ML22011A073
| ML22011A073 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | National Bureau of Standards Reactor |
| Issue date: | 01/20/2022 |
| From: | Patrick Boyle NRC/NRR/DANU/UNPL |
| To: | Dimeo R US Dept of Commerce, National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) |
| Boyle P; 301-415-3936 | |
| References | |
| EPID: L-2021-LLA-0239 | |
| Download: ML22011A073 (2) | |
Text
January 20, 2022 Dr. Robert Dimeo, Director National Institute of Standards and Technology NIST Center for Neutron Research U.S. Department of Commerce 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 8561 Gaithersburg, MD 20899 8561
SUBJECT:
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY -
ACCEPTANCE OF THE APPLICATION FOR A LICENSE AMENDMENT RE:
FUEL ELEMENT LATCH VERIFICATION TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION REVISION (EPID: L-2021-LLA-0239)
Dear Dr. Dimeo:
By letter dated December 23, 2021 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML21361A246), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) applied for an amendment to Facility Operating License No. TR-5 for the National Bureau of Standards test reactor (NBSR). The license amendment request (LAR) proposes to revise technical specification (TS) 3.9.2.1 to require both rotational checks and visual inspections to verify the latching of fuel elements. The revision would also remove from the TS the option to use height checks to verify the latching of fuel elements. Consistent with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) 50.90, Application for amendment of license, construction permit, or early site permit, an application to amend a license (including the TSs) must fully describe the changes desired and follow, as far as applicable, the form prescribed for original applications. The requirements in 10 CFR 50.34, Contents of applications; technical information, describe the technical information to be included in original applications.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff performed an acceptance review of the LAR and concluded that it includes sufficient information for the NRC staff to begin its detailed technical review. Notwithstanding the NRC staffs acceptance of the LAR for review, the staff may require additional information to complete its detailed technical review. If needed, the NRC staff will request this information by separate correspondence within approximately 30 days of the date of this letter.
Based on its acceptance review and discussions with NIST staff during the pre-licensing meeting on December 7, 2021 (meeting summary available at ADAMS Accession No. ML21349A377), the NRC staff expects to complete its detailed technical review and make a final determination on the LAR by May 13, 2022. This date could change due to several factors, including the need for requests for additional information, unanticipated changes to the scope of the review, supplements to the LAR, and other factors. If the forecasted date changes, the NRC staff will notify you in writing of the new date and will provide you an explanation of the reason for the change.
R. Dimeo As discussed in your cover letter accompanying the LAR, the LAR is related to one of the corrective actions proposed by NIST in response to the NBSR fuel failure event that occurred on February 3, 2021. Other matters related to that event are also under review by the NRC staff at this time, which may also affect the staffs review and approval of this LAR. Pursuant to 10 CFR 50.36(c)(1)(i)(A), the resumption of operation of the NBSR continues to be prohibited until authorized by the NRC.
If you have any questions, please contact me at (301) 415-3936, or by electronic mail at Patrick.Boyle@nrc.gov.
Sincerely, Patrick G. Boyle, 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. 50-184 License No. TR-5 cc: See next page Signed by Boyle, Patrick on 01/20/22
National Institute of Standards and Technology Docket No 50-184 cc:
Environmental Program Manager III Radiological Health Program Air & Radiation Management Adm.
Maryland Dept of the Environment 1800 Washington Blvd, Suite 750 Baltimore, MD 21230-1724 Director, Department of State Planning 301 West Preston Street Baltimore, MD 21201 Director, Air & Radiation Management Adm.
Maryland Dept of the Environment 1800 Washington Blvd, Suite 710 Baltimore, MD 21230 Director, Department of Natural Resources Power Plant Siting Program Energy and Coastal Zone Administration Tawes State Office Building Annapolis, MD 21401 Test, Research and Training Reactor Newsletter Attention: Amber Johnson Dept of Materials Science and Engineering University of Maryland 4418 Stadium Drive College Park, MD 20742-2115 President Montgomery County Council 100 Maryland Avenue Rockville, MD 20850 Dr. Thomas H. Newton, Deputy Director National Institute of Standards and Technology NIST Center for Neutron Research U.S. Department of Commerce 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 6101 Gaithersburg, MD 20899-6101
R. Dimeo
SUBJECT:
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY -
ACCEPTANCE OF THE APPLICATION FOR A LICENSE AMENDMENT RE:
FUEL ELEMENT LATCH VERIFICATION TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION REVISION (EPID: L-2021-LLA-0239) DATED: JANUARY 20, 2022 DISTRIBUTION:
PUBLIC JBorromeo, NRR NParker, NRR PBoyle, NRR CMontgomery, NRR KRoche, NRR ADAMS Accession Number: ML22011A073 NRR-106 OFFICE NRR/DANU/UNPL/PM NRR/DANU/UNPL/LA OGC/NLO NRR/DANU/UNPL/BC NRR/DANU/UNPL/PM NAME PBoyle NParker JWachutka JBorromeo PBoyle DATE 1/11/2022 1/11/2022 1/13/2022 1/20/2022 1/20/2022 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY