ML23200A337
| ML23200A337 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 06/21/2023 |
| From: | Joshua Borromeo Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | National Organization of Test, Research, & Training Reactors (TRTR) |
| References | |
| Download: ML23200A337 (22) | |
Text
Welcome to NRC Day TRTR Conference -
June 21, 2023
Non-Power Production and Utilization Facility Licensing Branch -
Overview Josh Borromeo, Chief UNPL TRTR Conference -
June 21, 2023
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University Westinghouse Electric Company, Engineer with focus on Loss-of-Coolant Accident Analysis Nuclear Regulatory Commission
- Reactor Systems Engineer
- Technical Assistant
- Acting Branch Chief in NRR and NMSS
- Chief of UNPL since April 2021 Meet the UNPL Branch Chief Josh Borromeo, Chief UNPL
Currently 12 full-time staff New hires in the past year:
- Andrew Miller Actively hiring additional PMs Leveraging technical staff of the agency to support reviews and build bench strength UNPL Branch Staff Mike Balazik Patrick Boyle Holly Cruz Duane Hardesty Ed Helvenston Justin Hudson Andrew Miller Cindy Montgomery Paulette Torres Linh Tran Geoffrey Wertz Xiaosong Yin
Division Management Mo Shams, Director Jeremy Bowen, Deputy Director Jon Greives, Acting Deputy Director Branch Chiefs Josh Borromeo, NPUF Licensing Branch Travis Tate, NPUF Oversight Branch Andrew Proffitt, Advanced Reactor Licensing Branch 1 Michael Wentzel, Advanced Reactor Licensing Branch 2 Steven Lynch, Advanced Reactor Policy Branch Candace de Messieres, Advanced Reactor Technical Branch 1 Greg Oberson, Advanced Reactor Technical Branch 2 DANU Management Team DANU is actively engaging staff to become familiar with NPUF technology and licensing
Communication Key for workload planning, efficiently completing projects, and issue resolution Contact your PM, contact the UNPL Branch Chief, or contact anyone on DANU management team!
Some of the completed actions this past year
- SHINE Operating License and Environmental Review
- Univ of California at Davis License Renewal
- UC Davis Reactor Coolant H3 Concentration LAR
Some of the ongoing projects Univ Texas, NC State, and GE License Renewals (near completion)
NC State license for fueled experiments Atomic Alchemy pre-application Activities UIUC pre-application activities Kairos Hermes and Abilene Christian Univ construction permit and environmental review applications Review to endorse NEI 23-03 on 10 CFR 50.59 changes for digital applications as a supplement to NEI 21-06.
Enhancements to update NUREG-1537 Indirect license transfer from GE Company to GE-Vernova Information Notice
Licensing Actions - Timeliness
Licensing Actions - Hours
NIST Test Reactor Restart
- NIST completed activities necessary to restart, and the NRC issued a letter authorizing restart on March 9, 2023
- License amendment 14 was issued on February 1, 2023, approving revisions to the FSAR related to a small quantity of debris remaining in the primary coolant system following cleanup efforts
- NIST increased monitoring of coolant and confinement air samples detected low levels of fission products which remain below reporting requirements
- Increased oversight (inspections) continues, related to long-term actions with a focus on efforts to improve facility safety culture as part of the confirmatory order
SHINE Operating License Review
- Safety Evaluation issued in Feb. 2023
- ACRS issued letter in Dec. 2022 recommending issuance of operating license
- Final Environmental Impact Statement issued in Jan. 2023
- Issued permit amendment in Apr. 2023 for SHINE to receive and possess special nuclear material in the form of neutron detectors to support facility construction
- Construction of the facility is ongoing
- Issued an Order in Nov. 2022 extending the latest date of construction completion to Dec. 2025
- NRC continues to provide construction oversight and perform inspections
Information Notice on Recent Human Performance Issues at NPUFs
- Information Notice on Safety Culture events at NRC-licensed NPUFs issued this month.
- Highlighted public information on events at several NPUF licensees that were attributed, at least in part, to procedure and human performance issues.
- Solicited and incorporated applicable comments.
