ML25168A138
| ML25168A138 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | University of Wisconsin |
| Issue date: | 06/20/2025 |
| From: | Tony Brown NRC/NRR/DANU/UNPO |
| To: | Agasie R Univ of Wisconsin |
| References | |
| IR 2025201 | |
| Download: ML25168A138 (1) | |
Text
Mr. Robert J. Agasie, Reactor Director Nuclear Reactor Laboratory University of Wisconsin - Madison 1513 University Avenue, Room 1215 Madison, WI 53706-1687
SUBJECT:
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION ROUTINE INSPECTION REPORT NO. 05000156/2025201
Dear Mr. Agasie:
From May 5-9, 2025, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff conducted an inspection at the University of Wisconsin Nuclear Reactor. The inspection results were discussed with you and members of your staff, as well as Dr. Paul Wilson, Chair of the Engineering Physics Department and Reactor Safety Committee Chair on May 9, 2025. The enclosed report documents the inspection results.
The inspection examined activities conducted under your license as they relate to safety and compliance with the Commissions rules and regulations and with the conditions of your license.
The inspector reviewed selected procedures and records, observed various activities, and interviewed personnel. Based on the results of this inspection, no findings of significance were identified. No response to this letter is required.
In accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations Section 2.390, Public inspections, exemptions, requests for withholding, a copy of this letter, its enclosure, and your response (if any) will be available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or from the Publicly Available Records component of NRCs document system (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS)). ADAMS is accessible from the NRC website at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html (the Public Electronic Reading Room).
June 20, 2025
R. Agasie Should you have any questions concerning this inspection, please contact Craig Bassett at 240-535-1842, or via email at Craig.Bassett@nrc.gov.
Sincerely, Tony Brown, Chief Non-Power Production and Utilization Facility Oversight Branch Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-156 License No. R-74
Enclosure:
As stated cc w/enclosure: GovDelivery Subscribers Signed by Brown, Tony on 06/20/25
ML25168A138 NRC-002 OFFICE NRR/DANU/UNPO/RI NRR/DANU/UNPO/LA NRR/DANU/UNPO/BC NAME CBassett NParker TBrown DATE 6/17/2025 6/20/2025 6/20/2025
Enclosure U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION Docket No.:
50-156 License No.:
R-74 Report No.:
05000156/2025201 Licensee:
University of Wisconsin Facility:
University of Wisconsin Nuclear Reactor Location:
Madison, WI Dates:
May 5-9, 2025 Inspector:
Craig Bassett Approved by:
Tony Brown, Chief Non-Power Production and Utilization Facility Oversight Branch Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
2
SUMMARY
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) continued monitoring the licensees performance by conducting an inspection at the University of Wisconsin in accordance with the research and test reactor inspection program. This is the NRCs program for overseeing the safe operation of licensed research and test reactors. Refer to https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/non-power.html for more information.
List of Violations No violations of more than minor significance were identified.
Additional Tracking Items None.
3 REPORT DETAILS Facility Status The University of Wisconsin 1 megawatt TRIGA [Training, Research, Isotopes, General Atomics] conversion reactor is operated as needed in support of laboratory and lecture courses, research and reactor operator training, outreach and community services, and irradiation services. During this inspection, the reactor was operated for training and operator evaluations.
Inspection Scopes Inspections were conducted using the appropriate portions of the inspection procedures (IPs) in effect at the beginning of the inspection unless otherwise noted. Currently approved IPs with their attached revision histories are located on the public at htts://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/insp-manual/inspection-procedure/index.html. Inspections were declared complete when the IP requirements most appropriate to the inspection activity were met consistent with Inspection Manual Chapter 2545, Research and Test Reactor Inspection Program. The inspector reviewed selected procedures and records, observed activities, and interviewed personnel to assess licensee performance and compliance with Commission rules and regulations, license conditions, site procedures, and standards.
69001 - Class II Non-Power Reactors This inspection included a review of selected aspects of the research and test reactor, since the last inspection, to verify activities were conducted safely and in accordance with regulatory requirements and licensee commitments.
