ML24151A665
| ML24151A665 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | University of Missouri-Rolla |
| Issue date: | 05/30/2024 |
| From: | Taber E Missouri Univ of Science & Technology |
| To: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| Shared Package | |
| ML24151A663 | List: |
| References | |
| Download: ML24151A665 (1) | |
Text
PROGRESS REPORT FOR THE MISSOURI UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY NUCLEAR REACTOR FACILITY April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024 Submitted to The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission And Missouri University of Science and Technology
2023-2024 MSTR Annual Report, Revision 0 i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION
.............................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Background Information.................................................................................................. 1 1.2 General Facility Status..................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Facility Modifications...................................................................................................... 2 1.4 Facility Documentation Updates...................................................................................... 3 2.0 REACTOR STAFF AND PERSONNEL......................................................................... 5 2.1 Reactor Staff..................................................................................................................... 5 2.2 Licensed Operators........................................................................................................... 6 2.3 Health Physics.................................................................................................................. 7 2.4 Radiation Safety Committee............................................................................................ 8 3.0 REACTOR OPERATIONS.............................................................................................. 9 4.0 EDUCATIONAL UTILIZATION................................................................................. 16 5.0 REACTOR HEALTH PHYSICS ACTIVITIES.......................................................... 21 5.1 Routine Surveys............................................................................................................. 21 5.2 By-Product Material Release Surveys............................................................................ 21 5.3 Routine Monitoring........................................................................................................ 21 5.4 Waste Disposal............................................................................................................... 22 5.5 Instrument Calibration.................................................................................................... 22 6.0 PLANS.............................................................................................................................. 23 6.1 Control System Improvements....................................................................................... 23 6.2 Reactor Operator Training............................................................................................. 23 6.3 Revenue-Generating Activities...................................................................................... 23
2023-2024 MSTR Annual Report, Revision 0 ii LIST OF TABLES Table 1-1 List of Revised MSTR SAR Chapters............................................................................ 3 Table 1-2 List of Revised MSTR SOPs.......................................................................................... 4 Table 2-1 MSTR Staff.................................................................................................................... 5 Table 2-2 MSTR Operators............................................................................................................ 6 Table 2-3 Health Physics and EHS Staff........................................................................................ 7 Table 2-4 Radiation Safety Committee Members.......................................................................... 8 Table 3-1 MSTR Core Technical Data........................................................................................... 9 Table 3-2 Reactor Utilization........................................................................................................ 10 Table 3-3 Experimental Facility Usage........................................................................................ 10 Table 3-4 Unplanned Shutdowns (Scrams).................................................................................. 11 Table 3-5 Unplanned Shutdowns (Rundowns)............................................................................. 12 Table 3-6 Maintenance................................................................................................................. 13 Table 4-1 S&T Classes at MSTR.................................................................................................. 16 Table 4-2 Reactor Sharing Program and Tours............................................................................ 17 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 3-1 MSTR Core 132 Configuration..................................................................................... 9
2023-2024 MSTR Annual Report, Revision 0 iii REVISION HISTORY Revision Date Notes 0
May 30, 2024 Initial issuance
2023-2024 MSTR Annual Report, Revision 0 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to recognize current and former members of the Missouri S&T Reactor staff who contributed heavily to the development and data collection in support of this document:
Alex Mier-Calva, Tivon Straub, Thomas Merchiori, Sydney Wagner, Kelso Blakely, and Nathan Jackson. They have my sincerest thanks.
Ethan Taber Reactor Manager, MSTR iv
2023-2024 MSTR Annual Report, Revision 0 v
SUMMARY
During the 2023-2024 reporting period, the Missouri University of Science and Technology Reactor (MSTR) was in use for 434.7 hours8.101852e-5 days <br />0.00194 hours <br />1.157407e-5 weeks <br />2.6635e-6 months <br />, including 319.1 hours1.157407e-5 days <br />2.777778e-4 hours <br />1.653439e-6 weeks <br />3.805e-7 months <br /> while operating.
The majority of this time was used for class instruction, research, and training purposes.
The MSTR operated safely and efficiently over the past year. No significant safety-related incidents or personnel exposures occurred.
The reactor facility supported several Missouri University of Science and Technology (S&T) courses and operator training over the year for a total of 2,456.2 student-hours. The reactor was visited by 1,338 visitors during the past year.
The reactor produced 25,018.5 kilowatt-hours of thermal energy using approximately 1.293 grams of uranium. Facility startups totaled 241, and 455 transients were additionally performed. A total of 31 samples were neutron irradiated in the reactor with the majority being analyzed in the reactor counting laboratory.
2023-2024 MSTR Annual Report, Revision 0 1
1.0 INTRODUCTION
This progress report covers activities at the Missouri University of Science and Technology Reactor (MSTR) Facility for the period April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024.
The reactor operates as a Missouri University of Science and Technology (S&T) facility under the Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Science (NERS) Department and College of Engineering and Computing (CEC). It is available to the faculty and students from various departments of the University for their educational and research programs. Several other college and pre-college institutions also make use of the facility. The reactor is also available for use by and the training of personnel from commercial organizations.
1.1 Background Information The MSTR attained initial criticality on December 9, 1961, and was the first operating nuclear reactor in the State of Missouri. The Bulk Shielding Reactor at Oak Ridge National Laboratory is the basis for the reactors design, as the MSTR is a light water, open pool reactor cooled by natural convective flow. The initial licensed power was 10 kW, which was up-rated to 200 kW in 1967. The MSTR utilizes Materials Testing Reactor (MTR) plate-type fuel and was converted from an original high-enriched uranium to low-enriched uranium fuel loading during the summer of 1992. The MSTR license was renewed for another 20 years in March of 2009.
