IR 05000027/2022201
| ML22227A194 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Washington State University |
| Issue date: | 10/06/2022 |
| From: | Travis Tate NRC/NRR/DANU/UNPO |
| To: | Hines C Washington State Univ |
| Roche K | |
| References | |
| IR 2022201 | |
| Download: ML22227A194 (15) | |
Text
October 5, 2022
SUBJECT:
WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY - U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION ROUTINE INSPECTION REPORT NO. 05000027/2022201
Dear Mr. Hines:
From June 27 - 30, 2022, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff completed an inspection at your Washington State University Modified TRIGA Nuclear Reactor facility located in the Nuclear Science Center. The enclosed report documents the inspection results, which were discussed on June 30, 2022, with you and other members of your staff.
The inspection examined activities conducted under your license as they relate to safety and compliance with the NRCs rules and regulations and with the conditions of your license. The inspectors 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 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). Should you have any questions concerning this inspection, please contact Kevin Roche at (301) 415-1554, or via electronic mail at Kevin.Roche@nrc.gov.
Sincerely, Signed by Tate, Travis on 10/05/22 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.50-027 License No. R-76 Enclosure:
As stated cc: See next page
Washington State University Docket No.50-027 cc:
Director Division of Radiation Protection Department of Health 309 Bradley Boulevard Richland, WA 99352 Mr. Rey McGehee Radiation Safety Officer Washington State University P.O. Box 643143 Pullman, WA 99164-3143 Mike Kluzik, Chair Washington State University Reactor Safeguards Committee Nuclear Radiation Center P.O. Box 643143 Pullman, WA 99164-3143 Ms. Hillary Bennett, Reactor Supervisor Washington State University Nuclear Radiation Center P.O. Box 641300 Pullman, WA 99164-1300 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
ML22227A194 NRC-002 OFFICE NRR/DANU/UNPO:PM NRR/DANU/UNPO: NRR/DANU/URL1:LA NRR/DANU/UNPO:BC NAME KRoche DBradley CSmith TTate DATE 8/16/2022 8/16/2022 9/27/2022 10/5/2022
U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION Docket No.: 50-027 License No.: R-76 Report No. 05000027/2022201 Licensee: Washington State University Facility: Washington State University Modified TRIGA Nuclear Reactor Location: Pullman, WA Dates: June 27 - June 30, 2022 Inspectors: Kevin Roche Dan Bradley 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 Enclosure
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Washington State University Washington State University Modified TRIGA Nuclear Reactor Inspection Report No. 05000027/2022201 The primary focus of this routine, announced inspection was the onsite review of selected aspects of the Washington State University (WSU, licensees) 1,000-kilowatt Class II research reactor safety program including: (1) organization and staffing; (2) procedures; (3) health physics; (4) design changes; (5) committees, audits and reviews, and (6) transportation activities since the last U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) inspection of these areas.
The NRC staff determined that the licensees safety program was acceptably directed toward the protection of public health and safety. No violations or deviations were identified.
Organization and Staffing Organization and staffing were consistent with the requirements outlined in Section 6 of the technical specifications (TSs).
Procedures The facilitys procedural review, revision, control, and implementation; satisfied TS requirements.
Health Physics The inspector found that surveys, postings, and personnel dosimetry met regulatory requirements.
The inspector found that radiation monitoring equipment was maintained and calibrated as required by TSs.
The inspector found that calculations of effluents released from the facility; satisfied license and regulatory requirements and; releases were within the specified regulatory limits.
Design Changes The latest changes completed by the licensee were reviewed using the criteria specified in Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 50.59, Changes, tests and experiments, and were determined to be acceptable, and reviewed and approved by the Reactor Safeguards Committee (RSC)
-2-
Committees, Audits and Reviews The review and audit program was conducted by the RSC as required.
The composition and meeting frequency satisfied requirements specified in the TSs.
Transportation Activities Shipments of radioactive material were made in accordance with the applicable regulatory and procedural requirements.
-3-
REPORT DETAILS Summary of the Facility Status The WSU continued to operate the facilitys 1,000-kilowatt Class II research and test reactor in support of irradiation work for various experiments and organizations, operator training, and surveillance. During the inspection, the reactor was started up, operated, and shut down as required and in accordance with applicable procedures to support these ongoing activities.
1. Organization and Staffing a. Inspection Scope (Inspection Procedure [IP] 69001)
The inspectors reviewed the following regarding the licensees organization and staffing to ensure that the requirements of Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the facility TSs, implemented as Appendix A to the Facility Operating License, Number (No.) R-76, dated April 20, 2020, were met:
management and staff responsibilities console logs for the period from 2018 to the present WSU Nuclear Science Center (NSC) organization structure and staffing WSU Annual Report entitled Annual Operations Report, for the period from July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020, dated August 26, 2020 WSU Annual Report entitled Annual Operations Report, for the period from July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021, dated August 16, 2021 WSU NSC Administrative Procedure No. 1, Responsibilities and Authority of Reactor Operating Staff, Revision 0.5 b. Observations and Findings The inspectors reviewed the organization and the responsibilities of the reactor staff since the last inspection at the WSU NSC. The inspectors noted that the organization and the responsibilities of the reactor staff had not changed since the last inspection. The Director was responsible for ensuring the implementation of the applicable regulatory requirements. The NSC Reactor Supervisor continued to report to the Director and was responsible for guidance, oversight, and technical support of reactor operations.
