ML21337A257

GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, Requalification Program for the General Electric Nuclear Test Reactor - December 2021

ML21337A257
Person / Time
Site:	Vallecitos Nuclear Center
Issue date:	12/03/2021
From:	GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy
To:	Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
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ML21337A255	List: M210157, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, Requalification Program for the General Electric Nuclear Test Reactor - December 2021 ML21337A256 ML21337A257
References
M210157
Download: ML21337A257 (10)

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D e c e m b e r 3, 2 0 2 1 P a g e l1of10 December2021

REQUALIFICATIONPROGRAMFORTHEGENERALELECTRIC NUCLEARTESTREACTOR

D e c e m b e r 3, 2 0 2 1 P a g e l2of10 A. OBJECTIVE

1. Thisrequalificationprogramisestablishedtomaintaintheproficiencyoflicensedoperators andsenioroperatorsthroughperiodictrainingexercises,instructionperiods,tests,and reviewscoveringthoseitemsandequipmentwhichrelatetothesafeoperationofthe GeneralElectric-HitachiNuclearTestReactor(NTR)asrecommendedbytheAmerican NationalStandard,ANSI/ANS15.42016,SelectionandTrainingofPersonnelforResearch Reactors.

2. ThisrequalificationprogramfortheNTRisintendedtocomplywiththerequirementsof 10CFR55.59and10CFR55.21.

3. Bydefinition,acandidateisalicensedNTRoperatororlicensedNTRsenioroperator.

D e c e m b e r 3, 2 0 2 1 P a g e l3of10 B. PROGRAMDESCRIPTION

1. SCHEDULE

TheNTRrequalificationprogramisatwoyearcontinuousprogram.Alllicensedpersonnelare requiredtocompletetheprograminacontinuousperiodnottoexceed24monthsinduration.

2. EXAMINATIONS

a. BiennialWrittenExamination

1) Thewrittenexaminationwillbegivenbienniallyinthefirstcalendarquarter.The examinationwillincludearepresentativesamplefromamongthefollowing:

a. Fundamentalsofreactortheory,includingfissionprocess,neutron multiplication,sourceeffects,controlrodeffects,criticalityindications, reactivitycoefficients,andpoisoneffects.

b. Generaldesignfeaturesofthecore,includingcorestructure,fuelassemblies, controlrods,safetyrods,reactorinstrumentation,andcoolantflow.

c. Mechanicalcomponentsanddesignfeaturesofthereactorprimarycoolant system.

d. Secondarycoolantandauxiliarysystemsthataffectthefacility.

e. Facilityoperatingcharacteristicsduringsteadystateandtransientconditions, includingcoolantchemistry;causesandeffectsoftemperature,pressureand reactivitychanges;andoperatinglimitationsandreasonsfortheseoperating characteristics.

f.

Design,components,andfunctionsofreactivitycontrolmechanismsand instrumentation.

g. Design,components,andfunctionsofcontrolandsafetysystems,including instrumentation,signals,interlocks,failuremodes,andautomaticandmanual features.

h. Components,capacity,andfunctionsofemergencysystems.

i.

Shieldingandconfinementdesignfeatures,includingaccesslimitations.

j.

Administrative,normal,abnormal,andemergencyoperatingproceduresforthe facility.

k. Purposeandoperationofradiationmonitoringsystems,includingalarmsand surveyequipment.

D e c e m b e r 3, 2 0 2 1 P a g e l4of10

l.

Radiologicalsafetyprinciplesandprocedures.

m. Proceduresandequipmentavailableforhandlinganddisposalofradioactive materialsandeffluents.

n. Principlesofheattransferthermodynamicsandfluidmechanics.

2) Inadditionto1)above,aSeniorReactorOperatorwillreceiveadditionalquestion(s) fromtheareaslistedbelow.TheSROquestionswillincludearepresentativesample fromamongthefollowing:

a. Conditionsandlimitationsinthefacilitylicense.

b. Facilityoperatinglimitationsinthetechnicalspecificationsandtheirbases.

c. NTRproceduresrequiredtoobtainauthorityfordesignandoperatingchanges inthefacility.

d. Radiationhazardsthatmayariseduringnormalandabnormalsituations, includingmaintenanceactivitiesandvariouscontaminationconditions.

e. Assessmentoffacilityconditionsandselectionofappropriateproceduresduring normal,abnormal,andemergencysituations.

f.

