ML22249A141
| ML22249A141 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | SHINE Medical Technologies |
| Issue date: | 08/31/2022 |
| From: | SHINE Technologies, SHINE Health. Illuminated |
| To: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| Shared Package | |
| ML22249A148 | List: |
| References | |
| 2022-SMT-0077 | |
| Download: ML22249A141 (30) | |
Text
ENCLOSURE 4
SHINE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
SHINE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC APPLICATION FOR AN OPERATING LICENSE SUPPLEMENT NO. 30
FINAL SAFETY ANALYSIS REPORT PUBLIC VERSION Chapter 1 - The Facility Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1
THE FACILITY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Tit le Page
1.1 INTRODUCTION
.................................................................................................. 1.1-1
1.2
SUMMARY
AND CONCLUSIONS ON PRINCIPAL SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS............................................................................................. 1.2-1
1.2.1 CONSEQUENCES FROM THE OPERATION AND USE OF THE FACILITY.................................................................................... 1.2-1
1.2.2 SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS............................................................ 1.2-2
1.2.3 INHERENT AND PASSIVE SAFETY FEATURES, DESIGN FEATURES, AND DESIGN BASES................................................... 1.2-3
1.2.4 POTENTIAL ACCIDENTS AT THE FACILITY................................... 1.2-5
1.3 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE FACILITY................................................... 1.3-1
1.3.1 GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION........................................................... 1.3-1
1.3.2 PRINCIPAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SITE............................. 1.3-1
1.3.3 PRINCIPAL DESIGN CRITERIA, OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS, AND SAFETY SYSTEMS.............................. 1.3-1
1.3.4 ENGINEERED SAFETY FEATURES................................................. 1.3-3
1.3.5 INSTRUMENTATION, CONTROL, AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS.......................................................................................... 1.3-4
1.3.6 TSV COOLING AND OTHER AUXILIARY SYSTEMS....................... 1.3-4
1.3.7 RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RADIATION PROTECTION.................................................................................... 1.3-4
1.3.8 EXPERIMENTAL FACILITIES AND CAPABILITIES.......................... 1.3-5
1.3.9 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT................................................... 1.3-5
1.4 SHARED FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT........................................................... 1.4-1
SHINE Medical Technologies 1-i Rev. 0 Chapter 1 - The Facility Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1
THE FACILITY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Tit le Page
1.5 COMPARISON WITH SIMILAR FACILITIES....................................................... 1.5-1
1.5.1 COMPARISON OF PHYSICAL PLANT AND EQUIPMENT............... 1.5-1
1.5.2 COMPARISON OF CHEMICAL PROCESSES.................................. 1.5-1
1.5.3 COMPARISON OF SUPPORT SYSTEMS........................................ 1.5-2
1.6
SUMMARY
OF OPERATIONS............................................................................ 1.6-1
1.7 COMPLIANCE WITH THE NUCLEAR WASTE POLICY ACT OF 1982.............. 1.7-1
1.8 FACILITY MODIFICATIONS AND HISTORY...................................................... 1.8-1
1.9 REFERENCES
..................................................................................................... 1.9-1
SHINE Medical Technologies 1-ii Rev. 0 Chapter 1 - The Facility List of Tables
LIST OF TABLES
Number Tit le None
SHINE Medical Technologies 1-iii Rev. 0 Chapter 1 - The Facility List of Figures
LIST OF FIGURES
Number Tit le 1.3-1 Main Production Facility Building General Arrangement
1.3-2 Main Production Facility Building General Arrangement Section A-A
1.3-3 Site Overview
SHINE Medical Technologies 1-iv Rev. 1 Chapter 1 - The Facility Acronyms and Abbreviations
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
Acronym/Abbreviation Definition
10 CFR Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations
ac. acre
ALARA as low as reasonably achievable
ANL Argonne National Laboratory
CAMS continuous air monitoring system
DBA design basis accident
DOE U.S. Department of Energy
ESF engineered safety feature
ESFAS engineered safety features actuation system
FDWS facility demineralized water system
FSAR Final Safety Analysis Report
ha hectare
HIPS highly integrated protection system
I-39 Interstate-39
I-90 Interstate-90
SHINE Medical Technologies 1-v Rev. 2 Chapter 1 - The Facility Acronyms and Abbreviations
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
Acronym/Abbreviation Definition
IE initiating event
IF irradiation facility
ISG Interim Staff Guidance
IU irradiation unit
km kilometer
LWPS light water pool system
MEPS molybdenum extraction and purification system
MeV million electron volt
MHA maximum hypothetical accident
mi. miles
MIPS molybdenum isotope product packaging system
Mo molybdenum
Mo-99 molybdenum-99
N2PS nitrogen purge system
NDAS neutron driver assembly system
SHINE Medical Technologies 1-vi Rev. 2 Chapter 1 - The Facility Acronyms and Abbreviations
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
Acronym/Abbreviation Definition
OL operating license
ORNL Oak Ridge National Laboratory
PCLS primary closed loop cooling system
PICS process integrated control system
PSB primary system boundary
PVVS process vessel vent system
RAMS radiation area monitoring system
RCA radiologically controlled area
RDS radioactive drain system
RLWI radioactive liquid waste immobilization system
RLWS radioactive liquid waste storage system
RPCS radioisotope process facility cooling system
RPF radioisotope production facility
RV radiological ventilation system
SASS subcritical assembly support structure
SCAS subcritical assembly system
SHINE Medical Technologies 1-vii Rev. 2 Chapter 1 - The Facility Acronyms and Abbreviations
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
Acronym/Abbreviation Definition
SGS standby generator system
SRWP solid radioactive waste packaging
SSC structure, system, and component
Tc-99m technetium-99m
TCAP thermal cycling absorption process
TPS tritium purification system
TOGS TSV off-gas system
TRPS TSV reactivity protection system
TSPS target solution preparation system
TSV target solution vessel
U-235 uranium-235
UPSS uninterruptible electrical power supply system
VDC volts - direct current
SHINE Medical Technologies 1-viii Rev. 2 Chapter 1 - The Facility Introduction
CHAPTER 1 - THE FACILITY
1.1 INTRODUCTION
This Final Safety Analysis Report (FSAR) is s ubmitted in accordance with the provisions of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 50 Domestic Licensing of Production and Utilization Facilities, in support of the application by SHINE Medical Technologies, LLC (SHINE) to operate a medical isotope production facility.
