ML23083B989
| ML23083B989 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Issue date: | 03/14/2023 |
| From: | US Dept of Interior, Geological Survey (USGS) |
| To: | Geoffrey Wertz NRC/NRR/DANU/UNPL |
| References | |
| Download: ML23083B989 (1) | |
Text
United States Geological Survey USGS TRIGA Reactor Proposed License Amendment #15 In Support of Utilization of Fuel Received from VTT Finland in 2021 Presented by Jonathan Wallick, Reactor Director on 2023-03-14
United States Geological Survey License Amendment Request Overview Jonathan Wallick, USGS TRIGA Reactor - Slide 2
- Fuel received in 2021 from VTT Finland was only licensed for receipt and possession with the intent to license utilization at a later date.
- Permission to utilize the fuel would ensure operability of the reactor for the foreseeable future - between 40 to 55 years.
GSTR Reactor Core
United States Geological Survey History - Manufacturer Data Jonathan Wallick, USGS TRIGA Reactor - Slide 3
- Must demonstrate that fuel types in the shipment are as claimed.
- Manufacturer drawings from years of fabrication.
- Dates of fabrication, sale, and delivery to VTT, matching serial numbers.
Typical TRIGA Reactor Element
United States Geological Survey History - Original Acquisition Jonathan Wallick, USGS TRIGA Reactor - Slide 4
- Acquisition data to determine specific version of drawings used to fabricate fuel.
- Agreements of all four fuel acquisitions between General Atomics and VTT of Finland are in hand and complete with information.
- Fuel types, amounts, pricing, serial numbers, dimensions, etc.
Fuel Agreement GA-VTT 1: 1961
United States Geological Survey History - VTT Utilization Jonathan Wallick, USGS TRIGA Reactor - Slide 5
- Historical documents obtained from VTT, detailing measurements over last several decades performed on fuel.
- Shows elongation and bend of all elements over time, if any.
- Elements that were not received as damaged all are within specifications.
- USGS will perform full measurements on all elements considered for use prior to installation in core.
- Will be compared, verified, and documented as usable for in core and fully tracked in the fuel management program of the facility.
United States Geological Survey History - Transfer to USGS Jonathan Wallick, USGS TRIGA Reactor - Slide 6
- Received in January 2021 and placed into storage.
- Strict timetable due to ice formation in northern seas near Finland.
- VTT, NRC, DOE, DOI all cooperated to achieve transfer.
Fuel Cask, Crane, Operating Area
United States Geological Survey Selected Source Fuel Characteristics Jonathan Wallick, USGS TRIGA Reactor - Slide 7
- Foreign fuel designed and fabricated in U.S.
- Matches types currently licensed for GSTR use.
- Approximately 10% of elements damaged and cannot be used, only stored.
- Highly characterized for condition.
Fuel Element Type 8.0 wt. %
GSTR 8.0 wt.%
Foreign Rx 8.5 wt. %
GSTR 8.5 wt.%
Foreign Rx 12.0 wt. %
GSTR 12.0 wt.%
Foreign Rx Fuel-Moderator Material U-ZrH1.0 U-ZrH1.0 U-ZrH1.7 U-ZrH1.7 U-ZrH1.7 U-ZrH1.7 Uranium Content 8.0 wt. %
8.0 wt. %
8.5 wt. %
8.5 wt. %
12.0 wt. %
12.0 wt. %
235U Enrichment
< 20%
< 20%
< 20%
< 20%
< 20%
< 20%
235U Content avg per Element Matches Foreign Rx Matches GSTR Matches Foreign Rx Matches GSTR Matches Foreign Rx Matches GSTR Shape Cylindrical Cylindrical Cylindrical Cylindrical Cylindrical Cylindrical Length of Fuel Meat Matches Foreign Rx Matches GSTR Matches Foreign Rx Matches GSTR Matches Foreign Rx Matches GSTR Diameter of Element Matches Foreign Rx Matches GSTR Matches Foreign Rx Matches GSTR Matches Foreign Rx Matches GSTR Cladding Material Type 1100 Al Type 1100 Al Type 304 SS Type 304 SS Type 304 SS Type 304 SS Cladding Thickness 0.03 inches 0.03 inches 0.020 inches 0.020 inches 0.020 inches 0.020 inches Table 1: Fuel Type Comparisons of GSTR and Foreign Rx
United States Geological Survey License Condition Changes - Case 1 Jonathan Wallick, USGS TRIGA Reactor - Slide 8
- Requires discussion with CO DPH, as it removes requirement to ship damaged elements to DOE as soon as practicable
- Increase 2.B.2.a from 9 kg to 13 kg.
- to receive, possess, and use, but not separate, in connection with the operation of the facility, up to 13 kilograms of contained uranium-235 enriched to less than 20 percent in the form of TRIGA-type reactor fuel
- Eliminate 2.B.2.f completely
- Condition pertaining to VTT fuel, which combines into 2.B.2.a
- Combine 2.B.2.g into 2.B.2.e.
- Condition pertaining to VTT fuel SNM, which fits into 2.B.2.es general language.
United States Geological Survey License Condition Changes - Case 2 Jonathan Wallick, USGS TRIGA Reactor - Slide 9
- Maintains requirement to ship damaged elements to DOE as soon as practicable.
- Increase 2.B.2.a from 9 kg to 12.5 kg.
- to receive, possess, and use, but not separate, in connection with the operation of the facility, up to 12.5 kilograms of contained uranium-235 enriched to less than 20 percent in the form of TRIGA-type reactor fuel
- Reduce 2.B.2.f from 4 kg to 500 g.
- Change 2.B.2.g (SNM in VTT fuel clause)
- From receive, possess, but not use or separate...
- To receive, possess, and use, but not separate
United States Geological Survey Benefits Jonathan Wallick, USGS TRIGA Reactor - Slide 10
- Facility lifetime of fuel secured (38-53 years)
- Economic operation achieved by spending only $300k for $10M worth of fuel. ($0.03 on the $1.00)
- Enables research for USGS and all partners using for the foreseeable future
- License condition for shipment removal
- Other facilities may be prioritized that have strong need to ship out fuel.
- USGS no longer susceptible to violation with no impact on public health and safety.
- Power restriction due to core configuration can be lifted though alternate configurations
United States Geological Survey Drawbacks Jonathan Wallick, USGS TRIGA Reactor - Slide 11
- For using fuel on hand: No Drawbacks
- If license condition requiring shipment ASAP is maintained:
- Other facilities with dire need to ship (UC Davis, PSU, etc.)
wait until our shipment completes.
- USGS remains open to violation in event delays are experienced, which may happen for any number of reasons.
- Does nothing to assure public health and safety.
United States Geological Survey Contact Information Jonathan Wallick, USGS TRIGA Reactor - Slide 12 If you have any questions after the presentation or the public meeting (non-security related, of course):
- Jonathan Wallick
- Reactor Director at USGS TRIGA Reactor Facility
- jwallick@usgs.gov
- (303)236-1463