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| issue date = 02/26/2007
| issue date = 02/26/2007
| title = Transmittal of Annual Operating Report for 01/01/2006 - 12/31/2006
| title = Transmittal of Annual Operating Report for 01/01/2006 - 12/31/2006
| author name = Hawari A I
| author name = Hawari A
| author affiliation = North Carolina State Univ
| author affiliation = North Carolina State Univ
| addressee name =  
| addressee name =  
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=Text=
=Text=
{{#Wiki_filter:NCSAT UNVRST Attn: Docu US Nuclear 11555 Rockville, N/Re: Annu In accordanc our facility is If you have a information, I declare und on 26 Februa Ayman I. Ha Director, Nu North Caroli  
{{#Wiki_filter:North Carolina State University is a land-    Nuclear Reactor Program grant university and a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina NCSAT UNVRST Department of Nuclear Engineering Campus Box 7909 Raleigh, NC 27695-7909 919.515.2321 919.513.1276 (fax)
URL: www.ne.ncsu.edu/NRP reactor_
program.html 26 February 2007 Attn: Docu iment Control Desk US Nuclear Regulatory Commission 11555 Rock'*ville Pike Rockville, N/ID 20852 Re:     Annuial Report In accordanc e with Technical Specification 6.7.4, the annual operating report for our facility iss attached.
If you have atny questions regarding this correspondence or require additional information, please contact Gerald Wicks at 919-515-4601 or wicks(cbncsu.edu.
I declare und[er penalty of perjury that the forgoing is true and correct. Executed on 26 Februatry 2007.
Ayman I. Ha.wari, Ph.D.
Director, Nu clear Reactor Program North Caroli na State University


==Enclosures:==
==Enclosures:==


Annual Oper Attachment 1 North Carolina State University is a land- Nuclear Reactor Program grant university and a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina Department of Nuclear Engineering Campus Box 7909 Raleigh, NC 27695-7909 919.515.2321 919.513.1276 (fax)URL: www.ne.ncsu.edu/NRP reactor_program.html 26 February 2007 iment Control Desk Regulatory Commission ville Pike ID 20852 ial Report e with Technical Specification 6.7.4, the annual operating report for s attached.tny questions regarding this correspondence or require additional please contact Gerald Wicks at 919-515-4601 or wicks(cbncsu.edu.
Annual Oper ating Report for 2006 Attachment1 k: PULSTAR Reactor Environmental Radiation Surveillance Report
[er penalty of perjury that the forgoing is true and correct. Executed try 2007..wari, Ph.D.clear Reactor Program na State University ating Report for 2006 k: PULSTAR Reactor Environmental Radiation Surveillance Report/4ogo NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF NUCLEAR ENGINEERING PULSTAR REACTOR ANNUAL REPORT DOCKET NUMBER 50-297 For the Period: 01 January 2006 -31 December 2006 The following report is submitted in accordance with Section 6.7.4 of the North Carolina State University PULSTAR Reactor Technical Specifications:
                                                                                                          /4ogo
6.7.4.a Brief Summary: Reactor operations have been routine during this reporting period.Operating experience including a summary of experiments performed.
 
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF NUCLEAR ENGINEERING PULSTAR REACTOR ANNUAL REPORT DOCKET NUMBER 50-297 For the Period: 01 January 2006 - 31 December 2006 The following report is submitted in accordance with Section 6.7.4 of the North Carolina State University PULSTAR Reactor Technical Specifications:
6.7.4.a Brief Summary:
Reactor operations have been routine during this reporting period.
Operating experience including a summary of experiments performed.
Reactor operations have been routine during this reporting period. The following is a brief summary of the types of experiments performed:
Reactor operations have been routine during this reporting period. The following is a brief summary of the types of experiments performed:
Teaching Laboratories, Short Courses, and Research* Core thermal power measurements
Teaching Laboratories, Short Courses, and Research
* Core thermal power measurements
* Dynamic reactivity measurements
* Dynamic reactivity measurements
* Axial power and peaking factor measurements (flux mapping)* Reactor power determination using photodiode arrays* Neutron diffusion length in graphite by foil activation
* Axial power and peaking factor measurements (flux mapping)
* Reactor power determination using photodiode arrays
* Neutron diffusion length in graphite by foil activation
* Neutron fluence and spectral measurements
* Neutron fluence and spectral measurements
* Neutron transmutation doping of silicon* In-core detector certification
* Neutron transmutation doping of silicon
* Radiation damage determination to fiber optic material* Accelerated lifetime testing for nuclear detectors* Neutron radiography
* In-core detector certification
* Positron production facility Neutron Activation Analysis* Crude oil* Food samples* Fish tissues 1 of 5
* Radiation damage determination to fiber optic material
* Laboratory animal tissue* Human hair, nails, and urine* Polymers and plastics* Sediment/soil/rocks
* Accelerated lifetime testing for nuclear detectors
* Silicon crystals* Textiles* Water Changes in Performance Characteristics Related to Reactor Safety: None iii Results of Surveillance, Tests, and Inspections:
* Neutron radiography
* Positron production facility Neutron Activation Analysis
* Crude oil
* Food samples
* Fish tissues 1 of 5
* Laboratory animal tissue
* Human hair, nails, and urine
* Polymers and plastics
* Sediment/soil/rocks
* Silicon crystals
* Textiles
* Water Changes in Performance Characteristics Related to Reactor Safety:
None iii     Results of Surveillance, Tests, and Inspections:
The reactor surveillance program has revealed no significant or unexpected trends in reactor systems performance during this reporting period. The Reactor Safety and Audit Committee (RSAC) performed its annual audit for the facility and determined that all phases of operation and supporting documents were in compliance.
The reactor surveillance program has revealed no significant or unexpected trends in reactor systems performance during this reporting period. The Reactor Safety and Audit Committee (RSAC) performed its annual audit for the facility and determined that all phases of operation and supporting documents were in compliance.
Health physics surveillance of reactor primary coolant water showed no fission products and that activity is below 10 CFR 20, App. B, Table 3 limits.6.7.4.b Tabulation of Energy Output: 40.56 Megawatt.days in 2006 Reactor was critical 1225.6 hours in 2006 Cumulative total energy output since initial criticality was 1114.9 Megawatt.days as of 31 Dec 2006.6.7.4.c Number of Emergency and Unscheduled Shutdowns:
Health physics surveillance of reactor primary coolant water showed no fission products and that activity is below 10 CFR 20, App. B, Table 3 limits.
Emergency Shutdowns  
6.7.4.b Tabulation of Energy Output:
-None Unscheduled Shutdowns  
40.56 Megawatt.days in 2006 Reactor was critical 1225.6 hours in 2006 Cumulative total energy output since initial criticality was 1114.9 Megawatt.days as of 31 Dec 2006.
-Two 1. 09 Jan 2006: Reactor SCRAM caused by an electrical short in R-63 exhaust fan annunciator which in turn caused a loss of 24 VAC bus. The electrical short was located and repaired.2. 29 Jan 2006: Reactor SCRAM caused by loss of commercial power.6.7.4.d Corrective and Preventative Maintenance:
6.7.4.c Number of Emergency and Unscheduled Shutdowns:
Preventative maintenance, tests and calibrations are scheduled, performed and tracked utilizing the PULSTAR Surveillance File System. Each major component of the Reactor Safety System defined in Section 3.3, and all surveillance required by Section 4 of the Technical Specifications are monitored by this file system to ensure that maintenance and calibrations are performed in a timely manner. All historical data relating to those components, in addition to many other sub-systems, are maintained in these files.2 of 5 6.7.4.e Changes in Facility, Procedures, Tests, and Experiments:
Emergency Shutdowns - None Unscheduled Shutdowns - Two
Facility Changes Design changes to the reactor facility were reviewed to determine whether or not a 1OCFR50.59 evaluation was required.
: 1. 09 Jan 2006: Reactor SCRAM caused by an electrical short in R-63 exhaust fan annunciator which in turn caused a loss of 24 VAC bus. The electrical short was located and repaired.
Based on the reviews, none required a 1 OCFR50.59 evaluation.
: 2. 29 Jan 2006: Reactor SCRAM caused by loss of commercial power.
Document Changes Procedure changes were reviewed to determine whether or not a 1OCFR50.59 evaluation was required.
6.7.4.d Corrective and Preventative Maintenance:
Based on the reviews, none required a 10CFR50.59 evaluation.
Preventative maintenance, tests and calibrations are scheduled, performed and tracked utilizing the PULSTAR Surveillance File System. Each major component of the Reactor Safety System defined in Section 3.3, and all surveillance required by Section 4 of the Technical Specifications are monitored by this file system to ensure that maintenance and calibrations are performed in a timely manner. All historical data relating to those components, in addition to many other sub-systems, are maintained in these files.
Test and Experiments No new test or experiments were proposed in 2006. Changes to experiments were reviewed to determine whether or not a 1OCFR50.59 evaluation was required.
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Based on the reviews, none required a 10CFR50.59 evaluation.
 
