ML22042A098
| ML22042A098 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Hermes File:Kairos Power icon.png |
| Issue date: | 02/10/2022 |
| From: | Kairos Power |
| To: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
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| ML22042A095 | List: |
| References | |
| KP-NRC-2202-005 | |
| Download: ML22042A098 (18) | |
Text
EnvironmentalReport ProposedAction
CHAPTER2 PROPOSEDACTION
2.1 PROPOSEDACTION TheProposedFederalActionisissuanceofaConstructionPermit(CP)andsubsequentOperatingLicense (OL)foranonpowerreactorfacility(Hermes)totestanddemonstratethekeytechnologies,design features,andsafetyfunctionsoftheKairosPowerFluorideSaltCooledHighTemperatureReactor(KP FHR)technology.Thefacilitywouldalsoprovidedatathatmaybeusedforthevalidationofsafety analysistoolsandcomputationalmethodologiesusedforthedesigningandlicensingfutureKPFHR reactors.
TheapplicantforthisCPandtheOLandownerofthefacilityisKairosPowerLLC,(KairosPower).
InformationaboutKairosPowerisprovidedwiththePreliminarySafetyAnalysisReport(PSAR).Asthe ownerandlicensee,KairosPowerhasthenecessaryauthorityandcontrolrelatedtotheconstruction andoperationofthefacilityoncetheCPandtheOLareapproved.
KairosPowerisrequestingNRCreviewandapprovaloftheCPapplicationtosupportconstructionof safetyrelatedstructures,systems,andcomponentsanticipatedtobeginasearlyasmid2023.Kairos PowerisarecipientofaU.S.DepartmentofEnergy(DOE)AdvancedReactorDemonstrationProgram (ARDP)awardforRiskReductionfundingfortheKPFHRtechnologywithinitialoperationsproposedto beginbymid2026.Tosupportthisobjective,theearlieststartdateforconstructionisexpectedtobe April2023andtheearliestprojecteddateforcompletionofconstructionismid2025.Thelatest projecteddateforcompletionofconstructionisanticipatedtobeDecember2026.Thefacilityis expectedtohavea410yearoperationallicense.Therefore,decommissioningactivitieswouldbe expectedtobeinitiatedaftertheoperationalphaseendsandisanticipatedtobeginin20306.
Theconstructionphaseofthisprojectisestimatedtorequireanestimatedaverageof212onsite workers(425atpeaktimes)andamonthlyaverageof213truckdeliveriesandfouroffsiteshipmentsof constructiondebris.Table2.11showsestimatesformaterialsthatwouldbeconsumed.Additionally, approximately31,800gallonsofdieselfuel(asaboundingassumption,fuelisassumedtobediesel)is assumedtobeconsumedonanaveragemonthlybasis.Table2.12showsthedifferenttypesof constructionequipmentthatwouldbeusedduringtheconstructionphase.Theseconstructionactivities areestimatedtoaffectanestimated138acresofland,ofwhichanestimated30acreswouldbe permanentlydisturbedforoperationofthefacility.
Alowpressure,moltensaltcoolant,i.e.,Li2BeF4(Flibe)andtheintermediatecoolant(nitratesalt) wouldbeshippedtothesitepriortostartup.Flibeisestimatedtobedeliveredin20shipmentsof1ton each.Nitratesaltisestimatedtobedeliveredin28shipmentsofapproximately7tonseach.
Duringoperations,anestimatedaverageof38workersperweekday(68fulltimepositions)arerequired forstaffing.Anestimatedmonthlyaverageof15truckdeliveriesandfouroffsitewasteshipments.An additional20shipmentsofFlibe(approximatelyonetoneach)isestimatedtobedeliveredtothefacility beforetheendofthefirsttwoyearsofoperationand28shipmentsperyearofnitratesalt(7tonseach) forthedurationofoperations.Hazardousmaterialsthatwouldbestoredonsiteinsmallquantities includenewFlibeandnitratesaltlubricatingoilforrotatingequipmentandcleaningmaterialsand consumablesusedforcleaningandmaintenance.Aboundingvalueofapproximately21,555gallonsof dieselfuelforthestandbydieselgeneratorwouldbecontainedinanonsitestoragetank.
Oncethefacilityreachestheendofitslicensedlife,theOperatingLicensewouldbeamendedbythe NRCanddecommissioningactivitieswouldbecommenced.Radioactiveequipmentandmaterialswillbe disposedaccordingtolocalandfederallawsandregulations.Itisestimatedthatpostoperational
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2.3 NONPOWERREACTOR ThefacilitywouldhouseoneHermesreactor.TheHermesreactorisaKPFHRwiththecore configurationmadeupofapebblebedcore,graphitemoderator/reflector,andFlibemoltensalt coolant.Thiswillbeanonpowertestreactorwithapproximatedimensionsofthereactorvesselbeing 3.4metersindiameterand4.7metersinheight.Thefacilitywillcontainonlyoneunitwithamaximum thermalpowerof35megawatts(MW)thermal(MWth).Thepurposeofthereactorwillbeto demonstrateandtestthedesignfeaturesandsafetyfunctionsofthetechnology.Itwillbeanonpower testreactor,wherebytheheatgeneratedinthecorewillnotbeusedfortheproductionofelectric power.Instead,heatwillbetransportedoutofthecoreviatheprimaryheattransportsystem(PHTS) andthendissipatedintotheatmosphereviatheprimaryheatrejectionsystem(PHRS).Figure2.31 showstheprocessflowdiagramforthereactorandheatdissipation.
Thereactorvesselandinternalstructureswillbeconstructedofstainlesssteelthatconformstothe 2019compositionspecificationrequirementsofAmericanSocietyofMechanicalEngineersSectionIII, Division5,withatargetedservicelifeof410years.Themoderator/reflectorwillbeconstructedofa nucleargradegraphiteselectedforitscompatibilitywiththechemistryenvironmentofthereactorcore andwouldalsohaveatargetedservicelifeof410years.
Thereactorcorewilluse4centimeter(cm)diametergraphitepebbleswithembeddedcoatedTRI structuralISOtropic(TRISO)particlefuel.Theparticleswillbecomprisedofauraniumfuelkerneland threelayersofcarbonandceramicbasedmaterialsthatpreventthereleaseofradioactivefission products.Themaximumenrichmentoftheuraniumfuelwillbe19.55weightpercent,andtherequired startupfissileinventoryisestimatedtobenogreaterthan25kilograms(kg)235U.Afractionofthe pebblesinthecorearemoderator(graphiteonly)pebbles.Fuelpebblesareextractedfromthereactor whileonlineusingthepebbleextractionmachine,theburnupismeasured,andthefueliseither returnedtothereactororremovedtostorage.TheestimatedresidencetimeforpebblesinHermesis about315days.
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2.6.1.2.2 WetSolidWastes Wetsolidwasteswouldincludefiltersandorsievesfromtheinertgassystem(IGS),chemistrycontrol system,andIGSoxygenandmoistureabsorbers.Likedrysolidwastes,wetsolidwasteswouldbe packagedandpreparedforonsitestorageandtheneventualshipmentoffsite.
2.6.1.2.3 TritiumManagementSystem Thetritiummanagementsystem(TMS)wouldprovidecaptureoftritium(H3)fromgasstreamsin variousplantlocationstoreduceenvironmentalreleases.Figure2.61identifiesthetritium managementsystemcomponentsandindicatestheapproximatedistributionoftritiumthroughoutthe reactorsystem.H3isproducedprimarilybyneutronirradiationoflithiuminthesaltcoolant,suchas fromlithium7(Li7),lithium6(Li6)remainingafterinitialenrichment,andLi6producedfrom transmutationofberyllium9(Be9).TheprimarysystemfunctionsoftheTMSinclude:
H3separationfromargonintheIGS H3separationfromdryairinthePHRScovergas H3separationfromdryairinReactorBuildingcells FinalcollectionanddispositionofH3 TheTMSwouldproducethreesolidradioactivewastestreams:
HighspecificactivityH3storedasmetalhydride HighspecificactivityH3onmolecularsieve Lowspecificactivitytritiumonmolecularsieve 2.6.1.2.4 FuelPebbleHandlingandStorageSystem Operationofthefacilityisestimatedtobe410yearsandwouldgenerateapproximately38,800spent pebblesperyear.Therefore,overthisduration,itisestimatedthat388,000155,200usedpebbleswould beproduced.TheHermesreactorfuelandmoderatorpebblesarecontinuallycycledthroughthepebble handlingandstoragesystem(PHSS)whichremovespebblesfromthereactorforinspection.Afuel pebbleisremovedpermanentlyfromcirculationandplacedinastoragecanisterifitmeetspreset standardsforburnupandintegrity.Fuelandmoderatorpebblesthatareremovedarereplacedwith newpebbles.Thissystemrequiresaconstantsupplyofnewfuelpebbles.Thestoragecanisterswould betransferredtoanonsitecanisterstoragesystemwithanestimatedconservativesufficientstorage capacityof192canistersfor4yearsoflicensedreactoroperation.Section2.7.1providesadescriptionof spentfuelstorage.