Proceduresandlimitationsinvolvedinalterationsincoreconfigurationand determinationofvariousinternalandexternaleffectsoncorereactivity.

g. Fuelhandlingfacilities,equipment,andprocedures

3) Theexaminationswillbegradedbytheexaminationadministrator.Theresultsofthe examinationwillbeusedtodeterminewhichofthelecturesshallbeattendedbyeach candidate.

b. AnnualOperatingTest

1) TheannualoperatingtestattheNTRisadministeredduringthefirstcalendarquarterof eachyear.Thistestfulfillstherequirementsof10CFR55.59.

2) Theoperatingtestrequiresthecandidatetodemonstrateanunderstandingofandthe abilitytoperformtheactionsnecessarytoaccomplishacomprehensivesampleofthe followingitems:

a. Performprestartupproceduresforthefacility,includingoperationofthose controlsassociatedwithplantequipmentthatcouldaffectreactivity.

b. Manipulatetheconsolecontrolsasrequiredtooperatethefacilitybetween shutdownanddesignatedpowerlevels.

D e c e m b e r 3, 2 0 2 1 P a g e l5of10

c. Identifyannunciatorsandconditionindicatingsignalsandperformappropriate remedialactionswhereappropriate.

d. Identifytheinstrumentationsystemsandthesignificanceoffacilityinstrument readings.

e. Observeandsafelycontroltheoperatingbehaviorcharacteristicsofthefacility.

f.

Performcontrolmanipulationsrequiredtoobtaindesiredoperatingresults duringnormal,abnormal,andemergencysituations.

g. Safelyoperatetheprimarycoolantsystem.

h. Safelyoperatethefacilitysauxiliaryandemergencysystems,including operationofthosecontrolsassociatedwithplantequipmentthatcouldaffect reactivityorthereleaseofradioactivematerialstotheenvironment.

i.

Demonstrateordescribetheuseandfunctionofthefacilitysradiation monitoringsystems,includingfixedradiationmonitorsandalarms,portable surveyinstruments,andpersonnelmonitoringequipment.

j.

Demonstrateknowledgeofsignificantradiationhazards,includingpermissible levelsinexcessofthoseauthorized,andabilitytoperformotherproceduresto reduceexcessivelevelsofradiationandtoguardagainstpersonnelexposure.

k. Demonstrateknowledgeoftheemergencyplanforthefacility,including,as appropriate,theoperatorsorsenioroperatorsresponsibilitytodecide whethertheplanshouldbeexecutedandthedutiesundertheplanassigned.

l.

Demonstratetheknowledgeandabilityasappropriatetotheassignedposition toassumetheresponsibilitiesassociatedwiththesafeoperationofthefacility.

m. Demonstratethecandidatesabilitytofunctionwithinthecontrolroominsuch awaythatthefacilitylicenseesproceduresareadheredtoandthatthe limitationsinitslicenseandamendmentsarenotviolated.

3) Theoperatingtestrequiresthecandidatetodemonstrateattheconsolearesponseto thefollowingeventsatleastonceeverytwoyears(anSROcandidatemaydirectthe activitiesofanROcandidate):

a. Alossofcorecoolantflow.

b. Alossofareactorsafetysystemscramchannel.

c. Safetyroddrop.

D e c e m b e r 3, 2 0 2 1 P a g e l6of10

d. Inabilitytodriveacontrolrod.

e. Fuelcladfailureorhighactivityinthereactorcoolantorstackeffluentmonitor.

f.

Reactorscram.

g. Nuclearinstrumentfailure.

4) Theoperatingtestwillconsistofaminimumof5taskscoveringarepresentativesample oftopicsfromsections2.b.2)and2.b.3)above.Thetestwillbeadministeredorallyina plantwalkthroughandwillincludeactualorsimulatedcontrolpanelrodmanipulations andadiscussionoftheactionstobetakenforemergencyorabnormalconditions.

5) Fourdifferenttypesoftasksmustbecoveredbythoseselectedfrom4)above.These typesinclude:

a. Reactivitytask-normaloperationssuchasreactorstartup,shutdown,ora significantpowerchange.

b. Abnormalevent-instrumentfailure,radiationmonitoralarm,orsimilar systemslevelproblem.

c. Emergencyevent-buildingevacuation,highradiationlevels,orsimilar personnelorradiologicalreleaseissue.

d. Outsideevent-operatordutiesoutsidethecontrolroom,e.g.reactorcellwork, irradiationsamples,

6) Eachtaskfrom4)abovewillincludeaminimumof2questionstobeaskedatthe completionofthetask.Questioncharacteristicsshould:1)beassociatedwiththetask, 2)discriminatebetweenROandSROduties,and3)emphasizeknowledgerequiredfor taskperformanceorprocedureuseandcompliance.

c. BiennialMedicalExamination

1) Licensedoperatorswillbeexaminedbyaphysicianevery2years.