As required by TS Section 6.2, the inspectors verified that a senior reactor operator (SRO) or reactor operator (RO) was present in the control room during reactor operations. If the SRO on duty was also the RO on duty, then a second person was available at the facility. The licensee documented this by individual log entries. The inspectors noted that radiation protection activities and duties were carried out by the reactor operations staff. The campus Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) also provided support as needed.
-4-
c. Conclusion The inspectors concluded that the organization and staffing were consistent with the requirements specified in TS Sections 6.1 and 6.2.
2. Procedures a. Inspection Scope (IP 69001)
The inspectors reviewed selected aspects of the following to verify that the licensee was complying with the requirements of TS Sections 6.4 and 6.8:
required reading notebook (O.15)
selected administrative and standard operating procedures (SOPs)
change summary log for SOPs Revision 0.6, from the RSC Meeting on April 14, 2021 related logs and records documenting procedure implementation records documenting procedure changes and temporary changes administrative controls as outlined in WSU NSC Administrative Procedure No. 2, Approval, Revision, and review of SOPs, Revision 0.5 changes to SOP A.2-A, dated March 15, 2021 b. Observations and Findings The licensee used procedures for those tasks and activities specified in the TSs.
The licensee developed and implemented procedures for potential malfunctions (e.g., radioactive releases, contaminations, and reactor equipment problems).
SROs could make minor changes to procedures and then those changes were approved by the Facility Director. The inspectors verified that the RSC reviewed and approved substantive procedure changes as required by TS Section 6.8.
The inspectors also verified that SOPs were reviewed biennially as required by TS Section 6.4.4.
The licensee maintained a notebook entitled, Required Reading, that was designed to keep staff members informed about current issues at the facility including changes to procedures. The inspectors verified that licensee personnel were reading the material in the notebook and signing off to document that they had completed their required review. The inspectors also verified that, once the newly revised procedures were approved by the RSC, all operations staff members were required to read them and sign off signifying that they had completed the task and understood the changes made. Through observation of reactor operations, the inspectors verified that personnel conducted TS-related activities in accordance with the applicable procedures.
-5-
c. Conclusion The inspectors determined that the procedural review, revision, control, and implementation satisfied TS requirements for the procedures reviewed.
3. Health Physics a. Inspection Scope (IP 69001)
The inspectors reviewed the following to verify compliance with 10 CFR Part 19 and 10 CFR Part 20, TS Sections 3.5 and 4.5, and procedural requirements:
SOP 16, Standard Procedure for Health Physics Surveys, Revision 0.6 SOP 18, Portable Survey Instrumentation Calibration, Revision 0.6 Weekly swipes and survey forms documenting radiation and contamination surveys conducted from July 2020 to the present WSU NSC administrative procedure, Radiation Protection Program, dated August 2018 which outlined the program and also contained and explained the as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) policy for the facility WSU radiation protection program manual which contained and outlined campus practices and the ALARA policy calibration and periodic check records for radiation monitoring instruments NSC neutron survey sheets documenting surveys from 2018 to the present continuous air monitor system maintenance log personnel and facility dosimetry records from 2020 to June 2022 Continuous air monitor channel test forms from 2020 to the present SOP 6, Maintenance of the Area Radiation Monitors, Revision 0.6 Area radiation monitor channel test forms July 2020 to the present Area radiation monitor system maintenance log Airborne release records documented in the average monthly concentration of Argon-41 released section of the reactor operations summary log for the period from 2020 to the present SOP 8, Standard Procedure for Maintenance of the Continuous Air Monitor; Revision 0.6 SOP 7, Standard Procedure for Maintenance of the Exhaust Gas Monitor; Revision 0.6 b. Observations and Findings The inspectors toured the facility and observed operations and maintenance activities. The inspectors found practices regarding the use of dosimetry, radiation monitoring equipment, placement of radiological signs and postings,
-6-
use of protective clothing, and the handling and storing of radioactive material or contaminated equipment was in accordance with regulations and the licensees written radiation protection program.
The inspectors reviewed records of radiation surveys and accompanied a radiation technician taking contamination and area radiation surveys during the inspection of the nuclear reactor facility and found them to be within the limits specified by the facility postings. The inspectors did not observe any unmarked radioactive material in the facility. The licensee posted a copy of the current NRC Form 3 notice to radiation workers required by 10 CFR Part 19, Notices, Instructions and Reports to Workers: Inspection and Investigations, in the facility.
The inspectors reviewed dosimetry results and determined that the doses to facility occupants was minimal. The inspectors found that radiation monitoring devices were calibrated within the frequencies specified in procedures.