- Acknowledges that many of the issues identified in the Information Notice were "identified through an event, or self-revealed and corrected by the licensees.
- Intended to inform recipients to consider actions, as appropriate, to avoid similar problems. No NRC response is required.
NUREG-1537 Guidance Updates
- An infrastructure update to guidance for licensing NPUFs guidance updates based on recent reviews to facilitate better applications and staff reviews Splitting 1996 version into 5 volumes to better address unique technology Volume 1 - Heterogeneous reactors Volume 2 - Aqueous fueled systems Volume 3 - Radioisotope production facilities Volume 4 - Molten salt facilities Volume 5 - Environmental reports
- not intended to significantly change the existing guidance unless it is truly needed (fatal flaw).
- The goal is to use stakeholder input to improve the guidance remain risk-informed cognitive of the difference in safety-significance between a power reactor and an NPUF within the spirit of minimum regulation
- Volumes will be published for public comment one-at-a-time beginning with Volume 1, Part 1 and 2
Proposed Guidance on the 50.59 Process for digital applications (NEI 23-03)
- The Nuclear Energy Institute submitted NEI 23-03, Supplemental Guidance for Application of 10 CFR 50.59 to Digital Modifications at Non-power Production or Utilization Facilities
- Submitted on behalf of TRTR for endorsement
- Submitted as a supplement to NEI 21-06, "Guideline for 10 CFR 50.59 Implementation at Non-power Production or Utilization Facilities NRC staff started its review the week of May 29, 2023
- Holding monthly public meetings with TRTR members
- Review schedule is based on an eight month review Use of NEI 23-03 during the NRCs review for endorsement is at the discretion of the Non-Power Production or Utilization Facility (NPUF) licensees.
- Any such use is at the licensees risk until any regulatory guide endorsement is published
Advanced Reactor Reviews
Kairos Power-Hermes Test Reactor DESIGN FEATURES
- 35 MWth test reactor for technology development
- Fluoride salt-cooled high temperature reactor using TRISO fuel in a pebble bed configuration APPLICATION REVIEW STATUS
- Construction Permit (CP) Application submitted in Sep 2021 / docketed in Nov 2021
- Safety Evaluation completed in April 2023 NEXT MILESTONES
- Final Safety Evaluation of the Hermes CP application and Final Environmental Impact Statement by Sep 2023
- Mandatory Hearing LEARN MORE o Kairos Hermes review webpage
Abilene Christian University - MSRR DESIGN FEATURES
- Molten Salt Research Reactor (MSRR)
- Less than 1 MWth - used for researching molten salt fuel and reactor characteristics
- Liquid-fueled - uranium dissolved in molten salt APPLICATION REVIEW STATUS
- Construction Permit Application submitted in Aug 2022 / docketed in Nov 2022
- Several review audits ongoing / developing Draft Safety Evaluation NEXT MILESTONES
- Draft Environmental Assessment - Oct 2023
- Advanced Safety Evaluation - Jan 2024
- Final Safety Evaluation and Environmental Assessment by May 2024 LEARN MORE o ACU - MSRR review webpage
We make the safe use of nuclear technology possible DANU is committed to continually improving to achieve this goal:
- Risk informed decisions
- New and improved processes
- Metrics to benchmark progress
- Enhanced tools to track projects
Commitment to TRTR and Current Challenges
- The nuclear industry is undergoing rapid change
- DANU staff is reviewing new designs, new applicants, and different technology
- DANU remains committed to efficiently licensing the existing research and test reactor fleet
- DANU remains committed to reviewing licensing actions in a timely fashion to support licensees missions to conduct research and education
- Contact your PM to understand changes!
Opportunities to Continue Improving
- UNPL is conducting planning activities for 2025 and beyond
- Advanced notice of potential licensing actions would help the NRC in planning, so that we have the right resources available to conduct reviews
- Let us know during Q&As or in breakout sessions:
o How NRC can enhance regulatory certainty o Suggestions for improvement
Contact Info:
Josh Borromeo, Chief Non-Power Production and Utilization Facility Licensing Joshua.Borromeo@nrc.gov 301-415-1217