Other Changes License Amendment 16 was submitted to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in April, 2006 and approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on 15 August 2006. Amendment 16 permits receipt, possession, and use of byproduct material.6.7.4.f Radioactive Effluent: Liquid Waste (summarized by quarters)Radioactivity Released During the Reporting Period: (1) (2) (3) (4)1 (5)Period Number of Total Total Diluent Tritium Batches ýtCi Volume Liters li Liters 01 JAN -31 MAR 06 3 488 1.0 E4 2.6 E5 461 01 APR -30 JUN 06 2 456 6.0 E3 1.7 E5 438 01 JUL- 30 SEP 06 1 55 3.4 E3 6.5 E4 48 01 OCT- 31 DEC 06 3 213 9.2 E3 6.6 E4 206 2006 1153 ltCi of tritium was released during this year.2006 1212 ýtCi of total activity was released during this year.'Based on gross beta activity only. Tritium did not require further dilution.ii. Identification of Fission and Activation Products: The gross beta-gamma activity of the batches in (1) above were less than 2x10-5 pCi/ml. Isotopic analyses of these batches indicated low levels of typical corrosion and activation products.
6.7.4.e Changes in Facility, Procedures, Tests, and Experiments:
No fission products were detected.iii. Disposition of Liquid Effluent not Releasable to Sanitary Sewer System: All liquid effluent met the requirements of 10 CFR 20 for release to the sanitary sewer.3 of 5 Gaseous Waste (summarized monthly)Radioactivity Discharged During the Reporting Period (in Curies) for: (1) Gases: Year Month Total Time Curies Hours 2006 JANUARY 744 0.055 FEBRUARY 696 0.266 MARCH 744 0.648 APRIL 720 0.126 MAY 744 0 JUNE 720 0 JULY 744 0.099 AUGUST 744 0.035 SEPTEMBER 720 0.109 OCTOBER 744 0.473 NOVEMBER 720 0.131 DECEMBER 744 0.124 TOTAL 8760 2.066 (2) Particulates with a half-life of greater than eight days: Particulate filters from the Stack Particulate Monitoring Channel were analyzed upon removal.There was no particulate activity with a half-life greater than 8 days indicated on any filter during this reporting period.ii. Gases and Particulates Discharged During the Reporting Period: (1) Gases: Total activity of argon-41 released was 2.066 curies in 2006.The yearly average concentration of argon-41 released from the PULSTAR reactor facility exhaust stack in 2006 was 1.4x108 pCi/ml. Dose calculations for the fiscal year were performed using the"COMPLY" code and methods given in the Final Safety Analysis Report. Both dose calculations gave results less than the 1OCFR20 constraint level of 10 mrem. These results are consistent with environmental monitoring data given in Attachment A.(2) Particulates:
Facility Changes Design changes to the reactor facility were reviewed to determine whether or not a 10CFR50.59 evaluation was required. Based on the reviews, none required a 10CFR50.59 evaluation.
Refer to gaseous waste i.(2) above.4 of 5 Solid Waste from Reactor 1 Total Volume of Solid Waste Packaged 84 ft 3 of dry uncompacted waste ii. Total Activity Involved 0.51 mCi of dry compacted waste iii. Dates of shipments and disposal Transfers to the university broad scope radioactive materials license were made on 14 February 2006, 30 March 2006, 11 May 2006, and 26 June 2006. The University Environmental Health and Safety Center arranges disposal of hazardous wastes.6.7.4.g Personnel Radiation Exposure Report: 35 individuals were monitored for external radiation dose during the reporting period. Internal dose monitoring was not required for any individual.
Document Changes Procedure changes were reviewed to determine whether or not a 10CFR50.59 evaluation was required. Based on the reviews, none required a 10CFR50.59 evaluation.
Collective deep dose-equivalent for 2006 was 2.260 person-rem.
Test and Experiments No new test or experiments were proposed in 2006. Changes to experiments were reviewed to determine whether or not a 10CFR50.59 evaluation was required. Based on the reviews, none required a 10CFR50.59 evaluation.
Individual deep dose-equivalent ranged from 0 to 0.156 rem with an average of 0.065 rem. No visitors required official radiation dose monitoring during 2006.6.7.4.h Summary of Radiation and Contamination Surveys Within the Facility: Radiation and contamination surveys performed within the facility by the PULSTAR staff indicated that:* Radiation in the majority of areas was 5 mrem/h or less.* Radiation in the remaining areas was higher due to reactor operations.
Other Changes License Amendment 16 was submitted to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in April, 2006 and approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on 15 August 2006. Amendment 16 permits receipt, possession, and use of byproduct material.
* Contamination in most areas was not detectable.
6.7.4.f           Radioactive Effluent:
When contamination was detected, the area or item was confined or decontaminated.
Liquid Waste (summarized by quarters)
6.7.4.i Description of Environmental Surveys Outside of the Facility: Refer to Attachment A prepared by the Radiation Safety Division of the Environmental Health and Safety Center at the end of this document for results of environmental sampling and analysis.Perimeter surveys were performed adjacent to the Reactor Building by the PULSTAR staff and indicated that: Radiation was at background levels for most areas (average background is approximately 10 prem/h).* Contamination was not detectable.
Radioactivity Released During the Reporting Period:
* Net radiation readings ranged from 0 to 50 prem/h while the reactor was operating at power. Radiation was at background levels in all routinely occupied spaces.5 of 5 ATTACHMENT A PULSTAR REACTOR ENVIRONMENTAL RADIATION SURVEILLANCE REPORT FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 2006 -DECEMBER 31, 2006 NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY CENTER RADIATION SAFETY DIVISION by Ralton J. Harris Environmental Health Physicist TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION Table 1 Environmental Monitoring Programs for the PULSTAR Reactor 2. AIR MONITORING Table 2.1 Location of Air Monitoring Stations Table 2.2 Aerially Transported Gamma Activity (LLD Values)Figures 2a-2e Airborne Gross Beta Activities Table 2.3 Regulatory Limits, Alert Levels and Background Levels for Airborne Radioactivity
(1)           (2)           (3)         (4)1           (5)
: 3. MILK Table 3.1 1-131 in Cow' s Milk 4. SURFACE WATER Table 4.1 Gross Alpha and Beta Activity in Surface Water Table 4.2 LLD Values for Gamma Emitters in Surface Water 5. VEGETATION Table 5.1 Gross Beta Activity in Campus Vegetation Table 5.2 LLD Values for Gamma Emitters in Vegetation
Period             Number of         Total         Total       Diluent       Tritium Batches           ýtCi       Volume         Liters         li Liters 01 JAN - 31 MAR 06                     3             488         1.0 E4       2.6 E5         461 01 APR - 30 JUN 06                     2             456         6.0 E3       1.7 E5         438 01 JUL- 30 SEP 06                     1             55         3.4 E3       6.5 E4           48 01 OCT- 31 DEC 06                     3             213         9.2 E3       6.6 E4         206 2006                             1153 ltCi of tritium was released during this year.
: 6. THERMOLUMINESCENT DOSIMETERS Table 6.1 Environmental TLD Exposures 7. QUALITY CONTROL INTERCOMPARISON PROGRAM Tables 7.1a -7.1d 8. CONCLUSIONS APPENDIX 1 APPENDIX 2 PAGE NO.1 2 3 3 4 5-9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 -22 23 24 -28 29
2006                             1212 ýtCi of total activity was released during this year.
: 1. INTRODUCTION The Environmental Radiation Surveillance Program exists to provide routine measurements of the university environment surrounding the PULSTAR Reactor.The specific objectives of this program include: 1) Providing information that assesses the adequacy of the protection of the university community and the public-at-large;
          'Based on gross beta activity only. Tritium did not require further dilution.
: 2) Meeting requirements of regulatory agencies;3) Verifying radionuclide containment in the reactor facility;4) Meeting legal liability obligations; and 5) Providing public assurance and acceptance.
ii.     Identification of Fission and Activation Products:
1 Table 1: Environmental Monitoring Programs for the PULSTAR Reactor at North Carolina State University Sample Activity Conducted Previous Current Basis For Measured By Frequency Frequency Measurement Stack Gross N.E. Continuous Continuous 10 CFR 20 Gases Gamma T.S. 6.7.4 Stack Gross Beta N.E. Monthly Monthly 10 CFR 20 Particles Indiv. N.E. T.S. 6.7.4 Gamma Emitters Water from Gross Beta N.E. Prior to Prior to 10 CFR 20 Reactor Gross N.E. Discharge Discharge T.S. 6.7.4 Facility Gamma N.E. (~ Monthly) ~ Monthly City of Tritium Raleigh Ordinance Air/Particles Gross Beta RSD/EHSC Weekly Quarterly 10 CFR 20 at 5 Indiv. RSD/EHSC Weekly 10 CFR 20 Campus Gamma Stations*
The gross beta-gamma activity of the batches in (1) above were less than 2x10-5 pCi/ml. Isotopic analyses of these batches indicated low levels of typical corrosion and activation products. No fission products were detected.
Emitters Air/Dosage TLD RSD/EHSC Quarterly Quarterly 10 CFR 20 at 8 Dosimeter Campus Stations+Surface Gross Beta RSD/EHSC Quarterly Quarterly NCSU Water Indiv. RSD/EHSC Quarterly Quarterly NCSU Rocky Gamma Branch Emitters Creek Vegetation Gross Beta RSD/EHSC Semi- Alternate years NCSU NCSU Gamma RSD/EHSC annually Alternate years NCSU Campus Milk 1-131 RSD/EHSC Monthly Alternate years NCSU Local Dairy N.E. = Nuclear Engineering/Reactor Facility; RSD/EHSC = Radiation Safety Division.*These 5 stations include: Withers, Daniels, Broughton, Hill Library and Environmental Health & Safety Center.+These 8 stations include: the PULSTAR Reactor, a control station (EHSC) and the 5 air sampling stations, and North Hall.2  
iii. Disposition of Liquid Effluent not Releasable to Sanitary Sewer System:
: 2. AIR MONITORING (TABLES 2.1, 2.2, AND 2.3; FIGURES 2a THROUGH 2e)Air monitoring is performed continually for one week during each of four (4) quarters during the year. The data shows the normal fluctuations in gross beta activity levels expected during the year. Figures 2a through 2e show bar graphs of gross beta activity (fCi/cubic meter vs. sampling quarters per year). The highest gross beta activity observed was 24.8 fCiM-3 at the EH&S Center Hall station during the week of 07/25/06 to 07/31/06.
All liquid effluent met the requirements of 10 CFR 20 for release to the sanitary sewer.
The annual campus average was 11.8 fCiM-3.Due to building renovations, it was necessary to permanently relocate the Riddick Hall monitoring station to a new site atop Daniels Hall.Table 2.2 lists LLD values for several gamma emitters which would be indicative of fission product activity.
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No .qamma activity due to any of these radionuclides was detected.Table 2.3 lists regulatory limits, alert levels, and average background levels for airborne radioactivity.
 
