ML23194A159

NRR E-mail Capture - Abilene Christian University (Acu), Molten Salt Research Reactor (Msrr) Chapter 16 Audit Questions

ML23194A159
Person / Time
Site:	Abilene Christian University
Issue date:	07/13/2023
From:	Edward Helvenston NRC/NRR/DANU
To:	Towell R Abilene Christian University (ACU)
References
Download: ML23194A159 (2)

Text

From: Edward Helvenston Sent: Thursday, July 13, 2023 1:22 PM To: Rusty Towell; Lester Towell; Benjamin Beasley; Tim Head; Jordan Robison; Alexander Adams Cc: Richard Rivera; Zackary Stone (He/Him/His); Michael Wentzel; Greg Oberson (He/Him); Boyce Travis

Subject:

ACU MSRR Chapter 16 Audit Questions

Dear Dr. Towell,

Below are questions the NRC staff has prepared for Abilene Christian University (ACU) related to the ACU Preliminary Safety Analysis Report, primarily Chapter 16, Other License Considerations. The NRC staff would like to discuss these questions within the scope of the ACU construction permit (CP) application review Audit Plan for Chapters 1, 5, 8, 9 (Except 9.2 and 9.6), 10, 11, 12, 14-18, and General Topics (see audit plan dated 3/2/2023, ML23065A052), and I am providing in advance to facilitate discussion during an audit meeting. We will add this email, with the questions, to public ADAMS. If you have any questions, please let Richard, Zackary, or I know.

Thank you,

Ed Helvenston, U.S. NRC Non-Power Production and Utilization Facility Licensing Branch (UNPL)

Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities (DANU)

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR)

O-6B22 (301) 415-4067

Item # Question 16.1-1 The guidance in ORNL/TM-2020/1478 (ML20219A771), Appendix A, Part 1, Section 16.1, Prior Use of Reactor Components, states that [f]uel provided by the Department of Energy (DOE) for a new facility could come from DOE storage and have a history of prior use that must be considered. The guidance also states that prior use should be considered for fuel salt. PSAR Sections 4.2.1 and 16.1 do not appear to address potential prior use of fuel and/or salt. Please discuss whether the MSRR may utilize fuel and/or salt that were previously used in other reactors. If so, will ACU consider such prior use in its evaluation of the fuel salt that will be used in the MSRR?

16.1-2 PSAR Section 16.1 states that the MSRR will be integrated into a portion of the pre-existing ACU Science and Engineering Research Center (SERC) building and that the weight of the MSRR reactor system will be supported by the SERC research bay floor and systems pit; as such, these portions of the SERC will be SSCs for the MSRR. Please clarify if this description of the portions of the pre-existing SERC that will become safety-related SSCs remains accurate in light of information discussed and provided for audit in response to audit question Gen-7 and questions in the PSAR Chapter 2 and 3 audit.

16.1-3 Please clarify whether ACU plans to use any SERC features which may become MSRR SSCs for other purposes prior to installation of the MSRR. If so, discuss whether and how ACU is considering such prior use in its analysis of the ability of those SSCs to perform their applicable safety function for the MSRR.

Hearing Identifier: NRR_DRMA Email Number: 2165

Mail Envelope Properties (BY5PR09MB59560CF9FAA1C397D0757CC8E037A)

Subject:

ACU MSRR Chapter 16 Audit Questions Sent Date: 7/13/2023 1:21:40 PM Received Date: 7/13/2023 1:21:00 PM From: Edward Helvenston

Created By: Edward.Helvenston@nrc.gov

Recipients:

"Richard Rivera" <richard.rivera@nrc.gov>

Tracking Status: None "Zackary Stone (He/Him/His)" <Zackary.Stone@nrc.gov>

Tracking Status: None "Michael Wentzel" <Michael.Wentzel@nrc.gov>

Tracking Status: None "Greg Oberson (He/Him)" <Greg.Oberson@nrc.gov>

Tracking Status: None "Boyce Travis" <Boyce.Travis@nrc.gov>

Tracking Status: None "Rusty Towell" <rxt01a@acu.edu>

Tracking Status: None "Lester Towell" <ldt20a@acu.edu>

Tracking Status: None "Benjamin Beasley" <bgb23b@acu.edu>

Tracking Status: None "Tim Head" <tlh07b@acu.edu>

Tracking Status: None "Jordan Robison" <jcr20b@acu.edu>

Tracking Status: None "Alexander Adams" <axa20j@acu.edu>

Tracking Status: None

Post Office: BY5PR09MB5956.namprd09.prod.outlook.com

Files Size Date & Time MESSAGE 2611 7/13/2023 1:21:00 PM

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