This FSAR generally follows the content and organization of NUREG-1537, Part 1, Guidelines for Preparing and Reviewing Applications for the Licensing of Non-Power Reactors, Format and Content, as augmented by the Final Interim Staff Guidance (ISG) Augmenting NUREG-1537, Part 1, Guidelines for Preparing and Reviewing Applications for Licensing Non-Power Reactors:
Format and Content for Licensing Radi oisotope Production Facilities and Aqueous Homogeneous Reactors, October 17, 2012.
The applicant for this operating license (OL) and owner of the medical isotope production facility is SHINE Medical Technologies, LLC, a Delaware company. SHINE is a private organization that was created for the purpose of designing, constructing, and operating the facility described herein. The purpose of the facility is to produce molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) and other medical isotopes. Additional information about the SHINE organization and key personnel is provided in Section 12.1.
The facility is located on previously-undeveloped pro perty in the City of Janesville, Rock County, Wisconsin. The SHINE site and details regarding the geographical location and the surrounding areas are presented in Chapter 2, including site features that address the basic attributes of the site such as geography, demography, nearby facilities, meteorology, hydrology, and geology.
SHINE has developed a new method for the manufa cture of medical isotopes, primarily Mo-99.
Mo-99 is the precursor of the diagnostic imagi ng isotope, technetium-99m (Tc-99m), which is used in diagnostic imaging procedures worldwide. Technetium becomes a light source within the body to provide a high-quality view of internal organs. It is primarily used in cancer screening and in stress tests to detect heart disease.
SHINEs technology involves the use of a non-reactor based, subcritical fission process. The process includes the combination of a high-output deuterium-tritium gas-target neutron source with a low enriched uranium (LEU) target in a target solution vessel (TSV). Neutrons created by an accelerator-driven neutron source induce fiss ion in the LEU, creating Mo-99 as a byproduct.
Together the neutron driver, subcritical assembly, light water pool, TSV off-gas system (TOGS),
and other supporting systems comprise an irradi ation unit (IU). Eight IUs and their supporting systems comprise the irradiation facility (IF).
The main production facility also includes the radioisotope production facility (RPF). The RPF is where the irradiated material is processed to separate medical isotopes, and includes packaging of the resulting materials for shipment to customers.
Detailed descriptions of the IF and the RPF, including IU power level, are provided in Chapter 4.
A summary of the principal safety considerations is provided in Section 1.2, including inherent and passive safety features as well as design features that address the basic safety concerns such as functional, radiological, and criticality safety.
SHINE Medical Technologies 1.1-1 Rev. 1 Chapter 1 - The Facility Summary and Conclusi ons on Principal Safety Considerations
1.2
SUMMARY
AND CONCLUSIONS ON PRINCIPAL SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
This section identifies safety criteria, principal safety considerations and conclusions for the SHINE facility structures, systems, and component s (SSCs). The purpose of the safety criteria for the SHINE facility is to limit adverse effects on the public and workers due to operation of the facility. These criteria are assured by designing, constructing, and operating the plant such that safety-related SSCs remain functional during norm al conditions and during and following design basis events.
The accident analysis uses the most conservative operational condition or operating mode to determine potential radiological consequences. See Chapter 13 for a description of the accident analysis for the SHINE facility. Section 4a2.6 and Section 7.3 provide a description of operating modes of the irradiation unit.
1.2.1 CONSEQUENCES FROM THE OPERATION AND USE OF THE FACILITY
The primary consequences resulting from the oper ation of the SHINE facility are radiological.
The SHINE facility produces molybdenum-99 (Mo-99 ) and other medical isotopes from irradiation of low enriched uranium (LEU). Within the irradiation facility (IF), the LEU in the target solution is in the form of a uranyl sulfate. In the irradiation units (IUs), the target solution is irradiated in a subcritical assembly by neutrons produced by a fusion neutron source. The irradiated target solution is then processed in the radioisotope production facility (RPF) to extract and purify the Mo-99 and other medical isotopes. Radioactive waste materials are processed and/or converted to solid wastes for shipment to off-site disposal facilities. The main production facility is designed to be a zero radioactive liquid effluent discharge facility as described in Section 11.1.