2) FormNRC396willbecompletedandsignedtodocumenttheexamination.

3. LECTURES

a. TheNTRRequalificationProgramrequirestraininglecturescoveringthefollowingapplicable subjectmaterialwhereoperatorwrittenexaminationresultsorfacilityoperatingexperience indicateaknowledgedeficiency:

D e c e m b e r 3, 2 0 2 1 P a g e l7of10

1) TheoryandPrinciplesofOperation

2) GeneralandSpecificPlantOperatingCharacteristics

3) PlantInstrumentationandControlSystems

4) ReactorSafetySystem

5) Normal,AbnormalandEmergencyOperatingProcedures

6) RadiationControlandSafety

7) TechnicalSpecificationsandApplicablePortionsofTitle10,Chapter1,CodeofFederal Regulations Inaddition,extraclassesalsomaybeheldifdeemednecessarybytheRequalification AdministratorortheManager,NTR.

b. Lecturetestswillbegivenatthecompletionofthelecture.Thetestswillconsistofa minimumoffivequestionswhichwillbepreparedandgivenbythelecturer.Section5.a definesapassingscore.

c. Ifacandidatedoesnotreceiveanacceptablescore,hewillbefurnishedstudyguide materials.Within30days,(a)hemustgotoanotherlectureandretakethelecturetestand receivegreaterthan80%onthatlecturetest,or(b)takeadifferentwrittenexaminationfor thatlecturesubjectofnotlessthan10questions.The10questionexaminationalso requiresascoreof80%orgreatertobepassing.

d. Forclarification,the30dayperiodstartsatthetimenotificationoffailureisgiventothe candidate.

4. ONTHEJOBTRAINING

a. Eachlicensedoperatorshallmanipulatethecontrolsofthereactortoremainfamiliarwith theoperatingcharacteristicsoftheplant,andeachlicensedsenioroperatorshalloperateor directtheactivitiesoflicensedoperatorsduringplantcontrolmanipulations.

b. Atleastonestartupto100kWandoneshutdownofthereactormustbeperformedbyeach candidateeachcalendaryear.Directingthestartupandshutdownwillsatisfysenior operatorrequirements.

c. NewlyissuedandupdatedStandardOperatingProcedures,scramreports,facilitylicense changes,anddesignchangesshallberoutedtoeachcandidatetokeeptheminformed.An electronicfilewillbeusedtodocumenteachcandidatesreview.

D e c e m b e r 3, 2 0 2 1 P a g e l8of10

d. Eachcandidatewillreviewandacknowledgehisreview,inthedesignatedelectronicfile,of abnormalandemergencyproceduresonanannualbasis.Abnormalandemergency procedureswhichrequiresucharevieware:

1) NonReactorEmergencies

2) AbnormalOperation

3) OffNormalAlarmResponse

4) SeismicActivity

5. EVALUATION

a. Theminimumacceptancescoreforeachcategoryofwrittenexaminationsandtheoverall writtenandoperatingtestsis70%.

b. Writtenexamination:

1) Acandidatereceivingawrittenexaminationscoreexceedingthethresholdofsection 5.a,mayrequirenoadditionaltraining.

2) Receivinglessthananacceptablescoreonanysectionoftheexaminationwillrequire thecandidatetoattendalectureonthesubjectmattercontainedinthatsection.See section3,Lectures.

3) Ifacandidatereceiveslessthananacceptableoverallscore,theywillbeexcludedfrom performinglicensedactivitiesandberequiredtocompleteanaccelerated requalificationprogrambeforebeingreinstated.Thisacceleratedprogramwillbe tailoredtotheneedsoftheindividual.Successfulcompletionoftheprogramand passingawrittenexaminationsimilartothebiennialexaminationwithanoverall acceptablescore,isrequiredbeforereinstatement.TheManager,NTR,shallnotifythe candidatewhentheycanresumeperformanceoflicensedactivities.

c. Operatingtest:

1) Ifacandidateslevelofknowledgeonanysectionofthetestisconsideredtobe deficient,theywillberequiredtostudymaterialonthatsection.Theymustthen demonstratetothesatisfactionoftheexaminerthattheyhavegainedsufficient knowledgeinthedeficientareas.