The facility is equipped with several experimental facilities including a beam port, thermal column, pneumatic transfer (rabbit) systems, and several manual sample irradiation containers and systems. The facility also contains a counting laboratory that has gamma spectroscopy capabilities. The gamma spectroscopy systems include germanium and sodium-iodide detectors, associated electronics, and state-of-the-art data acquisition and spectrum analysis equipment.
Additionally, there is a liquid scintillation counter, thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) reader, and x-ray and neutron imaging equipment for student and faculty use.
1.2 General Facility Status The MSTR operated safely and efficiently over the past year. No significant safety related incidents or personnel exposures occurred. Staffing levels are improving, with two full-time employees and a handful of student operators. Current operating cadence and facility usage are at a decade high.
From May 16-18, 2023, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) conducted a routine, announced inspection of MSTR. The inspection included review of the following areas:
2023-2024 MSTR Annual Report, Revision 0 2
organization and staffing; procedures; experiments; health physics (HP); committees, audits, and review; and transportation of radioactive materials. The NRC staff determined that the
[MSTRs] program was acceptably directed toward the protection of public health and safety, and in compliance with NRC requirements.
Independent auditors from the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) audited the reactor facility on November 21, 2023, and reviewed: compliance with reactor procedures, technical specification, and license provisions; training and requalification program; emergency plan; health physics; results of actions taken to correct deficiencies; experiments; and security procedures. The auditors recommended the hire of a full-time Training Coordinator as well as procedural and facility changes. The auditors continued to recommend updating letters of agreement between the MSTR and local emergency support organizations.
In November 2023, seven students underwent operator licensing examinations (two SRO-upgrade, five RO-instant). Of this group, all operator candidates except for one RO candidate were successfully licensed.
1.3 Facility Modifications During the reporting period, several major changes were made to the reactor facility under the provisions of 10 CFR 50.59, Changes, Tests, and Experiments. Changes were screened and evaluated as necessary, and no implemented changes were determined to require prior NRC approval.
A new experiment (and one that involved modifying existing facility hardware) involving the use of a reactivity oscillator was performed under modification 2023-05. This experiment allowed for the measurement of the MSTR transfer function.
A substantive modification to the reactor protection system (RPS) and scram logic was performed under modification 2024-02. This modification also included changes to the Reactor Control System (RCS) to address scram annunciations. The modifications of 2024-02 were completed by 2/20/2024. Follow-up modifications to replace a failing safety amplifier power supply (the impetus for the 2024-02 modification) were performed under package 2024-03. The 2024-03 modifications were completed by 4/19/2024. Both 2024-02 and 2024-03 screened in under 10 CFR 50.59 and were evaluated for safety significance. The safety evaluations determined that both modifications could be acceptably implemented without prior NRC approval, which was reviewed and approved by the Radiation Safety Committee (RSC).
2023-2024 MSTR Annual Report, Revision 0 3
A substantive modification to the RCS, console, and data recording systems has been approved by the RSC (2023-07) but not implemented as of the end of the reporting period.
Minor changes made include replacing an exhaust fan for the reactor control equipment room (2023-04), replacing the deionization water process loop pressure gauges (2023-06), and replacing the original wooden core and rack storage map (2024-01).
1.4 Facility Documentation Updates Several chapters of the facility Safety Analysis Report (SAR) remain under revision in accordance with MSTR License Amendment 23 and changes made under 10 CFR 50.59. These chapters are identified in Table 1-1 and will be transmitted to the Commission following final review and approval by the reactor oversight committee (Radiation Safety Committee).
Table 1-1 List of Revised MSTR SAR Chapters Chapter Title Rev.
Notes 0
Front Matter B
General updates, revision tracking 1
The Facility B
General updates, facility modifications, License Amendment 23 5
Auxiliary chiller, formatting 7
Instrumentation and Controls Systems B
General updates, digital recorders, linear channel installation, AMS-4, PLC/RCS changes 8
Electrical Power System B
Auxiliary chiller, overhead crane 9
Auxiliary Facilities B
General updates and overhead crane 11 Radiation Protection Program and Waste Management B
General updates and formatting 12 Conduct of Operations B
Amendment 23
2023-2024 MSTR Annual Report, Revision 0 4
Table 1-2 lists Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) revised during the reporting period. In-line with facility Technical Specifications and SOP 100 (Preamble), minor procedure changes are made by the facility director or designee (reactor manager), while major or safety-significant procedure changes (including new procedures) are reviewed and approved by the Radiation Safety Committee.