The IF and RPF within the main production facility are identified on Figure 1.3-1. Radioactive materials are primarily present in the following locations within the SHINE facility buildings:
- Main production facility - IF
- IU cells
- Target solution vessel (TSV) off-gas shielded cells
- Tritium purification system (TPS) area
- Radiologically controlled area (RCA) ventilation equipment areas
- Main production facility - RPF
- Target solution preparation and storage areas
- Supercell
- Target solution hold tanks
- Carbon delay beds
- Radioactive liquid waste storage tanks
- Radioactive liquid waste immobilization (RLWI) shielded cell
- Labs and storage rooms
- Main production facility - other areas
- Shipping and receiving area
- Material staging building
SHINE Medical Technologies 1.2-1 Rev. 3 Chapter 1 - The Facility Summary and Conclusi ons on Principal Safety Considerations
Doses to workers and the public during normal operation are within the limits of 10 CFR 20.1201 and 20.1301, respectively. In addition, there are potential exposures to the public from postulated accidents as described in the Chapter 13 accident analysis.
1.2.2 SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
Within the IF, medical isotopes are produced in a subcritical assembly. The subcritical assembly is different from a nuclear reactor because it is designed to remain subcritical in all operating modes. Processes in the RPF are maintained subcritical with approved margins of subcriticality.
The subcritical assembly uses target solution c onsisting of LEU in the form of uranyl sulfate solution. The use of LEU as the source material meets U.S. government non-proliferation objectives related to elimination of the use of highly enriched uranium (HEU) for the production of medical isotopes.
The main production facility building, which contains the IF and RPF, is designed to withstand severe natural phenomena, including seismic events and tornados, as described in Chapter 3.
The building structure is robust enough to remain intact following an aircraft impact as described in Section 3.4.
Primary functions of the IUs, including the power level within the TSV, are described in Chapter 4a2. Primary functions of the RPF are described in Chapter 4b. Major processes performed at the SHINE facility are summarized in Sections 1.3 and 1.6.
Safety considerations that influenced the select ion of the specific site for the SHINE facility include:
- The size and shape of the proposed parcel,
- Proximity to an airport,
- Proximity to an interstate highway, and
- Seismic characteristics.
Consideration of the size and shape of the proposed parcel includes distance to the boundaries (e.g., greater distance from the facility to the site boundary decreases potential radiological impacts on the public). Of the parcels considered, the Janesville site had the largest minimum distance to the site boundary. Considering seismi c characteristics, each potential site was comparably attractive because there are no major fault lines in Wisconsin.
The close proximity to the Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport increases safety because the medical isotope product spends less time and travels less distance being transported to the airport than it would if the airport were farther away. Although the close proximity to an airport increases the probability of an aircraft crash impact, the IF and RPF are designed to withstand an aircraft crash impact in order to mitigate this risk. The transportation safety improvement offsets the risk related to the increased probability of an aircraft crash impact.
The close proximity to Interstate-39/Interstate -90 (I-39/I-90) increases safety because of the need to spend less time and distance transporti ng radioactive cargo, such as waste or product, through populated areas. Although the close proximity to I-39/I-90 reduces the distance to hazardous chemicals that are transported on interstate highways, an analysis, described in Section 2.2, has been performed to ensure that these chemicals will not pose a threat to SHINE
SHINE Medical Technologies 1.2-2 Rev. 3 Chapter 1 - The Facility Summary and Conclusi ons on Principal Safety Considerations
safety-related structures or to personnel from eit her explosions or hazardous levels of vapor. The need to spend less time and distance transporting radioactive materials through populated areas offsets the risk related to the reduced distance to hazardous chemicals transported on interstate highways.
1.2.3 INHERENT AND PASSIVE SAFETY FEATURES, DESIGN FEATURES, AND DESIGN BASES
1.2.3.1 Safety Features of Structures, Systems, and Components
The SHINE facility utilizes a number of inherent safety features that represent good engineering practice for nuclear facilities.
- a. The RCA of the main production facility is lo cated within seismic Category I structures, as described in Chapter 3, that are designed to survive the design basis earthquake and other design basis events.
- b. Tanks and piping that are expected to contain significant concentrations of fissile material are designed and controlled to be geometrically favorable for criticality safety as described in Section 6b.3.
- c. Confinement is used to prevent or minimize the spread of radioactive materials as described in Sections 6a2.2 and 6b.2.
- d. Shielding is used to minimize occupational exposures in normally-occupied areas of the facility as described in Sections 4a2.5 and 4b.2.
- e. Ventilation systems for normally-occupied areas are separate from ventilation systems for areas containing radioactive materials. The ventilation system in the RCA is designed to pull air from the least contaminated areas to the most contaminated areas as described in Section 9a2.1.
- f. Areas, tanks, equipment, and piping that contai n radioactive materials drain to favorable geometry sump tanks that are provided with leak detection as described in Section 9b.7.
Those SSCs whose intended functions are to prevent accidents that could cause undue risk to health and safety of workers and the public, and to control or mitigate the consequences of such accidents, are classified as safety-related SSCs. SSCs are designed, constructed, and operated such that safety-related SSCs remain functi onal during normal conditions and during and following design basis events. Principal design criteria for the facility are described in Section 3.1. SSCs that perform an engineered safety feature (ESF) function are classified as safety-related. ESFs for the IF and RPF are described in Chapters 6a2 and 6b, respectively.
