ML23258A123
| ML23258A123 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | National Bureau of Standards Reactor |
| Issue date: | 09/15/2023 |
| From: | Patrick Boyle NRC/NRR/DANU/UNPL |
| To: | Joshua Borromeo NRC/NRR/DANU/UNPL |
| References | |
| Download: ML23258A123 (1) | |
Text
W. Kenned UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 September 15, 2023 MEMORANDUM TO: Joshua Borromeo, Branch Chief Non-Power Production and Utilization Facility Licensing Branch Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Patrick Boyle, Project Manager Patrick G. Boyle Date: 2023.09.15 11:20:02 -04'00' Digitally signed by Patrick G. Boyle FROM:
Non-Power Production and Utilization Facility Licensing Branch Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
SUBJECT:
SUMMARY
OF THE SEPTEMBER 11, 2023, PUBLIC MEETING BETWEEN THE U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION STAFF AND THE NATIONAL INSTITITUE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY TO DISCUSS PROPOSED LICENSE AMENDMENT RELATED TO THE NEW COLD NEUTRON SOURCE DOSE CALCULATION METHODOLOGY On September 11, 2023, an observation public meeting was held between the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff and representatives of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Center for Neutron Research (NCNR) via webinar. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the NCNR plans to submit a license amendment request related to the methodology to calculate potential dose consequences from a tritium release associated with the new cold neutron source. A list of meeting attendees is provided as an enclosure to this summary.
During the meeting, NCNR staff described the new cold neutron source in comparison to the existing cold neutron irradiation facility. Specifically, the new system would utilize many of the existing components with cooling provided by liquid helium utilizing natural flow of deuterium vapor and condensate. The new cold neutron source would add a ballast tank external to the reactor building. Since the new cold neutron source contains deuterium gas, tritium will be produced within the system when exposed to neutrons. The NCNR staff described the potential tritium release from a malfunction of the system like a pipe rupture or valve failure. The NCNR staff does not consider this radioactive material release to be a reactor accident, as described in chapter 13 Accident Analysis, (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML04112037) of the facility safety analysis report (SAR) and proposed to describe any radioactive material release in chapter 11 Radiation Protection and Waste Management (ML041120234) of the SAR.
The NRC staff noted that the production and inadvertent release of byproduct material from the cold neutron source storage tank is like the gaseous releases from the waste management system as described in Standard Review Plan 11.3 Gaseous Waste Management System (ML15029A039). The NRC also noted that Branch Technical Position 11-5 Postulated Radioactive Releases Due to a Waste Gas System Leak or Failure, (ML15027A302) provides failure analysis and acceptance criteria for the waste gas system leak that may apply to the NIST cold source ballast tank accidental release.
The NCNR staff indicated that they plan to submit the license amendment request addressing the accidental release of tritium separate from the existing reactor accidents. The NCNR staff also indicated that they plan to utilize International Council on Radiation Protection Publication 66 value for gaseous tritium dose coefficient, which is a change in methodology when compared to utilizing Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 20 Appendix B Annual Limits on Intake (ALIs) and Derived Air Concentrations (DACs) of Radionuclides for Occupational Exposure; Effluent Concentrations; Concentrations for Release to Sewerage values. NCNR did not propose a planned date for the submittal but indicated that they would not begin physical work on the new system until the new dose methodology is approved by the NRC. The current schedule to begin work on the new system is in mid-calendar year 2024.
CONTACT: Patrick Boyle, NRR/DANU/UNPL (301) 415-3936 Docket No.: 05000184
Enclosure:
List of Attendees Distribution List (GovDelivery):
U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology
ML23258A123 NRC-001 OFFICE NRR/DANU/UNPL/PM NRR/DANU/UNPL/BC NAME PBoyle JBorromeo DATE 9/13/2023 9/15/2023 List of Attendees Name Organization Patrick Boyle U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
Elijah Dickson NRC Joshua Borromeo NRC National Institute of Standards and Technology, Thomas Newton Neutron Center for Research (NCNR)
Steven Dewey NCNR Randolph Strader NCNR James Adams NCNR Robert Newby NCNR Matt Hendrickson Oregon Department of Energy Enclosure