Table 1-2 List of Revised MSTR SOPs SOP Title Date Notes Index Index 10/10/2023 Updated 101 General Operational Procedures 03/18/2024 Updated 102 Pre-Startup Checklist Procedure 02/20/2024 Updated 108 Weekly Check 02/20/2024 Updated 300 Work Control 10/10/2023 New Procedure 308 Restoration of AC Power Following a Power Outage 08/15/2023 Complete Revision Index (300) Index - Special Operations 10/10/2023 Updated 501 Emergency Procedures for Reactor Building Evacuation-Call List 10/10/2023 Updated 501 Emergency Procedures for Reactor Building Evacuation-Call List 03/11/2024 Updated 800 Annual Checklist 01/08/2024 Complete Revision 801 Log and Linear Channel Calibration 01/08/2024 Complete Revision 802 Linear Channel Calibration 01/08/2024 Complete Revision 803 Log Count Rate (LCR) Channel Maintenance 01/08/2024 Complete Revision 804 Safety Channel Calibration 01/08/2024 Complete Revision 807 Rod Position Indicator Calibration 10/10/2023 New Procedure 808 Nuclear Instrumentation Detector Maintenance 10/10/2023 New Procedure Index (800) Index - Reactor Instrumentation 10/10/2023 Updated
2023-2024 MSTR Annual Report, Revision 0 5
2.0 REACTOR STAFF AND PERSONNEL 2.1 Reactor Staff MSTR Staff are identified in Table 2-1. It is noted that the Reactor Manager is also designated the facility Training Coordinator, and Mr. Brohman, Ms. Blakely, and Ms. Parker-Reece also serve as Assistant Training Coordinators.
Table 2-1 MSTR Staff Name Title Dr. Joseph Graham Reactor Director Mr. Ethan Taber Reactor Manager Mr. Obeyda Al Muhaisen1 Reactor Engineer Mr. Cole Kostelac2 Senior Reactor Operator (Part-Time)
Ms. Alice Skye2 Senior Reactor Operator (Part-Time)
Mr. Colin Zerfass2 Senior Reactor Operator (Part-Time)
Mr. Nathan Jackson Senior Reactor Operator (Part-Time)
Mr. Teagan Brohman Senior Reactor Operator (Part-Time)
Ms. Narrie Loftus Reactor Operator (Part-Time)
Mr. Alex Laschinger2 Reactor Operator (Part-Time)
Mr. Zachary Drake Reactor Operator (Part-Time)
Mr. Michael Halpryn Reactor Operator (Part-Time)
Ms. Kelso Blakely3 Reactor Operator (Part Time)
Ms. Liatris Parker-Reece4 Reactor Operator (Part Time)
Ms. Sydney Wagner5 Reactor Operator (Part-Time)
Mr. Thomas Merchiori5 Reactor Operator (Part-Time)
Mr. Tivon Straub5 Reactor Operator (Part-Time)
Mr. Alejandro Mier-Calva Student Assistant (Part-Time) 1 Started July 2023 2 Terminated May 2023 3 Started May 2023 4 Started August 2023 5 Started January 2024
2023-2024 MSTR Annual Report, Revision 0 6
2.2 Licensed Operators Table 2-2 MSTR Operators Name License Type Ethan Taber Senior Reactor Operator Cole Kostelac6 Senior Reactor Operator Alice Skye6 Senior Reactor Operator Colin Zerfass7,6 Senior Reactor Operator Nathan Jackson8 Senior Reactor Operator Teagan Brohman8 Senior Reactor Operator Joseph Graham Reactor Operator Narrie Loftus Reactor Operator Alex Laschinger6 Reactor Operator Edward Zorek6 Reactor Operator Zachary Drake Reactor Operator Michael Halpryn Reactor Operator Kelso Blakely9 Reactor Operator Liatris Parker-Reece9 Reactor Operator Isaac McAdams10 Reactor Operator Thomas Merchiori10 Reactor Operator Tivon Straub10 Reactor Operator Sydney Wagner10 Reactor Operator 6 License Terminated May 30, 2023 7 License Upgraded April 24, 2023 8 License Upgraded November 30, 2023 9 Licensed April 24, 2023 10 Licensed November 30, 2023
2023-2024 MSTR Annual Report, Revision 0 7
2.3 Health Physics The Missouri S&T Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) provides the health physics support for the Missouri S&T Reactor, with EHS being organizationally independent of the MSTR. Health Physics personnel are listed in Table 2-3, and it is noted that the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) continues to serve in a dual capacity as the Health Physicist.
A hiring search is open as of the end of the reporting period to fill the Health Physicist vacancy.
Table 2-3 Health Physics and EHS Staff Name Title Ms. Michelle Bresnahan Director of EHS, Radiation Safety Officer Mr. Brandon Rekus11 Assistant Director of EHS Mr. Tony Hunt Environmental Health Professional (Part-time)
Ms. Donna Kreisler Environmental Health Professional (Part-time)
Ms. Lucille Hook Health Physics Technician (Part-time)
Ms. Kassandra Hayes Health Physics Technician (Part-time)
Ms. Trinitee Dale Health Physics Technician (Part-time) 11 Promoted to position August 2023
2023-2024 MSTR Annual Report, Revision 0 8
2.4 Radiation Safety Committee The Missouri S&T Radiation Safety Committee performs on-campus oversight of the MSTR operations and meets quarterly. The committee met on 6/14/2023, 9/20/2023, 12/13/2023, and 3/21/2024. The committee members are listed on Table 2-3.