Organization and Staffing (IP Section 02.01)
This inspection included a review of the licensees organizational changes and shift staffing records to verify compliance with technical specification (TS) requirements and licensee commitments. Specifically, the inspection included a review of the following:
staffing requirements for reactor operations management responsibilities stipulated in the TSs various University of Wisconsin Nuclear Reactor (UWNR) operating procedures organizational structure of the UWNR facility outlined in the facility TSs UWNR annual operating reports for the past two fiscal years Operations Logs and Records (IP 69001, Section 02.02)
This inspection included a review of the licensees operation logs and records to verify they were maintained and that significant issues were reported and resolved as required by the TSs and the licensees administrative procedures. Specifically, the inspection included a review of the following:
various UWNR operating procedures selected audits and reviews completed by various groups UWNR annual operating reports for the past two fiscal years
4 UWNR operators turn-over log maintained on the control room computer inspector observed a reactor startup to low power and then the operator proceeded on to full power operation Procedures (IP Section 02.03)
This inspection included a review of selected licensee procedures to verify administrative controls were in accordance with the TSs, license requirements, and licensee commitments; the procedures in use were current and reviewed and approved, as required by the TSs; procedures could be implemented as intended; and reactor personnel were observing administrative controls and TS requirements related to procedural adherence.
Specifically, the inspection included a review of the following:
UWNR administrative procedure Number (No.) 005 annual procedural reviews and updates UWNR annual operating reports for the past two fiscal years Requalification Training (IP 69001, Section 02.04)
This inspection included a review of selected documents pertaining to operator requalification training to verify requirements of the licensees approved requalification plan and Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 55, Operators Licenses were met. Specifically, the inspection included a review of the following:
selected operating records active operators license status quarterly operator evaluation sheets written examination records for the past 2 years selected operator medical examination records various training records and forms for selected individuals operator requalification program outlined in UWNR Procedure No. 004 inspector observed as the Reactor Supervisor conducted two quarterly evaluations of licensed reactor operators Surveillance and Limiting Conditions for Operation (IP 69001, Section 02.05)
This inspection included a review of surveillances listed in the TSs to verify requirements were met. Limiting conditions for operation were also reviewed to verify that operating conditions were maintained in accordance with the licensees procedural requirements. Specifically, the inspection included a review of the following:
pool leak surveillance program data selected surveillance forms and records associated with various UWNR procedures including No. 100, No. 110, No. 122, No. 167, No. 169, No. 170, and No. 173 UWNR annual operating reports for the past two fiscal years operator observed surveillance testing involving scram functions
5 Experiments (IP 69001, Section 02.06)
This inspection included a review of selected experiments and procedures to verify that the licensees experiments were reviewed, approved, and conducted in accordance with TS requirements, licensee procedures, and the requirements of 10 CFR 50.59, Changes, tests and experiments. Specifically, the inspection included a review of the following:
records of recently approved experiments control of irradiated items and potential hazards identification various UWNR procedures including No. 030, No. 112, No. 130, and No.130PC Design Changes (IP 69001, Section 02.08)
This inspection included a review of design changes to determine whether they were reviewed, approved, and implemented in accordance with 10 CFR 50.59, the TSs, and the licensees administrative procedures. The inspector also verified that modified equipment would continue to meet regulatory and procedural requirements and licensee commitments. Specifically, the inspection included a review of the following:
Reactor Safety Committee (RSC) meeting minutes records of 10 CFR 50.59 screenings and evaluations various UWNR Procedures including No. 005, No. 019, and No. 20 records of changes and/or modifications to the facility, experiments, and procedures UWNR annual operating reports for the past two fiscal years Committees, Audits and Reviews (IP 69001, Section 02.09)
This inspection included a review of the licensees committees, audits and reviews to verify the safety committee audits and independent audits were conducted in accordance with the TS and that issues identified from reviews were resolved in accordance with TS requirements and the licensees procedures. Specifically, the inspection included a review of the following:
RSC meeting minutes UWNR Procedure No. 005 various audits of facility operations as well as the requalification plan, emergency plan, and security plan completed by the RSC selected audits completed by Radiation Safety Department staff personnel and reviews completed by operations staff personnel UWNR annual operating reports for the past two fiscal years Maintenance Logs and Records (IP 69001, Section 02.11)
This inspection included a review of the licensees maintenance logs and records to verify that operational and maintenance activities were conducted and maintained in accordance with regulatory and TS requirements. Specifically, the inspection included a review of the following:
6 computer files documenting equipment history records for the facility various UWNR procedures including No. 100, No. 100A, and No. 169 UWNR annual operating reports for the past two fiscal years Fuel Handling Logs and Records (IP 69001, Section 02.12)
This inspection included a review of the licensees fuel handling logs and records to verify TS and procedural requirements were met. Specifically, the inspection included a review of the following:
results of annual fuel/bundle inspections in the low-enriched uranium fuel bundle data notebook core status boards located at the reactor pool top and in the control room and the associated fuel element/bundle map various UWNR procedures including No. 112, No. 140, No. 142, No. 143, and No. 144 Inspection Results No violations of more than minor significance were identified.