2.6.1.3 GaseousRadioactiveWasteSystem Thefacilityisnotexpectedtoneedagaseousradioactivewastesystem.Gaseousradioactivewastes generatedwouldbeprimarilydischargedtotheReactorBuildingexhaustsystem,inwhichtheypass throughahighefficiencyparticulateairfilter.Releasestotheatmospherewouldbecontrolledsuchthat thetotalradiationexposuretopersonsoutsidethecontrolledareaisaslowasreasonablyachievable anddoesnotexceedapplicableregulations.
2.6.2 NonradioactiveandHazardousWasteSystems Thefacilitywouldgenerategeneraltypesandquantitiesofnonradioactiveandnonhazardoussolid waste.Nospecificsystemsareplannedotherthanwastemanagementplansandpoliciesthatwould controlnonradioactiveandnonhazardoussolidwastes.Solidwastemanagementandcontrolmeasures forthefacilitywouldincludewastereduction,recycling,andwasteminimizationpracticesthatwouldbe
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2.7 STORAGE,TREATMENT,ANDTRANSPORTATIONOFRADIOACTIVEAND NONRADIOACTIVEMATERIALS 2.7.1 NewandIrradiatedFuel TheHermesreactorwillusesphericalfuelpebblescontainingembeddedTRISOparticles.Thefueldesign isdescribedinPSARSection4.2.AmanufacturerhasnotbeendecidedfortheHermesreactor.Newfuel isanticipatedtoeitherbeshippedtothefacilityinU.S.DepartmentofTransportation(DOT)certified shippingcontainersormanufacturedatanearbymanufacturingfacilityusinghighassaylowenriched uranium(HALEU)suppliedfromexternalsources.Thefuelwouldalsobestoredonsiteintheshipping containersuntilloadedintothePHSS.
Duringreactoroperations,thefacilitywouldreceiveaninitialshipmentoffuelandperiodicshipments offueltosupportcontinuedoperationsoveranestimated410yearlicenseperiod.Whenremovedfrom thereactor,usedTRISOfuelpebbleswouldbestoredincanistersinaspentfuelstorageareawithinthe ReactorBuilding.Eachcanisterwouldholdapproximately2,100fuelpebbles.Onceacanisterisfilled, thecanisterwouldbeinitiallystoredinawatercooledstoragepool.Duringthistimethedecayheat generationdropsrapidly.Thepoolwouldalsoaccommodateafullcoreoffloadfortemporarystorage.
Aftertheinitialcoolingperiodinthepool,fuelcanisterswouldbetransferredtothelargeraircooled storagecavity.Thestoragecapacityoftheaircooledcavitywouldhaveanestimatedconservative storagecapacityof192canisters,whichissufficientfor410yearsoflicensedreactoroperation.
Ifnecessary,spentfuelcanisterswouldbeloadedintodrystoragecaskssuitableforonsitestorageon anexteriorspentfuelstoragepad.Suchstoragecanistershavenotbeenspecificallydesignedforthe Hermesfuelbuttheindividualcanistersarecompatiblewithconventionaldrycaskoverpacks.Spentfuel wouldultimatelybetransferredfromonsitestoragecaskstospentfuelshippingcontainerscertifiedby theNRCandDOT.WhilealargenumberoftransportationpackagesarecertifiedbytheNRCforshipping unirradiatedlightwaterreactor(LWR)fuel,irradiatedLWRfuel,andradioactivewaste,transportation packageswouldneedtobecertifiedforshippingnonLWRfuel.Withoutacertifieddesign,thenumber ofspentfuelshipmentscannotbecalculated,butwouldbeboundedbythe60annualshipmentsof spentfuelprovidedforan880MWelectric(MWe)referencereactordescribedinNRCguidance (Reference1).
Spentfuelwouldeventuallybetransportedbytruckorrailtoafinalspentfuelrepositoryoraregional spentfuelstoragefacility.NeitherfacilitycurrentlyexistsintheUnitedStates.However,the transportationdistanceislikelyboundedbytheapproximate2,100milesfromOakRidge,Tennesseeto Beatty,Nevada.Beatty,NevadaislocatedjustwestofYuccaMountain,thesiteintheUnitedStates moststudiedforsuitabilityasaspentfuelrepository.
2.7.2 LowlevelRadioactiveWaste OperationsanddecommissioningwouldgeneratesolidLLRW.Generally,LLRWwouldbestoredin strong,tightindustrialpackagesapprovedfortransportation.CommonwastecontainersincludeB12 andB25steelboxes,and55gallonsteeldrums.LLRWwouldbetransportedbytrucktodisposalsites westofAndrews,Texas(WasteControlSpecialists)ornearClive,Utah(EnergySolutions).TheWaste ControlSpecialistsdisposalsiteacceptsClassA,B,andCwasteandisapproximately1,300milesfrom OakRidge.TheEnergySolutionsdisposalsiteacceptsonlyClassAwasteandisapproximately2,000miles fromOakRidge.SomewastescouldbemanagedthroughEnergySolutionsBearCreekLLRWprocessing facilitylocatedlessthan4milessouthofthesite.Whiletheultimatedisposalrouteforwasteprocessed throughtheBearCreekfacilityisdependentonthewastetype,itoftenultimatelygetsshippedtoUtah forfinaldisposal.
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FlibeisutilizedintheIMS,thePHTS,andthereactor,allofwhicharelocatedintheReactorBuilding.
UsedradioactiveFlibethatisremovedfromtheIMSinliquidformduringnormaloperationswouldbe filledintocontainerswhereitwouldbeallowedtocoolandsolidify.ItisestimatedthattheFlibes specificactivityincuriesperton(Ci/ton)afteracoolingperiodof1yearwouldbe380Ci/ton.Noother treatmentwouldberequired.ThesolidFlibeisanticipatedtobestoredonsiteuntildecommissioning whenitwouldbeshippedtoWasteControlSpecialistsforClassBorCLLRWdisposal.Storageareasfor solidifiedFlibewastewouldrequireadditionalradiationshieldingtokeepoccupationradiationdoses belowregulatorylimitsanaslowasreasonablyachievable.
Anestimated120drumsofFlibewastewouldbegeneratedovertheassumed410yearlicensedlifeof thefacility.ThewastewouldrequireaTypeBshippingcask.ThecapacityofaTypeBcaskisdependent ontheshieldingnecessary.Assumingaminimumofsixdrumspercask,120drumswouldrequire20 caskshipments.Alternatively,TypeBdrumscouldbeusedlikelyresultinginmoredrumspershipment andfewershipments.
Duringoperations,nitratesaltsusedtotransferheatfromthereactortotheheatdissipationsystem wouldbepumpedthroughthePHRS.Thenitratesaltswouldbeapproximately60percentsodium nitrateand40percentpotassiumnitratebyweight.Usedradioactivenitratesaltwouldbepumpedinto storagecontainersandallowedtocoolpriortobeingshippedtoWasteControlSpecialistsforClassB LLRWdisposalortoEnergySolutionsforClassALLRWdisposal.Noothertreatmentwouldberequired.
Basedonanestimated200tonsofnitratesaltshippedtothesiteannually,anaverageof10truck shipmentsperyearwouldberequiredtoshipanequivalentamountofsaltwaste.Wastecontainers wouldnotrequireradiationshielding.
TheIGSwouldtransportradioactivematerials(fissionproducts,tritium,andotherradionuclides)for downstreamtreatment.TheTMSwouldcapturetritiumfromgasstreamsinvariousplantlocationin ordertoreduceenvironmentalreleases.TheTMSwouldseparatetritiumfromargonintheIGS,from dryairinthePHRScovergas,andfromdryairintheReactorBuildingcellsandcollectthetritiuminsolid materialsforfinaldispositionasasolidLLRW.ThesewastesareexpectedtobeClassBLLRWthatwould bestoredonsiteinapprovedshippingcontainersuntiltransportedtoWasteControlSpecialistfor disposal.