1.2.3.2 Radiological Safety
The Radiation Protection Program is provided to protect the radiological health and safety of workers and members of the public in compliance with the regulatory requirements in 10 CFR 19 and 10 CFR 20. This program includes an as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) program, radiation monitoring and surveying, exposure c ontrol, dosimetry, contamination control, and environmental monitoring. The Radiation Protection Program is described in Section 11.1. The Radioactive Waste Management Program is described in Section 11.2. The Respiratory Protection Program is described in Section 11.3.
Shielding is used extensively to minimize personnel exposures. The IU cell walls and the light water pool provide neutron and gamma shielding. The IU cells and light water pool are described
SHINE Medical Technologies 1.2-3 Rev. 3 Chapter 1 - The Facility Summary and Conclusi ons on Principal Safety Considerations
in Chapter 4a2. IF biological shielding is described in Section 4a2.5. RPF biological shielding is described in Section 4b.2. Confinement is used in both the IF and the RPF to minimize the release and spread of contamination.
Control of gaseous, liquid, and solid radioactive wastes is provided by the process vessel vent system (PVVS) (Section 9b.6), the radioactive liquid waste storage system (RLWS)
(Section 9b.7), the radioactive liquid waste immobilization system (RLWI) (Section 9b.7), and the solid radioactive waste packaging system (SRWP) (Section 9b.7). Potentially radioactive drains are part of the radioactive drain system (RDS) as described in Section 9b.7. Radiation Protection Program equipment and procedures are described in Section 11.1, including the use of area radiation monitors, continuous air monitors, the detection and monitoring of gaseous and liquid effluent release streams, control point monitoring, and the use of radiation surveys within the SHINE facility.
1.2.3.3 Reactivity Control in the IF
The subcritical assembly is designed to remain subcritical in all operating modes. To maintain this subcritical state, reactivity control is provided in the TSV through passive, active, and administrative controls. The IUs, which include the subcritical assembly, are identified as utilization facilities as defined in 10 CFR 50.2. Operating limits applicable to the TSV are described in Section 4a2.6. During TSV filling, neutron flux detectors combined with a fixed neutron source are used for reactivity increase measurements during the 1/M fill process and approach to critical. The fill process is normally stopped at approximately 5 percent by volume below critical. The 1/M fill process is described in Subsection 4a2.6.1. During TSV irradiation, the neutron flux detectors are used to determine fiss ion power and reactivity. During both filling and irradiation, if neutron flux exceeds predetermi ned magnitudes, the TSV reactivity protection system (TRPS) initiates an IU Cell Safety Actuation. The TRPS is discussed in Section 7.4.
Insertion of excess reactivity scenarios have been analyzed as described in Chapter 13a2, including inadvertent target solution fill scenarios (see Subsection 13a2.1.2).
1.2.3.4 Criticality Control in the RPF
The nuclear criticality safety program for operations in the RPF is described in Section 6b.3.
Nuclear criticality safety evaluations are conducte d for each fissile material operation within the RPF to ensure that under normal and credible abnormal conditions, all nuclear processes remain subcritical with an approved margin of subcriticality. A fissile material operation is any process or system that has the potential to contain more than 250 g of non-exempt fissile material. For the purposes of application of this limit, all fi ssionable isotopes in the process or system are considered to be fissile.
In systems where the equipment is not safe-b y-design, the double contingency principle is used ensuring at least two unlikely, independent, and concurrent changes in process conditions are required before a criticality accident is possible. The preferred hierarchy of nuclear criticality safety controls is (1) passive engineered, (2) active engineered, (3) enhanced administrative, and (4) administrative. Use of explicit nuclear critic ality safety controls is preferred to reliance on the natural and credible course of events. Generally, control on two independent criticality parameters is preferred over multiple controls on a single parameter. If redundant controls on a single parameter are used, a preference is given to diverse means of control on that parameter.
SHINE Medical Technologies 1.2-4 Rev. 3 Chapter 1 - The Facility Summary and Conclusi ons on Principal Safety Considerations
1.2.4 POTENTIAL ACCIDENTS AT THE FACILITY
Potential design basis accidents (DBAs) at the SHIN E facility were identified by the application of hazard analysis methodologies to evaluate the de sign of the facility and processes for potential hazards, initiating events (IEs), scenarios, and associated controls. As described in Chapter 13, these methodologies were applied to both the IF and the RPF. The list of accident categories and IEs that were the basis for the identification of potential DBAs are described in Chapter 13. The following accident categories and IEs are addressed for the SHINE facility. Some are applicable to the IF, some are applicable to the RPF, and some are applicable to both.
- Maximum hypothetical accident (MHA)
- Insertion of excess reactivity
- Reduction in cooling
- Mishandling or malfunction of target solution
- Loss of off-site power
- External events
- Mishandling or malfunction of equipment
- Large undamped power oscillations
- Detonation and deflagration in the primary system boundary
- Unintended exothermic chemical reactions other than detonation
- System interaction events
- Facility-specific events
- Critical equipment malfunction
- Inadvertent nuclear criticality in the RPF
- RPF fire
- Hazardous chemical accidents
SHINE Medical Technologies 1.2-5 Rev. 3 Chapter 1 - The Facility General Description of the Facility
1.3 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE FACILITY
The SHINE main production facility consists of an irradiation facility (IF), radioisotope production facility (RPF), shipping and receiving area, and ot her areas that contain various support systems and equipment. General arrangement floor plan and se ction drawings of the facility showing the layout of major structures are provided in Figures 1.3-1 and 1.3-2. The SHINE facility site overview is provided in Figure 1.3-3.