TABLE 2.1 LOCATION OF AIR MONITORING STATIONS SITE BROUGHTON LIBRARY DANIELS WITHERS EH & S CENTER NORTH HALL DIRECTION 1 SOUTHWEST NORTHWEST SOUTHEAST NORTHEAST WEST NORTHEAST DISTANCE 2 (meters)125 192 90 82 1230 402 ELEVATION 3 (meters)-17+11-8-6-3-4 1 DIRECTION  
Gaseous Waste (summarized monthly)
-DIRECTION FROM REACTOR STACK 2 DISTANCE -DISTANCE FROM REACTOR STACK 3 ELEVATION  
Radioactivity Discharged During the Reporting Period (in Curies) for:
-ELEVATION RELATIVE TO THE TOP OF THE REACTOR STACK A wind rose is included in Appendix 2 to indicate the prevailing wind direction trends for the years 2000-2006.
(1)   Gases:
3 Table 2.2 Aerially Transported Gamma Activity LLD values fCi/cubic meter ] _L 2i VNUCLIDES SAMPLING PERIOD Co-57 Co-60 Nb-95 Zr-95 Ru-103 Ru-106 Cs-137. Ce-141 Ce-144 2006 __I_01/24-01/31 L 0.21 0.35 0.29 .0.47 0.27 2.37 0.26 0.38 1.22 05/31 -06/06 0.2 0.37 1 0.28 0.48 0.28 2.48 0.29 0.34 1.28 07/25-07/31 j0.18 0.35 0.31 1 0.54 0.33 2.51 0.29 0.43 1.40 11/10-11/17 1 0.17 L 0.37 I 0.37 0.50 0.32 2.41 j 0.29 0.39 I 1.41 Broughton Hall Airborne Gross Beta Activity Figure 2a 25 20 E C.2 15 10 Lt'5 0 12 3 4 Quarters per Year 25 20 Withers Hall Airborne Gross Beta Activity Figure 2b E.2 15 10 5 0 12 3 4 Quarters per Year 25 20 15 E G 1 0 5 0 Daniels Hall Airborne Gross Beta Activity Figure 2c I,--1 2 3. 4 Quarters per Year D.H. Hill Library 25 Airborne Gross Beta Activity Figure 2d 20 15~310 /5 12 3 4 Quarters per Year 25-2010 5-0 Environmental Health & Safety Center Airborne Gross Beta Activity Figure 2e F 1 2 3 4 Quarters per Year TABLE 2.3 REGULATORY LIMITS, ALERT LEVELS, AND FOR AIRBORNE RADIOACTIVITY (fCi M-3).REGULATORY ALERT NUCLIDE LIMIT LEVEL GROSS ALPHA 20 10 GROSS BETA* 1000 500 Cs-137 5 X 10 5  10 Ce-144 2 X 10 5  100 Ru-106 2 X 10 5  30 1-131 1 X 105 10 BACKGROUND LEVELS AVERAGE N.C.BACKGROUND LEVEL 4 13.9; 3.3*2 0 0 0* These data represent a range of annual average values measured in North Carolina.Data courtesy of Dale Dusenbury of the N.C. Division of Radiation Protection.
Year                     Month                   Total Time                   Curies Hours 2006                 JANUARY                         744                     0.055 FEBRUARY                         696                     0.266 MARCH                         744                     0.648 APRIL                         720                     0.126 MAY                         744                         0 JUNE                         720                         0 JULY                         744                     0.099 AUGUST                         744                     0.035 SEPTEMBER                         720                     0.109 OCTOBER                         744                     0.473 NOVEMBER                         720                     0.131 DECEMBER                         744                     0.124 TOTAL                       8760                     2.066 (2)   Particulates with a half-life of greater than eight days:
10  
Particulate filters from the Stack Particulate Monitoring Channel were analyzed upon removal.
: 3. MILK (TABLE 3.1)Milk samples are collected in alternate years from the Campus Creamery and the Lake Wheeler Road Dairy and analyzed for 1-131. No milk samples were collected for 2006. The next sample collection and analysis will be in 2007.TABLE 3.1A 1-131 IN COW' S MILK (pCi Liter 1 +/- 2 () LLD ~ 3 pCi Liter1 pCi Liter-1 DATE 2006 Campus Creamery No Data Lake Wheeler No Data 11  
There was no particulate activity with a half-life greater than 8 days indicated on any filter during this reporting period.
: 4. SURFACE WATER (TABLES 4.1 AND 4.2)Table 4.1 gives the gross alpha and beta activities for water from Rocky Branch at points where it enters (ON) and exits (OFF) the campus. The LLD value for gross alpha and beta activities is -0.4 pCi Liter 1.For gross alpha activity the Alert Level is 5 pCi Liter' and the Regulatory Limit is 15 pCi Liter 1.For gross beta activity the Alert Level is 5 pCi Liter' and the Regulatory Limit is 50 pCi Liter 1.Samples with gross alpha or beta activities exceeding these Alert Levels would require gamma analysis to identify the radionuclides present. All the results are consistent with the presence of naturally-occurring radionuclides and none of the gamma emitters listed in Table 4.2 were detected.TABLE 4.1 GROSS ALPHA AND BETA ACTIVITY IN SURFACE WATER (pCi Liter 1+/- 2y)*LLD, -0.4 pCi Liter 1 LLDp -0.4 pCi Liter -1 pCi Liter--1 GROSS ALPHA DATE FIRST QUARTER 2006 SECOND QUARTER 2006 THIRD QUARTER 2006 FOURTH QUARTER 2006 LOCATION ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF< 0.4< 0.4< 0.4< 0.4< 0.4< 0.4< 0.4< 0.4 GROSS BETA 3.0+/-0.7 2.9 +/- 0.7 3.4 +/- 0.7 2.7 +/- 0.7 3.3+0.7 3.1+0.7 3.2+0.7 2.8+0.7 12 TABLE 4.2 LLD VALUES FOR GAMMA EMITTERS IN SURFACE WATER NUCLIDE LLD (pCi. Liter 1')Co-60 0.4 Zn-65 0.7 Cs-137 0.3 Cs-134 0.4 Sr-85 0.4 Ru-103 0.3 Ru-106 3.0 Nb-95 0.4 Zr-95 0.5 13  
ii. Gases and Particulates Discharged During the Reporting Period:
: 5. VEGETATION (TABLE 5.1 & 5.2)Tables 5.1 gives gross beta activities for grass samples collected on the NCSU Campus. Table 5.2 lists LLD values for several gamma emitters.
(1)   Gases:
The vegetation sampling is performed in alternate years.No vegetation samples were collected in 2006. The next sample collection and analysis will be in 2007.TABLE 5.1 GROSS BETA ACTIVITY IN CAMPUS VEGETATION
Total activity of argon-41 released was 2.066 curies in 2006.
* LLD -0.5 pCi g-1 SAMPLE DATE 2006 2006 2006 2006 SAMPLE LOCATION NORTH CAMPUS SOUTH CAMPUS EAST CAMPUS WEST CAMPUS{2~i q1 +/- 2g}No Data No Data No Data No Data 14 TABLE 5.2 LLD VALUES FOR GAMMA EMITTERS IN VEGETATION NUCLIDE LLD (pCi qram 1)Co-60 0.01 Zn-65 0.02 Cs-137 0.01 Cs-134 0.01 Sr-85 0.01 Ru-1 03 0.01 Nb-95 0.01 Zr-95 0.02 15  
The yearly average concentration of argon-41 released from the PULSTAR reactor facility exhaust stack in 2006 was 1.4x108 pCi/ml. Dose calculations for the fiscal year were performed using the "COMPLY" code and methods given in the Final Safety Analysis Report. Both dose calculations gave results less than the 10CFR20 constraint level of 10 mrem. These results are consistent with environmental monitoring data given in Attachment A.
: 6. THERMOLUMINESCENT DOSIMETERS (TLDs) (TABLE 6.1)TLD analysis is contracted to Landauer, Inc. for determination of ambient gamma exposures.
(2)   Particulates:
Refer to gaseous waste i.(2) above.
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Solid Waste from Reactor 1 Total Volume of Solid Waste Packaged 84 ft 3 of dry uncompacted waste ii. Total Activity Involved 0.51 mCi of dry compacted waste iii. Dates of shipments and disposal Transfers to the university broad scope radioactive materials license were made on 14 February 2006, 30 March 2006, 11 May 2006, and 26 June 2006. The University Environmental Health and Safety Center arranges disposal of hazardous wastes.
6.7.4.g Personnel Radiation Exposure Report:
35 individuals were monitored for external radiation dose during the reporting period. Internal dose monitoring was not required for any individual. Collective deep dose-equivalent for 2006 was 2.260 person-rem. Individual deep dose-equivalent ranged from 0 to 0.156 rem with an average of 0.065 rem. No visitors required official radiation dose monitoring during 2006.
6.7.4.h Summary of Radiation and Contamination Surveys Within the Facility:
Radiation and contamination surveys performed within the facility by the PULSTAR staff indicated that:
* Radiation in the majority of areas was 5 mrem/h or less.
* Radiation in the remaining areas was higher due to reactor operations.
* Contamination in most areas was not detectable. When contamination was detected, the area or item was confined or decontaminated.
6.7.4.i Description of Environmental Surveys Outside of the Facility:
Refer to Attachment A prepared by the Radiation Safety Division of the Environmental Health and Safety Center at the end of this document for results of environmental sampling and analysis.
Perimeter surveys were performed adjacent to the Reactor Building by the PULSTAR staff and indicated that:
Radiation was at background levels for most areas (average background is approximately 10 prem/h).
* Contamination was not detectable.
* Net radiation readings ranged from 0 to 50 prem/h while the reactor was operating at power. Radiation was at background levels in all routinely occupied spaces.
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ATTACHMENT A PULSTAR REACTOR ENVIRONMENTAL RADIATION SURVEILLANCE REPORT FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 2006 - DECEMBER 31, 2006 NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY CENTER RADIATION SAFETY DIVISION by Ralton J. Harris Environmental Health Physicist
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE NO.
: 1. INTRODUCTION                                                           1 Table 1 Environmental Monitoring Programs for the PULSTAR Reactor     2
: 2. AIR MONITORING                                                         3 Table 2.1 Location of Air Monitoring Stations                         3 Table 2.2 Aerially Transported Gamma Activity (LLD Values)           4 Figures 2a-2e Airborne Gross Beta Activities                         5-9 Table 2.3 Regulatory Limits, Alert Levels and Background Levels for Airborne Radioactivity                                   10
: 3. MILK Table 3.1       1-131 in Cow' s Milk                                   11
: 4. SURFACE WATER Table 4.1 Gross Alpha and Beta Activity in Surface Water               12 Table 4.2 LLD Values for Gamma Emitters in Surface Water               13
: 5. VEGETATION Table 5.1 Gross Beta Activity in Campus Vegetation                     14 Table 5.2 LLD Values for Gamma Emitters in Vegetation                   15
: 6. THERMOLUMINESCENT DOSIMETERS                                           16 Table 6.1 Environmental TLD Exposures                                   17
: 7. QUALITY CONTROL INTERCOMPARISON PROGRAM                                 18 Tables 7.1a - 7.1d                                                   19 - 22
: 8. CONCLUSIONS                                                             23 APPENDIX 1                                                           24 - 28 APPENDIX 2                                                             29
: 1. INTRODUCTION The Environmental Radiation Surveillance Program exists to provide routine measurements of the university environment surrounding the PULSTAR Reactor.
The specific objectives of this program include:
: 1) Providing information that assesses the adequacy of the protection of the university community and the public-at-large;
: 2) Meeting requirements of regulatory agencies;
: 3) Verifying radionuclide containment in the reactor facility;
: 4) Meeting legal liability obligations; and
: 5) Providing public assurance and acceptance.
1
 
Table 1:
Environmental Monitoring Programs for the PULSTAR Reactor at North Carolina State University Sample       Activity   Conducted       Previous         Current         Basis For Measured         By         Frequency       Frequency       Measurement Stack         Gross         N.E.           Continuous   Continuous         10 CFR 20 Gases         Gamma                                                         T.S. 6.7.4 Stack         Gross Beta   N.E.           Monthly       Monthly           10 CFR 20 Particles     Indiv.       N.E.                                             T.S. 6.7.4 Gamma Emitters Water from   Gross Beta   N.E.           Prior to     Prior to           10 CFR 20 Reactor       Gross         N.E.           Discharge     Discharge         T.S. 6.7.4 Facility     Gamma         N.E.           (~ Monthly)   ~ Monthly         City of Tritium                                                       Raleigh Ordinance Air/Particles Gross Beta   RSD/EHSC       Weekly       Quarterly         10 CFR 20 at 5         Indiv.       RSD/EHSC       Weekly                           10 CFR 20 Campus       Gamma Stations*     Emitters Air/Dosage     TLD           RSD/EHSC       Quarterly     Quarterly         10 CFR 20 at 8           Dosimeter Campus Stations+
Surface       Gross Beta   RSD/EHSC       Quarterly     Quarterly         NCSU Water         Indiv.       RSD/EHSC       Quarterly     Quarterly         NCSU Rocky         Gamma Branch         Emitters Creek Vegetation     Gross Beta   RSD/EHSC       Semi-         Alternate years   NCSU NCSU           Gamma         RSD/EHSC       annually     Alternate years   NCSU Campus Milk           1-131         RSD/EHSC Monthly             Alternate years   NCSU Local Dairy N.E. = Nuclear Engineering/Reactor Facility; RSD/EHSC = Radiation Safety Division.
*These 5 stations include: Withers, Daniels, Broughton, Hill Library and Environmental Health & Safety Center.
+These 8 stations include: the PULSTAR Reactor, a control station (EHSC) and the 5 air sampling stations, and North Hall.
2
: 2.     AIR MONITORING       (TABLES 2.1, 2.2, AND 2.3; FIGURES 2a THROUGH 2e)
Air monitoring is performed continually for one week during each of four (4) quarters during the year. The data shows the normal fluctuations in gross beta activity levels expected during the year. Figures 2a through 2e show bar graphs of gross beta activity (fCi/cubic meter vs. sampling quarters per year). The highest gross beta activity observed was 24.8 fCiM- 3 at the EH&S Center Hall station during the week of 07/25/06 to 07/31/06. The annual campus average was 11.8 fCiM- 3 . Due to building renovations, it was necessary to permanently relocate the Riddick Hall monitoring station to a new site atop Daniels Hall.
Table 2.2 lists LLD values for several gamma emitters which would be indicative of fission product activity. No .qamma activity due to any of these radionuclides was detected.
Table 2.3 lists regulatory limits, alert levels, and average background levels for airborne radioactivity.
TABLE 2.1 LOCATION OF AIR MONITORING STATIONS 2                  3 SITE                         DIRECTION 1           DISTANCE       ELEVATION (meters)          (meters)
BROUGHTON                    SOUTHWEST                125               -17 LIBRARY                      NORTHWEST                192               +11 DANIELS                      SOUTHEAST                90                -8 WITHERS                      NORTHEAST                82                -6 EH & S CENTER                WEST                    1230                -3 NORTH HALL                  NORTHEAST                402                -4 1 DIRECTION - DIRECTION FROM REACTOR STACK 2 DISTANCE - DISTANCE FROM REACTOR STACK 3 ELEVATION
                - ELEVATION RELATIVE TO THE TOP OF THE REACTOR STACK A wind rose is included in Appendix 2 to indicate the prevailing wind direction trends for the years 2000-2006.
3
 
