ML21070A010

Kansas State University, Response to Request for Extension of Time

ML21070A010
Person / Time
Site:	Kansas State University
Issue date:	04/15/2021
From:	Edward Helvenston NRC/NRR/DANU/UNPL
To:	Cebula A Kansas State University
References
EPID L-2020-NFA-0000
Download: ML21070A010 (5)

Text

April 15, 2021 Dr. Alan Cebula Nuclear Reactor Facility Manager Kansas State University 112 Ward Hall Manhattan, KS 66506-5204

SUBJECT:

KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY - RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF TIME TO RESPOND TO REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING LICENSE AMENDMENT REQUEST FOR THE USE OF 12 PERCENT BY WEIGHT URANIUM FUEL ELEMENTS (EPID NO. L-2020-NFA-0000)

Dear Dr. Cebula:

By letter dated April 9, 2012 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML12109A063), as supplemented by letters dated April 28, 2014; October 5, 2016; May 2, 2017; September 23, 2017; and November 30, 2018 (ADAMS Accession Nos. ML16200A317, ML16291A498, ML17139C979, ML17319A305, and ML18347A209, respectively), Kansas State University (KSU) applied for an amendment to Facility Operating License No. R-88 for the KSU Nuclear Reactor Facility. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commissions (NRCs) approval of the license amendment request (LAR) would allow KSU to add up to four fuel elements that are 12 percent by weight uranium to its reactor core.

On June 5, 2019 (ADAMS Accession No. ML19128A342), the NRC staff sent KSU a letter enclosing a request for additional information (RAI) identifying additional information needed for the NRC staff to continue its review of KSUs LAR. The NRC staffs June 5, 2019, letter requested that KSU provide responses to the RAIs by October 7, 2019. Additionally, based on this RAI response date, the NRC staff provided KSU with an estimated LAR review completion date of December 31, 2020.

By letter dated October 7, 2019 (ADAMS Accession No. ML19295D727), KSU requested an extension until January 7, 2020, to respond to the NRC staffs June 5, 2019, RAI. The NRC staff granted KSUs original October 7, 2019, extension request by letter dated October 24, 2019 (ADAMS Accession No. ML19290H593). By letter dated January 7, 2020 (ADAMS Accession No. ML20013F680), KSU requested a second extension until March 7, 2020, to respond to the RAI. The NRC staff granted KSUs January 7, 2020, extension request by letter dated January 13, 2020 (ADAMS Accession No. ML20008D352). By letter dated March 9, 2020 (ADAMS Accession No. ML20083G194), KSU requested a third extension until June 9, 2020, to respond to the RAI. The NRC staff granted KSUs March 9, 2020, extension request by letter dated March 30, 2020 (ADAMS Accession No. ML20070H674). By letter dated June 5, 2020 (ADAMS Accession No. ML20171A392),

KSU requested a fourth extension until September 9, 2020, to respond to the RAI. The NRC staff granted KSUs June 5, 2020, extension request by letter dated June 23, 2020

A. Cebula (ADAMS Accession No. ML20167A306). By letter dated September 8, 2020 (ADAMS Accession No. ML20269A247), KSU requested a fifth extension until December 9, 2020, to respond to the RAI. The NRC staff granted KSUs September 8, 2020, extension request by letter dated October 5, 2020 (ADAMS Accession No. ML20253A235). By letter dated December 8, 2020 (ADAMS Accession No. ML20366A046), KSU requested a sixth extension until March 9, 2021, to respond to the RAI. The NRC staff granted KSUs December 8, 2020, extension request by letter dated January 26, 2021 (ADAMS Accession No. ML21013A540).

By letter dated March 8, 2021 (ADAMS Accession No. ML21105A485), KSU requested a further extension until June 9, 2021, to respond to the June 5, 2019, RAI. KSU stated that the additional time is necessary to allow it to complete burnup analyses for its current fuel, so that it can update its neutronics analyses for input into its thermal-hydraulic calculations. KSU also stated that, during the extension period, it will explore options for obtaining external assistance with completing its analyses needed to respond to the RAI.

Additionally, in its letter dated March 8, 2021, KSU confirmed that the administrative operating restrictions (discussed in its letter dated October 7, 2019, and acknowledged in the NRC staffs October 24, 2019, letter) continue to remain in place, and KSU will provide advance notification to the NRC if KSU plans to change the restrictions prior to completion of the LAR review.

The NRC staff accepts KSUs extension request dated March 8, 2021. The NRC staff encourages KSU to continue to keep the NRC staff up to date on its progress in responding to the RAI. The NRC staff also encourages KSU to contact the NRC staff to discuss any questions related to the RAI. Additionally, the NRC staff could plan to conduct a regulatory audit related to the LAR before and/or after KSU submits its RAI response, to support efficient completion of the LAR review.

Based on the new RAI response date of June 9, 2021, the NRC staff is providing a revised date of August 31, 2022, by which it expects to complete its review and make a final determination on the LAR. This date could change due to several factors including a need for further RAIs, unanticipated changes to the scope of the review, unsolicited supplements to the application for amendment, and others. If the forecasted date changes, the NRC staff will notify you in writing of the new date and an explanation of the reason for the change.

A. Cebula If you have any questions or need additional time to respond to the NRC staffs original June 5, 2019, request, please contact me at 301-415-4067, or by electronic mail at Edward.Helvenston@nrc.gov.

Sincerely, Signed by Helvenston, Edward on 04/15/21 Edward M. Helvenston, Project Manager Non-Power Production and Utilization Facility Licensing Branch Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-188 License No. R-88 cc: See next page

Kansas State University Docket No. 50-188 cc:

Office of the Governor State of Kansas 300 SW 10th Avenue, Suite 212 S Topeka, KS 66612-1590 Kim Steves Radiation Control Section Kansas Department of Health and Environment 1000 SW Jackson, Suite 330 Topeka, KS 66612-1365 Mayor of Manhattan City Hall 1101 Poyntz Avenue Manhattan, KS 66502 Robert Seymour, Reactor Supervisor Kansas State University 117 Ward Hall Manhattan, KS 66506 Test, Research and Training Reactor Newsletter Attention: Ms. Amber Johnson Department of Materials Science and Engineering University of Maryland 4418 Stadium Drive College Park, MD 20742-2115

ML21070A010 NRR-106 OFFICE NRR/DANU/PM NRR/DANU/LA NRR/DANU/ABC NRR/DANU/PM NAME EHelvenston NParker DHardesty EHelvenston DATE 3/11/2021 3/12/2021 3/12/2021 4/15/2021