IR 05000020/2021203

Massachusetts Institutes of Technology - U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Routine Inspection Report No. 05000020/2021203

ML21271A634
Person / Time
Site:	MIT Nuclear Research Reactor
Issue date:	11/09/2021
From:	Tate L NRC/NRR/DANU/UNPO
To:	Foster J Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
O'Bryan P
References
IR 2021203
Download: ML21271A634 (11)

Text

November 8, 2021

SUBJECT:

MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY - U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION ROUTINE INSPECTION REPORT NO. 05000020/2021203

Dear Mr. Foster:

From September 13-15, 2021, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff conducted an inspection at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology research reactor. The enclosed report documents the inspection results which were discussed on September 15, 2021, with you, members of your staff, and Dr. Gordon Kohse, Managing Director for Operations at the Nuclear Reactor Laboratory.

The inspection examined activities conducted under your license as they relate to safety and compliance with the Commissions rules and regulations and with the conditions of your license.

The inspector reviewed selected procedures and records, observed activities, and interviewed personnel. Based on the results of this inspection, no findings of significance were identified.

No response to this letter is required.

In accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 2.390, Public inspections, exemptions, requests for withholding, a copy of this letter, its enclosure, and your response (if any) will be available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or from the Publicly Available Records component NRCs document system (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS)). ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html (the Public Electronic Reading Room). If you have any questions concerning this inspection, please contact Mr. Phil OBryan at 301-415-0266, or by electronic mail at Phil.OBryan@nrc.gov.

Sincerely, Signed by Tate, Travis on 11/08/21 Travis L. Tate, Chief Non-Power Production and Utilization Facility Oversight Branch Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No.50-020 License No. R-37 Enclosure:

As stated cc: See next page

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Docket No.50-020 cc:

City Manager City Hall Cambridge, MA 02139 Department of Environmental Protection One Winter Street Boston, MA 02108 Mr. Jack Priest, Director Radiation Control Program Department of Public Health 529 Main Street Schrafft Center, Suite 1M2A Charlestown, MA 02129 Ms. Samantha Phillips, Director Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency 400 Worcester Road Framingham, MA 01702-5399 Test, Research and Training Reactor Newsletter Attention: Ms. Amber Johnson Dept of Materials Science and Engineering University of Maryland 4418 Stadium Drive College Park, MD 20742-2115 Mr. Marshall B. Wade Reactor Superintendent Massachusetts Institute of Technology Nuclear Reactor Laboratory Research Reactor 138 Albany Street, MS NW12-116B Cambridge, MA 02139

ML21271A634 NRC-002 OFFICE NRR/DANU/UNPO NRR/DANU/UNPO/LA NRR/DANU/UNPO/BC NAME POBryan NParker TTate DATE 9/29/2021 9/30/2021 11/8/2021

U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION Docket No.: 50-020 License No.: R-37 Report No.: 05000020/2021203 Licensee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology Facility: Massachusetts Institute of Technology Reactor Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts Dates: September 13-15, 2021 Inspector: Phil OBryan Approved by: Travis L. Tate, Chief Non-Power Production and Utilization Facility Oversight Branch Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Massachusetts Institute of Technology Massachusetts Institute of Technology Reactor Inspection Report No. 05000020/2021203 The primary focus of this routine, announced inspection was the onsite review of selected elements of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT, licensee) research reactor safety program, including: (1) operator licenses, requalification, and medical examinations, (2) organization and operations and maintenance activities, (3) procedures, (4) fuel movement, (5) surveillance, and (6) emergency preparedness. The inspector found that the licensees program complied with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requirements.

Operator Licenses, Requalification, and Medical Examinations Licensed operator licenses, requalification and medical examinations met technical specification (TS), administrative, and regulatory requirements.

Organization and Operations and Maintenance Organizational structure and staffing were consistent with TS requirements.

Operational and Maintenance activities were consistent with applicable TS and procedural requirements.

Procedures The licensees procedural review, revision, and implementation program satisfied the requirements of TS.

Fuel Movement Fuel movements and inspections were conducted in accordance with TS and procedural requirements.

Surveillance The surveillance program was conducted in accordance with TS and licensee procedural requirements.

Emergency Preparedness The emergency preparedness program was conducted in accordance with the Emergency Plan (E-Plan), including response equipment maintenance, emergency drills, and E-Plan training.

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REPORT DETAILS Summary of Facility Status The MIT Nuclear Reactor Laboratory 6 megawatt research reactor is routinely operated in support of training, experiments, and maintenance. During this inspection, the inspector observed reactor operations.

1. Operator Licenses, Requalification, and Medical Examinations a. Inspection Scope (Inspection Procedure (IP) 69003)

To verify that the licensee complied with the requirements of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 55, Operators Licenses, and TS Section 7.1.5, the inspector reviewed selected aspects of the following:

current status of operator licenses reactor digital logbook annual written examinations medical examination records for selected operators procedure manual (PM) 1.16.2, Requalification Program safety analysis report Section 12.10, Operator Training and Requalification (2 year cycle)

b. Observations and Findings The inspector found that training was conducted in accordance with the licensees NRC-approved requalification and training program and was documented, and that requalification records were maintained. The inspector also found medical examinations for licensed operators were completed and documented as required by the regulations.

c. Conclusion The inspector found that operator requalification was conducted as required by the requalification program and licensed operators met regulatory requirements.