TritiumwouldnotultimatelybestoredinaliquidorgaseousformintheTMS.Amodestamountof watermaybeusedforanalyticalpurposessuchastritiumtrappinginwaterbubblersandliquid scintillationcounting(estimated1ft3/yearwithdissolvedtritiumactivityof10Ci[10Ci/yeartotalliquid waterwaste]).Therewouldbeasmallamountoftritiumingressintootherwatersystems,butitisnot expectedthatwaterfromthesesystemswouldbereleasedaseffluentfromtheReactorBuilding.
ThetotalnumberofLLRWshipmentshasnotbeencalculated.However,includingthenumberofwaste nitrateslatshipments,thetotalnumberofLLRWshipmentswouldbeexpectedtobeboundedbythe46 annualshipmentsofLLRWprovidedforan880MWereferencereactordescribedinNRCguidance (Reference1).
2.7.3 NonradioactiveMaterials NonradioactiveFlibeisanticipatedtobeshippedtothesiteinapproximately20initial1tonshipments withanadditional20tonsestimatedtobeshippedbeforetheendofthefirsttwoyearsofoperation.
TheFlibewouldbestoredintheReactorBuilding.Nitratesaltwouldbeshippedtothefacilityatan estimatedrateof200tonsperyearinapproximately28shipments(7tonspershipment)andstoredin theintermediatesaltvessellocatedintheReactorBuilding.AsdiscussedinSection2.4,thefacility wouldalsoreceivetwelve4,000gallonshipmentsofdemineralizedwatereachmonth.
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CHAPTER4 IMPACTSOFPROPOSEDCONSTRUCTION,OPERATIONS,ANDDECOMMISSIONING
Thischapterprovidesananalysisoftheimpactsofconstruction,operation,anddecommissioningofthe facility.Overallimpactrankingsaregiventoeachenvironmentalresourceevaluated.Unlessotherwise defined,criteriafollowedtheguidancegiveninNRCImpactRankingsin10CFR51SubpartA,Appendix B,TableB1,Footnote3asfollows:
SMALL(S)-Environmentaleffectsarenotdetectableoraresominorthattheywouldneither destabilizenornoticeablyalteranyimportantattributeoftheresource.
MODERATE(M)-Environmentaleffectsaresufficienttoalternoticeably,butnottodestabilize, importantattributesoftheresource.
LARGE(L)-Environmentaleffectsareclearlynoticeableandaresufficienttodestabilizeimportant attributesoftheresource.
4.1 LANDUSEANDVISUALRESOURCES Thissectionassessestheimpactsofconstructionandoperationonlanduseandvisualresourcesforthe siteandregion.AsdescribedinSection3.1,thelanduseforthesiteandregionisanalyzedusingthe NationalLandCoverDatabase2016.Impactsincludeeffectsfromactivitiesassociatedwithconstruction andoperation,includingexcavation,grading,placementoffillmaterial,temporarystagingand constructionlaydown,constructionofpermanentfeatures,andpotentialoperationaldisturbances.
4.1.1 LandUse Thissectiondiscussesthelanduseimpactsfromconstructionandoperationofthefacility.
4.1.1.1 SiteandRegion AsdescribedinSection3.1,thesiteconsistsofanapproximate185acreparcellocatedwithinthe DepartmentofEnergy(DOE)EastTennesseeTechnologyPark(ETTP)inOakRidge,Tennessee.Thesiteis locatedonaparcelthatpreviouslyhousedBuildingsK31andK33,whichwerepartoftheK25 complexandoperatedastheOakRidgegaseousdiffusionplant(ORGDP).Theregionsurroundingthe siteisdefinedinSubsection3.1.1.2astheareawithina5mileradiusofthesitecenterpoint.Theentire regionislocatedwithinRoane,Loudon,andMorganCounties,Tennessee.
Thelanduseimpactstothesiteandnearoffsiteareasarebasedontheconversionofthesitefroma Brownfieldtoanactiveindustrialarea.AsdescribedinSection3.1,theentiresiteisclassifiedasa BrownfieldduetothepreviousdisturbancesassociatedwithuseofthesitefortheK33Buildingaspart oftheK25GaseousDiffusionPlantfortheManhattanProject.Therefore,thesitehasbeenhistorically industrialinnature.Whilethesiteiscurrentlyvegetatedandunused,itremainspartoftheETTPwhich isanindustrialpark.Assuch,impactstolandusefromconstructionandoperationswouldbeSMALL.
ThesourceofuraniumfortheTRISOfuelhasnotbeenfinalized.Forthepurposesofevaluatingpotential impact,thisreportassumesitwouldbesourcedfromaninsituleachminewithintheU.S.,convertedto gaseousuraniumhexafluoride,andenrichedtoamaximumof19.55weightpercentusingcommercially availablecentrifugetechnologyatanexistingfacilitylocatedwithintheU.S.Whiletheuranium requirements,andthuslanduserequirements,forhighassay,lowenrichedfuelcouldbegreaterthan forstandardlowenrichedfuel,Hermeswillusesignificantlylessuraniumoveritslifetimethanalight waterpowerreactor.Approximately2.330.93metrictonsofuranium(MTU)wouldbeneededoverthe 410yearlicensedoperatinglifecomparedtoanaverageof20to33MTUperyearforlightwaterpower reactors.Therefore,theimpactsonlandusewouldbeSMALLandboundedbyimpactsdescribedin
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TableS3of10CFR51.51whichconsiderstheimpactsfromagenericreactorrequiringanaverageof33 MTUperyear.Optionally,enricheduraniumcouldbesourcedfrominternationalsupplies,orfrom existingstoresintheU.S.,eitherofwhichoptionwouldreducetheoverallenvironmentalimpactswithin theU.S.comparedtotheassumedoption.
4.1.1.2 SpecialLandUses AsdiscussedinSubsection3.5.4,therearetwospeciallanduseareasintheregion(OakRidgeWildlife ManagementArea[WMA]andBlackOakRidgeConservationEasement[BORCE]),withneitherarea locatedonsite.Permanentandtemporaryimpactsfromconstructionandoperationofthefacilityoccur onsiteandinnearoffsiteareas,butnotwithineitherofthesespeciallanduseareas.Nodirector indirectimpactsoccurtospeciallanduseclassificationareas.Therefore,impactstospeciallanduse classificationareaswouldbeSMALL.
4.1.1.3 AgriculturalResourcesandFacilities AsdescribedinSubsection3.3.3.2,noprimefarmlandorfarmlandofstatewideimportanceoccurs withinthesiteboundariesasthesiteisclassifiedasaBrownfield.Noothersignificantagricultural resourceswithintheregionofthesitearelocatedoffsiteintheregion,asdiscussedinSubsection 3.1.1.2,andtherefore,wouldnotbeimpactedbyconstructionandoperationsrelatedimpacts.Assuch, directandindirectimpactstoagriculturalresourcesandfacilitiesfromconstructionandoperations wouldbeSMALL.
4.1.1.4 MajorPopulationCentersandInfrastructure Section3.1summarizesthemajorpopulationcentersandinfrastructurelocatedwithinRoane,Loudon, andMorganCounties,whichincludethepopulationcenterofOakRidge.Thenearestmajorpopulation centeristheCityofKnoxvillelocatedapproximately25mileseastofthesiteinKnoxCounty.Permanent andtemporaryimpactsfromconstructionandoperationsofthefacilityoccuronsiteandimmediately adjacenttotheboundaryofthesite.Therefore,constructionandoperationsrelateddirectandindirect impactsonmajorpopulationcentersandinfrastructurewouldbeSMALL.
4.1.1.5 ImpactsfromDecommissioning Thefacilityisexpectedtobeginoperationalactivitiesin2025or2026.Thelicensedlifeofthefacilityis expectedtobe410years.Asaresult,decommissioningactivitieswouldbeexpectedtocommencein 20306.Decommissioningactivities,however,aresimilartoconstructionactivitiesandinvolveheavy equipmenttodismantlebuildingsandremoveroadwayandparkingfacilities.Resultantlanduses followingdecommissioningareundeterminedbutmayconsistofreturningthesitetoaBrownfieldor openspace.Assuch,directandindirectimpactsfromdecommissioningareanticipatedtobesimilarto theimpactsassociatedwithconstructionandwouldbeSMALL.