Table 2.2 Aerially Transported Gamma Activity         LLD values fCi/cubic meter     ]
L 2i VNUCLIDES SAMPLING PERIOD           Co-57   Co-60       Nb-95     Zr-95     Ru-103     Ru-106   Cs-137. Ce-141   Ce-144 2006           __I_
01/24-01/31     L 0.21       0.35       0.29 . 0.47       0.27       2.37     0.26   0.38     1.22 05/31 - 06/06         0.2   0.37   1   0.28       0.48       0.28       2.48     0.29   0.34     1.28 07/25-07/31       j0.18       0.35       0.31 1     0.54       0.33       2.51     0.29   0.43     1.40 11/10-11/17     1 0.17     L 0.37   I   0.37       0.50       0.32         2.41 j   0.29   0.39 I 1.41
 
Broughton Hall 25 Airborne Gross Beta Activity Figure 2a 20 15 E
C.2 Lt' 10 5
0 12                         3 4 Quarters per Year
 
Withers Hall 25 Airborne Gross Beta Activity Figure 2b 20 15 E
.2 10 5
0 12                         3 4 Quarters per Year
 
Daniels Hall 25  Airborne Gross Beta Activity Figure 2c 20 15 E
I,--
G1 0 5
0 1  2                           3. 4 Quarters per Year
 
D.H. Hill Library 25       Airborne Gross Beta Activity Figure 2d 20 15
~3105 /
12                             3 4 Quarters per Year
 
Environmental Health & Safety Center Airborne Gross Beta Activity 25-Figure 2e F 20
* 10 5-0 1         2                         3 4 Quarters per Year
 
TABLE 2.3 REGULATORY LIMITS, ALERT LEVELS, AND BACKGROUND LEVELS FOR AIRBORNE RADIOACTIVITY (fCi M-3).
REGULATORY               ALERT AVERAGE N.C.
NUCLIDE                 LIMIT                 LEVEL          BACKGROUND LEVEL GROSS ALPHA                 20                   10                       4 GROSS BETA*               1000                   500                     13.9; 3.3*
Cs-137                   5 X 105                10                       2 Ce-144                   2 X 105                100                       0 Ru-106                   2 X 105                30                       0 1-131                     1 X 105               10                       0
* These data represent a range of annual average values measured in North Carolina.
Data courtesy of Dale Dusenbury of the N.C. Division of Radiation Protection.
10
: 3.       MILK (TABLE 3.1)
Milk samples are collected in alternate years from the Campus Creamery and the Lake Wheeler Road Dairy and analyzed for 1-131. No milk samples were collected for 2006. The next sample collection and analysis will be in 2007.
TABLE 3.1A 1-131 IN COW' S MILK (pCi Liter       1 +/- 2 () LLD ~ 3 pCi Liter1 pCi Liter- 1 DATE                                   Campus Creamery           Lake Wheeler 2006                                        No Data                 No Data 11
: 4.       SURFACE WATER (TABLES 4.1 AND 4.2)
Table 4.1 gives the gross alpha and beta activities for water from Rocky Branch at points where it enters (ON) and exits (OFF) the campus. The LLD value for gross alpha and beta activities is - 0.4 pCi Liter 1 . For gross alpha activity the Alert Level is 5 pCi Liter' and the Regulatory Limit is 15 pCi Liter 1 . For gross beta activity the Alert Level is 5 pCi Liter' and the Regulatory Limit is 50 pCi Liter 1 .
Samples with gross alpha or beta activities exceeding these Alert Levels would require gamma analysis to identify the radionuclides present. All the results are consistent with the presence of naturally-occurring radionuclides and none of the gamma emitters listed in Table 4.2 were detected.
TABLE 4.1 GROSS ALPHA AND BETA ACTIVITY IN SURFACE WATER (pCi Liter                             1 +/- 2y)
              *LLD, - 0.4 pCi Liter 1   LLDp - 0.4 pCi Liter -1 pCi Liter--1 GROSS                   GROSS DATE                    LOCATION                        ALPHA                     BETA FIRST QUARTER 2006                 ON                           < 0.4                   3.0+/-0.7 OFF                          < 0.4                   2.9 +/- 0.7 SECOND QUARTER 2006                ON                            < 0.4                   3.4 +/- 0.7 OFF                          < 0.4                   2.7 +/- 0.7 THIRD QUARTER 2006                ON                            < 0.4                  3.3+0.7 OFF                            < 0.4                  3.1+0.7 FOURTH QUARTER 2006                ON                            < 0.4                  3.2+0.7 OFF                            < 0.4                  2.8+0.7 12
 
TABLE 4.2 LLD VALUES FOR GAMMA EMITTERS IN SURFACE WATER NUCLIDE             LLD (pCi. Liter 1')
Co-60                       0.4 Zn-65                       0.7 Cs-137                     0.3 Cs-134                     0.4 Sr-85                       0.4 Ru-103                     0.3 Ru-106                     3.0 Nb-95                       0.4 Zr-95                       0.5 13
: 5. VEGETATION (TABLE 5.1 & 5.2)
Tables 5.1 gives gross beta activities for grass samples collected on the NCSU Campus. Table 5.2 lists LLD values for several gamma emitters. The vegetation sampling is performed in alternate years.
No vegetation samples were collected in 2006. The next sample collection and analysis will be in 2007.
TABLE 5.1 GROSS BETA ACTIVITY IN CAMPUS VEGETATION
* LLD - 0.5 pCi g-1 SAMPLE DATE                       SAMPLE LOCATION                 {2~i q1 +/- 2g}
2006                            NORTH CAMPUS                      No Data 2006                            SOUTH CAMPUS                        No Data 2006                            EAST CAMPUS                        No Data 2006                            WEST CAMPUS                        No Data 14
 
TABLE 5.2 LLD VALUES FOR GAMMA EMITTERS IN VEGETATION NUCLIDE             LLD (pCi qram 1 )
Co-60                     0.01 Zn-65                     0.02 Cs-137                     0.01 Cs-134                     0.01 Sr-85                     0.01 Ru-1 03                   0.01 Nb-95                     0.01 Zr-95                     0.02 15
: 6.       THERMOLUMINESCENT DOSIMETERS (TLDs)                       (TABLE 6.1)
TLD analysis is contracted to Landauer, Inc. for determination of ambient gamma exposures.
Exposures are integrated over a three-month period at each of the five air monitor stations listed in Table 2.1 and inside the PULSTAR Reactor building (In July 2006, the dosimeter previously located in the PULSTAR stack was relocated inside the reactor building at the exhaust duct) and at North Hall. A control station is located in Room 107 of the Environmental Health & Safety Center. Table 6.1 gives the data for these eight (8) locations.
Exposures are integrated over a three-month period at each of the five air monitor stations listed in Table 2.1 and inside the PULSTAR Reactor building (In July 2006, the dosimeter previously located in the PULSTAR stack was relocated inside the reactor building at the exhaust duct) and at North Hall. A control station is located in Room 107 of the Environmental Health & Safety Center. Table 6.1 gives the data for these eight (8) locations.
The exposures (dose equivalents) are reported as millirem per quarter year. Readings which fall below the dosimeters' minimum measurable quantities (i.e., 1 millirem for gamma radiations and 10 millirems for beta radiations) are reported by the contract vendor with the designation "M". The observed readings are all within the expected range for natural background radiation levels.Historically, dosimeter readings for D.H. Hill Library monitoring station have often been higher than those for the other campus stations due to its location inside a concrete penthouse.
The exposures (dose equivalents) are reported as millirem per quarter year. Readings which fall below the dosimeters' minimum measurable quantities (i.e., 1 millirem for gamma radiations and 10 millirems for beta radiations) are reported by the contract vendor with the designation "M". The observed readings are all within the expected range for natural background radiation levels.
Pursuant to a recommendation made in the NCSU PULSTAR 2001 Annual Self Assessment, two additional TLDs are included at the D.H. Hill Library station to supplement the existing dosimeter.
Historically, dosimeter readings for D.H. Hill Library monitoring station have often been higher than those for the other campus stations due to its location inside a concrete penthouse. Pursuant to a recommendation made in the NCSU PULSTAR 2001 Annual Self Assessment, two additional TLDs are included at the D.H. Hill Library station to supplement the existing dosimeter. These two additional dosimeters are a routine part of the quarterly monitoring schedule.
These two additional dosimeters are a routine part of the quarterly monitoring schedule.16 ITABLE 6.1 TENVIRONMENTAL TLD EXPOSURES (mrem/QUARTER YEAR) _ _DATE WITHERS DANIELS IBROUGHTON OH HILL* EH&S I *PULSTAR I NORTH CONTROL S _ __ __ ___ V _ 91__i__20061 01/01-03/31 1 3 .3 1 3 7,2,6 5
16
* 3 7 M,2 04/01-06/30 M 3 M M,1,3 2 1 M M,1 07/01-09/30 r 5 7iP] _I 7,5,5 7 11 -24 I 24__ M,6.10/01-12/311 1 5 5 15,5,4I 34 235 _5 M,5**The entries for D.H. Hill are for three (3) independent dosimeter readings for that station. I _____.... _________
 