Table 2-4 Radiation Safety Committee Members Name Department Dr. Mark Fitch12 Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering Ms. Michelle Bresnahan Environmental Health and Safety Dr. Shoaib Usman Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Science Dr. Yue-Wern Huang13 Biological Sciences Mr. Tony Hunt13 Environmental Health and Safety Dr. Carlos Castano Giraldo Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Science Dr. Amitava Choudhury Chemistry Dr. Muthanna Al-Dahhan Chemical and Biological Engineering Dr. Joseph Graham Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Science Mr. Ethan Taber Missouri S&T Reactor Ms. Lisa Cerney Fiscal Services Dr. Anthony Convertine14 Materials Science and Engineering Dr. Halyna Hodovanets14 Physics Dr. Jason Lonergan14 Materials Science and Engineering 12 Committee Chair 13 Retired from Committee June 30, 2023 14 Joined Committee July 1, 2023
2023-2024 MSTR Annual Report, Revision 0 9
3.0 REACTOR OPERATIONS Core configuration 132 is presently in use at the facility. The W mode core is completely water reflected and used for normal operations and beam port operations. The T mode (core positioned near graphite thermal column) may be used for various experiments and thermal column usage.
Core 132 has been in use since August 10, 2022. Table 3-1 presents the most recent, pertinent core data for the 132-configuration in both W-and T-mode. The excess reactivity, shutdown margins, and rod worths were measured as required by TS 4.1.1 and under reference core conditions. Figure 3-1 depicts the core maps for designation 132 respectively.
Table 3-1 MSTR Core Technical Data Core Mode Rod Worth (%k/k)
(%k/k)
Excess Reactivity
(%k/k)
Rod #1 Rod #2 Rod #3 Reg. Rod 132 W
2.378 2.371 2.068 0.506 3.760 0.647 T
2.423 2.396 2.163 0.507 3.758 0.762 Key to Prefixes and Identifiers for Core Configuration F
Full Element C
Control Element HF Half Front Element HR Half Rear Element IF Irradiation Fuel Element BRT Bare Rabbit CRT Cadmium Rabbit HC Hot Cell Rabbit S
Source CA Core Access IPA Isotope Production Assembly Figure 3-1 MSTR Core 132 Configuration A
B S
F1 F9 C
F2 C5 F18 C3 F13 D
F14 F16 IF1 F11 F15 E
F3 C2 F17 C1 F12 F
CRT F7 BRT F10 HC 1
2 3
4 5
6 7
8 9
2023-2024 MSTR Annual Report, Revision 0 10 Table 3-2 shows reactor utilization, while Table 3-3 shows specific irradiation facility usage.
Table 3-2 Reactor Utilization Reactor Use 434.7 hr.
Time at Power 319.1 hr.
Energy Generated 25,018.5 kW-hr.
Total Number of Samples, Neutron Irradiated 31 U-235 Burned 1.095 g U-235 Burned and Converted 1.293 g Table 3-3 Experimental Facility Usage Facility Minutes Neutron Irradiation Bare Rabbit Tube 162.3 Cadmium Rabbit Tube 0.0 Beam Port 0.0 Thermal Column 0.0 Core Access Element 0.0 Isotope Production Element 0.0 Irradiation Fuel Element 10.0 Hot Cell 0.0 Other Facility 1,796.0 Total 1,968.3 Gamma Irradiation Void Tube 0.0 Total 0.0
2023-2024 MSTR Annual Report, Revision 0 11 Fifteen unscheduled shutdowns (scrams, rundowns, and unplanned normal shutdowns) occurred during the reporting period, which are documented in Table 3-4 and Table 3-5. All 150% Full Power Scrams were traced to a failing power supply module, which was replaced after the end of the reporting period. Significant maintenance activities are listed in Table 3-6.
Table 3-4 Unplanned Shutdowns (Scrams)
Date and Time Type Cause Corrective Action SRO Permission to Restart?
10/20/2023 - 1139 150% Full Power SCRAM Noise spike on safety channel #1 No corrective action necessary Yes 11/13/2023 - 1613 150% Full Power SCRAM Noise Spike on safety channel #1 No corrective action necessary Operations concluded for the day 12/1/2023 - 1124 150% Full Power SCRAM Unknown system behavior for SC1 Report failure, troubleshoot system.
Operations concluded for the day 2/22/2024 - 1234 Unplanned Shutdown Rods 2 and 3 lost Magnet power Rod drop test performed, failure attributed to AC power flicker Yes 2/29/2024 - 1549 150% Full Power SCRAM SC1 spike from amplifier power supply failure No corrective action necessary Operations concluded for the day 3/5/2024 - 1037 150% Full Power SCRAM SC1 spike from amplifier power supply failure No corrective action necessary Yes 3/5/2024 - 1537 150% Full Power SCRAM SC1 spike from amplifier power supply failure No corrective action necessary Yes, but operations concluded 3/19/2024 - 924 150% Full Power SCRAM SC1 spike from amplifier power supply failure No corrective action necessary Yes 3/19/2024 - 933 150% Full Power SCRAM SC1 failed from amplifier power supply flicker No corrective action necessary Yes 3/22/2024 - 1223 Unplanned Shutdown Rod 3 lost magnet power following switch to manual control Rod drop test performed, Magnet gain adjusted Yes
2023-2024 MSTR Annual Report, Revision 0 12 Table 3-5 Unplanned Shutdowns (Rundowns)
Date and Time Type Cause Corrective Action SRO Permission to Restart?
