IR 05000602/2023201

University of Texas at Austin - NRC Safety Inspection Report No. 05000602/2023201

ML23193B029
Person / Time
Site:	University of Texas at Austin
Issue date:	07/31/2023
From:	Tate L NRC/NRR/DANU/UNPO
To:	Charlton W University of Texas at Austin
Waugh A
References
IR 2023201
Download: ML23193B029 (13)

Text

July 31, 2023

SUBJECT:

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN - U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION SAFETY INSPECTION REPORT NO. 05000602/2023201

Dear Dr. Charlton:

From April 11-14, 2023, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff conducted an inspection at the University of Texas at Austin, Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory. The enclosed report presents the results of that inspection, which were discussed on April 14, 2023, with you and members of your staff.

The inspection examined activities conducted under your license as they relate to safety and compliance with the Commissions rules and regulations and with the conditions of your license.

The inspectors reviewed selected procedures and records, observed various 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 Publicly Available Records component of the NRCs document system (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS)). ADAMS is accessible from the NRC website at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html (the Public Electronic Reading Room). If you have any questions concerning this inspection, please contact Andrew Waugh at (301) 415-0230, or by email at Andrew.Waugh@nrc.gov.

Sincerely, Signed by Tate, Travis on 07/31/23 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. 50-602 License No. R-129 Enclosure:

As stated cc w/enclosure: GovDelivery Subscribers

ML23193B029 NRC-002 OFFICE NRR/DANU/UNPO/RI NRR/DANU/UNPO/RI NRR/DANU/UNPO/LA NRR/DANU/UNPO/BC NAME AWaugh JArellano NParker TTate DATE 7/13/2023 7/19/2023 7/20/2023 7/312023

U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION Docket No.: 50-602 License No.: R-129 Report No: 05000602/2023201 Licensee: The University of Texas at Austin Facility: Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory Location: Austin, Texas Dates: April 11-14, 2023 Inspectors: Andrew Waugh Juan Arellano 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 The University of Texas at Austin Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory Inspection Report No. 05000602/2023201 The primary focus of this routine announced inspection was the onsite review of selected aspects of the University of Texas at Austins (UTA, the licensees) Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory (NETL) safety program, including: (1) procedures; (2) experiments; (3) health physics (HP); (4) design changes; (5) committees, audits and review; and (6) transportation of radioactive materials. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)

staff determined that the licensees program was acceptably directed toward the protection of public health and safety, and in compliance with NRC requirements.

Procedures The inspectors determined that procedures were controlled, maintained current, implemented, and followed in compliance with technical specifications (TSs) and license requirements.

Experiments The inspectors determined that experiments were reviewed, approved, and conducted in accordance with TS, procedural, and regulatory requirements.

Health Physics The inspectors determined that the licensees HP program was conducted in accordance with TS, procedural, and regulatory requirements.

Design Changes The inspectors determined that design changes were conducted in accordance with TS, procedural, and regulatory requirements.

Committees, Audits and Reviews The inspectors determined that the licensees oversight programs were conducted in accordance with TS and procedural requirements.

Transportation Activities The inspectors determined that the licensees radioactive material transportation program was in accordance with regulatory and procedural requirements.

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REPORT DETAILS Summary of Facility Status The UTAs 1.1-megawatt Training, Research, Isotopes, General Atomics Mark II research reactor continued routine operations. During this inspection, the reactor was started up, operated, and shut down to support laboratory experiments and operator training.

1. Procedures a. Inspection Scope (Inspection Procedure [IP] 69001, Section 02.03)

The inspectors reviewed various procedures and observed their implementation, including a startup checks, reactor startup, irradiation experiment, and reactor shutdown.

The inspectors also reviewed the following regarding the licensees procedures to ensure that the requirements of the licensees administrative procedures and TS 6.3 were met:

records of UTA Reactor Oversight Committee (ROC) procedure review and approval for 2021 and 2022 NETL procedure PLAN-O, Call and Notification, dated November 9, 2000 NETL procedure PLAN-S, Physical Security, dated August 9, 2022 NETL procedure MAIN-1, Interlocks and Scram Features, dated May 24, 2021 NETL procedure SURV-3, Excess Reactivity and Shutdown Margin, dated May 24, 2021 NETL procedure MAIN-4, Area Radiation Monitor Systems, dated May 24, 2021 b. Observations and Findings The inspectors observed that the licensee maintained written procedures covering the areas specified in TS 6.3. The inspectors found that the procedures in use by the licensee were current, reviewed and approved as required by TS 6.3, able to be implemented as intended, and adhered to by reactor personnel.

c. Conclusion The inspectors determined that procedures were controlled, maintained current, implemented, and followed in compliance with TS and license requirements.

