ML20237J831

Discusses Univ Plan to Submit License Application for Slowpoke-2 Research Reactor.Nrc May Grant Exemption to 10CFR50.54(k) Re Presence of Senior Reactor Operator During Reactor Operation Based on Review of License Application

ML20237J831
Person / Time
Issue date:	08/14/1987
From:	Murley T Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:	Kersh K ARKANSAS TECH UNIV., RUSSELLVILLE, AR
References
NUDOCS 8708260334
Download: ML20237J831 (5)

Text

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1'o UNITED STATES

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WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555

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AUG 141987 l

l Dr. Kenneth Kersh, President Arkansas Tech University

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Russellville, Arkansas 72801 ij

SUBJECT:

SLOWP0KE-2 RESEARCH REACTOR LICENSING At a meeting on June 29, 1987 among representatives from Arkansas Tech Unhersity, j

the University of Arkansas, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited and the NRC staff l

to discuss Arkansas Tech University's proposed plans to submit a license application for a Slowpoke-2 research reactor, a question arose regarding your i

plans for compliance with 10 CFR 50.54(k), which states:

"An operator or senior operator licensed pursuant to Part 55 of this chapter shall be present at the controls at all times during the operation of the facility." Your letter of July 13, 1987 requested our views on this matter.

As you explained at the June 29 meeting and in your July 13 letter, you plan to l

construct a one-story facility consisting of a reactor room and several I

adjacent classrooms and counting labs.

In addition to the main reactor control i

console, you would provide reactor parameter monitoring and shutdown capability in these adjacent rooms. You would have at least one NRC-licensed operator in-the facility at all times during reactor operation but would allow that operator to perfonn various duties in the labs and classrooms while still monitoring and maintaining control of the operating reactor. You propose that this mode of i

operation is consistent with 10 CFR 50.54(k).

While we have not evaluated the safety or licensability of the' Slowpoke-2 reactor, the bases for the proposed operating approach have been explained dn meetings and in the Slowpoke-2 literature, as follows:

)

(1) The only control that can be exercised by an operator is a key-operated startup and shutdown function.

(2) There is a single non-scrantnable control rod and a single

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self-powered neutron sensor; there is no scram circuitry or capability.

(3) The reactor is inherently safe and incapable of causing any significant radiation exposure of facility staff or the public under any normal operation or transient conditiens..

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Dr.'Kenneth Kersh, President AUG 14.1gg7 i

(4) Any credible power excursion or other transient is self-limiting because of strictly limited excess reactivity and a negative temperature coefficient,.such that the excess reactivity is totally balanced by a coolant temperature rise of about 40 C..

(5)

In Canadc ana elsewhere, Slowpoke-2 reactors are licensed for operation without any operator present in the control room for periods of up to 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br />.

Should you submit a license application for a Slowpoke-2 reactor,.-the staff will evaluate the safety of the design as well as the proposed operation of the reactor and the facility.

If-the staff concludes, based on that

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evaluation, that the required safety findings can be made, we would consider j

granting a specific exemption to 10 CFR 50.54(k) pursuant to 10 CFR 50.12.

I hope this adequately responds to your request. Should you have any additional questions or wish to discuss this matter further, please contact Herbert Berkow at 301-492-8795.

i Sincerely.

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i i

Thomas E. Murley, mrector 1

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulat. ion i

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Dr. Kenneth Kersh, President AUG 141907 I

(4) Any credible power excursion or other transient is self-limiting because of strictly limited excess reactivity and a negative temperature coefficient, such that the excess reactivity is totally balanced by a coolant temperature rise of about 40 C.

(5)

In Canada and elsewhere, Slowpoke-2 reactors are licensed for

)

operation without any operator present in the control room for i

periods of up to 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br />.

1 Should you submit a license application for a Slowpoke-2 reactor, the staff will evaluate the safety of the design as well as the proposed operation of the reactor and the facility.

If the staff concludes, based on that evaluation, that the required safety findings can be made, we would consider granting a specific exemption to 10 CFR 50.54(k) pursuant to 10 CFR 50.12.

I hope this adequately responds to your request. Should you have any I

additional questions or wish to discuss this matter further, please contact i

Herbert Berkow at 301-492-8795.