2. Organization and Operations and Maintenance Activities a. Inspection Scope (IP 69006)

To verify that the licensee complied with the requirements for organization, operations, and maintenance activities, as specified in TS Sections 2, 3, 7.1, and licensee procedural requirements, the inspector reviewed selected aspects of the following:

MIT nuclear reactor laboratory organization chart reactor digital logbook reactor job workbook reactor digital daily operations schedule-3-

reactor annual report to the NRC for 2020 b. Observations and Findings The inspector found that the MIT reactor organization and shift staffing was consistent with that specified in the TS. The inspector also found that operations and maintenance activities were consistent with administrative procedures and TS, and equipment malfunctions were documented, and actions were taken in accordance with TS.

c. Conclusion The inspector determined that the licensees organization and staffing complied with the requirements specified in TS Section 7.1, and that operational and maintenance activities were also consistent with applicable TS and procedural requirements.

3. Procedures a. Inspection Scope (IP 69008)

To verify that the licensee met the requirements of TS Section 7.4, the inspector reviewed selected aspects of the following:

reactor digital logbook reactor annual report to the NRC for 2020 reviewed various procedures including:

- PM 4.4.5.1, Instructions for Use of Utility Room Emergency Gauges

- PM 4.4.4.15, Escape of Airborne Radioactive Material from the Containment Building

- PM 4.4.5.3, Relief of Reactor Building Pressure with the Pressure Relief System

- AOP 5.2.3, Low Level Core Tank

- PM 3.5, Daily Surveillance Checks b. Observations and Findings The inspector noted that procedure revisions were reviewed and approved by the Director of Reactor Operations and submitted to the MIT Reactor Safety Committee for review, and that all procedure changes were routinely routed to all licensed operators for review.

c. Conclusion The inspector determined that the licensees program for procedural review, revision, and implementation program satisfied TS requirements.

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4. Fuel Movement a. Inspection Scope (IP 69009)

To ensure that the licensee followed the requirements of TS Sections 3.1.4, 3.1.6, 4.1.5, and 5.4, the inspector reviewed selected aspects of the following:

reactor digital logbook PM 1.15, Fuel Loading Permission PM 3.3.1, General Conduct of Refueling Operations PM 7.1.2, Fuel Acceptance Inspection PM 3.3.1.1, Fuel Transfer - Core b. Observations and Findings The inspector reviewed the fuel movement process and verified that fuel manipulations were conducted in accordance with established procedures. The inspector also reviewed records of selected fuel movements and interviewed the MIT Reactor Engineer. The inspector noted that a plan for each series of fuel movements was developed prior to the activity and were used for core refueling, core rearrangement, and inspections of fuel elements.

c. Conclusion The inspector determined that the licensee conducted fuel movements in accordance with written procedures and the TS requirements, and that fuel inspections were also completed annually as required by TS.

5. Surveillance a. Inspection Scope (IP 69010)

To verify that the licensee met the surveillance requirements specified in TS Section 4, the inspector reviewed selected aspects of the following:

reactor job workbook reactor digital daily operations schedule reactor digital logbook MIT annual report to the NRC for 2020 MIT logbook System Tests and Calibration Logbook (in the control room)

PM 3.1.1, Full Power Startup Checklist containment leak rate data b. Observations and Findings The inspector found that surveillance tests and surveillances were completed as required by TS and licensee procedures, and that limiting conditions for operations were satisfied.

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c. Conclusion The inspector found that the licensees program for completing surveillance inspections and LCO verifications satisfied TS.

6. Emergency Preparedness a. Inspection Scope (IP 69011)

The inspector reviewed selected aspects of the following to verify compliance with the licensees E-Plan and associated procedures:

training records for MIT staff E-Plan exercise critiques PM 4.0, MITR Emergency Plan and Procedures PM 4.4.4.16, Instructions to MIT Police During MIT Reactor Radiological Emergencies PM 4.4.5.2, Instructions for Use of Operations Office Emergency Gauges letter of agreement (LOA) with Massachusetts General Hospital, dated April 11, 2016 LOA with Mount Auburn Hospital, dated December 1, 2013 LOA with City of Cambridge Fire Department, dated January 15, 2016 LOA with City of Cambridge Police Department, dated February 12, 2016 LOA with Professional Ambulance company, dated May 31, 2013 b. Observations and Findings The inspector reviewed the MIT E-Plan and implementing procedures and verified, through discussions with the licensee, that no changes to the E-Plan were made since the last inspection in accordance with 10 CFR 50.54(q)

Emergency plans. The inspector also reviewed the training records, E-Plan exercise records, staffing requirements, off-site support, and emergency equipment maintenance.

c. Conclusion The inspector concluded that the licensee maintained its emergency preparedness program in accordance with its E-Plan requirements.

7. Exit Interview The inspector presented the inspection results to licensee management and staff at the conclusion of the inspection on September 15, 2020. The inspector discussed the areas inspected and the inspection observations. The licensee acknowledged the results of the inspection and did not identify as proprietary any of the material provided to or reviewed by the inspector during the inspection.

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LIST OF PERSONS CONTACTED Licensee Personnel:

G. Kohse Managing Director for Operations at the Nuclear Reactor Laboratory Director of Reactor Operations E. Lau Assistant Director of Reactor Operations M. Wade Superintendent of Operations W. McCarthy Reactor Radiation Protection Officer and Deputy Director, MIT Environment, Health, and Safety Office S. Tucker Quality Assurance Supervisor S. Hauptman Reactor Engineer INSPECTION PROCEDURES USED IP 69003 Class l Research and Test Reactor Operator Licenses, Requalification, and Medical Examinations IP 69006 Class l Research and Test Reactors Organization and Operations and Maintenance Activities IP 69008 Class l Research and Test Reactor Procedures IP 69009 Class l Research and Test Reactor Fuel Movement IP 69010 Class l Research and Test Reactor Surveillance IP 69011 Class l Research and Test Reactor Emergency Preparedness ITEMS OPENED, CLOSED, AND DISCUSSED Opened:

None Closed:

None Discussed:

None Attachment