1.3.1 GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION
The SHINE facility is located on the south side of the City of Janesville corporate boundaries, in Rock County, Wisconsin. Geographical coordinates of the SHINE site are provided in Section 2.1.
1.3.2 PRINCIPAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SITE
The SHINE site consists of a previously undeveloped, approximately 91-acre (ac.)
(36.8-hectare [ha]) parcel that has been historically farmed. Safety-related structures are located within a rectangular area located near the center of the property. The region of the SHINE site is entirely contained within Rock County, Wisconsin. The dominant land use in the region is agricultural/cultivated crops. The northern limits of the City of Beloit are located approximately 3.7 miles (mi.) (6.0 kilometers [km]) to the south. Principal characteristics of the site are further described in Chapter 2.
1.3.3 PRINCIPAL DESIGN CRITERIA, OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS, AND SAFETY SYSTEMS
The SHINE facility is licensed under 10 CFR 50. Classifications of systems, structure, and components (SSCs) of the SHINE facility are described in Section 3.1.
1.3.3.1 Principal Design Criteria
Principal design criteria for the facility are described in Section 3.1.
1.3.3.2 Operating Characteristics
The irradiation units (IUs) are operated in a batch mode with an approximate week-long operating cycle. An operating cycle includes the following steps:
- irradiation in the subcritical assembly for approximately 5.5 days,
- shut down, and
- transfer of the irradiated target solution to the RPF for isotope extraction.
During the irradiation in the subc ritical assembly system, the target solution is maintained in a subcritical state. Operating characteristics of the IUs, including power level, are discussed in more detail in Chapter 4a2.
SHINE Medical Technologies 1.3-1 Rev. 5 Chapter 1 - The Facility General Description of the Facility
The RPF also operates in a batch mode. The major operating steps include the following:
- preparation of uranyl sulfate solution from raw feed materials,
- extraction of molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) from processed target solution,
- purification of extracted Mo-99, and
- packaging of Mo-99 for shipment to customers.
Operating characteristics of the RPF are discussed in more detail in Chapter 4b.
1.3.3.3 Facility Systems
The IF consists of eight IUs. Each IU consists of a neutron driver assembly system (NDAS), a subcritical assembly system (SCAS), a primary closed loop cooling system (PCLS), a light water pool, a TSV off-gas system (TOGS), and related support systems.
The NDAS is an accelerator-based assembly that accelerates a deuterium ion beam into a tritium gas target chamber. The resulting fusion reaction produces 14 million electron volt (MeV) neutrons, which move outward from the tritium target chamber in all directions. The NDAS is described in Section 4a2.3. Potential upsets in the neutron driver system that would otherwise result in higher unplanned fission rates are prevent ed by systems that cause the IU to trip. The following actions occur on an IU Cell Safety Actuation:
- the neutron driver is de-energized by opening the safety-related circuit breaker for its high voltage power supply;
- the TSV dump valves are opened to drain the target solution to the geometrically favorable TSV dump tank; and
- the primary system boundary is isolated.
The neutron driver is located directly above the subcritical assembly. Most of the neutrons enter the SCAS, where they are slowed down to thermal energies. The resulting thermal neutron flux interacts with the uranium-235 (U-235) atoms in the target solution, causing the atoms to fission.
Each SCAS includes a TSV, a neutron multiplier, a subcritical assembly support structure (SASS), and a TSV dump tank. The SCAS and its subcomponents are described in Section 4a2.2. The PCLS provides cooling to the SCAS and is described in Section 5a2.2. The SCAS is located inside of the light water pool. The light water pool is described in Section 4a2.4.
The TOGS removes the off-gas from the TSV and is described in Section 4a2.8.
The function of the RPF is to extract, purify, and package Mo-99 and other medical isotopes for the end users. Additionally, the RPF prepares feed target solution for the IU. The RPF includes facility features and systems where the processes that support the IUs are performed and where processing of the irradiated target solution occurs. The major systems and processes are described below.
The target solution preparation system (TSPS) prepares fresh target solution from either uranium metal or uranium oxide. Recycled target solution is adjusted between cycles, as needed, by the addition of small volumes of acid or uranyl sulfate solution through TSPS. The TSPS is described in Section 4b.1.
SHINE Medical Technologies 1.3-2 Rev. 5 Chapter 1 - The Facility General Description of the Facility
The molybdenum extraction and purification system (MEPS) receives irradiated target solution, processes the target solution to extract the Mo-99, then purifies the product into its final form prior to packaging and shipping. The MEPS is described in Section 4b.1.
The process vessel vent system (PVVS) collects and processes radioactive gases from the vents of process vessels that handle the main proces s fluids. This system is briefly discussed in Section 4b.1 and described in detail in Section 9b.6.
The molybdenum isotope product packaging system (MIPS) receives the Mo-99 from MEPS and packages it for shipment to the customers. This system is briefly discussed in Section 4b.1 and described in detail in Section 9b.7.