___E___ _ ___________
ITABLE 6.1 TENVIRONMENTAL TLD EXPOSURES (mrem/QUARTER YEAR)                           _             _
_______- _________
DATE 20061 WITHERS DANIELS IBROUGHTON S        _ __      __
______**The 1st and 2nd quarter readings are for the dosimeter located in the PULSTAR Stack. .**The 3rd and 4th Quarter readings are for the dosimeter located in the PULSTAR building exhaust duct. 1__ _ _ _ I I __1 The "CONTROL" column indicates the use of dual control dosimeters for all the monitoring periods. _-~~ ~ ,F !I i i The designation M" is used by the contract vendor for reporting dose equivalents below the minimum measurable quantity which is 1 millirem for gamma radiation and 10 millirem for beta radiation  
OH HILL* EH&S I
-] 1  
___          V    *PULSTAR I NORTH 91__i__CONTROL 01/01-03/31   1     3         .3     1         3         7,2,6     5
* 3               7           M,2 04/01-06/30         M           3               M         M,1,3     2               1             M           M,1 07/01-09/30   r     5           7iP]   _I       11        7,5,5     7               24__
                                                                                      -24       I                 M,6
.10/01-12/311         1           5               5     15,5,4I       34             235             _5           M,5
**The entries for D.H. Hill are for three (3) independent dosimeter readings for that station. I                         _
____.... _________       ___E___     _ ___________         _______-     _________   ______
  **The 1st and 2nd quarter readings are for the dosimeter located in the PULSTAR Stack.                     .
**The 3rd and 4th Quarter readings are for the dosimeter located in the PULSTAR building exhaust duct.
__ _     _       _                         I         I     __1                                             1 The "CONTROL" column indicates the use of dual control dosimeters for all the monitoring periods.
                    -~~ !I                                           i~    i       ,F                          _
The designation M" is used by the contract vendor for reporting dose equivalents below the minimum measurable quantity which is 1 millirem for gamma radiation and 10 millirem for beta radiation                               -]             1
: 7. QUALITY CONTROL INTERCOMPARISON PROGRAM The Environmental Radiation Surveillance Laboratory (ERSL) of the Radiation Safety Division has analyzed samples provided by the U.S. DOE Mixed-Analyte Performance Evaluation Program (MAPEP Test Session 16) Radiological and Environmental Sciences Laboratory (RESL) during this reporting period. The objective of this program is to provide laboratories performing environmental radiation measurements with unknowns to test their analytical techniques.
: 7. QUALITY CONTROL INTERCOMPARISON PROGRAM The Environmental Radiation Surveillance Laboratory (ERSL) of the Radiation Safety Division has analyzed samples provided by the U.S. DOE Mixed-Analyte Performance Evaluation Program (MAPEP Test Session 16) Radiological and Environmental Sciences Laboratory (RESL) during this reporting period. The objective of this program is to provide laboratories performing environmental radiation measurements with unknowns to test their analytical techniques.
The MAPEP value listed in the Tables 7.1 (a-d) to which the ERSL results are compared is the mean of replicate determinations for each nuclide. The MAPEP uncertainty is the standard error of the mean.For each reported radiological and inorganic analyte, the laboratory result and the RESL reference value may be used to calculate a relative bias:%Bias -(1 00)(Laboratory Result -RESL Re ferenceValue)
The MAPEP value listed in the Tables 7.1 (a-d) to which the ERSL results are compared is the mean of replicate determinations for each nuclide. The MAPEP uncertainty is the standard error of the mean.
For each reported radiological and inorganic analyte, the laboratory result and the RESL reference value may be used to calculate a relative bias:
                        %Bias - (100)(Laboratory Result - RESL Re ferenceValue)
RESL Re ferenceValue The relative bias will place the laboratory result in one of three categories:
RESL Re ferenceValue The relative bias will place the laboratory result in one of three categories:
Acceptable  
Acceptable ..................... Bias < 20%
.....................
Acceptable with Warning... 20% < Bias < 30%
Bias < 20%Acceptable with Warning...
Not Acceptable................ Bias > 30%
20% < Bias < 30%Not Acceptable................
In addition to the MAPEP Quality Assurance Program, the ERSL conducts an intralaboratory QC program to track the performance of routine radioactivity measurements. The types of calculations employed for this program are shown in an example calculation in Appendix 1.
Bias > 30%In addition to the MAPEP Quality Assurance Program, the ERSL conducts an intralaboratory QC program to track the performance of routine radioactivity measurements.
18
The types of calculations employed for this program are shown in an example calculation in Appendix 1.18 TABLE 7.1a GROSS ALPHA & BETA ACTIVITY AIR FILTER--INTERCOMPARISON STUDY 01 July 2006 The sample consists of one 50 mm diameter simulated filter spiked with a matrix-free solution containing a single alpha and a single beta emitting nuclide. The reported values and the known values are given in Bq/filter.
 
*NCSU -ENVIRONMENTAL LABORATORY RESULTS Radionuclide Gross Alpha Gross Beta*Reported Value*Reported Error MAPEP Value Acceptance Range>0.0 -0.580 0.180 -0.538 0.195 0.439 0.019 0.027 0.290 0.359 19 TABLE 7.1b MULTINUCLIDE AIR FILTER -INTERCOMPARISON STUDY 01 July 2006 The sample consists of one 7 cm diameter glass fiber filter that has been spiked with 0.10 gram of solution and dried. The reported values and the known values are given in Bqlfilter.
TABLE 7.1a GROSS ALPHA & BETA ACTIVITY AIR FILTER--INTERCOMPARISON STUDY 01 July 2006 The sample consists of one 50 mm diameter simulated filter spiked with a matrix-free solution containing a single alpha and a single beta emitting nuclide. The reported values and the known values are given in Bq/filter.
*NCSU -ENVIRONMENTAL LABORATORY RESULTS Radionuclide  
                *NCSU - ENVIRONMENTAL LABORATORY RESULTS Radionuclide   *Reported   *Reported     MAPEP      Acceptance Value        Error     Value           Range Gross Alpha      0.195        0.019      0.290      >0.0 - 0.580 Gross Beta        0.439       0.027      0.359      0.180 - 0.538 19
*Reported  
 
*Reported MAPEP Acceptance Value Error Value Range Co60 1.54 0.067 1.577 1.10-2.05 Cs137 1.74 0.100 1.805 1.26-2.35 Cs134 2.20 0.076 3.147 2.20-4.09 Co57 2.41 0.098 2.582 1.81 -3.36 Mn54 1.93 0.110 1.92 1.34-2.50 20 TABLE 7.1c MULTINUCLIDE WATER SAMPLE -INTERCOMPARISON STUDY 01 July 2006 The sample consists of a spiked, 455 mL aliquot of acidified water (-1 N HCI). The reported values and the known values are given in Bq/Liter.*NCSU -ENVIRONMENTAL LABORATORY RESULTS Radionuclide  
TABLE 7.1b MULTINUCLIDE AIR FILTER - INTERCOMPARISON STUDY 01 July 2006 The sample consists of one 7 cm diameter glass fiber filter that has been spiked with 0.10 gram of solution and dried. The reported values and the known values are given in Bqlfilter.
*Reported  
                *NCSU - ENVIRONMENTAL LABORATORY RESULTS Radionuclide   *Reported *Reported         MAPEP     Acceptance Value       Error       Value         Range Co60               1.54       0.067         1.577       1.10-2.05 Cs137             1.74       0.100         1.805       1.26-2.35 Cs134             2.20       0.076         3.147       2.20-4.09 Co57               2.41       0.098         2.582       1.81 -3.36 Mn54               1.93       0.110         1.92       1.34-2.50 20
*Reported MAPEP Acceptance Value Error Value Range Co60 46.70 1.98 47.5 33.2 -61.8 Cs137 221.15 13.57 196.14 137.30 -254.98 Cs134 104.95 4.09 112.82 116.90- 217.10 Co57 215.39 12.43 213.08 149.16 -277.00 Zn65 188.16 10.03 176.37 123.46 -229.28 21 TABLE 7.1d GROSS ALPHA AND BETA WATER SAMPLE -INTERCOMPARISON STUDY 01 July 2006 The sample consists of a 5% HNO 3 matrix free solution.
 
The reported values and the known values are given in Bq/Liter.*NCSU -ENVIRONMENTAL LABORATORY RESULTS Radionuclide Gross Alpha Gross Beta*Reported Value*Reported Error MAPEP Acceptance Value Range 1.033 > 0.0 -2.066 1.03 0.52 -1.54 0.810 1.30 0.177 0.16 22  
TABLE 7.1c MULTINUCLIDE WATER SAMPLE - INTERCOMPARISON STUDY 01 July 2006 The sample consists of a spiked, 455 mL aliquot of acidified water (-1 N HCI). The reported values and the known values are given in Bq/Liter.
: 8. CONCLUSIONS The data obtained during this period do not show any fission product activities.
                  *NCSU - ENVIRONMENTAL LABORATORY RESULTS Radionuclide   *Reported   *Reported   MAPEP         Acceptance Value       Error     Value           Range Co60               46.70       1.98         47.5         33.2 - 61.8 Cs137           221.15       13.57       196.14     137.30 - 254.98 Cs134           104.95         4.09       112.82     116.90- 217.10 Co57             215.39       12.43       213.08       149.16 - 277.00 Zn65             188.16       10.03       176.37       123.46 - 229.28 21
The observed environmental radioactivity is due primarily to radon progeny, primordial radionuclides (e.g. K-40)and those radionuclides that originate in the upper atmosphere as the result of cosmic ray interactions.
 
These facts justify the conclusion that the PULSTAR Reactor facility continues to operate safely and does not release fission product materials into the environment.
TABLE 7.1d GROSS ALPHA AND BETA WATER SAMPLE - INTERCOMPARISON STUDY 01 July 2006 The sample consists of a 5% HNO 3 matrix free solution. The reported values and the known values are given in Bq/Liter.
23 APPENDIX 1 The following example calculation gives a set of data, the mean value, the experimental sigma, and the range. These statistics provide measures of the central tendency and dispersion of the data.The normalized range is computed by first finding mean range, R, the control limit, CL, and the standard error of the range, CYR. The normalized range measures the dispersion of the data (precision) in such a form that control charts may be used. Control charts allow one to readily compare past analytical performance with present performance.
                  *NCSU - ENVIRONMENTAL LABORATORY RESULTS Radionuclide   *Reported     *Reported     MAPEP     Acceptance Value       Error        Value        Range Gross Alpha        0.810        0.177        1.033     > 0.0 - 2.066 Gross Beta          1.30        0.16        1.03        0.52 - 1.54 22
In the example, the normalized range equals 0.3 which is less than 3 which is the upper control level. The precision of the results is acceptable.
: 8. CONCLUSIONS The data obtained during this period do not show any fission product activities. The observed environmental radioactivity is due primarily to radon progeny, primordial radionuclides (e.g. K-40) and those radionuclides that originate in the upper atmosphere as the result of cosmic ray interactions. These facts justify the conclusion that the PULSTAR Reactor facility continues to operate safely and does not release fission product materials into the environment.
The normalized deviation is calculated by computing the deviation and the standard error of the mean, am. The normalized deviation allows one to measure central tendency (accuracy) readily through the use of control charts. Trends in analytical accuracy can be determined in this manner.For this example, the normalized deviation is -0.7 which falls between +2 and -2 which are the upper and lower warning levels. The accuracy of the data is acceptable.
23
Any bias in methodology or instrumentation may be indicated by these results.24 EXAMPLE CALCULATIONS Experimental Data: Known value = p = 3273 pCi 3 H/Liter on September 24, 1974 Expected laboratory precision  
 