4.1.2 VisualResources Thevisualsettingoftheareaaffectedbytheconstructionandoperationofthesiteisdescribedin Subsection3.1.2.AdesignsimulationoftheproposedfacilityisshowninFigure4.11.Theexistingsiteis composedentirelyoflandusedforindustrialpurposes.Althoughthesitehasbeenpreviouslydisturbed, itiscurrentlyaBrownfieldandtherearenoexistingarchitecturalfeatures,establishedstructures,or naturalorbuiltbarriers,screens,orbuffers.Consequently,thefacilitywouldaltertheonsitecondition andwouldpartiallyobstructviewsoftheexistinglandscape.However,theaestheticandscenicquality ofthesiteisalreadylowbecauseofthehistoricactivitiesatthesiteandsurroundingindustrialareas (seeSubsection3.1.2).ApproximatedimensionsoftheReactorBuildingcomplexforthevisualimpact
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below25tpyforallHAPscombined.Asaresult,theprojectissubjecttononTitleVrequirements.No airqualitymodelingisrequiredfornonTitleVpermitting.
4.2.1.2.1 GaseousEffluents AiremissionsofnonradiologicalgaseouscriteriapollutantsandHAPswouldbeemittedduringthe operationsphasefrom:(1)intermittentuseofdieselpoweredornaturalgaspoweredstandbypower generationsourcessuchasgeneratorsorcombustiongasturbines,(2)intermittentuseofpropanefired heatersfortheintermediatecoolantlocatedintheprimaryheatrejectionsystem(PHRS)during maintenanceactivities,(3)dieselpoweredtrucksthatdelivermaterialandhauloffwastes,and(4) workercommutervehicles.Radiologicalairemissionswouldbeproducedintheoperationsphasefrom theprimaryheatrejectionstack,decayheatremovalsystemvents,ReactorBuildingventilationstack, andspentfuelcoolingstack.
4.2.1.2.2 EvaluationofEmissionImpactsonAirQuality VehicleandOtherEmissions Duringtheoperationsphase,vehicularairemissionsoccurfromthecommutingworkforceandfrom routinedeliveriesto/fromthefacility.Thevolumeoftrafficgeneratedduringoperationsisconsiderably lowerthanthatexpectedduringconstruction.Additionally,thelandsonthedevelopedsiteareeither developedsurfaces(buildings,pavedparking/accessroad)orhavebeenlandscaped.Limitationof routinevehicleusagetopavedareasreducestheemissionsoffugitivedust.Impactsfromvehicularair emissionsandfugitivedustarefarlessthanduringtheconstructionphase.Therefore,impactsduring theoperationsphasewouldbeSMALL.
ReleasePointCharacteristics Therewouldalsobeintermittentemissionsfromstandbypowergenerationsourcessuchasgenerators orcombustiongasturbines.Thesegeneratorswouldoperatelessthan500hoursperyear.Ifused exclusivelyforreplacementorstandbyserviceandatorlessthan500hoursperyear,thesegenerator unitswouldnotrequireaconstructionoroperatingpermit,asoutlinedinChapter12003904 (ConstructionandOperatingPermits)oftheTennesseeAirPollutionControlRegulations.Inaddition, thepotentialtoemitforthegeneratorunitsbasedon500hoursofoperationwouldproduce insignificantemissions(lessthan5tonsperyearforcriteriapollutantsandlessthan1,000poundsper yearforanindividualhazardousairpollutant[HAP]),asdefinedinChapter12000309oftheTennessee AirPollutionControlRegulations;therefore,impactswouldbeSMALL.
UraniumFuelCycle Hermeswillusesignificantlylessuraniumoveritslifetimethanalightwaterpowerreactor.
Approximately2.330.93MTUwouldbeneededoverthe410yearlicensedoperatinglifecomparedto anaverageof20to33MTUperyearforlightwaterpowerreactors.Therefore,theenvironmental impactsfromairemissionsgeneratedduringmining,enrichment,andfuelfabricationactivitieswould beSMALLandboundedbyimpactsdescribedinTableS3of10CFR51.51whichconsiderstheimpacts fromagenericLWRrequiringanaverageof33MTUperyear.
4.2.1.2.3 GreenhouseGas(GHG)Emissions Greenhousegasestrapheatintheatmosphere,absorbingandemittingradiationinthethermalinfrared range.Themostimportantofthesegasesarecarbondioxide(CO2),methane,nitrousoxide,and
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4.7 SOCIOECONOMICS Thissubsectiondescribespotentialimpactstothesocioeconomicenvironment,includingtransportation systemimpactsassociatedwiththeconstruction,operationanddecommissioningofthefacility.The evaluationofpotentialsocioeconomicsimpactsaddressespotentialchangesintheregionalpopulation, economy,housingavailability,andpublicservices.Theevaluationoftransportationsystemimpacts addressesroutesandmodesthatareinvolvedwithtransportingmaterials,workers,andequipmentto thesite.
4.7.1 SocioeconomicsImpacts Thissectionevaluatesimpactstothepopulation,housing,publicservices(e.g.,watersupply),public education,andtaxrevenuesintheregionofinfluence(ROI),thatresultfromconstructing,operating,and decommissioningthefacility.TheROIisidentifiedasthefivecountyregionnearestthesite(Anderson, Knox,Loudon,Morgan,andRoane)asillustratedinFigure3.71(Reference1).Potentialimpactsof constructingthefacilityareattributabletothesizeoftheconstructionworkforce,theexpenditures neededtosupporttheconstructionprogram,andthetaxpaymentsmadetopoliticaljurisdictions.
Becausedirectimpactsarethosethatoccuronsite,theonlydirectimpactsareassociatedwiththe presenceoftheworkforceatthesite.Allothersocioeconomicimpactsareconsideredtobeindirect,as theyoccuroffsite.Theanalysispresentedinthissubsectionisbasedontheboundingparametersforthe projectedworkforcesforconstruction,operation,anddecommissioning.AsnotedinTable4.71,the peakonsiteconstructionphase(contractor)workforceis425(212offpeak)workers,andthemaximum onsiteoperationalphaseworkforceis68workers.Thisanalysisassumesa24monthscheduleof constructionrelatedactivities.Decommissioningisestimatedtostartin20306andwouldinvolveapeak monthonsiteworkforceof340(168average)workers.
4.7.1.1 PopulationImpacts In2019,populationintheROIwas664,125(Reference2).Growthprojectionsshowthatthepopulation intheROIin2026wouldbeapproximately710,778,andthepopulationintheROIin2031wouldbe approximately732,719(seeTable3.72)(Reference3).Theanalysisofpopulationimpactsconsidersthe populationgrowthpotentialduetotheworkforcerequirementsforconstruction,operationaland decommissioningphases.Workforceestimatesarebasedon2016datafromtheU.S.CensusBureau (USCB)CountyBusinessPatternsandBureauofLaborStatistics(BLS)(Reference4,Reference5),the latestyearforwhichthisinformationisavailable.
AsshowninTable3.75,in2019thetotalROIlaborforcewas331,121(Reference6).Table4.71shows theestimatednumberofconstructionworkersforthemajorlaborcategoriesintheROIwas24,238in 2016.Asaconservativemeasure,Table4.71delineates20percentoftheconstructionworkforceas laboravailabletoKairos,foranavailablelaborpoolof4,848workforce(Reference5).Theseestimates showthatsubstantiallyallofthepeakrequirement(425constructionworkers)arepresentwithinthe ROIlabor.Therearenoestimatedlaborforcedeficienciesbyoccupation.Thus,theestimatedROIlabor forceintheconstructiontradesisdemonstratedtobeabundantrelativetoconstructionworkforce requirements,whichgreatlyreducesthepotentialforlargenumbersoftradeworkerstorelocateinthe ROI.ItispossiblethatsomeworkforcemaycommuteortemporarilyrelocatetothesitefromnonROI counties,butthesenumberswouldnotbesignificantorcauseaperceptibleincreaseintheROIs2019 populationof664,125(Reference3).Therefore,theimpactoftheconstructionofthefacilityon populationwouldbeSMALL.
Table4.71showstheestimatednumberofoperationsworkersforthemajorlaborcategoriesintheROI was22,358in2016.Asaconservativemeasure,Table4.71delineates10percentoftheconstruction
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workforceaslaboravailabletoKairos,foranavailablelaborpoolof2,236workforce(Reference5).