Exit Meeting and Debriefs The inspector verified no proprietary information was retained or documented in this report.
On May 9, 2025, the inspector presented the NRC inspection results to Mr. Robert Agasie, Reactor Director, Corey Edwards, Reactor Supervisor, and various members of the Reactor Safety Committee.
7 Documents Reviewed Inspection Procedure &
Section Document Type Designation Description or Title Revision Number (No.)
and/or Date Technical Specifications UWNR TSs Technical Specifications and Bases for the University of Wisconsin Nuclear Reactor Amendment No. 19, dated 2/11/2025 UWNR Laboratory Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Annual Operating Report Dated 10/27/2023 Licensee reports Annual operating reports UWNR Laboratory Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Annual Operating Report Dated 9/13/2024 No. 110 Daily Reactor Pre-Start Checklist Rev. 54 No. 111 Reactor Startup Check Sheet Rev. 49 No. 112 Operating Log Sheet Rev. 10 IP 69001 -
Section (Sec.) 02.01 (Org &
Staffing)
UWNR procedures -
some require data to be recorded No. 114 Reactor Shutdown Checklist Rev. 21 No. 001 Standing Operating Instructions Rev. 19 No. 110 Daily Reactor Pre-Start Checklist Rev. 54 No. 111 Reactor Startup Check Sheet Rev. 49 No. 112 Operating Log Sheet Rev. 10 UWNR procedures -
some require data to be recorded No. 114 Reactor Shutdown Checklist Rev. 21 Monthly UWNR Operations Summary Report completed by operators 2023 to the present Facility records Audits and reviews Monthly UWNR Audit and Report completed by Health Physics 2023 to the present IP 69001 -
Sec. 02.02 (Opns logs
& records)
Licensee Reports Annual Operating Reports (Refer to Sec. 02.01 above which references the two most recent annual reports)
See above UWNR procedure No. 005 UWNR Administrative Guide Rev. 65 Procedure reviews Reviews and updates Annual reviews and updates as documented in Reactor Safety Committee (RSC) meeting minutes.
2023 to the present IP 69001 -
Sec. 02.03 (Proc)
Licensee Reports Annual Operating Reports (Refer to Sec. 02.01 above which references the two most recent annual reports)
See above Licensee program Requalification Program University of Wisconsin Nuclear Reactor Operator Proficiency Maintenance Program - also known as UWNR procedure - No. 004 Rev. 4 Medical records for selected licensed operators Various dates Licensee records Personnel records Copies of individuals licenses Various dates Facility documents Requalification records Selected annual reactor operation exams 2023 to the present No. 004A Proficiency Maintenance Program Class Record Sheet Rev. 0 IP 69001 -
Sec. 02.04 (Requal)
UWNR Procedures -
some require data to be recorded No. 004B Operator Evaluation Checksheet documenting quarterly evaluations Rev. 0
8 Inspection Procedure &
Section Document Type Designation Description or Title Revision Number (No.)