= a = 357 pCi/liter Sample Result X W3060 pCi/liter X2 3060 pCi/liter.X3 3240 pCi/liter Mean n x E.X.i 9360 X = X=. 3 = 3120 pCi/liter IN where N = number of results = 3 Experimental sigma s t' N.(2 x)2 s = _ Nx)_ =(3060)2+(3060)2+  
APPENDIX 1 The following example calculation gives a set of data, the mean value, the experimental sigma, and the range. These statistics provide measures of the central tendency and dispersion of the data.
(3240)2- (3060+3060+3240)2 3 S 2 s = 103.9 pCi/liter Range r r = maximum result -minimum result I r = 13240 -30601 r = 180 pCi/liter 25 Range Analysis (RNG ANLY)*Mean range R-d 2 o where d 2** = 1.693 for N = 3= (1 .693) (357)604.4 pCi/liter Control limit CL-CL R. + 30R= D4R where D 4** = 2.575 for N = 3= (2.575) (604.4)= 1556 pCi/liter CL Standard error of the range-0 R OR = (R+3oR- R) -3= (D 4 1R-R) + 3= (1556 -604.4) + 3 aR = 317.2 pCi/liter Let Range = r =wR + XcR = 180 pCi/liter Define normalized range w + x for r >- R, w = 1 then r = wR + XO = R + Xo or x =-------------
The normalized range is computed by first finding mean range, R, the control limit, CL, and the standard error of the range, CYR. The normalized range measures the dispersion of the data (precision) in such a form that control charts may be used. Control charts allow one to readily compare past analytical performance with present performance. In the example, the normalized range equals 0.3 which is less than 3 which is the upper control level. The precision of the results is acceptable.
CR therefore w+x 1 +x = 1+r-R*Rosentein, M., and A. S. Goldin, "Statistical Techniques for Quality Control of Environmental Radioassay," AQCS Report Stat-1, U.S. Department of Health Education and Welfare, PHS, November 1964.**From table "Factors for Computing Control Limits," Handbook of Tables for Probability and Statistics, 2nd Edition, The Chemical RubberCo., Cleveland, Ohio, 1968, p. 454.26 for r R, x = 0 then r = WF + XoR = wF r or w=R r therefore w+x = w+0 =H since r < R, (180 < 604.4)180 w+x-604.4 w + x 0.30 Normalized deviation of the mean from the known value = ND Deviation of mean from the known .value = D D = x--I= 3120 -3273 D = -153 pCi/liter Standard error of the mean = am a 357 ,/3 am =206.1 pCi/liter D ND-a~m-153 206.1 ND = -0.7 Control limit = CL CL =(1p 3am)27  
The normalized deviation is calculated by computing the deviation and the standard error of the mean, am. The normalized deviation allows one to measure central tendency (accuracy) readily through the use of control charts. Trends in analytical accuracy can be determined in this manner.
.&#xfd; 1 4 Warning limit = WL WL = (p 2om)Experimental sigma (all laboratories) s, N SX2 i2 i St M -1 162639133
For this example, the normalized deviation is -0.7 which falls between +2 and -2 which are the upper and lower warning levels. The accuracy of the data is acceptable. Any bias in methodology or instrumentation may be indicated by these results.
-(49345)2-~ 15 14 st = 149 pCi/liter Grand Average GA N GA = .i=_N 49345 15 GA = 3290 pCi/liter Normalized deviation from the grand average = ND'Deviation of the mean from the grand average D'D'= -GA= 3120 -3290 D'= -170 pC.i/liter ND D m-170 206.1 ND' = -0.8 28  
24
-APPENDIX 2 Joint Frequency Distribution Raleigh-Durham Airport: 2000 -2006 N W E S Calms excluded.Rings drawn at 5% intervals.
 
Wind flow is FROM the directions shown.No observations were missing.0.1 3.9 6.9 11.9 18.9 24.9 Wind Speed (Miles Per Hour)29}}
EXAMPLE CALCULATIONS Experimental Data:
Known value = p   = 3273 pCi 3H/Liter on September 24, 1974 Expected laboratory precision     = a = 357 pCi/liter Sample             Result X               W3060 pCi/liter X2             3060 pCi/liter
                                .X3             3240 pCi/liter Meann    x E.X.i                     9360 X         =           X=.                         3         =     3120 pCi/liter IN where N = number of results =   3 Experimental sigma     s t'               N.
(2 x)     2 s =               _                 = Nx)_
(3060+3060+3240)2 (3060)2+(3060)2+ (3240)2-                            3 S                                                       2 s     =     103.9 pCi/liter Range           r r     =                   maximum result - minimum result I r     =                 13240 - 30601 r     =                 180 pCi/liter 25
 
Range Analysis (RNG ANLY)*
Mean range R           - d2o                            where d2** = 1.693 for N = 3
                          =   (1 .693) (357) 604.4 pCi/liter Control limit     -    CL CL             R. + 30R
                              = D4R                             where D4** = 2.575 for N = 3
                          =   (2.575) (604.4)
CL        =   1556 pCi/liter 0
Standard error of the range             -       R OR       =   (R+3oR- R) - 3
                          =   (D41R-R) + 3
                          =   (1556   - 604.4) + 3 aR       =   317.2 pCi/liter Let Range = r =wR +     XcR =   180 pCi/liter Define normalized range         w+x for r >- R, w = 1 then           r =   wR +   XO   = R + Xo or             x =-------------
CR r-R therefore     w+x         1 +x   = 1+
*Rosentein, M., and A. S. Goldin, "Statistical Techniques for Quality Control of Environmental Radioassay,"
AQCS Report Stat-1, U.S. Department of Health Education and Welfare, PHS, November 1964.
**From table "Factors for Computing Control Limits," Handbook of Tables for Probability and Statistics, 2nd Edition, The Chemical RubberCo., Cleveland, Ohio, 1968, p. 454.
26
 
for r
* R, x = 0 then         r = WF + XoR = wF r
or           w=
R r
therefore   w+x = w+0       =
H since r < R, (180 < 604.4) 180 w+x-604.4 w+x   0.30 Normalized deviation of the mean from the known value       = ND Deviation of mean from the known .value = D D = x--I
                                    = 3120 - 3273 D   = -153 pCi/liter Standard error of the mean = am a
357
                                                ,/3 am =206.1 pCi/liter D
ND-a~m
          -153 206.1 ND   = -0.7 Control limit = CL CL =(1p     3am) 27
 
. &#xfd;1 4 Warning limit = WL WL = (p     2om)
Experimental sigma (all laboratories)     s, N
SX2     i2 i St
                                                          -1 M
                                                                    -   (49345)2 162639133
                                                  -~                     15 14 st       =   149 pCi/liter Grand Average     GA N
GA     =     .i=_
N 49345 15 GA     =   3290 pCi/liter Normalized deviation from the grand average = ND' Deviation of the mean from the grand average           D' D'=     - GA
                                  = 3120 - 3290 D'= -170 pC.i/liter D
ND m
                  -170 206.1 ND'   =   -0.8 28
 
APPENDIX 2 Joint Frequency Distribution Raleigh-Durham Airport: 2000 - 2006 N
W                                                                                     E S
Calms excluded.
Rings drawn at 5% intervals.
0.1 3.9 6.9 11.9 18.9 24.9                       Wind flow is FROM the directions shown.
Wind Speed (Miles Per Hour)                       No observations were missing.
29}}

Latest revision as of 19:46, 13 March 2020

Transmittal of Annual Operating Report for 01/01/2006 - 12/31/2006
ML070580432
Person / Time
Site: North Carolina State University
Issue date: 02/26/2007
From: Hawari A
North Carolina State University
To:
Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
Download: ML070580432 (37)


Text

North Carolina State University is a land- Nuclear Reactor Program grant university and a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina NCSAT UNVRST Department of Nuclear Engineering Campus Box 7909 Raleigh, NC 27695-7909 919.515.2321 919.513.1276 (fax)

URL: www.ne.ncsu.edu/NRP reactor_

program.html 26 February 2007 Attn: Docu iment Control Desk US Nuclear Regulatory Commission 11555 Rock'*ville Pike Rockville, N/ID 20852 Re: Annuial Report In accordanc e with Technical Specification 6.7.4, the annual operating report for our facility iss attached.

If you have atny questions regarding this correspondence or require additional information, please contact Gerald Wicks at 919-515-4601 or wicks(cbncsu.edu.

I declare und[er penalty of perjury that the forgoing is true and correct. Executed on 26 Februatry 2007.

Ayman I. Ha.wari, Ph.D.

Director, Nu clear Reactor Program North Caroli na State University

Enclosures:

Annual Oper ating Report for 2006 Attachment1 k: PULSTAR Reactor Environmental Radiation Surveillance Report

/4ogo

NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF NUCLEAR ENGINEERING PULSTAR REACTOR ANNUAL REPORT DOCKET NUMBER 50-297 For the Period: 01 January 2006 - 31 December 2006 The following report is submitted in accordance with Section 6.7.4 of the North Carolina State University PULSTAR Reactor Technical Specifications:

6.7.4.a Brief Summary:

Reactor operations have been routine during this reporting period.

Operating experience including a summary of experiments performed.

Reactor operations have been routine during this reporting period. The following is a brief summary of the types of experiments performed:

Teaching Laboratories, Short Courses, and Research

  • Core thermal power measurements
  • Dynamic reactivity measurements
  • Axial power and peaking factor measurements (flux mapping)
  • Reactor power determination using photodiode arrays
  • Neutron diffusion length in graphite by foil activation
  • Neutron fluence and spectral measurements
  • Neutron transmutation doping of silicon
  • In-core detector certification
  • Radiation damage determination to fiber optic material
  • Accelerated lifetime testing for nuclear detectors
  • Neutron radiography
  • Positron production facility Neutron Activation Analysis
  • Crude oil
  • Food samples
  • Fish tissues 1 of 5
  • Laboratory animal tissue
  • Human hair, nails, and urine
  • Polymers and plastics
  • Sediment/soil/rocks
  • Silicon crystals
  • Textiles
  • Water Changes in Performance Characteristics Related to Reactor Safety:

None iii Results of Surveillance, Tests, and Inspections:

The reactor surveillance program has revealed no significant or unexpected trends in reactor systems performance during this reporting period. The Reactor Safety and Audit Committee (RSAC) performed its annual audit for the facility and determined that all phases of operation and supporting documents were in compliance.

Health physics surveillance of reactor primary coolant water showed no fission products and that activity is below 10 CFR 20, App. B, Table 3 limits.

6.7.4.b Tabulation of Energy Output:

40.56 Megawatt.days in 2006 Reactor was critical 1225.6 hours6.944444e-5 days <br />0.00167 hours <br />9.920635e-6 weeks <br />2.283e-6 months <br /> in 2006 Cumulative total energy output since initial criticality was 1114.9 Megawatt.days as of 31 Dec 2006.

6.7.4.c Number of Emergency and Unscheduled Shutdowns:

Emergency Shutdowns - None Unscheduled Shutdowns - Two

1. 09 Jan 2006: Reactor SCRAM caused by an electrical short in R-63 exhaust fan annunciator which in turn caused a loss of 24 VAC bus. The electrical short was located and repaired.
2. 29 Jan 2006: Reactor SCRAM caused by loss of commercial power.

6.7.4.d Corrective and Preventative Maintenance:

Preventative maintenance, tests and calibrations are scheduled, performed and tracked utilizing the PULSTAR Surveillance File System. Each major component of the Reactor Safety System defined in Section 3.3, and all surveillance required by Section 4 of the Technical Specifications are monitored by this file system to ensure that maintenance and calibrations are performed in a timely manner. All historical data relating to those components, in addition to many other sub-systems, are maintained in these files.

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6.7.4.e Changes in Facility, Procedures, Tests, and Experiments:

Facility Changes Design changes to the reactor facility were reviewed to determine whether or not a 10CFR50.59 evaluation was required. Based on the reviews, none required a 10CFR50.59 evaluation.

Document Changes Procedure changes were reviewed to determine whether or not a 10CFR50.59 evaluation was required. Based on the reviews, none required a 10CFR50.59 evaluation.

Test and Experiments No new test or experiments were proposed in 2006. Changes to experiments were reviewed to determine whether or not a 10CFR50.59 evaluation was required. Based on the reviews, none required a 10CFR50.59 evaluation.

Other Changes License Amendment 16 was submitted to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in April, 2006 and approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on 15 August 2006. Amendment 16 permits receipt, possession, and use of byproduct material.

6.7.4.f Radioactive Effluent:

Liquid Waste (summarized by quarters)

Radioactivity Released During the Reporting Period:

(1) (2) (3) (4)1 (5)

Period Number of Total Total Diluent Tritium Batches ýtCi Volume Liters li Liters 01 JAN - 31 MAR 06 3 488 1.0 E4 2.6 E5 461 01 APR - 30 JUN 06 2 456 6.0 E3 1.7 E5 438 01 JUL- 30 SEP 06 1 55 3.4 E3 6.5 E4 48 01 OCT- 31 DEC 06 3 213 9.2 E3 6.6 E4 206 2006 1153 ltCi of tritium was released during this year.

2006 1212 ýtCi of total activity was released during this year.