5/4/2023 - 1106 120% Demand Rundown Student mistakenly downscaled Reminded student to monitor scale and scaling mode yes 7/13/2023 - 1229
<15 Second Period Rundown Caused by fuel element proximity to detector Notify fuel handler to be conscious of position 7/13/2023 - 1233
<15 Second Period Rundown Caused by coupling between source and element to detector Attempt alternate approach path with element yes 9/7/2023 - 1549 120% Demand Rundown Caused by trainee not upscaling or entering range limited mode prior to rundown setpoint Remind trainee and operator to follow procedures regarding scaling yes 11/9/2023 - 1207 120% Demand Rundown Operator did not upscale or switch to automatic scaling SRO reminded operator to upscale or selected autoscaling yes
2023-2024 MSTR Annual Report, Revision 0 13 Table 3-6 Maintenance Date/Time Issue or Basis Action or Corrective Action 04/07/2023 0950 Rod 3 removed for inspection of shroud damage Rod 3 removed, and shroud inspected for further damage. Rod 3 reinstalled.
Full height SCRAM performed per SOP 813.
05/11/2023 1700 Conductivity Cell #1 reading low values Demineralizer conductivity cell replaced, calibration factors and setpoints adjusted.
06/01/2023 1443 Insert Limit Switch of Fission Chamber replacement Limit switch was replaced.
7/10/2023 951 to 7/13/2023 1248 TS-Required Control Rod Visual Inspection Core unload, rod visual inspection, core reload, and SOP 813 7/19/2023 1500 Safety Channel Calibration Performed per SOP 804 08/24/2023 1300 to 1635 Fission Chamber experiencing noise Fission chamber and preamplifier removed for troubleshooting. Cable CBL101 replaced and labeled as CB102.
Preamplifier and fission chamber reinstalled and tested.
09/13/2023 1133 Startup Channel calibration Performed per SOP 803 10/11/2023 1058 to 1650 Removal of Thermocouples 1, 2, and 3 Performed per SOP 806 10/12/2023 1043 Rod 3 removed for inspection of shroud damage.
Rod 3 disassembled and removed.
Shroud inspected for further damage, deemed to be fit for use. Magnet, shroud, and rod reassembled. Rod drop (SOP 813) performed as a check.
10/16/2023 1022 to 1553 Startup Channel experiencing noise Startup channel preamplifier disconnected, and wire connections tested. Cable 103 replaced. Preamplifier reconnected.
10/18/2023 1817 IR1 (Log Power) reading low Recorder signal adjusted 10V to 9.960V for 100%
11/07/2023 1103 Safety Channel 2 reading too low Gain manually adjusted 86.3% to 90.0%
2023-2024 MSTR Annual Report, Revision 0 14 Date/Time Issue or Basis Action or Corrective Action 11/23/2023 1642 Safety Channels experiencing noise Cable CB-138 was disconnected for maintenance on safety channels.
Connections tested and verified. Cable reconnected after maintenance complete.
11/28/2023 1545 Safety Channel 2 reading too high Gain manually adjusted 95.5% to 91.5%
12/01/2023 1255 to 01/09/2024 1135 Safety Channel 1 causing unplanned shutdowns Unusual behavior from SC1 during operation. Disconnected for troubleshooting and maintenance.
Diagnosis was faulty power supply.
12/01/2023 1057 Safety Channel 2 reading too low Gain manually adjusted 47.0% to 50.0 %
01/24/2024 1252 TS-required Rod Drop Time Test Performed per SOP 813 02/19/2024 0730 to 02/20/2024 1527 Mod 2024-02 Implemented and tested per Installation and Test Plan 02/20/2024 1000 Analog input failure on RCS PLC Input block replaced 02/22/2024 1001 Safety Channel 2 too high Gain manually adjusted 105.7% to 100.2%
02/26/2024 0830 to 1230 Noble Gas Monitor flow low Noble GM removed from service for maintenance. Tubing replaced. Noble gas monitor brought back into service.
02/27/2024 1445 to 1526 Debris found on F17 Debris found during pre-startup core checks on F17. Thermocouple #2 removed for access. Debris removed, thermocouple replaced.
02/29/2024 1554 to 1638 Continued issues with Safety Channel 1 SC1 disconnected for measurement of amplifier power supply bracket.
03/04/2024 0906 Fission Chamber Insert Limit switch adjustment Fission chamber got stuck when inserted too far towards the core. Limit switch adjusted.
03/11/2024 0926 Console clock adjustment Clock time changed from 0826 to 0926 for daylight savings time.
03/20/2024 1120 to 1204 Continued issues with Safety Channel 1 SC1 disconnected for maintenance and troubleshooting. SC1 reconnected and connections verified.
2023-2024 MSTR Annual Report, Revision 0 15 Date/Time Issue or Basis Action or Corrective Action 03/22/2024 1129 Safety Channel 2 reading too low Gain manually adjusted 98.2% to 99.7%
04/05/2024 1230 to 1542 Log/Linear power range level percent reading lower than other instrumentation Log/Linear signal, HV, and CV disconnected. Log/Linear power range level percent increased from 96.0% to 100.0%. Channel reconnected.
2023-2024 MSTR Annual Report, Revision 0 16 4.0 EDUCATIONAL UTILIZATION The reactor facility supported 12 Nuclear Engineering courses in the past year for 223 students and 1,242.3 student-hours. The reactor supported 1 graduate student for 29.9 hours1.041667e-4 days <br />0.0025 hours <br />1.488095e-5 weeks <br />3.4245e-6 months <br /> and Reactor Operator Training for 15-66 students (6 exam-track senior trainees, 3 SRO exam-track operators, and 6 [min] to 57 [max] junior trainees) for 1,184 student-hours. Approximately 200 hours0.00231 days <br />0.0556 hours <br />3.306878e-4 weeks <br />7.61e-5 months <br /> of supporting operations (including experiment preparation and spectroscopy) were involved for these educational (non-training) uses.