Other systems located in the RPF are briefly discussed in Section 4b.1 and are described in more detail in the following chapters of this report.
1.3.4 ENGINEERED SAFETY FEATURES
SSCs that perform an engineered safety feature ( ESF) function are classified as safety-related.
ESFs for the IF are described in Section 6a2.2 and include ESFs related to confinement of radiological material. The SHINE facility does not have a containment feature but uses confinement to minimize the release and spread of radioactive contamination. Confinement is used to describe the low-leakage boundary that surrounds radioactive materials and the associated radiological ventilation (RV) system. Confinement systems are designed to localize release of radioactive material to controlled areas in normal operational states and mitigate the consequences of design basis accidents (DBAs). Radi ation protection control features such as shielding and the RV minimize hazards normally associated with radioactive materials. The principal design and safety objective of the conf inement systems is to protect on-site personnel, the public, and the environment. The second design objective is to minimize reliance on administrative or complex active engineering controls to provide a confinement system that is as simple and as fail-safe as reasonably possible.
The TSV, TSV dump tank, TOGS, and associated components act as the primary system boundary (PSB). These components act as the primary fission product boundary. The confinement boundary of the IU cell and TOGS shielded cell encloses the PSB. Confinement is achieved through the RV, the TSV reactivity protection system (TRPS), and the passive confinement structures provided by the steel and concrete comprising the walls, roofs, and penetrations of the IU cell and TOGS shielded cell. The tritium confinement boundary provides confinement for portions of the tritium purification system (TPS). Isolation of the tritium confinement boundary is actuated by the engineered safety features actuation system (ESFAS).
ESFs outside the IF are described in Section 6b.2 and include confinement of radiological material and hazardous material in the RPF. The RPF confinement areas include hot cell enclosures and gloveboxes for process operation s and trench and vault enclosures for process tanks and piping. Confinement is achieved through RV, ESFAS, and passive confinement structures provided by the steel and concrete comprising the walls, roofs, and penetrations of the confinement areas.
SHINE Medical Technologies 1.3-3 Rev. 5 Chapter 1 - The Facility General Description of the Facility
1.3.5 INSTRUMENTATION, CONTROL, AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
The process integrated control system (PICS) monitors and controls various operations throughout the IF and RPF as described in Section 7.3. The TSV is protected by the TSV reactivity protection system (TRPS) as described in Section 7.4. Various ESF functions are monitored and controlled within the ESFAS as described in Section 7.5. The highly integrated protection system (HIPS) design is used for both the TRPS and ESFAS as described in Chapter 7.
Design features of the control consoles and disp lay instrumentation, and the radiation monitoring systems for both the IU and the RPF, are described in Chapter 7. Radiation monitoring systems include process radiation monitoring, the radiation area monitoring system (RAMS), the continuous air monitoring system (CAMS), and effluent monitoring.
The SHINE facility has a common normal electrical power system which provides power to the IF, the RPF, and other support buildings. Power serv ice is provided by the local utility via offsite feeds. The normal electrical power system is described in Section 8a2.1.
Emergency electrical power for the SHINE facility is provided by a common safety-related uninterruptible electrical power supply system (UPSS) and a common nonsafety-related standby generator system (SGS). The UPSS consists of two independent trains, each consisting of a 125 volts-direct current (VDC) battery subsystem with associated charger, inverter, and distribution system. The SGS includes a natural gas -fired generator and provides power for asset protection purposes to selected loads in the event of a loss of offsite power. These emergency electrical power systems are described in Section 8a2.2.
1.3.6 TSV COOLING AND OTHER AUXILIARY SYSTEMS
Primary cooling for the TSV and related components is provided by the PCLS as described in Section 5a2.2. The TSV and related components are submerged in the light water pool. The light water pool is described in Section 4a2.4. Make-up to the light water pool and the PCLS is provided by the facility demineralized water system (FDWS) as described in Section 5a2.6.
Cooling for various IF and RPF systems is provid ed by the radioisotope process facility cooling system (RPCS) as described in Section 5a2.3.
Ventilation for both the IF and the RPF is provided by the RV as described in Section 9a2.1.
Equipment and processes related to handling and storage of target solution are described in Section 9a2.2. The tritium purification system (TPS) processes gas from the tritium target of the NDAS, including separating the deuterium from the tritium and returning the purified gases to the NDAS, as described in Section 9a2.7. The facility fire protection systems and fire protection program are described in Section 9a2.3. Communications systems are described in Section 9a2.4. Other auxiliary systems are also described in Chapters 9a2 and 9b.
1.3.7 RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RADIATION PROTECTION
The SHINE facility has a radiation protection progr am to protect the radiological health and safety of its workers. This program includes an as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) program, radiation monitoring and surveying, exposure c ontrol, dosimetry, contamination control, and environmental monitoring. The radiation protection program is described in Section 11.1. The
SHINE Medical Technologies 1.3-4 Rev. 5 Chapter 1 - The Facility General Description of the Facility
SHINE facility has a respiratory protection pr ogram to protect its workers from airborne contamination as described in Section 11.3.