'Based on gross beta activity only. Tritium did not require further dilution.

ii. Identification of Fission and Activation Products:

The gross beta-gamma activity of the batches in (1) above were less than 2x10-5 pCi/ml. Isotopic analyses of these batches indicated low levels of typical corrosion and activation products. No fission products were detected.

iii. Disposition of Liquid Effluent not Releasable to Sanitary Sewer System:

All liquid effluent met the requirements of 10 CFR 20 for release to the sanitary sewer.

3 of 5

Gaseous Waste (summarized monthly)

Radioactivity Discharged During the Reporting Period (in Curies) for:

(1) Gases:

Year Month Total Time Curies Hours 2006 JANUARY 744 0.055 FEBRUARY 696 0.266 MARCH 744 0.648 APRIL 720 0.126 MAY 744 0 JUNE 720 0 JULY 744 0.099 AUGUST 744 0.035 SEPTEMBER 720 0.109 OCTOBER 744 0.473 NOVEMBER 720 0.131 DECEMBER 744 0.124 TOTAL 8760 2.066 (2) Particulates with a half-life of greater than eight days:

Particulate filters from the Stack Particulate Monitoring Channel were analyzed upon removal.

There was no particulate activity with a half-life greater than 8 days indicated on any filter during this reporting period.

ii. Gases and Particulates Discharged During the Reporting Period:

(1) Gases:

Total activity of argon-41 released was 2.066 curies in 2006.

The yearly average concentration of argon-41 released from the PULSTAR reactor facility exhaust stack in 2006 was 1.4x108 pCi/ml. Dose calculations for the fiscal year were performed using the "COMPLY" code and methods given in the Final Safety Analysis Report. Both dose calculations gave results less than the 10CFR20 constraint level of 10 mrem. These results are consistent with environmental monitoring data given in Attachment A.

(2) Particulates:

Refer to gaseous waste i.(2) above.

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Solid Waste from Reactor 1 Total Volume of Solid Waste Packaged 84 ft 3 of dry uncompacted waste ii. Total Activity Involved 0.51 mCi of dry compacted waste iii. Dates of shipments and disposal Transfers to the university broad scope radioactive materials license were made on 14 February 2006, 30 March 2006, 11 May 2006, and 26 June 2006. The University Environmental Health and Safety Center arranges disposal of hazardous wastes.

6.7.4.g Personnel Radiation Exposure Report:

35 individuals were monitored for external radiation dose during the reporting period. Internal dose monitoring was not required for any individual. Collective deep dose-equivalent for 2006 was 2.260 person-rem. Individual deep dose-equivalent ranged from 0 to 0.156 rem with an average of 0.065 rem. No visitors required official radiation dose monitoring during 2006.

6.7.4.h Summary of Radiation and Contamination Surveys Within the Facility:

Radiation and contamination surveys performed within the facility by the PULSTAR staff indicated that:

  • Radiation in the majority of areas was 5 mrem/h or less.
  • Radiation in the remaining areas was higher due to reactor operations.
  • Contamination in most areas was not detectable. When contamination was detected, the area or item was confined or decontaminated.

6.7.4.i Description of Environmental Surveys Outside of the Facility:

Refer to Attachment A prepared by the Radiation Safety Division of the Environmental Health and Safety Center at the end of this document for results of environmental sampling and analysis.

Perimeter surveys were performed adjacent to the Reactor Building by the PULSTAR staff and indicated that:

Radiation was at background levels for most areas (average background is approximately 10 prem/h).

  • Contamination was not detectable.
  • Net radiation readings ranged from 0 to 50 prem/h while the reactor was operating at power. Radiation was at background levels in all routinely occupied spaces.

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ATTACHMENT A PULSTAR REACTOR ENVIRONMENTAL RADIATION SURVEILLANCE REPORT FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 2006 - DECEMBER 31, 2006 NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY CENTER RADIATION SAFETY DIVISION by Ralton J. Harris Environmental Health Physicist

TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE NO.

1. INTRODUCTION 1 Table 1 Environmental Monitoring Programs for the PULSTAR Reactor 2
2. AIR MONITORING 3 Table 2.1 Location of Air Monitoring Stations 3 Table 2.2 Aerially Transported Gamma Activity (LLD Values) 4 Figures 2a-2e Airborne Gross Beta Activities 5-9 Table 2.3 Regulatory Limits, Alert Levels and Background Levels for Airborne Radioactivity 10
3. MILK Table 3.1 1-131 in Cow' s Milk 11
4. SURFACE WATER Table 4.1 Gross Alpha and Beta Activity in Surface Water 12 Table 4.2 LLD Values for Gamma Emitters in Surface Water 13
5. VEGETATION Table 5.1 Gross Beta Activity in Campus Vegetation 14 Table 5.2 LLD Values for Gamma Emitters in Vegetation 15
6. THERMOLUMINESCENT DOSIMETERS 16 Table 6.1 Environmental TLD Exposures 17
7. QUALITY CONTROL INTERCOMPARISON PROGRAM 18 Tables 7.1a - 7.1d 19 - 22
8. CONCLUSIONS 23 APPENDIX 1 24 - 28 APPENDIX 2 29
1. INTRODUCTION The Environmental Radiation Surveillance Program exists to provide routine measurements of the university environment surrounding the PULSTAR Reactor.

The specific objectives of this program include:

1) Providing information that assesses the adequacy of the protection of the university community and the public-at-large;
2) Meeting requirements of regulatory agencies;
3) Verifying radionuclide containment in the reactor facility;
4) Meeting legal liability obligations; and
5) Providing public assurance and acceptance.

1

Table 1:

Environmental Monitoring Programs for the PULSTAR Reactor at North Carolina State University Sample Activity Conducted Previous Current Basis For Measured By Frequency Frequency Measurement Stack Gross N.E. Continuous Continuous 10 CFR 20 Gases Gamma T.S. 6.7.4 Stack Gross Beta N.E. Monthly Monthly 10 CFR 20 Particles Indiv. N.E. T.S. 6.7.4 Gamma Emitters Water from Gross Beta N.E. Prior to Prior to 10 CFR 20 Reactor Gross N.E. Discharge Discharge T.S. 6.7.4 Facility Gamma N.E. (~ Monthly) ~ Monthly City of Tritium Raleigh Ordinance Air/Particles Gross Beta RSD/EHSC Weekly Quarterly 10 CFR 20 at 5 Indiv. RSD/EHSC Weekly 10 CFR 20 Campus Gamma Stations* Emitters Air/Dosage TLD RSD/EHSC Quarterly Quarterly 10 CFR 20 at 8 Dosimeter Campus Stations+

Surface Gross Beta RSD/EHSC Quarterly Quarterly NCSU Water Indiv. RSD/EHSC Quarterly Quarterly NCSU Rocky Gamma Branch Emitters Creek Vegetation Gross Beta RSD/EHSC Semi- Alternate years NCSU NCSU Gamma RSD/EHSC annually Alternate years NCSU Campus Milk 1-131 RSD/EHSC Monthly Alternate years NCSU Local Dairy N.E. = Nuclear Engineering/Reactor Facility; RSD/EHSC = Radiation Safety Division.

  • These 5 stations include: Withers, Daniels, Broughton, Hill Library and Environmental Health & Safety Center.

+These 8 stations include: the PULSTAR Reactor, a control station (EHSC) and the 5 air sampling stations, and North Hall.

2

2. AIR MONITORING (TABLES 2.1, 2.2, AND 2.3; FIGURES 2a THROUGH 2e)

Air monitoring is performed continually for one week during each of four (4) quarters during the year. The data shows the normal fluctuations in gross beta activity levels expected during the year. Figures 2a through 2e show bar graphs of gross beta activity (fCi/cubic meter vs. sampling quarters per year). The highest gross beta activity observed was 24.8 fCiM- 3 at the EH&S Center Hall station during the week of 07/25/06 to 07/31/06. The annual campus average was 11.8 fCiM- 3 . Due to building renovations, it was necessary to permanently relocate the Riddick Hall monitoring station to a new site atop Daniels Hall.

Table 2.2 lists LLD values for several gamma emitters which would be indicative of fission product activity. No .qamma activity due to any of these radionuclides was detected.

Table 2.3 lists regulatory limits, alert levels, and average background levels for airborne radioactivity.

TABLE 2.1 LOCATION OF AIR MONITORING STATIONS 2 3 SITE DIRECTION 1 DISTANCE ELEVATION (meters) (meters)

BROUGHTON SOUTHWEST 125 -17 LIBRARY NORTHWEST 192 +11 DANIELS SOUTHEAST 90 -8 WITHERS NORTHEAST 82 -6 EH & S CENTER WEST 1230 -3 NORTH HALL NORTHEAST 402 -4 1 DIRECTION - DIRECTION FROM REACTOR STACK 2 DISTANCE - DISTANCE FROM REACTOR STACK 3 ELEVATION

- ELEVATION RELATIVE TO THE TOP OF THE REACTOR STACK A wind rose is included in Appendix 2 to indicate the prevailing wind direction trends for the years 2000-2006.

3

Table 2.2 Aerially Transported Gamma Activity LLD values fCi/cubic meter ]

L 2i VNUCLIDES SAMPLING PERIOD Co-57 Co-60 Nb-95 Zr-95 Ru-103 Ru-106 Cs-137. Ce-141 Ce-144 2006 __I_

01/24-01/31 L 0.21 0.35 0.29 . 0.47 0.27 2.37 0.26 0.38 1.22 05/31 - 06/06 0.2 0.37 1 0.28 0.48 0.28 2.48 0.29 0.34 1.28 07/25-07/31 j0.18 0.35 0.31 1 0.54 0.33 2.51 0.29 0.43 1.40 11/10-11/17 1 0.17 L 0.37 I 0.37 0.50 0.32 2.41 j 0.29 0.39 I 1.41

Broughton Hall 25 Airborne Gross Beta Activity Figure 2a 20 15 E

C.2 Lt' 10 5

0 12 3 4 Quarters per Year

Withers Hall 25 Airborne Gross Beta Activity Figure 2b 20 15 E

.2 10 5

0 12 3 4 Quarters per Year

Daniels Hall 25 Airborne Gross Beta Activity Figure 2c 20 15 E

I,--

G1 0 5

0 1 2 3. 4 Quarters per Year

D.H. Hill Library 25 Airborne Gross Beta Activity Figure 2d 20 15

~3105 /

12 3 4 Quarters per Year

Environmental Health & Safety Center Airborne Gross Beta Activity 25-Figure 2e F 20

  • 10 5-0 1 2 3 4 Quarters per Year

TABLE 2.3 REGULATORY LIMITS, ALERT LEVELS, AND BACKGROUND LEVELS FOR AIRBORNE RADIOACTIVITY (fCi M-3).

REGULATORY ALERT AVERAGE N.C.

NUCLIDE LIMIT LEVEL BACKGROUND LEVEL GROSS ALPHA 20 10 4 GROSS BETA* 1000 500 13.9; 3.3*

Cs-137 5 X 105 10 2 Ce-144 2 X 105 100 0 Ru-106 2 X 105 30 0 1-131 1 X 105 10 0

  • These data represent a range of annual average values measured in North Carolina.

Data courtesy of Dale Dusenbury of the N.C. Division of Radiation Protection.

10

3. MILK (TABLE 3.1)

Milk samples are collected in alternate years from the Campus Creamery and the Lake Wheeler Road Dairy and analyzed for 1-131. No milk samples were collected for 2006. The next sample collection and analysis will be in 2007.

