briefings and a tour. A copy of the briefing boo'k has been docketed.
l Major observations from the review are as follows:
- 1. The NMSS schedule for review of Safety Analysis Reports on the various portions of the demonstration project is not compatible with the DOE schedule for testing and operating the systems. For example, in the near term, the cement solidification system, supernatant treatment system, and liquid waste treatment system ar 3.to begin hot operations in November 1987, after readiness reviews by DOE and WVNS in late August and late October 1987. The systems will operate about two years. Safety Analysis Reports for these three systems need to be completed and Safety Evaluation Reports (SER's) issued by August 31, 1987, if these SER's are to provide meaningful NRC input to these systems. The schedule for the remaining SER's needs to be reviewed and actions taken to complete them far enough in advance of when physical work is performed at the site that meaningful use of these documents can be made by DOE.
- 2. NRC needs to increase its onsite monitoring effort in the near term. j Specifically, NRC needs to observe the upcoming readiness reviews (following l completion of the cold testing) of the three systems which are planned for hot startup in November. The Region and NMSS should identify staff tc observe the readiness reviews. Based on the observations, NRC Region I should identify and conduct independent reviews of the adequacy of selected portions of these systems in order to arrive at an independent conclusion on the adequacy of the DOE /WVNS efforts to ensure that these systems can be operated safely.
Subsequently, NRC should be present and monitor the startup and initial operations of these systems. NRC Region I should cot:tinue to assume responsibility for this activity and NMSS should participate to some extent as well. This will go through approximately the end of 1987. j i
When operations of these systems reach a somewhat routine status, NRC coverage of them can revert to periodic site visits 53 regional personnel, perhaps quarterly, until a future phase of intense cht:ck-out and operations. l 8700260366 070021 !
PDR PROJ ppg i M-32 L-_______________________________________.__ __ _ _ _ _ _ _
\ l l 1 2
i With regard to the vitrification of the high-level waste (sludge) that is planned to begin in about 1991, NRC involvement should consist of completion in the near future of Safety Evaluation Reports on the equipment and intended operations, as well as periodic onsite visits to monitor construction and preparation activities, coupled with in-depth reviews of selected aspects
! of the design operations and product quality by NRC or contractor experts, as has been done in the past. The reviews that appear appropriate should i be identified by NMSS during preparation of the SER's for the vitrification f system and sl~udge inobilization system, as well as by Region I, based on {
periodic site visits.
- 3. The process of controlling and logging of documents related to West Valley {
should be reviewed to ensure that NRC has all the documents needed for {
appropriate monitoring. DOE should be asked to review this as well. In a !
related matter, it may help to set up a PC interface between West Valley, )
NMSS, and Region I as an alternative to the telecopy transmission arrange-ment currently used.
- 4. The NRC inspection manual chapter applicable to West Valley should be reviewed and revised consistent with items 1, 2, and 3, above, specifying both NMSS and Regional responsibilities. !
l Original Signed By G!ca L Sjcobm Glen Sjoblom, Deputy Director Division of Industrial and l Nedical Nuclear Safety ;
DISTRIBUTION Project No. M-32 PDR LPDR NMSS R/F l
IMAF R/F DHurt FBrown Beveridge/ Cornell 1-23 l GSjoblom ;
GATerry ATClark LCRouse RECunningham TMartin, RI JRoth, RI DTC: IMAF MNS : : : : :
.........,t/as NAME:DHur :GS i om : : : : :
DATE:8//L/87 :8/ty/87 : : : : :
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