Table 4-1 lists Missouri S&T classes taught at the facility along with associated reactor usage for this reporting period.
Table 4-1 S&T Classes at MSTR Semester Class Number/Title
- of Students Time at Reactor (hrs.)
Student Hours SP 2023 NE 1105: Nuclear Technology Applications 5
0.98 2.95 SP 2023 NE 2406: Reactor Operations I 21 25.52 50.20 SP 2023 NE 4312: Nuclear Radiation Measurements and Spectroscopy 15 4.22 31.83 SP 2023 NE 4438: Reactor Laboratory II 24 1.00 1.00 FS 2023 NE 1105: Nuclear Technology Applications 52 4.90 65.88 FS 2023 NE 2406: Reactor Operations I 15 35.33 93.43 FS 2023 NE 4428: Reactor Laboratory I 18 51.00 918.00 SP 2024 NE 1105: Nuclear Technology Applications 6
0.88 2.63 SP 2024 NE 2406: Reactor Operations I 19 23.43 73.43 SP 2024 NE 4312: Nuclear Radiation Measurements and Spectroscopy 30 0.0015 0.00 SP 2024 NE 4438: Reactor Laboratory II 18 1.42 2.92 15 Class and facility schedule did not allow for experiments at the reactor during the reporting period.
2023-2024 MSTR Annual Report, Revision 0 17 The Reactor Sharing Program was a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) project intended to establish awareness and share education about the nuclear field beyond the campus. The MSTR established a corresponding program in 1990 and, while not presently DOE funded, is still active at the MSTR. As a related component, future nuclear engineering students are also brought to the facility for departmental tours.
MSTR still provides outreach opportunities for local schools. During the reporting period, 1,338 students, instructors, and public guests visited the MSTR facility for a total of 1,591.69 visitor-hours. Table 4-2 lists groups of at least 5 individuals that were involved that are not a part of the S&T Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Science Department. MSTR serves as a strong campus-wide recruiting tool by attracting students to the university and generating interest in nuclear engineering, science, and technology.
Table 4-2 Reactor Sharing Program and Tours Date Event/Group
- of Visitors Time at Reactor (hrs.)
Visitor-Hours 4/03/2023 Tour 5
0.35 1.75 4/07/2023 Tour 5
0.23 1.17 4/07/2023 Tour 9
1.05 9.45 4/07/2023 Tour 8
0.7 5.6 4/07/2023 Tour 5
0.83 4.42 4/07/2023 Tour 9
0.77 6.9 4/10/2023 Energy Econ Tour 9
0.75 6.75 4/10/2023 Energy Econ Tour 6
0.75 4.5 4/18/2023 Tour 5
1.23 6.17 4/19/2023 Virtual Tour 6
0.3 1.8 5/13/2023 Tour 5
0.9 4.5 5/31/2023 MMA Day./Tour 12 0.67 8
5/31/2023 MMA Day/Tour 15 0.58 8.75 5/31/2023 MMA Day/Tour 5
0.92 4.58 5/31/2023 MMA Day/Tour 18 0.63 11.4 6/04/2023 NE Camp Parent Tour 15 0.5 7.5 6/04/2023 NE Camp Parent Tour 11 0.45 4.95 6/04/2023 NE Camp Parent Tour 12 0.68 8.2 6/05/2023 Nuclear Summer Camp Tour 5
1.07 5.33 6/05/2023 Nuclear Summer Camp Tour 6
1.03 6.2 6/05/2023 Nuclear Summer Camp Tour 5
1.03 5.17 6/05/2023 Nuclear Summer Camp Tour 6
0.98 1.97 6/06/2023 NERS Camp Tour 7
1.23 8.63
2023-2024 MSTR Annual Report, Revision 0 18 Date Event/Group
- of Visitors Time at Reactor (hrs.)
Visitor-Hours 6/06/2023 NERS Camp Tour 6
1.38 8.3 6/06/2023 NERS Camp Tour 6
1.52 9.1 6/06/2023 NERS Camp Tour 6
1.62 9.72 6/06/2023 NERS Camp Tour 5
1.1 5.5 6/27/2023 Jacking Camp Tour 5
0.67 3.33 6/27/2023 Jacking Camp Tour 5
0.67 3.33 6/27/2023 Jacking Camp Tour 6
0.83 5
6/29/2023 Jacking Camp Tour 6
0.78 4.7 6/29/2023 Jacking Camp Tour 5
0.73 3.67 6/29/2023 Jacking Camp Tour 7
0.77 5.37 6/29/2023 Jacking Camp Tour 5
0.7 3.5 7/20/2023 NE Department Tour 5
0.97 4.83 7/21/2023 NE Department Tour 7
0.82 5.72 8/01/2023 Campus Tour 8
0.4 3.2 8/01/2023 Campus Tour 7
0.4 2.8 8/02/2023 Tour 7
0.53 3.73 8/02/2023 Tour 10 0.58 5.83 8/02/2023 Tour 8
0.63 5.07 8/02/2023 Tour 5
0.7 3.5 8/02/2023 Tour 7
0.65 4.55 8/02/2023 Tour 13 0.58 7.58 8/02/2023 Tour 6
0.43 2.6 8/02/2023 Tour 6
0.38 2.3 8/18/2023 Tour 6
0.42 2.5 8/18/2023 Tour 7
0.42 2.92 8/18/2023 Tour 5
0.33 1.67 8/19/2023 Corner Stone Peers Tour 9
0.25 2.25 8/19/2023 Corner Stone Peers Tour 6
0.25 1.5 8/19/2023 Corner Stone Peers Tour 5
0.25 1.25 8/19/2023 Corner Stone Peers Tour 10 0.25 2.5 8/19/2023 Corner Stone Peers Tour 6
0.25 1.5 8/19/2023 Corner Stone Peers Tour 11 0.25 2.75 8/19/2023 Corner Stone Peers Tour 5
0.25 1.25 8/19/2023 Corner Stone Peers Tour 10 0.25 2.5 8/19/2023 Corner Stone Peers Tour 6
0.33 2
9/01/2023 Onboarding Tours 7
1.1 7.7 9/22/2023 Friends & Parents Weekend Tour 7
0.53 3.73 9/22/2023 Friends & Parents Weekend Tour 6
0.5 3
2023-2024 MSTR Annual Report, Revision 0 19 Date Event/Group
- of Visitors Time at Reactor (hrs.)