Sincerely.

OrigN1 signed by, Tho:nas E. Murley Thomas E. Murley, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation DISTRIBUTION:

Docket. File NRC'PDR PDSNP Reading EHylton HBerkow l

OGC-BETH EJordan JPartlow ACRS(1.0) i JHannon FSchroeder DCrutchfield l

FMiraglia i

JSniezek TMurley RStarostecki TDorian l

CWoodhead r

TMichaels

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AAdams

• See Previous Concurrence rs PDSNP*

LOLB*

OGC-BETH* ADR4*

DRSP*

ADR

'O hRR DONRR HBerkow:cw JHannon MKarman FSchroeder DCrutchfield QNaglia JS gzek TMur ey )

07/27/87 07/28/87 07/30/87 08/07/87 08/07/87 g /87 08 7/87 08//

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Dr. Kenneth

.h. President,

(4) Any credible power excursion or other transient is self-limiting because of strictly limited excess reactivity and a negative temperature coefficient, such that the excess reactivity is totdlly balanced by a coolant temperature rise of about 40 C.

(5)

In Canada and elsewhere, Slowpoke-2 reactors are licensed for operation without any operator present in the control room for periods of up to 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br />.

Should you submit a license application for a Slowpoke-2 reactor, the staff will evaluate the safety of the design as well as the proposed operation of the reactor and the facility.

If the staff concludes, based on that evaluation, that the required safety findings can be made, we would consider granting a specific exemption to 10 CFR 50.54(k) pursuant to 10 CFR 50.12.

I hope this adequately responds to your request. Should you have any additional questions or wish to discuss this matter further, please contact Herbert Berkow at 301-492-8795.

Sincerely, i

Thomas E. Murley, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation DISTRIBUTION:

Focket File NRC PDR PDSNP Reading EHylton HBerkow OGC-BETH Edordan JPartlow ACRS (10)

JHannon FSchroeder DCrutchfield FMiraglia l

JSniezek TMurley RStarostecki TDorian CWoodhead 1

TMichaels

{

AAdams

• See Previous Concurrence DCrut h[ field PDSNP*

LOLB*

OGC-BETH* A DR,SR fy ADP DDONRR DONRR HBerkow:cw JHannon MKarman F$ h oeder FMiraglia JSniezek TMurley

$/ /87 Og/p/87 07/ /87 07/ /87 07/ /87 j 07/27/87 07/28/87 07/30/87 7

Dr. Kenneth Kersh, President,

1 (4) Any credible power excursion or other transient is self-limiting because of strictly limited excest reactivity and a negative l

temperature coefficient, such that the excess reactivity is totally i

balanced by a coolant temperature rise of about 40 C.

(5) In Canada and elsewhere, Slowpoke-2 reactors are licensed for I

operation without any operator present in the control room for 1

2 periods of up to 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br />.

Should you submit a license application for a Slowpoke-2 reactor, the staff I

will evaluate the safety of the design as well as the proposed operation of i

the reactor and the facility.

If the staff concludes, based on that evaluation, that the required safety findings can be made, a specific exemption to 10 CFR 50.54(k) would be granted pursuant to 10 CFR 50.12.

j i

I hope this adequately responds to your request.

Should you have any l

additional questions or wish to discuss this matter further please contact i

l Herbert Berkow at 301-492-8795.

Sincerely, I

l i

Thomas E. Murley, Director i

l Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation l

1 DISTRIBUTION:

Docket File i

NRC PDR l

PDSNP Reading l

EHylton HBerkow OGC-BETH Escroan JPartlow ACRS(10)

JHanncn FSchroeder DCrutchfield FMiraglia i

JSniezek TMurley l

RStarostecki TDorian 2

CWoodhead l

TMichaels AAdams

[

LOLB

-4GC,BETH ADR4 DRSP ADP DD0NRR 00NRR i

l Ps l

<..t e :cw JHann n

/A fQ rheyFSchroeder DCrutchfield FMiraglia JSnfezek TMurley l

07/97/87 07/d/87 07/3 /87 07/ /87 0'/ / /87 07/ /87 07/ /87 07/ /87 A

L

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