Theseestimatesshowthatsubstantiallyalloftherequired68permanentoperationsworkersare availableintheROI.Itispossiblethatsomeworkforcemaycommuteorrelocatetothesitefromnon ROIcountiestopursuejobopportunities,butthesenumberswouldnotbesignificantorcausea perceptibleincreaseintheROIspopulationof710,778in2026,theyearoperationsisexpectedto commence(Reference3).Therefore,theimpactoftheconstructionofthefacilityonpopulationwould beSMALL.
AsshowninTable4.71,theestimatednumberofdecommissioningworkersforthemajorlabor categoriesintheROIwas7,531in2016.Asaconservativemeasure,Table4.71delineates20percentof thedecommissioningworkforceaslaboravailabletoKairos,foratotalof1,506(Reference5).These estimatesshowthatsubstantiallyalloftherequired340decommissioningworkersareavailableinthe ROI.ItispossiblethatsomeworkforcemaycommuteorrelocatetothesitefromnonROIcountiesto pursuejobopportunities,butthesenumberswouldnotbesignificantorcauseaperceptibleincreasein theROIsprojectedpopulationof732,719in2031,whichisfiveyearsbeforetheestimated decommissioningin2036(Reference3).Therefore,theimpactoftheconstructionofthefacilityon populationwouldbeSMALL.
4.7.1.2 HousingImpacts Section3.7.2.2andTable3.79provideasummaryofhousingutilizationsourcedfrom20152019 AmericanCommunitySurvey5YearEstimates.Thisdataisusedtoevaluatethenumberofhousing unitsthatmaybeavailabletoaccommodatehousingdemandsresultingfromconstruction,operations anddecommissioning.
In2019,therewere31,317vacanthousingunitsintheROI(seeTable3.79)(Reference2).Theamount ofhousingavailabilitywithintheROIissubstantiallygreaterthanthetotalestimateddemandfor housingduetoconstructionofthefacility,whichisnegligiblebecauseTable4.71showsthat substantiallyallofthepeakrequirementforconstruction,operationsanddecommissioningareavailable intheROIlaborforce.Thus,workersdonotneedtorelocatetotheROItosupportconstructionphase peakneeds,operationalworkforceneedsordecommissioning.Thereisclearlyanadequatesupplyof vacanthousingtoaccommodatetherequirementsofnewworkersorfamilieswhomaychooseto relocatetothesitefortemporaryorpermanenthousing(Reference5).
ThepotentialimpactsonhousingwouldbeSMALLduetothelargenumberofavailablevacanthousing unitsintheROIandthelackofdemandrelatedtotheconstruction,operationsanddecommissioning workforce.
4.7.1.3 PublicServicesImpacts Constructionofthefacilityrequirespo t a b l ewatertosupporttheneedsoftheconstructionworkforce.
Duringconstructionandoperations,theCityofOakRidgePublicWorkswouldsupplywatertothesite, includingpotablewateruses,fireprotectionuses,andtypicalconstructionuses(e.g.,dustsuppression andconcretemixing).TheaveragepercapitawaterusageintheUnitedStatesis82gallonsperday(gpd) perpersonincludingpersonaluse,bathing,laundryandotherhouseholduses(Reference7).Ata conservativelyassumed41gpdforeachconstructionworkerwhoisonsitefor8to12hoursperday,an averageonsiteworkforceof212needs8,692gpdforpotableandsanitaryuse.Duringpeakusage,an estimated426constructionworkerswouldbeonsite,andwouldneed17,425gpdforpotableand sanitaryuse.AsdiscussedinSection3.7.2.5,theCityofOakRidgePublicWorkshasexcesswater capacityof46MGD.Therefore,impactsonpublicwatersupplybytheonsiteconstructionworkforce wouldbeSMALL.
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perceptiblechangeinschoolenrollment.Therefore,thelevelofimpacttothelocalpubliceducation systemwouldbeSMALL.
4.7.1.5 TaxRevenueRelatedImpacts Taxrevenuesassociatedwiththeconstruction,operation,anddecommissioningofthefacilityinclude payrolltaxesonwagesandsalariesoftheconstructionandoperationsworkforces,salesandusetaxes onpurchasesmadebyKairosPowerandtheconstruction,operationsanddecommissioningworkforces, andpropertytaxesonownedrealpropertyandimprovements.Increasedtaxcollectionsareabenefitto thestate,county,andmunicipalleveljurisdictionsaswellasschooldistricts.
4.7.1.6 PersonalandCorporateIncomeTaxes Workforcepayrolltaxes(federalandstate)aregeneratedbyconstruction,operationsand decommissioningactivitiesandpurchasesaswellastaxesgeneratedbyworkforceexpenditures.State taxpaymentsaredistributedthroughouttheROIandextendbeyondtheROI,basedontheexpectation thatsomeconstruction,operationsanddecommissioningemployeesresideoutsideoftheROI.The relocationofworkerstotheROIandsurroundingcounties,includingsomeexpectedtorelocateto Tennesseefromotherstates,resultsinanincreaseinpayrolltaxespaidtoTennessee.
4.7.1.7 SalesTaxes WorkerscommutingtothesitefromwithinandoutsideoftheROIcontributesalestaxrevenuestothe StateofTennesseeandtoRoaneCountyandanyothercountieswheretheylive.Thevastmajorityof salestaxrevenuesfromtheROIarecollectedbytheState,asRoanesalestaxrateisverylow.Butthe ROIdoesexperienceanincreaseintheamountofsalestaxescollected,reflectingtheconcentrationof relocatedworkers.SalestaxrevenuesalsoresultfromdirectpurchasesbyKairosPowerformaterials, equipmentandservicessupportingtheconstructionproject,longtermoperations,and decommissioning.Thedistributionofthesetaxrevenuesisdeterminedbythebusinesslocationsofthe materialandserviceprovidersandlikelyreflectsabroadareaincludingtheROIandbeyondtomultiple states.Theamountofsalestaxescollectedoverapotential410yearlicensedoperatingperiodthatare attributabletothefacilityissignificantbutisrelativelyminorwhencomparedtothetotalamountof taxescollectedintheROI.
4.7.1.8 PropertyTaxes ThefacilitywouldbelocatedinRoaneCounty.Assuch,propertytaxesarepaidtoRoaneCounty.These jurisdictionsallprovidepublicservicesthatbenefitKairosPowersbusinessandemployees.
4.7.1.9 SummaryofTaxImpacts Overalltaxrevenuesgeneratedbyconstruction,operationanddecommissioningofthefacilitywouldbe significantinabsolutedollarsacrossthelifetimeofthefacility.However,theoveralltaxrevenuesare relativelysmallincomparisontotheestablishedtaxbaseofRoaneCounty.Themaximumincreasein propertytaxrevenuesafterexpirationofthetaxincrementfinancingagreementisexpectedtobe substantiallylessthan10percentofthetotaltaxrevenueatthecityandcountylevels.Therefore,total taxrevenuesfromKairosPowerwouldresultinSMALLpositiveimpactsatthecommunitylevel.
4.7.1.10 OtherSocioeconomicsRelatedImpacts Socioeconomicsrelatedimpactsinadditiontothosespecificallydescribedaboveincludethepotential forsupportivebusinessexpansionandassociatedlandusechangesinRoaneCountyasaresultofthe investmentsfromKairosPower.Landusechangesduetohousingneedsarenotexpectedduetothe largenumberofexistingvacanthousingunits.Potentiallandusechangesincludethosetoprovidefor
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4.8.2.1 LayoutandLocationofRadioactiveMaterial Figure2.23depictsthephysicallayoutofthesiteindicatingsitefeatures,structures,anddesignated areas.RadioactivematerialswouldbewithintheReactorBuildingandtheAuxiliarySystemsBuilding withthehighradiationmaterialslimitedtotheReactorBuilding.TheReactorBuildingwouldcontain spentfuelstoragefacilitieswithacapacitysufficientfor410yearsofreactoroperation.Accesstothe ReactorBuildingandtheAuxiliarySystemsBuildingwouldbestrictlycontrolledandpersonnelentering thesebuildingswouldbeparticipantsintheoccupationaldosemonitoringprogram.