Visitor-Hours 9/22/2023 Friends & Parents Weekend Tour 11 0.4 4.4 9/22/2023 Friends & Parents Weekend Tour 8
0.43 3.47 9/22/2023 Friends & Parents Weekend Tour 6
0.383 2.3 10/02/2023 Onboarding Tours 5
0.6 3
10/6/2023 Campus Tour 6
1.15 6.9 10/14/2023 Department Open House Tour 6
0.68 4.1 10/14/2023 Department Open House Tour 5
0.57 2.83 10/20/2023 Discovery Day Tour 5
1 5
10/20/2023 NSW Blue Glow Tours 7
0.4 2.8 10/20/2023 NSW Blue Glow Tours 8
0.37 2.93 10/20/2023 NSW Blue Glow Tours 6
0.38 2.3 10/20/2023 NSW Blue Glow Tours 5
0.35 1.75 10/20/2023 NSW Blue Glow Tours 5
0.32 1.58 10/20/2023 NSW Blue Glow Tours 6
0.37 2.2 10/20/2023 NSW Blue Glow Tours 5
0.32 1.58 10/20/2023 NSW Blue Glow Tours 5
0.28 1.42 10/20/2023 NSW Blue Glow Tours 8
0.35 2.8 10/20/2023 NSW Blue Glow Tours 7
0.38 2.68 10/20/2023 NSW Blue Glow Tours 8
0.37 2.93 10/20/2023 NSW Blue Glow Tours 5
0.38 1.92 10/27/2023 Discovery Day Tour 7
1.25 8.75 11/01/2023 FE 1100 Tour 5
0.63 3.17 11/01/2023 FE 1100 Tour 5
0.58 2.92 11/01/2023 FE 1100 Tour 5
0.53 2.67 11/01/2023 FE 1100 Tour 5
0.38 1.92 11/03/2023 Discovery Day Tour 5
1.03 5.17 11/07/2023 Energy Econ Tour 6
0.88 5.3 11/08/2023 STEM Day Tour 5
0.67 3.33 11/08/2023 STEM Day Tour 15 0.6 9
11/08/2023 STEM Day Tour 15 0.27 4
11/08/2023 STEM Day Tour 15 0.25 3.75 11/08/2023 STEM Day Tour 5
0.25 1.25 11/10/2023 Open House Tour 7
0.88 6.18 11/11/2023 Si Se Puede Tour 5
0.58 2.92 11/11/2023 Si Se Puede Tour 10 0.5 5
11/29/2023 Homeschool Field Trip Tour 17 0.62 10.48 11/29/2023 Homeschool Field Trip Tour 9
0.58 5.25
2023-2024 MSTR Annual Report, Revision 0 20 Date Event/Group
- of Visitors Time at Reactor (hrs.)
Visitor-Hours 11/29/2023 Homeschool Field Trip Tour 5
0.5 2.5 11/29/2023 Homeschool Field Trip Tour 9
0.8 7.2 11/29/2023 Homeschool Field Trip Tour 8
0.42 3.33 1/19/2024 Women in Physics Conference Tour 15 2.53 38 1/19/2024 Women in Physics Conference Tour 7
0.37 2.57 1/29/2024 Women in Physics Conference Tour 5
0.4 2
1/29/2024 Women in Physics Conference Tour 13 0.42 5.42 1/19/2024 Women in Physics Conference Tour 24 0.3 7.2 2/10/2024 Boy Scouts Tour 8
0.5 4
2/10/2024 Boy Scouts Tour 7
0.43 3.03 2/10/2024 Boy Scouts Tour 7
0.4 2.8 2/10/2024 Boy Scouts Tour 8
0.42 3.33 2/19/2024 Tour 9
0.98 8.85 2/19/2024 Tour 9
0.92 8.25 2/22/2024 Tour 5
0.6 3
2/22/2024 Tour 7
0.55 3.85 2/22/2024 Tour 6
0.73 4.4 2/22/2024 Tour 7
0.56 3.97 3/11/2024 Tour 10 1.02 10.17 3/15/2024 Tour 5
0.85 4.25 3/18/2024 Tour 6
1.22 7.3 3/22/2024 Tour 6
1.17 7
3/26/2024 Tour 5
1.17 5.85
2023-2024 MSTR Annual Report, Revision 0 21 5.0 REACTOR HEALTH PHYSICS ACTIVITIES The health physics activities at the Missouri S&T Reactor facility consist primarily of radiation and contamination surveys, monitoring of personnel exposures, airborne activity, pool water activity, and waste disposal. Releases of all by-product material to authorized, licensed recipients are surveyed and recorded. In addition, health physics activities include calibrations of portable and stationary radiation detection instruments, personnel training, special surveys and monitoring of non-routine procedures.