and/or Date No. 004C Training Status Record.xlsx documenting various associated requalification records for licensed operators including hours of operation per quarter, reactivity manipulations, and drill participation Rev. 1 No. 112 Operating Log Sheet Rev. 10 IP 69001 -
Sec. 02.04 (Requal)
(contd)
UWNR procedures -
some require data to be recorded (contd)
No. 155 Abnormal Operating Procedure Rev. 33 Facility records Computer files Pool leak data maintained on the Facility Directors computer 2018 to the present No. 100 Surveillance Activities Rev. 60 No. 110 Daily Reactor Pre-Start Checklist Rev. 54 No. 122 Surveillance Scram Checks Rev. 6 No. 167 Safety Blade and Transient Rod Fall Time Measurement Procedures Rev. 19 No. 169 Annual Maintenance Procedure Rev. 19 No. 170 Power Level Calibration Procedure and Record Sheet Rev. 31 UWNR procedures -
some require data to be recorded No. 173 Fuel Temperature Channel Calibration Procedure Rev. 20 IP 69001 -
Sec. 02.05 (Surveil)
Licensee Reports Annual Operating Reports (Refer to Sec. 02.01 above which references the two most recent annual reports)
See above UWNR 130PC completed forms Forms indicating the results of sample irradiation, other information about the samples and the disposal of the sample Rev. 17 Cherenkov Radiation Detector in a Dry Tube approved 5/20/2022 Facility records related to experiments and samples Experiment approvals documented on UWNR No. 30 forms Reinstallation of Neutron Collimator for Neutron Radiography and other Neutron Beam Experiments approval dated 2/10/2020 No. 002 Experiment Standing Operating Instructions Rev. 13 No. 030 Experiment Review Questionnaire Outline - Facility Familiarization Rev. 10 No. 112 Operating Log Sheet - with entries completed Rev. 10 IP 69001 -
Sec. 02.06 (Exp)
UWNR procedures -
some require data to be recorded No. 130 Request for Isotope Production Rev. 17 RSC records Meeting minutes RSC meeting minutes (full RSC required by the TSs to meet annually)
April 2023 to the present Relocation of Back Flow Preventer Dated 6/11/2024 50.59 facility changes Records of recent changes Replacement of Fire Detection System with Linear Heat Detection Cable Dated 8/7/2024 No. 005 UWNR Administrative Guide Rev. 65 No. 019 Changes, Tests, and Experiments Rev. 4 IP 69001 -
Sec. 02.08 (Changes)
UWNR Procedures -
some require data to be recorded No. 020 UWNR Modification Checklist Rev. 2
9 Inspection Procedure &
Section Document Type Designation Description or Title Revision Number (No.)
and/or Date IP 69001 -
Sec. 02.08 (Changes)
(contd)
Licensee reports Annual Operating Reports (Refer to Sec. 02.01 above which references the two most recent annual reports)
See above RSC records Meeting minutes RSC meeting minutes (full RSC required by the TSs to meet annually)
April 2023 to the present Audits Audits conducted by the RSC audits of various facility records including Operations, Requalification Plan, Emergency Plan, and Security Plan 2023 to the present TSs UWNR TSs Technical Specifications and Bases for the University of Wisconsin Nuclear Reactor stipulating the RSC duties Amendment No. 19, dated 2/11/2025 Monthly UWNR Operations Summary Report completed by operators 2023 to the present Facility records Other audits and reviews Monthly UWNR Audit and Report completed by Health Physics 2023 to the present IP 69001 -
Sec. 02.09 (Comm, Audits, &
Reviews)
UWNR procedure No. 005 UWNR Administrative Guide Rev. 65 Facility records related to maintenance Computer files Files maintained on a computer located in the control room for operators reference 2023 to the present No. 100 Surveillance Activities Rev. 60 No. 100A PM Serviced - Definition - also includes a schedule of activities Rev. 52 UWNR procedures -
some require data to be recorded No. 169 Annual Maintenance Procedure Rev. 19 IP 69001 -
Sec. 02.11 (Maint)
Licensee reports Annual Operating Reports (Refer to Sec. 02.01 above which references the two most recent annual reports)
See above No. 140 Procedure for Disassembly of Four-Element Fuel Bundles Rev. 5 No. 141 Procedure for Reassembling Fuel Elements into Four-Element Bundles Rev. 4 No. 142 Procedure for Measuring Fuel Element Bow and Growth and the LEU Fuel Bundle Data notebook containing data on all the fuel/bundles Rev. 16 No. 143 Procedure for Fuel Handling and Core Arrangements Rev. 3 UWNR procedures -
some require data to be recorded No. 143A Core Design - current core K21-R6 Rev. 4 Core Status boards Fuel element/bundle map located in the Control Room and at the pool top 5/8/2025 IP 69001 -
Sec. 02.12 (Fuel)
Facility records related to fuel Inspection results Results of inspections of all fuel elements every year as required by the TSs 2023 through the present