The SHINE facility has a radioactive waste m anagement program. This program is described in Section 11.2. Control of gaseous, liquid, and solid radioactive wastes is provided by the PVVS, the radioactive liquid waste storage system (RLW S), the radioactive liquid waste immobilization system (RLWI), and the solid radioactive waste packaging system (SRWP). Drains from vaults, trenches, and other areas where uranium-bearing solutions may be present are part of the radioactive drain system (RDS), described in Chapter 9b.
1.3.8 EXPERIMENTAL FACILITIES AND CAPABILITIES
The SHINE facility does not include experimental facilities or capabilities.
1.3.9 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
The following research and development activities were identified as ongoing in NUREG-2189, Safety Evaluation Report Related to SHINE Medical Technologies, Inc. Construction Permit Application for a Medical Radioisotope Production Facility (USNRC, 2016), and have since been resolved:
(1) Irradiation and corrosion testing at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to study the mechanical performance of materials (2) Precipitation studies at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) to ensure precipitation of uranyl peroxide in the target solution will not occur
The testing of materials included zirconium alloy for the TSV as well as the stainless steel for the SASS and the process piping and vessels around the facility. As the material of construction for the target solution vessel has been changed to stainless steel, as described in Section 4a2.4, the data for the zirconium alloy is no longer needed. The stainless steel testing results from ORNL were used along with data from Los Alamos National Laboratory, ANL, and literature to define bounding corrosion allowances for the materials of construction in the process conditions they will be exposed to. The data included extensive testing of stainless steel in uranyl sulfate solution as part of historical aqueous homogeneous reac tor experiments at ORNL. Given the corrosion and irradiation data that has been obtained, no further research and development is required.
Precipitation studies at ANL were conducted us ing uranyl sulfate solution encompassing the SHINE target solution operating parameters. These studies included a range of temperatures, uranium concentrations, catalyst materials, and power densities. This data was combined with data from historical operation of aqueous ho mogeneous reactors including HRE, KEWB, L-8, L-54, and Argus to define power density limits for the SHINE target solution. Section 4a2.6 defines the operating limits to ensure that no significant uranyl peroxide precipitation occurs.
Given that SHINE will operate within these limits, no further research and development is required.
SHINE Medical Technologies 1.3-5 Rev. 5
Chapter 1 - The Facility Shared Facilities and Equipment
1.4 SHARED FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT
The SHINE facility does not share any systems or equipment with facilities not covered by this report.
The SHINE main production facility includes the irradiation facility (IF), the radioisotope production facility (RPF), the non-radiologically controlled seismic area, and a non-safety related area. The SHINE facility includes the following structures:
- Main production facility
- Resource building
- Material staging building
- Storage building
- N2PS structure
SHINE Medical Technologies 1.4-1 Rev. 0 Chapter 1 - The Facility Comparison with Similar Facilities
1.5 COMPARISON WITH SIMILAR FACILITIES
1.5.1 COMPARISON OF PHYSICAL PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
As stated in Section 1.1, the SHINE facility uses new technology for the manufacture of medical isotopes. The irradiation unit (IU), consisting of the neutron driver, subcritical assembly, light water pool, target solution vessel (TSV) off-gas system (TOGS), and other supporting systems, represents new technology. As such, there are no similar facilities that compare to the IUs.
These systems and components are discussed in Chapter 4a2.
The neutron driver in particular has specifically been developed for use in the SHINE facility. The subcritical assembly, consisting of the TSV, neutron multiplier, subcritical assembly support structure (SASS), and subcritical multiplication source, is also a new design. The neutron driver is discussed in Section 4a2.3. The subcritical assembly is discussed in Section 4a2.2.
In the radioisotope production facility (RPF), the irradiated target solution is processed in hot cells to separate and purify the medical isotope s that are produced. The hot cell design is conventional and is similar to the design used in many other facilities. The RPF is discussed in Chapter 4b.
As stated in Section 11.1, the objective of the as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) program is to make every reasonable effort to maintain exposure to radiation as far below the dose limits of 10 CFR 20.1201 and 10 CFR 20.1301 as is practical. The design and implementation of the ALARA program is consistent with the NRC guidance as described in Section 11.1. This compares favorably to other facilities that are required to have an ALARA program.
1.5.2 COMPARISON OF CHEMICAL PROCESSES
1.5.2.1 Molybdenum Extraction
The SHINE facility molybdenum (Mo) extraction sy stem uses selective adsorption of Mo from the irradiated target solution as described in Chapter 4b. There are currently no NRC or U.S.
Department of Energy (DOE) facilities that use th is specific process. However, the use of solid sorbents to remove specific components from an aqueous solution has been widely researched and demonstrated on a commercial scale.
In particular, cesium-137 and strontium-90 are ty pically isotopes that are removed from aqueous streams, due to their gamma emission driving worker and public dose rates. Cesium can be removed by crystalline silico-titanate, or sodium titanosilicate followed by alumina montmorillonite clay. Strontium is removed by sodium titanosilicate, followed by titanium silicate pharmacosiderites. These processes have been res earched extensively; however, no facilities utilizing these technologies have been approved by DOE or NRC.
At Sellafield in the United Kingdom, the Site Ion Exchange Effluent Plant (SIXEP) uses clinoptilolite to remove cesium and strontium fr om aqueous process streams. Clinoptilolite is a naturally occurring clay-like material. The SIXEP facility has been in operation since 1985.
