ML25226A182

Annual Report for the University of Massachusetts Lower Research Reactor

ML25226A182
Person / Time
Site:	University of Lowell
Issue date:	08/14/2025
From:	Bobek L Univ of Massachusetts - Lowell
To:	Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, Document Control Desk
References
Download: ML25226A182 (1)

Text

Pinanski Building Leo M. Bobek One University Avenue Reactor Supervisor Lowell, Massachusetts 01854 tel:

978.934.3365 fax.

978.934.4067 e-mail: Leo_Bobek@uml.edu RADIATION LABORATORY August 14, 2025 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ATTN: Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555 Re: License No. R-125, Docket No. 50-223 Pursuant to Technical Specification 6.7.1 of NRC License No. R-125 we are submitting the routine Annual Report for the University of Massachusetts Lowell Research Reactor.

Sincerely, Leo M. Bobek, Reactor Supervisor Enclosure

University of Massachusetts Lowell Research Reactor (UMLRR) 2024-2025 OPERATING REPORT NRC Docket No. 50-223 NRC License No. R-125 One University Avenue Lowell, Massachusetts 01854

1 This report is submitted as required by the Technical Specification 6.7.1 of reactor license R-125 and provides the information as outlined in the specification.

CONTENTS

1. Narrative Summary - Tabulations

2. Inadvertent and Emergency Shutdowns

3. Major Preventive and Corrective Maintenance

4. Changes and Tests and Experiments Related to 10 CFR 50.59

5. Nature and Amount of Radioactive Effluents

6. Environmental Surveys

7. Personnel Exposures

2

1. NARRATIVE

SUMMARY

- TABULATIONS

a. Narrative Summary The UML research reactor is designed to produce thermal neutrons for radioactivation and neutron radiography purposes, and fast neutrons for radiation effects studies. Uses include neutron activation analysis research, materials atomic displacement damage studies, neutron absorption studies, short-lived radioisotope production, neutron detector studies, and neutron imaging (radiography). Educational uses include a variety of lab courses in the nuclear engineering and radiological sciences programs. Tours and demonstrations are provided to several other UMass Lowell courses, as well as other universities, high schools, and various organizations.

Short lived isotopes (e.g., Al-28, Na-24) are produced for routine practicum and demonstration purposes. The reactor is used for several nuclear engineering and non-nuclear engineering laboratory exercises and demonstrations. In addition, the reactor is used for training student operator license candidates.

b. Tabulations Energy generated this period (MWD) 23.52 Critical hours 827.85 Cumulative energy to date (MWD) 128.81

2. INADVERTENT AND EMERGENCY SHUTDOWNS There were no emergency shutdowns for the reporting period. There were eleven inadvertent non-emergency automatic shutdowns during the reporting period. Six of these occurred from data acquisition system communication errors. Two occurred due to power channel electronic noise issues. One occurred due to a pool level indicator malfunction. One occurred due to a loose connector on a power level detector. One occurred when the master on/off switch was inadvertently bumped by an operator. There was no safety significance associated with any of the inadvertent shutdowns. All automatic and manual scrams are

3 reviewed for safety significance and technical specification requirements by the SRO on duty.

3. MAJOR PREVENTIVE AND CORRECTIVE MAINTENANCE There were no major preventive or corrective maintenance activities during the reporting period.

4. CHANGES AND TESTS AND EXPERIMENTS RELATED TO 10 CFR 50.59

a. Changes to the Facility There were no changes to the facility during the reporting period.

b. Changes to Procedures There were no changes to procedures during the reporting period.

c. New Tests and Experiments The were no new tests or experiments during the reporting period requiring a 10CFR 50.59 evaluation.

5. NATURE AND AMOUNT OF RADIOACTIVE EFFLUENTS

a. Liquid Wastes and Gaseous Wastes As part of UMass Lowell ALARA goals, the radiation safety office has set a campus goal of limiting exposures to members of the public to less than 10% of the federal regulatory limits. No activity was released through the reactor sewer, and as such, this is well below the monthly limits for sewer releases. Argon-41 continues to be the only significant reactor produced radioactivity identifiable in the gaseous effluent. The reactor stack released roughly 18.195 Ci in 2024 resulting in a (conservative) estimated upper limit to the TEDE of 0.7 mrem/year 100 m from the stack.

4 REACTOR ENVIRONMENTAL RELEASES SOURCE ACTIVITY DOSE GOAL Ci mrem mrem Sewer Releases 0

<0.1 10 Stack Releases 18.195 0.7 10

b. Solid Wastes Solid wastes, primarily paper, disposable clothing, and gloves, along with other miscellaneous items have been disposed of in appropriate containers. Most of the activity from these wastes consisted of short-lived induced radioactivity. These wastes were held for decay and then released if no activity remained. Long lived waste (<40 cubic feet) is stored in a designated long lived waste storage area awaiting ultimate disposal at a low-level radioactive waste disposal site.

6. ENVIRONMENTAL SURVEYS A review of all 2024 Research Reactor Radiation Survey and Contamination forms found no measurable removable contamination levels due to unexpected occurrences in the facility.

The byproduct materials license specifies contamination as >500 dpm/100cm2 (beta, gamma) or >50 dpm/100cm2 (alpha). No appreciable stray radiation fields (>2mR/hr) were identified in a free area within the reactor. Radiation levels measured in the reactor building have been typically less than 0.1 mrem/hr in general areas. Experiments have been conducted in which transient levels at specific locations have been in excess of 100 mrem/hr. Doses in these instances have been controlled by use of shielding, visual and audial notifications, and/or personnel access control. The pump room and beam port facility remain designated as a high and very high radiation area respectively during reactor operation and access is controlled.

Environmental monitoring external to the reactor building found no measurable doses.

7. PERSONNEL EXPOSURES An ALARA assessment of the UMass Lowell radiation safety program is performed annually. This review is reported to and reviewed by the Radiation Safety Committee. The

5 2024 ALARA goal for radiation workers at UMass Lowell was to limit radiation worker at UML to less than 10% of the federal radiation exposure limits. In addition, the radiation safety manual requires a 100 mrem per week TEDE administrative level. No occupational exposure exceeded an ALARA limit. Personnel dosimetry was obtained by review of the 2024 Landauer dosimetry reports. These reports include, where appropriate, whole body OSL dosimetry and finger TLD dosimetry. Landauer is a NVLAP accredited dosimetry company.

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURES GROUP PERSONNEL MAX MAX BADGED Whole Body Dose

(<500mrem)

Extremity Dose

(<5000 mrem)

Reactor 19 80 682 NOTE: No one person exceeded the ALARA limits.

End of Report