ML23285A163
| ML23285A163 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Hermes |
| Issue date: | 10/12/2023 |
| From: | NRC/OGC |
| To: | NRC/OCM |
| SECY RAS | |
| References | |
| Construction Permit Mndtry Hrg, RAS 56826, 50-7513-CP | |
| Download: ML23285A163 (0) | |
Text
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION In the Matter of KAIROS POWER LLC Docket No. 50-7513-CP (Hermes Test Reactor)
Hearing Exhibit Exhibit Number: NRC-009 Exhibit
Title:
Staff Presentation Slides - Overview Panel (October 12, 2023).
NRC Staff Exhibit NRC-009 KAIROS HERMES MANDATORY HEARING CONSTRUCTION PERMIT APPLICATION REVIEW Overview of Review Methodology and Summary of Key Regulatory Findings 1
Robert Taylor Deputy Director for New Reactors, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) 2
PANELISTS Robert Taylor
- Deputy Director for New Reactors, NRR Mohamed Shams
- Director, Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities (DANU), NRR Jeremy Bowen
- Deputy Director, DANU, NRR Christopher Regan
- Director, Division of Rulemaking, Environmental, and Financial Support (REFS), Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards (NMSS) 3
HERMES OVERVIEW In September 2021, Kairos applied for a 10 CFR Part 50 construction permit (CP) for a testing facility known as Hermes
- 35 megawatts-thermal test reactor with a 4-year lifetime
- Located on a brownfield site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee Hermes is a key part of Kaiross iterative approach to designing and demonstrating their technology
- Includes non-nuclear test units prior to Hermes and commercial design Figure from ML22119A253 4
ADVANCED REACTOR TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT If approved, Hermes would be the first non-LWR to receive a permit or license under 10 CFR Part 50 in several decades The staff is currently reviewing two other CP applications under Part 50
- Also engaged with other vendors in pre-application activities 5
HERMES REVIEW PERFORMANCE The Hermes review provided the staff with experience applying Part 50 to an advanced test reactor review ACRS review recommended CP issuance The Hermes CP review was completed ahead of schedule and within the estimated budget Demonstrates staffs ability to efficiently review advanced reactor applications 6
Mohamed Shams D i r e c t o r, D A N U , N R R 7
CONDUCTING THE KAIROS HERMES REVIEW 10 CFR Part 50 Licensing Process Safety and Hearing(s)
Acceptance Environmental ACRS Reviews
- CP: mandatory Review for Review hearing on
- CP and OL:
- OL: preparation potential for of SE and EIS contested supplement hearings CP = Construction Permit OL = Operating License SE = Safety Evaluation EIS = Environmental Impact Statement 8
NON-POWER REACTOR CONSTRUCTION PERMIT Hermes is a non-power reactor for research and development activities
- Staff conducted the review consistent with the appropriate regulatory requirements The Hermes CP application appropriately describes the preliminary design of the facility
- OL application should describe the final design of the facility to support approving the design features and specifications 9
HERMES REVIEW BEST PRACTICES Review Approach Applicant Preparedness Review Documentation
- Core team
- Substantial pre-
- Use of audits
- Early legal reviews
- Very responsive to NRC
- Dashboards staff requests
Jeremy Bowen D e p u t y D i r e c t o r, D A N U , N R R 11
SAFETY REVIEW INFORMED BY KEY HERMES DESIGN FEATURES
- Fuel pebbles with TRISO particles
- Flibe molten salt
- Low pressure primary system
- Air-cooled heat rejection
- Passive safety-related heat removal Figure from PSAR Figure 4.2-2 (ML23151A743)
Figure from ML22119A253 12
RISK-INFORMED SAFETY REVIEW The depth and scope of the safety review was commensurate with the risk and safety significance
- The staff maintained a big picture safety perspective of the Hermes design
- Considered the small size of Hermes and that the review was for a non-power reactor CP application The staffs review was tailored to the unique and novel Kairos technology
- Used the appropriate regulatory guidance in NUREG-1537, Guidelines for Preparing and Reviewing Applications for the Licensing of Non-Power Reactors, as applicable 13
SAFETY REVIEW FINDINGS In accordance with 10 CFR 50.35, NRC staff finds:
- The facility has been described and the major features for the protection of public health and safety have been identified
- Further technical or design information may be reasonably left for the FSAR
- Safety features or components requiring research and development have been identified
- Safety questions will be resolved prior to the completion of construction and the proposed facility can be constructed without undue risk to the health and safety of the public Staffs conclusions are also based on the considerations in 10 CFR 50.40 and 50.50 14
Christopher Regan D i r e c t o r, R E F S , N M S S 15
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW EIS completed in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); related laws, regulations, and processes; and 10 CFR Part 51 Evaluated impacts from the construction, operation, and decommissioning of the Hermes test reactor at the proposed and alternative sites Included large number of opportunities for public participation and high level of public disclosure 16
PROPOSED KAIROS HERMES SITE
- 185-acre site in East Tennessee Technology Park in Oak Ridge, TN
- Previous site for Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant From PSAR Figure 2.5-19 (ML23151A743) 17
LICENSING PROCESS AND ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW 18
RECORD OF DECISION
- Identifies alternatives considered Draft Record
- Discusses preferences among alternatives of Decision
- States that the Commission has taken all practicable States the measures to avoid or minimize environmental harm Agency
- Will be updated to document closure of consultations under Decision Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act 19
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW FINDINGS 10 CFR 51.105(A)
Requirements of NEPA Section 102(2)(A), (C), and (E) and 10 CFR Part 51, Subpart A, have been met After considering the final balance among the factors in the record of the proceeding, the appropriate action is issuance of the CP After weighing environmental, economic, technical, and other benefits against environmental and other costs, and after considering reasonable alternatives, it is recommended that the CP should be issued The staffs NEPA review has been adequate 20
INTRODUCING THE REVIEW PANELS
- Safety review approach and conclusions Safety Panel
- Focused on novel issues in Hermes design, such as TRISO fuel, molten salt, and functional containment
- Final Environmental Impact Statement Environmental
- Proposed Federal action, public outreach, impact Panel evaluations, alternatives, and consultation status 21
- CFR - Code of Federal Regulations
- CP - construction permit
- DANU - Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities
- EIS - environmental impact statement
- Flibe - molten salt made from a mixture of lithium fluoride and beryllium fluoride
- FSAR - final safety analysis report
- LWR - light water reactor 22
- NEPA - National Environmental Policy Act
- NMSS - Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards
- NRC - U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
- NRR - Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
- NUREG - U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission technical report designation
- OL - operating license
- REFS - Division of Rulemaking, Environmental, and Financial Support
- SE - safety evaluation