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 Nuclear Energy, U.S. DOE, from Victor Stello, EDO, U.S.
.HRC dtd. August 17, 1988.
2.
Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, U September 16, 1988.
In Reference 1, I asked DOE to provide a rationale for its apparently contradictory views with res 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 Mr. Garrish responded that the differences resided in "the incorporation In Reference 2, 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 Report - DOE /5-0064, " Assessment of Candida
~
Production Reactor," July 1988, (Enclosure 1) and an August 3,1988 m 1
from J. Salgado to the Secretary of Energy (Enclosure 2) which reco!
MHTGR-NPR, with a contairanent and located at DOE's Idaho site, be the NPR acquisition strategy.
in-depth evaluation of the differences (both policy and technicalAfte i
of action on the containment question for Comission c between the t
others from DOE on OctoberConsequently, Mr. Beckjord and I plan to 18, 1988 to discuss this matter.
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..;3 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 were established long before the HPR reactor technolo selected:-
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 the NPR versus the commercial MHTGR.
The most significant of these seem to be:
the use of highly enriched Uranium fuel in the NPR (versus approximately 20% enriched in the commercial MHTGR) and its impact on:
- reactivity coefficients-
- 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 and our cont i
concept without a containment structure; however, I believe we need NHTGR clearly understand both the policy and technical considerationsl in this decision proce:s before we proceed.
matter ar, further information becomes available.I will keep you informed on this OriB n31 810' i
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:
- ARGIB R/F
[TOCHAIRMANANDCOMMISSIONERS]
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VStello TMurley ED0 R/F Note:
LRubenstein EBeckjord E003903 9/16/88 DOE ltr includes TSpets BMorris JTaylor as an attachment.
2Rosztoczy TKing MTaylor JWilson PWilliams
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- EEeckford V4 Le D DATE:9/30/88
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0FFICIAL RECORD COPY
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