The inspectors noted from records, that training was provided for radiation workers assigned to the facility and individuals were not issued dosimetry or given access until the training was successfully completed. The annual reports referenced above described the gaseous waste generated at the facility, with gaseous Argon-41 produced by the irradiation of atmospheric air was the most significant isotope noted. The licensee also reported the results of thermoluminescent dosimeters placed at locations around the facility as environmental radiation monitors.
The inspectors also met with the Universitys RSO and discussed topics including the relationship between the NRC licensees.
c. Conclusion The inspector determined that the radiation protection program being implemented by the licensee, satisfied regulatory requirements.
4. Design Changes a. Inspection Scope (IP 69001)
The inspectors reviewed the following to verify compliance with 10 CFR 50.59, regarding design change control:
selected 50.59 screen sheets WSU NSC Administrative Procedure No. 3, Approval and Review of Facility Modifications and Special Tests or Experiments, Revision 0.1 WSU annual reports for the two most recent reporting periods-7-
b. Observations and Findings The inspectors reviewed selected records and observed the reviewed changes that were made at the facility from 2020 to the present.
The inspectors noted that a number of changes were made since the last inspection. The inspectors found that the licensee filled out the selected forms reviewed and the RSC audited the forms in accordance with the TS. The licensee was in the process of updating procedure AP-3, Approval and Review of Facility Modificaitons and Special Tests or Experiments, to reflect changes to the process. The inspectors informed the licensee that this update will continue to be tracked by the NRC using an Inspection Follow-up Item (IFI) and reviewed during a future inspection (IFI 05000027/2020201-1).
c. Conclusion The inspectors determined that the latest changes completed by the licensee were reviewed using the criteria specified in 10 CFR 50.59 and were reviewed and approved by the RSC.
5. Committees, Audits and Reviews a. Inspection Scope (IP 69001)
The inspectors reviewed selected aspects of the following documents to verify that the licensee had an oversight committee that conducted reviews and audits as required in TS Section 6.4:
WSU RSC meeting minutes from 2020 through the present safety audit records documented on WSU NSC forms entitled, Reactor Safeguards Committee Facility Records Quarterly Audit, for the period from July 15, 2020, through the present WSU NSC RSC Charter dated July 2018 b. Observations and Findings The inspectors verified that the membership of the RSC satisfied TS requirements and the Committee's charter. The RSC held meetings at least semi-annually as required. It was noted that three committee meetings were held in 2018, three committee meetings were held in 2019, and two meetings were held each year in 2020 to date.
The inspectorss review of the committee meeting minutes indicated that the RSC provided appropriate guidance and direction for reactor operations.
Additionally, the inspectors verified that the RSC conducted an annual review of the radiation protection program and the biennial reviews of the SOPs, the emergency plan, and the security plan required by TSs.
-8-
Since the last inspection, the RSC completed and documented audits of reactor facility records and reviews of operating abnormalities, changes to procedures, equipment changes, and proposed tests or experiments. The inspectors noted that audits were conducted during the meetings held by the RSC.
c. Conclusion The inspectors determined that the RSC completed the review and audit program acceptably as required by the TS.
6. Transportation Activities a. Inspection Scope (IP 86740)
The inspectors verified compliance with regulatory and procedural requirements for the transfer or shipment of licensed radioactive material, and reviewed the following:
records of radioactive material shipments from July 2020 to the present training records of the individuals who were designated as shippers at the facility licenses of various recipients of radioactive material authorizing those entities to possess the material which the licensee had shipped to them WSU NSC SOP, No. 19, Standard Procedure for Use, Receipt, and Transfer of Radioactive Material, Revision 0.6 b. Observations and Findings The inspectors reviewed records and held discussions with licensee personnel, and determined that the licensee shipped various types of radioactive material since the previous inspection in this area. The licensee calculated and recorded the radioisotope types and quantities. The licensee measured dose rates as required. The licensee completed all radioactive material shipment records reviewed by the inspectors in accordance with Department of Transportation and NRC requirements.
The inspectors noted that current staff members had received the required training for shipping radioactive material and/or Dangerous Goods. The inspectors also determined that the licensee maintained copies of the recipients licenses to possess radioactive material, as required, and that the licenses were verified to be current prior to initiating a shipment.
-9-
c. Conclusion The inspectors determined that the licensee made shipments of radioactive material in accordance with the applicable regulatory and procedural requirements.
7. Exit Interview The inspection scope and results were summarized on June 30, 2022, with members of the licensees management staff. The inspectors described the areas inspected and discussed in detail, the inspection findings. No dissenting comments were received from the licensee.
- 10 -
PARTIAL LIST OF PERSONS CONTACTED Licensee Personnel H. Bennett Reactor Supervisor R. Hoover Reactor Operator Director, Nuclear Science Center R. McGehee Radiation Safety Officer INSPECTION PROCEDURES USED IP 69001 Class II Research and Test Reactors IP 86740 Inspection of Transportation Activities ITEMS OPENED, CLOSED, AND DISCUSSED Opened None Discussed 05000027/2022201-1 IFI Follow-up on completed revision to AP-3.
Closed None Attachment