5.1 Routine Surveys Monthly radiation exposure surveys of the facility consist of direct gamma and neutron measurements. No unusual exposure rates were identified. Monthly surface contamination surveys consist of 20 to 40 swipes counted separately for alpha and beta/gamma activity. No significant contamination outside of contained work areas were found.
5.2 By-Product Material Release Surveys There were no shipments of by-product material released off campus under the MSTR license (R-79).
5.3 Routine Monitoring Approximately 30-50 reactor facility personnel and students involved with the operations or regular experiments in the reactor facility are assigned Landauer Luxel+ optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters (OSLDs). The quantity of OSLDs issued varies throughout the year due to class enrollment and personnel turnover, with reactor staff and operator trainees issued OSLDs as soon as practical after their start. The reactor staff have beta, gamma, and neutron whole-body dosimeters along with individual dosimetry rings and five area dosimeters. Staff dosimetry is read either semi-monthly for full time staff or monthly for part time staff. There have been no significant personnel exposures during this reporting period.
There are three environmental dosimeters outside the reactor building which are read quarterly. There are also five other beta, gamma, neutron dosimeters used by the health physics personnel and four other area beta, gamma neutron dosimeters that are read monthly. All remaining dosimeters are also read monthly. In addition, 10 digital, direct-reading dosimeters are used for non-TLD-issued students and visitors. These digital dosimeters are also used for high radiation work along with audible dosimeters. No students or visitors received any reportable or significant exposure.
2023-2024 MSTR Annual Report, Revision 0 22 Airborne activity in the reactor bay is monitored by a fixed filter, particulate continuous air monitor (CAM), as well as a noble gas monitor. Low levels of Argon-41 are routinely produced during operations.
Pool water activity is monitored monthly to ensure that no gross pool contamination or fuel cladding rupture has occurred. Gross counts and spectra of long-lived gamma activity are compared to previous monthly counts. From April 2023 through March 2024 monthly sample concentrations averaged 2.301x10-4 µCi/mL.
Release of gaseous Ar-41 activity through the building exhausts is determined by relating the operating times of the exhaust fans and reactor power during fan operation to previously measured air activity at maximum reactor power. Based upon a bounding release calculation, a yearly administrative limit of 50 MW-hr of operations has been established to ensure compliance with 10 CFR 20.1101 (d). During this period, an estimated 264 mCi of Ar-41 was released.
5.4 Waste Disposal The MSTR does not usually ship solid wastes directly from the facility to final disposal.
Instead, solid waste, including water filters, used resins, and contaminated paper/gloves is stored and/or transferred to the campus waste storage area (and license) for later shipment to a commercial burial site. No solid wastes were transferred during the reporting period.
No liquid waste was released to the sanitary sewer during this period.
5.5 Instrument Calibration Portable survey instruments and meters are calibrated annually. Five portable survey meters were calibrated on 9/21/2023 by Missouri S&T Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) and Reactor Staff, with the next calibration due in September 2024. For higher range instruments, six portable ion chambers (analog and digital) were calibrated by an offsite vendor (Ludlum Instruments) between 4/1/2023 and 1/2/2024. The Ludlum portable neutron monitor was calibrated on 8/30/2022 and the PRESCILA portable neutron monitors were calibrated on 6/14/2022 and 6/29/2022.
The personal digital dosimeters are calibrated by Mirion Technologies. Five of the digital dosimeters were calibrated on 5/16/2023 and will be due for calibration May 2024. The remaining five calibrated on 10/13/2023 and will be due for calibration October 2024.
Both the neutron and gamma radiation area monitors (RAMs) were calibrated on 7/18/2023. The next full calibration is due July 2024.
2023-2024 MSTR Annual Report, Revision 0 23 6.0 PLANS The reactor staff will continue to be involved in four major undertakings during the next reporting period: 1) control system improvements, 2) continuation of the reactor operator training program, and 3) revenue-generating activities.
6.1 Control System Improvements A MasterClock GMR5000 system has been procured for use in the MSTR control system. The GMR5000 will be used to generate precise timing and synchronization to eliminate time differences on the digital recorders and programmable logic controllers. The unit can also be used for precision timing applications in experiments and as a pulse generator. The console clock will also be replaced and synchronized to the new system. Networking improvements will be concurrently performed between the digital control system components.
A new data historian/Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system is also planned for installation and integration with the reactor control system. The historian and data diode(s) will support unidirectional and secure communications to broadcast data outside of the control room. These data streams can then be utilized for off-site monitoring and laboratory class remote usage.
6.2 Reactor Operator Training The training program has proven to be effective in maintaining a pipeline of operators for the facility. The students who remain in the program are dedicated and remain focused on succeeding in the program. At the end of the reporting period, 10 students were training to undergo operator licensing in fall 2024. Several student operators are also seeking to pursue Senior Reactor Operator licensure.
6.3 Revenue-Generating Activities With significant strides made in preventative and outstanding maintenance, the facility can now maintain acceptable levels of uptime. Thus, the facility should be able to provide additional focus on, and support to, revenue-generating activities via research and isotope production.