4.8.2.2 CharacteristicsofRadiationSourcesandExpectedRadioactiveEffluents 4.8.2.2.1 GaseousSourcesofRadiation GaseousradioactiveeffluentswouldbedischargedprimarilythroughtheReactorBuildingexhaust system.However,asstatedinSubsection2.6.1.3,thereisnoanticipatedneedforagaseousradioactive wastesystem.DischargesfromtheReactorBuildingexhaustsystemwouldpassthroughaHEPAfilter andwouldbemonitoredpriortorelease.Tritiumisexpectedtobethedominantroutinegaseous radionuclide.Nosignificantgaseousradioactiveeffluentsareexpectedtobedischargedthroughthe spentfuelcoolingsystem(SFCS),theDHRS,orthePHRS.Allreleaseswouldbewithinthelimitsof10 CFR20withconsiderationoftheguidanceprovidedinRegulatoryGuide4.20;therefore,theimpacts fromgaseoussourcesofradiationwouldbeSMALL.
4.8.2.2.2 LiquidSourcesofRadiation ThemajorliquidsourcesofradiationduringoperationswouldincludetheFlibereactorcoolantandthe liquidnitratesaltintermediatecoolant.However,whenthesematerialshavereachedtheendoftheir usefullife,theyareallowedtocoolandsolidify.Therefore,theywouldbemanagedassolidlowlevel radioactivewaste(LLRW)duringoperationsanddecommissioning.Shieldingmaterials,suchasthick concretewalls,wouldbeusedtoshieldstafffromlargeradiationexposures.Wherenecessary,piping usedtocirculateradioactiveliquidswouldalsobeshieldedtoreduceradiationexposurerates.
Exposurestothesematerialswouldbecontrolledtolimitoccupationaldoseswithbelowregulatory limitsprovidedin10CFR20,SubpartC,OccupationalDoseLimits.Therewouldbesmallvolumesof liquidwastescontainingprimarilytritium.Thesewasteswouldonlybedisposedofwithinthelimitsof 10CFR20Table3(limitsforreleasestosewers);therefore,theimpactsfromliquidsourcesofradiation wouldbeSMALL.
4.8.2.2.3 FixedSourcesofRadiation Duringoperations,solidsourcesofradiationthatcontributetothedirectdosewouldincludefresh, circulating,andspentnuclearfuel,radioactivesolidFlibeandnitratesalts,andotherLLRWs,suchas usedmoderatorpebbles.Duringdecommissioning,sourcesofradiationwouldalsoincludetheHermes reactorandactivatedreactorsystemcomponentsandstructuralmaterialssurroundingthereactor.
ThesesourceswouldbewithintheReactorBuildinguntiltheyareremovedforroutinewasteshipments oraspartoffacilitydecommissioning.Shieldingmaterials,suchasthickconcretewalls,wouldbeused toshieldstafffromlargeradiationexposuresandcontrolradiationdosestobelowtheoccupational limitsprovidedin10CFR20,SubpartC;therefore,theimpactsfromsolidsourcesofradiationwouldbe SMALL.
4.8.2.3 BaselineRadiationLevels BackgroundradiationlevelsandradiationlevelsinthevicinityofthesiteisdiscussedinSection3.8.The sitewasoncehometheDOEsK31andK33gaseousdiffusionplantsandsupportingfacilities.Priorto transferringthepropertiesforindustrialdevelopment,theDOEconductedenvironmentalbaseline
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Systemsdesignedtosupportthesafeandefficientmanagementofthesewastestreamsaredescribedin Section2.6.Thesewastesystemswouldbeoperatedinaccordancewithwrittenproceduressuchthat thefinalwasteformwouldbeacceptablefortransportationinU.S.DepartmentofTransportation(DOT) and/orNRCcertifiedshippingcontainers.Thequantitiesofradioactivewastesarealsodiscussedin Section2.6.Therewouldbenoonsitedisposalofradioactivewastesduringoperations.
EachHermesTRISOfuelpebbleisestimatedat6gramsofuranium.At35MWthand6percentfissions perinitial(heavy)metalatom(FIMA),anestimated38,800pebbles,orapproximately233kilogramsof uranium,willbeconsumedbytheHermesReactoreachyear.SincethelifeoftheHermesReactoris estimatedtobe410years,atotalof388,000155,200pebbles,orapproximately2,330931kilogramsof uranium(2.330.93metrictonsofuranium[MTU]over410years),wouldbeconsumed(thisisa conservativeestimatethatassumesHermesoperatesatfullpower).Incontrast,theamountofspent fueldischargedfromatypicallightwaterreactoroperatingatlowburnupsisabout20MTUperyear.
ReprocessingiscurrentlyunlikelyintheU.S.,andanopenfuelcycleisanticipated.UsedTRISOfuelis assumedtobestoredonsiteuntilultimatedisposal.Managementofusednuclearfuelisaddressedin10 CFR51.23andtheassociatedNUREG-2157,GenericEnvironmentalImpactStatementforContinued StorageofSpentNuclearFuel(Reference1).NUREG-2157concludedthattheimpactforatreactor storageforeachresourcemostoftheresourceareaswouldbesmallforshortterm,longterm,and indefinitestorage.NUREG2157didnotaddressnonLWRs;toprovideadditionalguidancetononLWR licenseapplications,theNRC,throughPacificNorthwestNationalLaboratory,preparedNonLRW ReactorFuelEnvironmentalData(PNNL29367)(Reference2).Givendegradationratesforstorage systemsassociatedwithcontinuedstorageofTRISOfuelwouldnotbesignificantlydifferentthanthose consideredforLWRstoragesystems,theenvironmentalimpactsforcontinuedstorageofLWRs describedinNUREG-2157areconsideredtoboundanyimpactsoftheHermesfuelstorage.
Furthermore,theanticipatedlowmassofspentfuelgeneratedduringHermesoperations, approximately0.932.33MTUover410years,wouldbesignificantlylowerthanthe20MTUperyear generatedfromthepowerreactorevaluatedinNUREG-2157.
Basedonthequantitiesofwaste,systemsdesignedtomanageradioactivewastestreams,andwaste management,impactsfromalltypesofwastegeneratedduringoperations,includingimpactsonthe capacityofwastemanagementfacilities,wouldbeSMALL.Impactsfromwastetransportationare discussedinSection4.10.
4.9.1.3 Decommissioning Priortodecommissioningthefacility,KairosPowerwouldprovidetheNRCwithalicensetermination plan(LTP)asdescribedinNUREG1757,ConsolidatedDecommissioningGuidance,Volumes1through4.
TheLTPisdefinedinNUREG1757asadetaileddescriptionoftheactivitiesareactorlicenseeintendsto usetoassesstheradiologicalstatusofitsfacility,toremoveradioactivityattributabletolicensed operationsatitsfacilitytolevelsthatpermitreleaseofthesiteinaccordancewithNRCsregulationsand terminationofthelicense,andtodemonstratethatthefacilitymeetsNRCsrequirementsforrelease.
AnLTPconsistsofseveralinterrelatedcomponentsincluding:(1)asitecharacterization;(2) identificationofremainingdismantlementactivities;(3)plansforsiteremediation;(4)detailedplansfor thefinalradiationsurvey;(5)adescriptionoftheenduseofthefacility,ifrestricted;(6)anupdatedsite specificestimateofremainingdecommissioningcosts;and(7)asupplementtotheenvironmental report,pursuantto10CFR51.33,describinganynewinformationorsignificantenvironmentalchange associatedwiththelicenseesproposedterminationactivities(see10CFR50.82).
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othersectionsofthisERandthedirectandindirectimpactsfromtheconstructionrelatedtrafficwould beSMALL.
4.10.2 ImpactsfromOperation Duringtheoperationperiod,whichincludesstartupactivities,thefacilitywouldreceiveshipmentsof newnuclearfuelandcoolantsalts.Whenshippedtothesite,thecoolantsaltswouldbenonradioactive; however,boththeprimarysaltcoolantFlibeandtheintermediate(forheattransfer)nitratesaltcoolant wouldbecomeradioactive.ThereissufficientstoragecapacityonsiteforstorageoftheradioactiveFlibe wastes,whichwouldbeallowedtocool,solidify,andlikelyhelduntildecommissioning.Assuch, transportationofFlibewasteisdescribedinSection4.10.3.IfFlibewasteswereshippedpriorto decommissioning,impactswouldbeboundbythosedescribedinSection4.10.2.3.Similarly,there wouldbesufficientonsitestoragecapacityforspentTRISOfuelandspentfueltransportationisalso discussedinSection4.10.3.
Thefollowingsectionsdescribetheimpactsfromtransportationofmaterialstoandfromthefacility duringoperations.Collectively,theseimpactswouldbeSMALL.
