ML24087A203
| ML24087A203 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/27/2024 |
| From: | Sullivan K NRC/RGN-II/DFFI |
| To: | |
| References | |
| Download: ML24087A203 (1) | |
Text
LICENSEE PERFORMANCE REVIEW Framatome Richland Site Nuclear Regulatory Commission April 16, 2024 ML24087A203
LICENSEE PERFORMANCE REVIEW Discuss Licensee Performance Address Findings and Performance Meet with NRC Inspectors
LICENSED ACTIVITIES Framatome: Richland Site Process and develop uranium products Fabricate low-enriched fuel assemblies used in commercial light water reactors Operate on-site test laboratories Treat and discharge plant effluents
NRC FUEL CYCLE OVERSIGHT Incident Response Enforcement Performance Assessment Allegations Investigations Inspections
REGULATING NUCLEAR FUEL Fuel Fabrication Process:
- Enriched uranium hexafluoride (UF6) is heated into gas, then converted to uranium dioxide (UO2) powder.
- UO2 powder is compressed into ceramic pellets, the actual nuclear fuel, each about the size of a fingertip.
- Pellets are loaded into metal rods (cladding), bundled into fuel assemblies, ready for reactor use.
Safety and Cladding:
- Cladding, made from zirconium alloys, contains radioactive fission products, acting as a barrier during the nuclear reaction.
- Fuel assemblies can hold up to 264 rods, with dimensions of 5 to 9 inches (13 to 23 centimeters) square by about 12 to 14 feet (3.7 to 4.3 meters) long.
Regulatory Oversight:
- NRC categorizes fuel fabrication facilities by uranium enrichment level, ensuring high safety and security standards.
- Category 1 facilities handle highly enriched uranium, including for U.S. Naval Reactors and produce low-enriched reactor fuel.
- Categories 2 and 3 handle lower enrichment levels for other facilities across the world.
Safety Measures and Risks:
- Fuel fabrication poses low safety risk to the public, with comprehensive NRC regulations in place.
- Workers are protected against chemical, radiological, and criticality hazards through stringent safety protocols.
THE NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE
LICENSEE PERFORMANCE REVIEW PROCESS Emergent Performance or Generic Safety Issues Assessment Inspection Program Adjustment Inputs NRC Review Results NRC Response Other NRC Actions
- Inspection Results
- Previous Performance
- Safety Significance
- Trends
- Cross Cutting Issues
- Corrective Actions No Performance Issues
- Core Insp. Program
- Inform the Public Area Needing Improvement (ANI)
- More Inspections
- LPR Frequency
- Inform the Public Or Performance Areas
LICENSEE PERFORMANCE AREAS
- Safety Controls
- Supporting Safety Programs Operational Safety
- Criticality Controls
- Program Oversight
- Criticality Incident Response Criticality Safety
- Prevention, Detection, &
Mitigation
- Supporting Fire Safety Programs Fire Protection Safety Operations
LICENSEE PERFORMANCE AREAS
- Members of the Public
- Plant Workers Radiation Protection
- Program Implementation
- Liquid and Gaseous Effluents Effluent Control &
Environmental Protection
- Processing, Handling, Storage
& Transportation of Waste Waste Management
- Receipt, Packaging & Delivery of Radioactive Materials Transportation Radiological Controls
LICENSEE PERFORMANCE AREAS
- Emergency Plan Implementation
- Evaluation of Emergency Drills Emergency Preparedness
- Configuration Management Program
- Request for NRC Approval Plant Modifications
- Safety Assessment, Follow-up and Reactive Inspections Plant Events
- Material Control and Physical Protection Safeguards Facility Support & Other Areas