2. Experiments a. Inspection Scope (IP 69001, Section 02.06)

The inspectors observed the performance of an irradiation experiment and reviewed the following to ensure that experiments were reviewed and conducted as required by TS 3.4 and 6.4:

select Operational Request, forms dated 2021-present Experimental Authorizations, dated 2021-present-3-

2020, 2021, and 2022 annual operating reports ROC meeting minutes, dated 2020-present b. Observations and Findings The inspectors found that experiments were reviewed and approved as required by TS 6.4 and Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) 50.59, Changes, tests and experiments. The inspectors also found that experiments were conducted in accordance with the licensees procedures and TS 3.4.

c. Conclusion The inspectors determined that experiments were reviewed, approved, and conducted in accordance with TS, procedural, and regulatory requirements.

3. Health Physics a. Inspection Scope (IP 69001, Section 02.07)

The inspectors toured the facility, observed radiation surveys, and observed radiological signs and postings. The inspectors also reviewed the following to ensure the licensees HP program adheres to the requirements of 10 CFR Part 19, Notices, Instructions and Reports to Workers: Inspection and Investigations, 10 CFR Part 20, Standards for Protection against Radiation, and TS 3.3 and 4.3:

select weekly restricted surveys, dated 2021-present select bi-monthly fuel pit surveys, dated 2021-present select bi-monthly reactor pool water samples, dated 2021-present select personnel and area dosimetry records, dated 2020-present select calibration records for radiation monitors, dated 2020-present NETL procedure MAIN-4, "Area Radiation Monitor Systems," dated May 24, 2021 NETL procedure ADMN-4, "Radiation Protection Program," dated October 23, 2006 b. Observations and Findings The inspectors found that practices regarding the use of dosimetry, radiation monitoring equipment, placement of radiological postings, posting of notices, use of protective clothing, and the handling and storing of radioactive material or contaminated equipment was in accordance with regulations and the licensees radiation protection program. The inspectors found that the licensee met the regulatory requirements concerning radiological effluent releases and radiation survey, sampling, and monitoring. The inspectors also found that training was conducted for radiation workers and as low as reasonably achievable principles were implemented as required by licensee procedures.

c. Conclusion The inspectors determined that the licensees HP program was conducted in accordance with TS, procedural, and regulatory requirements.

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4. Design Changes a. Inspection Scope (IP 69001, Section 02.08)

The inspectors reviewed the following to ensure that modifications to the facility were made in accordance with the requirements of 10 CFR 50.59 and TS:

2020, 2021, and 2022 annual operating reports NETL procedure ADMN-1, "NETL Procedure Outline and Control," dated April 8, 2010 design change forms, dated 2020-present ROC meeting minutes, dated 2020-present b. Observations and Findings The inspectors found that design changes were reviewed and approved as required by 10 CFR 50.59. The inspectors also found that the performance of modified equipment and the procedures and drawings related to that equipment met regulatory, TS, and procedural requirements.

c. Conclusion The inspectors determined that design changes were conducted in accordance with TS, procedural, and regulatory requirements.

5. Committees, Audits and Reviews a. Inspection Scope (IP 69001, Section 02.09)

The inspectors reviewed the following to ensure that committees, audits, and reviews were conducted as required by the licensees procedures and TS 6.2:

ROC meeting minutes, dated 2020-present 2020, 2021, and 2022 audits of operation and maintenance logs 2021 audit of the operator requalification program 2021 and 2022 audits of the emergency plan, physical security plan, and implementing procedures 2020, 2021, and 2022 annual operating reports b. Observations and Findings The inspectors found that the licensees reactor oversight committee met and provided reviews as required by the TS. The inspectors also found that problems identified from the licensees required reviews and audits which were resolved in accordance with the licensees procedures and TS.

c. Conclusion The inspectors determined that the licensees oversight programs were conducted in accordance with TS and procedural requirements.

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6. Transportation Activities a. Inspection Scope (IP 86740)

The inspectors reviewed the following to ensure the licensees program for transporting radioactive materials met NRC and Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements:

NETL procedure HP-006, "Radioactive Material Control," dated January 16, 2013 records of radioactive material shipments from 2021-present transportation training records b. Observations and Findings The inspectors found that the licensees procedures and records concerning the transportation of radioactive material were in accordance with NRC and DOT requirements.

c. Conclusion The inspectors determined that the licensees radioactive material transportation program was in accordance with regulatory and procedural requirements.

7. Exit Interview The inspection scope and results were summarized on April 14, 2023, with members of licensee management and staff. The inspectors described the areas inspected and discussed the inspection results. The licensee acknowledged the results of the inspection.

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PARTIAL LIST OF PERSONS CONTACTED Licensee Director, NETL P.M. Whaley Associate Director, NETL J. Terry Reactor Supervisor, NETL T. Tipping Reactor Health Physicist and Laboratory Manager J. Bekker Junior Health Physicist T. Bannon Reactor Operator R. Duran Reactor Operator INSPECTION PROCEDURES USED IP 69001 Class II Research and Test Reactors IP 86740 Inspection of Transportation Activities ITEMS OPENED, CLOSED, AND DISCUSSED Opened:

None Closed:

None Discussed:

None Attachment