4.10.2.1 TransportationofUnirradiatedFuel IntheUnitedStates,lowenrichednuclearfuelforcommerciallightwaternuclearpowerplantsis manufacturedateitheroneofthreefacilitieslocatedinSouthCarolina,NorthCarolina,andRichland, Washington.Adecisiononthesourcingoffuelhasnotbeenmadeatthistime.Fuelmaybeprovided fromeitherexistingmanufacturersormanufacturedbyKairosPoweratanearbyfacility.Forevaluation purposesitisassumednewTRISOfuelwouldbeshippedbytruckfromRichland,WA.Richland,WAis thelocationofthefurthestnuclearfuelmanufacturerintheU.S.fromtheKairossite.
Beforestartup,thefacilitywouldreceiveaninitialshipmentoffuelandthenperiodicshipments thereafteroffueloverthereactorsestimated410yearlicensedoperatinglife.Thefuelloadingforeach 4.0centimeterdiameterfuelpebbleisestimatedat6gramsofuranium(6gU/pebble).ForHermes,at35 MWthand6percentfissionsperinitial(heavy)metalatom(FIMA),38,800pebbleswillbeconsumedby theHermesReactoreachyear.SincethelifeoftheHermesReactorisestimatedtobe410years,atotal of388,000155,200pebbleswouldbeconsumed.
Freshfuelwouldlikelybeshippedfromthemanufacturerinappropriatelycertifiedcontainerssuchas VersaPac(VP)containersmanufacturedbyDAHERGroup,TransportLogisticsInternational,Inc.
(Reference2).TherearetwoVPsizesavailablewhicharecertifiedbytheDOTandconfiguredfor shipmentofuraniumoxides,uraniummetal,uranylnitratecrystals,andotheruraniumcompoundssuch asTRISOfuel,whichisspecificallymentionedinthecertification(Reference3).TheVP110isa110 gallondrumlikepackageandtheVP55isasmaller55gallondrumlikepackage.Bothpackagesmeet thespecificationsprovidedin49CFR173.417forfissilematerialpackage.IftheVP55isused,each wouldcontainapproximately350fuelpebbles(Reference2).TheVP55hasanouterdiameterfor approximately23.2inchesandaheightof34.8inchesandhasmaximumgrossweightlimitof750 pounds(Reference3).
Fuelwouldbetransportedtothefacilityeitherperiodicallyoronceperyeargiventherelativelysmall quantityinvolved.Approximately111containersofnewfuelwouldbeshippedeachyearconsistingof 350fuelpebblesperVP55(Reference2).Astandardhighwayshippingweightlimitof80,000pounds grossweightandapproximately40,000poundscargoweightfora40footcontainerismaintained.
Therefore,at750poundsperfuelcontainercontaining350fuelpebbles,approximatelythreetrucks wouldbeneededtotransportayearssupplyoffuelwhenoperatingat35MWth.
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Unlikeaconventionalreactorwhichplacesnewfuelintoitscoreuponreceipt,fuelpebbleswouldbe continuallyfedintothereactorasspentfuelpebblesarebeingremoved.Therefore,oncecontainersof newfuelarereceivedatthereactorfacility,theywouldbeplacedintothefreshfuelstoragearea.There issufficientonsitestoragecapacityfornewfuelawaitingloadingintothereactoratthefacility.
Unirradiatedfuelwouldbeshippedonexclusiveusevehiclesandfuelpackages.Conveyances transportingunirradiatedfuelpackagesmustsatisfytheradiationlevelrestrictionsin49CFR173.441.
Forexclusiveuseshipments,thedoseoncontactwiththepackagewouldnotexceed1remperhour (rem/hr)foraclosedtransportvehicle,0.2rem/hratanypointontheoutersurfaceofthevehicle,and 0.01rem/hrat2metersfromtheoutersurfaceofthevehicleprovidedtheconditionsin49CFR 173.441(b)(1)aremet.However,asevaluatedinEnvironmentalSurveyofTransportationofRadioactive MaterialstoandfromNuclearPowerPlants,WASH1238,externaldoserateassociatedwithtraditional unirradiatedfuelshipmentscontainingbetween0.5and2.0curiesofuraniuminfuelcaskswould averageabout4.0E04rem/hratabout1meterfromthesurfaceofthepackageand5.0E05rem/hrat about3meters,wellbelowtheregulatorylimits(Reference4).
TransportationdosemodelingoftraditionalLWRfuelusingRADTRANhasdemonstratedthatthe impactsfromincidentfreetransportationandtransportationaccidentsisSMALL(Reference5, Reference6,Reference7).TheU.S.DepartmentofDefense(DOD),actingthroughtheStrategic CapabilitiesOffice,hasanalyzedthetransportationofhighactivitylowenricheduraniumTRISOfuelsin VP110packagesfromLynchburg,VirginiatoIdahousingRADTRANandalsodeterminedthatthe radiologicalriskmeasuredasariskoflatentcancerfatalityislessthan1in10,000(Reference8).
Therefore,theimpactsfromthetransportationofTRISOnewfueltothefacilitywouldbeSMALL.Given uncertaintyinthespecificshippingmodesandroutesfortransportingTRISOfueltothefacility,the shortertransportationdistancethanevaluatedbyDOD,thelikelyavoidanceofmajorpopulation centers,andthesignificantamountofpastanalysisofincidentfreetransportationofunirradiated nuclearfuel,acasespecificRADTRANanalysiswasnotperformedforthisEnvironmentalReport.
4.10.2.2 TransportationofSpentFuel Spentfuelpebbleswouldbestoredinlongcylindricalstoragecanistersthatarecompatiblewith conventionaldrycaskstorageoverpacks.Individualcanistersare12inchesinouterdiameterandover7 feetinheight.Eachcontainerwouldholdapproximately1,900to2,100fuelpebbles.Canisterswouldbe storedinawaterpoolfor30to50daysforinitialcoolingandthentransferredtoanaircooledspent fuelstoragebay.
Shipmentsofspentfuelduringnormaloperationsarenotanticipated.Spentfuelwouldremainonsite inthespentfuelstoragefacilitywhichwouldbedesignedtoaccommodateallofthespentfuel generatedduringtheexpected410yearlicensedlifeofthereactor.Therefore,transportationofspent fuelisaddressedasadecommissioningactivityinSection4.10.3.1ofthisEnvironmentalReport.
4.10.2.3 TransportationofRadioactiveWaste RoutineLLRWwouldbetransportedoffsitefordisposalviatruck.AsprovidedinTable2.61,radioactive wastevolumeswouldbeboundedbytheestimatesinWASH1238(Reference4)andKairosPower wouldnotshipmorethan3,800ft3ofClassBsolidLLRW,primarilywastegeneratedfromtritium removalsystems,andlessthan400ft3ofClassAlowleveldryactivewaste.Thesevolumeswouldresult inapproximately46truckshipmentsperyear.Whilesomedryactivewastemaybecompactedinwaste drums,KairosPowerwouldnottreatanyotherLLRWonsitepriortotransportation.
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4.10.3 ImpactsfromDecommissioning Atthetimeoffinalreactorshutdown,thefacilitywouldinitiatedecommissioningandtransportationof equipment,material,andwaste.Asnotedpreviously,thefacilitywouldnotshipspentfuelduringthe reactorsexpected410yearlicensedoperatinglifeandwouldholdallspentfuelshipmentsuntil decommissioning.Therefore,thetransportationofspentfuelisanalyzedbelow.
4.10.3.1 TransportationofSpentFuel Whiletherearecurrentlynoavailablesitestoreceivespentfuel,suchaswouldbegeneratedfrom operatingtheHermesreactoratthefacility,itisassumedthatspentfuelshipmentswouldbe transportedasfollows:
Bytruckovercommercialhighways Toafacilitynotmorethan2,100milesaway,whichistheapproximatedistancefromOakRidge, TennesseetoBeatty,Nevada(westofYuccaMountain)
InatransportationcaskthatiscertifiedbytheNRCandtheDOTfortransportationofspentTRISO fuel Radiationdosestomembersofthepublicandworkersfromincidentfreetransportationare boundedbytheDOTconveyancedoseratelimitsevaluatedinSection4.10.2.5 Notmorethan60spentfuelshipmentsbytruckinasingleyear(boundbythe880MWereference reactorinWASH1238)
ImpactsfromtransportationaccidentsisnotrequestedinPart1ofISGforNUREG1537.However,NRC hasevaluatedtherisksfromspentfueltransportconductedincompliancewith10CFRPart71 regulations,PackagingandTransportationofRadioactiveMaterial,inNUREG2125,SpentFuel TransportationRiskAssessment.NUREG2125consideredradiologicalandnonradiologicalrisksfrom routineincidentfreetransportationandtransportationaccidents.Thefindingsandconclusionsreported bytheNRCarethattheradiologicalimpactsfromspentfueltransportationconductedincompliance withNRCregulationsarelow.
