ML23006A078
| ML23006A078 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 99901469 |
| Issue date: | 02/06/2023 |
| From: | Michael Orenak NRC/NRR/DANU/UAL1 |
| To: | Jessup W NRC/NRR/DANU/UAL1 |
| References | |
| EPID L-2022-LRM-0069 | |
| Download: ML23006A078 (1) | |
Text
MEMORANDUM TO:
William T. Jessup, Chief Advanced Reactor Licensing Branch 1 Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation FROM:
Michael D. Orenak, Project Manager Advanced Reactor Licensing Branch 1 Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
SUBJECT:
SUMMARY
OF THE OCTOBER 20, 2022, PARTIALLY CLOSED MEETING WITH BWX TECHNOLOGIES, INC., BWXT ADVANCED NUCLEAR REACTOR (BANR) REGULATORY ENGAGEMENT PLAN AND STATUS UPDATE (EPID NO. L-2022-LRM-0069)
Meeting Information:
Applicant: BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT)
Docket/Project No.: 99901469 Public Meeting Notice: Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS)
Accession No.: ML22287A161 Applicant Presentation Slides: ML22286A214 Applicant Regulatory Engagement Plan: ML22243A112 Meeting Attendees: See Enclosure for list of meeting attendees February 6, 2023 Signed by Orenak, Michael on 02/06/23
W. Jessup Meeting Summary:
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff conducted the meeting in accordance with NRC Management Directive 3.5, Attendance at NRC Staff-Sponsored Meetings (ML21180A271). The main points of discussion during the meeting included:
For slide 5, the NRC staff asked about BWXTs experience with tri-structural isotropic fuel because of its aggressive fuel qualification timelines. BWXT responded that its fuel design is similar to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Gas Reactor (AGR) fuel, so the AGR data is relevant to BWXTs design. The main difference in the BWXT fuel is the first coating layer around the fuel particle.
For slide 7, the NRC staff asked how many BANR modules will be controlled by a single control unit. BWXT responded that the current plan is three modules.
For slide 10, the NRC staff asked if there will be any additional white papers, reports, or any other interactions outside of the few discussed in the regulatory engagement plan.
BWXT responded that it is unknown at this point in time and heavily depends on how the technology/design progresses. BWXT stated they are focused on producing products that meet the deadlines for its DOE Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program contract.
The NRC staff then asked about the content of the proposed fuel qualification technical report listed in the BWXT regulatory engagement plan. After the discussion, the NRC recommended that it be identified as a white paper when submitted in late 2023.
The NRC staff asked if BWXT has a fuel qualification strategy that incorporates NRC staff review and approval of the fuel manufacturing process or just the end state after manufacturing is complete. BWXT responded that its plan was to have NRC staff approval of the end-state of the fuel only but were open to review of manufacturing-specific aspects if the NRC staff finds it necessary.
There were two public comments/questions at the end of the meeting.
A member of the public asked whether the initial deployment of this reactor will be licensed by the NRC. The NRC staff responded that BWXT is early in the development process. An application for a BWXT reactor may still be several years into the future. If BWXT were to apply the NRC for a license application, the NRC staff will have to review any application for the BANR to determine if the design is safe to construct and operate.
A member of the public also asked if the BANR reactor will be required to have one licensed operator when it starts operation. The NRC staff responded that any current applicant still must follow the regulations in Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations Section 50.54, paragraph (m), which require licensed operators for all nuclear power reactors.
CONTACT: Michael D. Orenak, NRR/DANU 301-415-3229
Enclosure:
List of Meeting Attendees
W. Jessup
SUBJECT:
SUMMARY
OF OCTOBER 20, 2022, PARTIALLY CLOSED MEETING WITH BWX TECHNOLOGIES, INC., BWXT ADVANCED NUCLEAR REACTOR (BANR) REGULATORY ENGAGEMENT PLAN AND STATUS UPDATE (EPID NO. L-2022-LRM-0069) DATED: FEBRUARY 6, 2023 DISTRIBUTION:
PUBLIC RidsNrrDanuUal1 Resource RidsNrrDanuUal 2 Resource RidsNrrDanu Resource MOrenak, NRR DGreene, NRR CSmith, NRR WJessup, NRR BTravis, NRR JSchmidt, NRR ADAMS Accession Number: ML23006A078 NRC-001 OFFICE NRR/DANU/UAL1/PM NRR/DANU/UAL1/LA NRR/DANU/UAL1/BC NRR/DANU/UAL1/PM NAME MOrenak DGreene WJessup MOrenak DATE 2/6/2023 2/2/2023 2/6/2023 2/6/2023 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
Enclosure List of Attendees Partially Closed Pre-Application Meeting with BWX Technologies, Inc. to Discuss the BWXT Advanced Nuclear Reactor (BANR) Regulatory Engagement Plan and Status Update October 20, 2022 Name Organization Michael Orenak U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
William Jessup NRC Boyce Travis NRC Jeff Schmidt NRC Steve Schilthelm BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT)
Erik Nygaard BWXT Mike Haggerty BWXT Steven Dolley S&P Global Rani Franovich The Breakthrough Institute Leigh Anne Lloveras The Breakthrough Institute