SHINE Medical Technologies 1.5-1 Rev. 0 Chapter 1 - The Facility Comparison with Similar Facilities
1.5.2.2 Molybdenum Purification
The SHINE Mo purification process is very similar to the Cintichem process developed in the 1950s and 1960s by Union Carbide. The special nuc lear material (SNM) license was transferred from the Union Carbide Corporation to Cintichem, Inc. in 1984. Cintichem, Inc. operated the process until 1990 as a means to purify Mo-99 for use as a medical isotope. There are no NRC or DOE licensed facilities currently using this technology. The process used by Union Carbide and Cintichem, Inc. generated Mo-99 produced by fission in highly enriched uranium (HEU) solid targets. The SHINE process produces Mo-99 derived from irradiation of low enriched uranium (LEU) target solution. The chemistry of the pr ocess has been adjusted slightly to accommodate the change in chemical and isotopic composition due to the switch from HEU to LEU.
The purification process is a small scale, batc h chemical procedure performed in laboratory glassware. This is unchanged between the previ ous deployment of the Cintichem process and the system employed at the SHINE facility.
1.5.2.3 Tritium Purification System
Tritium is purified using the thermal cycling absorption process (TCAP) technology. TCAP was developed at the Savannah River Site to separate tritium from deuterium and protium. Other process equipment is used to support the TC AP separation, including impurity removal and tritium storage. For SHINE, TCAP and its supporting process equipment is known as the tritium purification system (TPS). TPS is similar in design to the processes within the following facilities:
- a. Savannah River Site, South Carolina.
- b. Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Rochester, New York.
Due to the sensitive and confidential nature of information relating to tritium production and purification, the design and operational details of these systems are not published. A comparison of the SHINE system with existing facilities is therefore not possible. The same is true of other tritium facilities around the globe.
1.5.3 COMPARISON OF SUPPORT SYSTEMS
Supporting systems, including ventilation, coolin g water, waste processing, and electrical power, are conventional in nature. In general, there ar e no unique features that warrant discussion here.
These systems are discussed in the corresponding chapters of this report.
SHINE Medical Technologies 1.5-2 Rev. 0 Chapter 1 - The Facility Summary of Operations
1.6
SUMMARY
OF OPERATIONS
The major operations to be performed in the SHINE facility are as follows:
- Target solution preparation from raw feed material.
- Irradiation of target solution.
- Molybdenum (Mo) extraction from irradiated target solution.
- Mo purification.
- Target solution adjustments.
- Solidification of radioactive liquid waste.
Target solution preparation from raw feed material (uranium metal) starts with either uranium metal or uranium oxide. Either form of uranium is low enriched uranium (LEU). If uranium metal is used as the feed material, it is first converted to uranium oxide by a furnace within the uranium receipt and storage system (URSS) glovebox. Uranium oxide is then dissolved in sulfuric acid to produce the uranyl sulfate target solution. Hydrogen peroxide may be used as a catalyst to aid the conversion. After initial startup of the facility, receipt of uranium will be infrequent, occurring only as necessary to make up for losses or to generate fresh target solution batches as needed.
The irradiation facility (IF) consists of eight irradiation units (IUs). Each IU is operated for an approximately week-long cycle. The operat ing cycle includes the following steps:
- Prepared target solution is transferred to the target solution hold tank, and then into the target solution vessel (TSV). The volume of uranyl sulfate solution in the TSV is described in Chapter 4a2.
- The neutron driver is energized and ramped up to power.
- The subcritical assembly is operated at power for approximately 5.5 days.
- The unit is shut down and the target solution is allowed to decay.
- The target solution is transferred to the radioisotope production facility (RPF) for processing.
Molybdenum extraction is performed in a hot cell in the RPF. Mo extraction from irradiated target solution involves passing the irradiated target solution through an adsorbent. The Mo and other fission products are adsorbed Mo is eluted using a base. The eluate is dried and redissolved in nitric acid. The resulting Mo-99 product is tr ansferred to the Mo-99 purification system. The adsorbent for the Mo extraction process is contained in a packed column configuration.
Molybdenum purification is performed in a hot cell in the RPF. The Mo-99 product is purified in a laboratory glassware system.
The fission product inventory from operation of the facility is discussed in Section 11.1. Normal effluent release pathways from the SHINE facility to the environment are discussed in Section 11.1.
SHINE Medical Technologies 1.6-1 Rev. 0 Chapter 1 - The Facility Compliance with the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982
1.7 COMPLIANCE WITH THE NUCLEAR WASTE POLICY ACT OF 1982
The SHINE facility does not produce either high-level nuclear wastes or spent nuclear fuel.
Therefore, the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 is not applicable to this facility.
SHINE Medical Technologies 1.7-1 Rev. 0 Chapter 1 - The Facility Facility Modifications and History
1.8 FACILITY MODIFICATIONS AND HISTORY
The SHINE facility described in this report is ne w construction. There are no existing facilities, there have been no modifications, and there is no history to report. Therefore, this section is not applicable to the SHINE facility.
SHINE Medical Technologies 1.8-1 Rev. 0 Chapter 1 - The Facility References
1.9 REFERENCES
USNRC, 2016. Safety Evaluation Report Related to SHINE Medical Technologies, Inc.
Construction Permit Application for a Medica l Radioisotope Production Facility, NUREG-2189, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, August 2016.
SHINE Medical Technologies 1.9-1 Rev. 0