InNUREG2125,theNRCprovidedgeneralinsightsonexpectedchangesresultingfromtransporting higherburnupspentLWRfuel.TheNRCstatedthatforincidentfreetransportation,therewouldbeno effect,astheexternaldoserateswillneedtomeetthesameDOTrequirements.TheNRCalso concludedthatimpactstothepublicwillbeboundingforaccidentscenariosevenconsideringchanges intheradionuclideinventoryandincreasesinreleasefactors.
Therefore,theimpactsfromtransportingspentfuelfromthefacilityareincompliancewithDOTand NRCregulationsandwouldbeSMALL.
4.10.3.2 TransportationofRadioactiveWaste Theenvironmentalimpactsfromthedecommissioningofnuclearpowerplants,includingtheimpacts fromthetransportationofdecommissioningwaste,havebeenanalyzedbytheNRCasdescribedin NUREG0586,GenericEnvironmentalImpactStatementonDecommissioningofNuclearFacilities, Supplement1,Volume1.TheNRCmadethegenericconclusionthatforallplants,thepotential transportationimpactswouldbeSMALL,withthefactordeterminingthemagnitudeoftransportation impactsofdecommissioningincluding:
Changesinwasteproductionduetodecontaminationanddismantlementactivitiesthatincreasethe amountofwasteshippedoffsite Changesintransportationmethods(rail,truck,orbarge)relatedeithertotheincreasedamountto beshippedoffsiteorthetypeofmaterialtobeshipped
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Theenvironmentalimpactsassociatedwithinwaterretrofitactivities,potentialdredging requirements,andimpingementandentrainmentwouldbegreaterthanusingtheexisting municipalsystem.
Thesitehasanexpectedlimitedlicensedoperationallifeof410yearsanddoesnotsupportthe costsassociatedwithretrofittingtheexistingstructure.
PerconversationswiththeOakRidgeUtilityServicesDepartment,thewastewaterplantreceivingthe flowsfromtheindustrialparksonthewestendofthecityiscurrentlyratedfor0.6MGDwithan averageflowbetween0.05and0.07MGD;however,peakflowshaveoccasionallyexceededthe0.6 MGDplantcapacity.Thecityiscurrentlyworkingtowardsreducinginflowandinfiltrationcomingtothe plant.Thecityisevaluatinganexpansiontothisplantwhichwoulddoublethecapacity;however,no specificplansarecurrentlyinplace.
Sincethemunicipalwastesystemcurrentlyhassufficientcapacitytoservicetheneedsofthesite(0.07 MGD),ithasbeenselectedastheproposedwastewaterdischargeoption.Wastewaterdischargeto PoplarCreekwasconsideredasapotentialalternative,butwaseliminatedfromfurtherconsideration duetothefollowing:
Existingoilwaterseparatorsanddischargestructurescurrentlyexistneartheproposedsite.
However,additionalupgradesmayberequiredtoincludeadditionalpermitting,watertreatment, andmonitoring.
Theenvironmentalimpactsassociatedwithinwaterretrofitactivitiesandaddeddischargestothe environmentwouldbegreaterthanutilizingtheexistingmunicipalsystem.
Thefacilitysoperationallifeof410yearsdoesnotsupportthecostsassociatedwithretrofitting existingstructures.
5.3 REASONABLEALTERNATIVES Thissectiondescribeshowthesitewasdeveloped,andpotentialalternativestotheproposedproject, basedontheguidanceinSection19.5oftheFinalISGAugmentingNUREG1537,Part1andSection19.5 oftheFinalISGAugmentingNUREG1537,Part2.BasedontheguidanceintheseISGdocuments,this section:
Describestheprocessusedtodevelop,identify,andevaluatereasonablealternatives Describesreasonablealternativesconsidered Identifiesthealternativesthatwereeliminatedfromfurtherevaluation Considerswhetheralternativesmayavoidorreduceadverseeffects AccordingtothetwoISGdocuments,reasonablealternativesmayinclude,butarenotlimitedto, alternativesites,alternativesitingwithinaproposedsite,modificationofexistingfacilities,alternative technologies,and/oralternativetransportationmethods.Theproposedprojectinvolvesthe demonstrationandtestingofnewtechnology.Therefore,alternativetechnologiesarenotconsidered, andmodificationofanexistingfacilitytohousetheproposedprojectisnotfeasible.Withrespectto alternativetransportationmethods,theproposedlocationofthesiteonaspecificsitewithintheEast TennesseeTechnologyPark(ETTP)limitstransportationoptionstovehicletransportusingtheexisting roadnetwork,orrailtransportusingtheexistingonsiterailnetwork.Basedonthescope/sizeof components,extensiveuseofrailtransportisnotexpectedtobenecessary,buttheexistingrail infrastructurewouldbeexpectedtobesufficientwithoutsignificantmodification.Alternativeroutes, typesofvehicles,carpoolingofworkers,orothertransportationrelatedfeaturesmaybeconsideredas mitigationmeasures,butdonotmeritfullanalysisasalternatives.Similarly,theproposedprojecthas beenspecificallysitedwithintheformerK33siteontheETTPtominimizepotentialimpacts.The
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Noisefromconstructionandoperationalactivities,includinglighting,wouldresultinsome temporaryandsomepermanentdisplacementofwildlife.Sometemporarilydisplacedwildlife specieswouldreturntoanyremainingsuitablehabitat.
Duringoperation,therewouldbethepotentialforbirdstocollidewithbuildingsandstacks.
However,collisionsareunlikely,andtheimpactisexpectedtobeminor.
5.5.1.1.5 HistoricalandCulturalResources Facilityconstructionhasthepotentialtoimpactarcheologicalsitespreviouslyidentifiedatthesite.
AnArchaeologicalMonitoringandDiscoveryPlanwouldbedevelopedtominimizetheseimpacts.
5.5.1.1.6 Socioeconomics Facilityconstructionwouldresultinatemporaryincreaseindemandforhousing,publiceducation resources,police,fire,medicalandsocialservices,andparksandrecreationfacilities.
Facilityoperationwouldresultinaminorincreaseindemandforhousing,publiceducation resources,police,fire,medicalandsocialservices,parksandrecreationfacilities,andotherpublic services.
Facilityconstructionwouldresultinatemporaryincreaseinlocaltrafficduetoconstruction workforcetrafficinearlymorningandlateafternoonandperiodicconstructionvehicletraffic throughouttheworkday.
Facilityoperationwouldresultinminorincreaseinlocaltrafficduetovehiclemovementsassociated withemployeesanddeliveries/shipmentsofsuppliesandproducts.
5.5.1.1.7 EnvironmentalJustice Noenvironmentaljusticeimpactswouldbeanticipated.
5.5.1.1.8 HumanHealth Duringfacilityoperation,thepublicwouldbeexposedtominordosesofradiationdueto transportationofradioactivematerialstoandfromthesite,aswellasdirectradiationandreleases ofgaseouseffluentsfromtheproject.Radioactivematerialswouldbestrictlycontrolled,andall radiologicaldoseswouldcomplywithregulatorylimits.
5.5.1.2 OtherCosts Nootherenvironmentalcosts,suchaslosttaxrevenuesordecreasedrecreationalvalues,havebeen identified.
5.5.1.3 EnvironmentalBenefits Theconstructionphaseofthisprojectisexpectedtocreateapproximately212onsiteworkers(425 atpeaktimes)and68fulltimepositionsduringthe410yearoperatingperiod.Another168 positionsareexpectedduringdecommissioning.Thewagesearnedandmoneyspentbythese workerswouldalsostimulatethelocaleconomy.
5.5.1.3.1 IncreaseinTaxPayments Thetaxbasisofunimprovedlandisdeterminedbylandvaluealone.Oncebuildingsorother improvementsaremade,thoseimprovementswouldbeassessed,andboththelandandthe improvementswouldbetaxed.Thetaxesforthesitewouldincreasesubstantiallyafterproject construction,benefittingBonnevilleCounty.
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