2) Ifacandidatereceiveslessthananacceptableoverallscore,theywillbeexcludedby theManager,NTR,fromlicensedactivities.Theythenwillberequiredtocompletean

D e c e m b e r 3, 2 0 2 1 P a g e l9of10 acceleratedrequalificationprogrambeforebeingreinstated.Thisacceleratedprogram willbetailoredtotheneedsoftheindividual,i.e.,selfstudy,lectures,etc.Successful completionoftheprogramandpassinganoperatingtestsimilartotheannualtestwith anoverallacceptablescore,isrequiredbeforereinstatement.TheManager,NTR,shall notifythecandidatewhentheycanresumeperformanceoflicensedactivities.

6. RECORDS

a. RecordsoftheNTRrequalificationprogramwillconsistofanindividualtrainingfolderfor eachcandidatecontaining:

1) copiesofwrittenexaminations,operatingtests,andadditionaltrainingreceived

2) Allanswersgivenbytheindividualonwrittenrequalificationexaminations,annual operatingtests,andrequiredlecturetests.

b. Allindividualrecordswillberetaineduntilthecandidateslicenseisrenewed.

c. ARequalificationProgramMasterYearfolderwillcontainrecordsofonthejobtrainingas delineatedinsection4above.

7. ACTIVESTATUS Licensedpersonnelwhohavenotbeenactivelyperformingthefunctionsofalicensedoperator orlicensedsenioroperatorforaminimumof4hourspercalendarquarterwillberecertified beforeresuminglicensedactivities.

RecertificationwillbeperformedbytheNTRManager,theRequalificationProgram Administrator,oradesignatedalternate.

Therecertificationshallassurethatthequalificationsandstatusofthecandidatearecurrent andvalidandthatthecandidatehascompletedaminimumofsixhoursoflicensedoperator functionsunderthedirectionofaqualifiedindividualholdingthesameorhigherlicense.The sixhoursmustincludeacompletetourofthefacility.

D e c e m b e r 3, 2 0 2 1 P a g e l10of10 C. PROGRAMADMINISTRATION

1. Everytwoyears,theManager,NTRwilldesignateaRequalificationProgramAdministrator.

TheymusthaveanNTRoperatorslicenseandwillhavethefollowingresponsibilities.

a. Develop,administer,andgradethebiennialwrittenexaminationsinaccordancewith thecriteriainthisprogram.

b. Scheduleallexaminations,lectures,andtests.

c. Assigninstructors.

d. Reviewandapprovelecturesandlecturetests.Gradelecturetestsandsubmitfor retention.

e. Develop,administer,andgradetheannualoperatingtestsinaccordancewiththe criteriainthisprogram.Thistaskmaybedelegatedtoanotherlicensedoperatorto ensurenooperatorisexemptedfromcompletinganannualoperatingtestformore thanoneconsecutiveyear.

f.

Documentalltrainingforretentioninindividualtrainingfiles.

g. Assurerecordsarebeingretainedinaccordancewiththisprogram.

h. ReportontheeffectivenessandstatusoftheprogramtotheManager,NTR.

i.

Recommendchangesasnecessarytomaintainaneffectiveprogram.

2. Manager,NTRwillhavethefollowingresponsibilities:

a. Develop,administrate,andmaintainaneffectiveandcompliantRequalificationProgram forlicensedreactoroperatorsandlicensedseniorreactoroperatorsattheNTR.

b. Maintainalltrainingrecords(seeSection6)foralllicensedpersonnel.

3. Licensedpersonnelthatgenerateoradministertheseexaminationsandtestsshallbeexempt fromtakingthespecificrespectiveexaminationsandtests.TheManager,NTRwillensurethat developing,administering,andgradingthebiennialwrittenexaminationandtheannual operatingtest,willberotatedamongstthelicensedoperatorssuchthatnolicenseefailstobe testedformorethanoneconsecutivetestcycle.

4. Changeswhichalterthescope,timeallotted,orfrequencyinconductingthepartsofthe ProgrammustbesubmittedforreviewandapprovalbytheNuclearRegulatoryCommission priortoimplementation.