ML20246P029
| ML20246P029 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 10/03/1988 |
| From: | Stello V NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO) |
| To: | Carr, Roberts, Zech NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20246D630 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8905220063 | |
| Download: ML20246P029 (3) | |
Text
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.' ENCLOSURE TO QUESTION 5
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October 3, 1988 L
MEMORANDUM FOR: Chairman Zech Commissioner Roberts Commissioner Carr Commissioner Rogers FROM:
Victor Stello,.Jr., Executive Director for Operations
SUBJECT:
CONTAINMENT ISSUE FOR THE MHTGP.
References:
1.
Ltr. to Theodore J. Garrish, Assistant Secretary for
.HRC dtd. Energy, Nuclear August 17,U.S.
1988.DOE, from Victor Stello, EDO, U.S.
2.
Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, U September 16, 1988.
In Reference contradictory 1, Iwith views asked res DOE to provide a rationale for its apparently .
new production reactor (NPR)pect to requiring a containment structure for the -
version of the modular high-temperature on the commercial MHTGR concept provided for our revie In Reference 2, Mr. Garrish responded that the differences resided in "the incorporation special target materials and that future missions could include other materials in quantities and core configurations not yet identified."
In reviewing this matter, we have had the benefit of other available DOE
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Report - DOE /5-0064, " Assessment of Candida 1 Production Reactor," July 1988, (Enclosure 1) and an August 3,1988 m from J. Salgado to the Secretary of Energy (Enclosure 2) which recom !
MHTGR-NPR, the NPR acquisitionwith a contairanent and located at DOE's Idaho site, be; strategy.
in-depth evaluation of the differences (both policy and technicalAfte i between the of action on the containment question for Comission c t
others from DOE on OctoberConsequently, Mr. Beckjord and I plan to !
18, 1988 to discuss this matter. '
8905220063 890502 hRE E PDC
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Commissioners 2
Specifically, the items which need further discussion' are: '
' Policy items i It appears froia the enclosed document that the NPR containment !
6ecision was based largely on the following policy considerations which selected:- were established long before the HPR reactor technolo the desire to have enhanced safety, to promote public acceptance, and to contribute to the advancement of nuclear technology by proving a reactor concept that has potential merit in the market place.
Technical Items Certain technical considerations aise affect the ne on theto NPR seem be: versus the commercial MHTGR. The most significant of these the use of highly enriched Uranium fuel in the NPR (versus approximately impact on: 20% enriched in the commercial MHTGR) and its
- reactivity coefficients-
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- fuel performance and integrity, the production and retention of tritium in the NPR, maintaining NPR flexibility for additional missions, and the status of supporting R&D programs.
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Commissioners l 3
different apprcaches to containment andNHTGR our cont i concept without a containment structure; however, I believe we need clearly understand in this decision bothwethe proce:s before policy and technical considerationsl proceed. -
matter ar, further information becomes available.I will keep you informed on this OriBin31 810' Metodt'A' Victor Stello, Jr.
Executive Director for Operations i
Enclosures:
a
- 1. DOE Energy Research Advisory Board Report .
- 2. Memorandum from J. Salgado i to Secretary of Energy dtd 8/3/88.
cc: SECY !
- ARGIB R/F [TOCHAIRMANANDCOMMISSIONERS]
Circ./Chron. '!
VStello TMurley LRubenstein ED0 R/F Note:
EBeckjord 9/16/88 DOE ltr includes TSpets E003903
! BMorris JTaylor as an attachment.
2Rosztoczy TKing JWilson MTaylor PWilliams (
- See previous concurrences l ptFC:ARGIB:0RA* :ARGIB:DRA*:ARGTB:DRA*:DD:DRA NAME: Williams 5y :JWilson :TKing :D:DRA 2'/N:0[NRE5 :0:RES ~ :
DATE:9/30/88 :9/30/88 :9/30/88
- ZRosztoczy:8Mofris :TQVis t.W U
- / /88 : 4/v /88 y :EEeckford V4 Le D h n/.t/88 :o 4 j'/88 :V 0FFICIAL RECORD COPY /?rO'/8
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