ML23200A345

National Organization of Test, Research, and Training Reactors 2023 Annual Conference Presentation by Jack Parrott on Decommissioning

ML23200A345
Person / Time
Issue date:	06/20/2023
From:	Jack Parrott Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards
To:	National Organization of Test, Research, & Training Reactors (TRTR)
References
Download: ML23200A345 (1)

Text

Overview of the Decommissioning of Research and Test Reactors regulated by the U.S. NRC Jack D. Parrott Senior Project Manager Reactor Decommissioning Branch U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 2023 TRTR-IGORR Joint Research Reactor Conference June 20, 2023

Topics

• The license termination process

• The regulatory transition from operation to decommissioning

• Non-power reactor license termination regulations and requirements

• Decommissioning planning requirements

• Decommissioning guidance & inspection 2

NRC RTR license termination experience To date, NRC has terminated the licenses of at least 27 RTRs Currently 2 RTRs are in decommissioning

- GE Hitachi GETR

- Aerotest Radiography &

Research Reactor One more announced

- GE Hitachi NTR 3

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 Completion of Decommissioning by Facility Type (1998-2021)

Materials Sites Research Reactors Power Reactors

Basic license termination process 4

Upon NRC approval the DP, dismantlement and remediation can begin, or the facility can be put into safe storage under certain circumstances Licensee applies for license termination and submits a decommissioning plan (DP) to NRC The permanent cessation of operations is communicated to NRC The decision to permanently shut down the reactor is communicated to the NRC

Basic license termination sequence contd 5

NRC approves the license termination request NRC confirms that the approved criteria or guideline concentrations have been met Licensee performs surveys to demonstrate compliance with screening criteria or derived site-specific guidelines

Transition from operation to decommissioning Regulatory requirements 10 CFR 50.82, Termination of license Upon permanent cessation of operations, the license must apply for license termination within 2 years and submit a proposed DP.

When major dismantlement is delayed, the plans for decommissioning activities may be less detailed.

However, prior to the start of major dismantlement activities, updated detailed plans must be submitted and approved.

For plans that delay decommissioning, a decommissioning cost estimate and an acceptable decommissioning funding plan is still required.

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The transition from operation to decommissioning Regulatory requirements, contd 10 CFR 50.82, Termination of license The proposed decommissioning plan must include The choice of alternative that completes decommissioning without significant delay Delay can only be considered when it is necessary to protect the public health and safety A decommissioning health & safety plan; A final radiation survey plan; A decommissioning cost estimate and funding plan; and The decommissioning tech specs, QA and physical security plans.

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The transition from operation to decommissioning Regulatory requirements, contd 10 CFR 50.82, Termination of license The license can be terminated if:

The decommissioning has been performed in accordance with the decommissioning plan, and The radiation survey results demonstrate that the facility and site meet the criteria for decommissioning in 10 CFR part 20, subpart E.

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§ 20.1402 Radiological criteria for unrestricted use A site will be considered acceptable for unrestricted use if the residual radioactivity results in a TEDE to an average member of the critical group that does not exceed 0.25 mSv (25 mrem) per year from all dose pathways and is ALARA 10 CFR Part 20, Subpart E Radiological Criteria for License Termination

Decommissioning Planning 10 CFR Part 20, Subpart E

§ 20.1406 Minimization of contamination (c) Licensees shall, to the extent practical, conduct operations to minimize the introduction of residual radioactivity into the site, in accordance with the operating radiation protection requirements and the radiological criteria for license termination 10

Decommissioning Planning 10 CFR Part 20, Subpart F, Surveys and Monitoring

§ 20.1501 General Licensees shall survey areas, including the subsurface, that:

May be necessary for the licensee to comply with the regulations in this part; and To evaluate -

• The magnitude and extent of radiation levels;

• Concentrations or quantities of residual radioactivity; and

• The potential radiological hazards of the radiation levels and residual radioactivity detected.

Records of the surveys describing subsurface residual radioactivity identified at the site must be kept with records important for decommissioning (§ 50.75(g)).

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Decommissioning Planning 10 CFR 50.75 Reporting and recordkeeping for decommissioning planning

§ 50.75(f)(4): Each non-power reactor licensee shall submit a preliminary DP about 2 years prior to the projected end of operations, containing:

A decommissioning cost estimate An up-to-date assessment of the major factors that could affect planning for decommissioning Factors to be considered in the preliminary plan include:

The decommissioning alternative; Major technical actions necessary to carry out decommissioning safely; The current situation regarding disposal of high-and low-level radioactive waste; Residual radioactivity criteria; Other site-specific factors which could affect decommissioning planning and cost.

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Decommissioning Planning 10 CFR 50.75 Reporting and recordkeeping for decommissioning planning.

Challenges 14 Identifying, and keeping accessible, records important to decommissioning Knowledge management

Guidance RTR Decommissioning Chapter 17, Decommissioning and Possession-Only License Amendments of NUREG-1537, Part 2, Guidelines for Preparing and Reviewing Applications for the Licensing of Non-power Reactors Interim Staff Guidance Augmenting NUREG-1537, Parts 1&2, dated October 30, 2012 NUREG-1757, Vol 1, Rev 2, Decommissioning Process for Materials Licensees NUREG-1757, Vol 2, Rev 2, Consolidated Decommissioning Guidance - Characterization, Survey, and Determination of Radiological Criteria NUREG-1757, Vol 3, Rev 1, Consolidated NMSS Decommissioning Guidance - Financial Assurance, Recordkeeping, and Timeliness Decommissioning Planning Reg Guide 4.21, Minimization of Contamination and Radioactive Waste Generation: Life-cycle Planning Reg Guide 4.22, Decommissioning Planning During Operations 15

Inspection RTR Decommissioning Inspection IP-69002# (after POL but before DP approval) addresses:

Staffing and audits Operator (or Fuel Handler) requalification and active license status Radiological surveys Surveillances Emergency preparedness

1. ML040700583 IP-69013* (after DP approval) focus on active decommissioning actions:

Work and change controls Health physics Effluent controls and environmental monitoring Waste management and transportation

• ML040710157 16

Questions?

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