TABLE 3.1A 1-131 IN COW' S MILK (pCi Liter 1 +/- 2 () LLD ~ 3 pCi Liter1 pCi Liter- 1 DATE Campus Creamery Lake Wheeler 2006 No Data No Data 11

4. SURFACE WATER (TABLES 4.1 AND 4.2)

Table 4.1 gives the gross alpha and beta activities for water from Rocky Branch at points where it enters (ON) and exits (OFF) the campus. The LLD value for gross alpha and beta activities is - 0.4 pCi Liter 1 . For gross alpha activity the Alert Level is 5 pCi Liter' and the Regulatory Limit is 15 pCi Liter 1 . For gross beta activity the Alert Level is 5 pCi Liter' and the Regulatory Limit is 50 pCi Liter 1 .

Samples with gross alpha or beta activities exceeding these Alert Levels would require gamma analysis to identify the radionuclides present. All the results are consistent with the presence of naturally-occurring radionuclides and none of the gamma emitters listed in Table 4.2 were detected.

TABLE 4.1 GROSS ALPHA AND BETA ACTIVITY IN SURFACE WATER (pCi Liter 1 +/- 2y)

  • LLD, - 0.4 pCi Liter 1 LLDp - 0.4 pCi Liter -1 pCi Liter--1 GROSS GROSS DATE LOCATION ALPHA BETA FIRST QUARTER 2006 ON < 0.4 3.0+/-0.7 OFF < 0.4 2.9 +/- 0.7 SECOND QUARTER 2006 ON < 0.4 3.4 +/- 0.7 OFF < 0.4 2.7 +/- 0.7 THIRD QUARTER 2006 ON < 0.4 3.3+0.7 OFF < 0.4 3.1+0.7 FOURTH QUARTER 2006 ON < 0.4 3.2+0.7 OFF < 0.4 2.8+0.7 12

TABLE 4.2 LLD VALUES FOR GAMMA EMITTERS IN SURFACE WATER NUCLIDE LLD (pCi. Liter 1')

Co-60 0.4 Zn-65 0.7 Cs-137 0.3 Cs-134 0.4 Sr-85 0.4 Ru-103 0.3 Ru-106 3.0 Nb-95 0.4 Zr-95 0.5 13

5. VEGETATION (TABLE 5.1 & 5.2)

Tables 5.1 gives gross beta activities for grass samples collected on the NCSU Campus. Table 5.2 lists LLD values for several gamma emitters. The vegetation sampling is performed in alternate years.

No vegetation samples were collected in 2006. The next sample collection and analysis will be in 2007.

TABLE 5.1 GROSS BETA ACTIVITY IN CAMPUS VEGETATION

  • LLD - 0.5 pCi g-1 SAMPLE DATE SAMPLE LOCATION {2~i q1 +/- 2g}

2006 NORTH CAMPUS No Data 2006 SOUTH CAMPUS No Data 2006 EAST CAMPUS No Data 2006 WEST CAMPUS No Data 14

TABLE 5.2 LLD VALUES FOR GAMMA EMITTERS IN VEGETATION NUCLIDE LLD (pCi qram 1 )

Co-60 0.01 Zn-65 0.02 Cs-137 0.01 Cs-134 0.01 Sr-85 0.01 Ru-1 03 0.01 Nb-95 0.01 Zr-95 0.02 15

6. THERMOLUMINESCENT DOSIMETERS (TLDs) (TABLE 6.1)

TLD analysis is contracted to Landauer, Inc. for determination of ambient gamma exposures.

Exposures are integrated over a three-month period at each of the five air monitor stations listed in Table 2.1 and inside the PULSTAR Reactor building (In July 2006, the dosimeter previously located in the PULSTAR stack was relocated inside the reactor building at the exhaust duct) and at North Hall. A control station is located in Room 107 of the Environmental Health & Safety Center. Table 6.1 gives the data for these eight (8) locations.

The exposures (dose equivalents) are reported as millirem per quarter year. Readings which fall below the dosimeters' minimum measurable quantities (i.e., 1 millirem for gamma radiations and 10 millirems for beta radiations) are reported by the contract vendor with the designation "M". The observed readings are all within the expected range for natural background radiation levels.

Historically, dosimeter readings for D.H. Hill Library monitoring station have often been higher than those for the other campus stations due to its location inside a concrete penthouse. Pursuant to a recommendation made in the NCSU PULSTAR 2001 Annual Self Assessment, two additional TLDs are included at the D.H. Hill Library station to supplement the existing dosimeter. These two additional dosimeters are a routine part of the quarterly monitoring schedule.

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ITABLE 6.1 TENVIRONMENTAL TLD EXPOSURES (mrem/QUARTER YEAR) _ _

DATE 20061 WITHERS DANIELS IBROUGHTON S _ __ __

OH HILL* EH&S I

___ V *PULSTAR I NORTH 91__i__CONTROL 01/01-03/31 1 3 .3 1 3 7,2,6 5

  • 3 7 M,2 04/01-06/30 M 3 M M,1,3 2 1 M M,1 07/01-09/30 r 5 7iP] _I 11 7,5,5 7 24__

-24 I M,6

.10/01-12/311 1 5 5 15,5,4I 34 235 _5 M,5

    • The entries for D.H. Hill are for three (3) independent dosimeter readings for that station. I _

____.... _________ ___E___ _ ___________ _______- _________ ______

    • The 1st and 2nd quarter readings are for the dosimeter located in the PULSTAR Stack. .
    • The 3rd and 4th Quarter readings are for the dosimeter located in the PULSTAR building exhaust duct.

__ _ _ _ I I __1 1 The "CONTROL" column indicates the use of dual control dosimeters for all the monitoring periods.

-~~ !I i~ i ,F _

The designation M" is used by the contract vendor for reporting dose equivalents below the minimum measurable quantity which is 1 millirem for gamma radiation and 10 millirem for beta radiation -] 1

7. QUALITY CONTROL INTERCOMPARISON PROGRAM The Environmental Radiation Surveillance Laboratory (ERSL) of the Radiation Safety Division has analyzed samples provided by the U.S. DOE Mixed-Analyte Performance Evaluation Program (MAPEP Test Session 16) Radiological and Environmental Sciences Laboratory (RESL) during this reporting period. The objective of this program is to provide laboratories performing environmental radiation measurements with unknowns to test their analytical techniques.

The MAPEP value listed in the Tables 7.1 (a-d) to which the ERSL results are compared is the mean of replicate determinations for each nuclide. The MAPEP uncertainty is the standard error of the mean.

For each reported radiological and inorganic analyte, the laboratory result and the RESL reference value may be used to calculate a relative bias:

%Bias - (100)(Laboratory Result - RESL Re ferenceValue)

RESL Re ferenceValue The relative bias will place the laboratory result in one of three categories:

Acceptable ..................... Bias < 20%

Acceptable with Warning... 20% < Bias < 30%

Not Acceptable................ Bias > 30%

In addition to the MAPEP Quality Assurance Program, the ERSL conducts an intralaboratory QC program to track the performance of routine radioactivity measurements. The types of calculations employed for this program are shown in an example calculation in Appendix 1.

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TABLE 7.1a GROSS ALPHA & BETA ACTIVITY AIR FILTER--INTERCOMPARISON STUDY 01 July 2006 The sample consists of one 50 mm diameter simulated filter spiked with a matrix-free solution containing a single alpha and a single beta emitting nuclide. The reported values and the known values are given in Bq/filter.

  • NCSU - ENVIRONMENTAL LABORATORY RESULTS Radionuclide *Reported *Reported MAPEP Acceptance Value Error Value Range Gross Alpha 0.195 0.019 0.290 >0.0 - 0.580 Gross Beta 0.439 0.027 0.359 0.180 - 0.538 19

TABLE 7.1b MULTINUCLIDE AIR FILTER - INTERCOMPARISON STUDY 01 July 2006 The sample consists of one 7 cm diameter glass fiber filter that has been spiked with 0.10 gram of solution and dried. The reported values and the known values are given in Bqlfilter.

  • NCSU - ENVIRONMENTAL LABORATORY RESULTS Radionuclide *Reported *Reported MAPEP Acceptance Value Error Value Range Co60 1.54 0.067 1.577 1.10-2.05 Cs137 1.74 0.100 1.805 1.26-2.35 Cs134 2.20 0.076 3.147 2.20-4.09 Co57 2.41 0.098 2.582 1.81 -3.36 Mn54 1.93 0.110 1.92 1.34-2.50 20

TABLE 7.1c MULTINUCLIDE WATER SAMPLE - INTERCOMPARISON STUDY 01 July 2006 The sample consists of a spiked, 455 mL aliquot of acidified water (-1 N HCI). The reported values and the known values are given in Bq/Liter.

  • NCSU - ENVIRONMENTAL LABORATORY RESULTS Radionuclide *Reported *Reported MAPEP Acceptance Value Error Value Range Co60 46.70 1.98 47.5 33.2 - 61.8 Cs137 221.15 13.57 196.14 137.30 - 254.98 Cs134 104.95 4.09 112.82 116.90- 217.10 Co57 215.39 12.43 213.08 149.16 - 277.00 Zn65 188.16 10.03 176.37 123.46 - 229.28 21

TABLE 7.1d GROSS ALPHA AND BETA WATER SAMPLE - INTERCOMPARISON STUDY 01 July 2006 The sample consists of a 5% HNO 3 matrix free solution. The reported values and the known values are given in Bq/Liter.

  • NCSU - ENVIRONMENTAL LABORATORY RESULTS Radionuclide *Reported *Reported MAPEP Acceptance Value Error Value Range Gross Alpha 0.810 0.177 1.033 > 0.0 - 2.066 Gross Beta 1.30 0.16 1.03 0.52 - 1.54 22
8. CONCLUSIONS The data obtained during this period do not show any fission product activities. The observed environmental radioactivity is due primarily to radon progeny, primordial radionuclides (e.g. K-40) and those radionuclides that originate in the upper atmosphere as the result of cosmic ray interactions. These facts justify the conclusion that the PULSTAR Reactor facility continues to operate safely and does not release fission product materials into the environment.

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APPENDIX 1 The following example calculation gives a set of data, the mean value, the experimental sigma, and the range. These statistics provide measures of the central tendency and dispersion of the data.

The normalized range is computed by first finding mean range, R, the control limit, CL, and the standard error of the range, CYR. The normalized range measures the dispersion of the data (precision) in such a form that control charts may be used. Control charts allow one to readily compare past analytical performance with present performance. In the example, the normalized range equals 0.3 which is less than 3 which is the upper control level. The precision of the results is acceptable.

The normalized deviation is calculated by computing the deviation and the standard error of the mean, am. The normalized deviation allows one to measure central tendency (accuracy) readily through the use of control charts. Trends in analytical accuracy can be determined in this manner.

For this example, the normalized deviation is -0.7 which falls between +2 and -2 which are the upper and lower warning levels. The accuracy of the data is acceptable. Any bias in methodology or instrumentation may be indicated by these results.

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EXAMPLE CALCULATIONS Experimental Data:

Known value = p = 3273 pCi 3H/Liter on September 24, 1974 Expected laboratory precision = a = 357 pCi/liter Sample Result X W3060 pCi/liter X2 3060 pCi/liter

.X3 3240 pCi/liter Meann x E.X.i 9360 X = X=. 3 = 3120 pCi/liter IN where N = number of results = 3 Experimental sigma s t' N.

(2 x) 2 s = _ = Nx)_

(3060+3060+3240)2 (3060)2+(3060)2+ (3240)2- 3 S 2 s = 103.9 pCi/liter Range r r = maximum result - minimum result I r = 13240 - 30601 r = 180 pCi/liter 25

Range Analysis (RNG ANLY)*

Mean range R - d2o where d2** = 1.693 for N = 3

= (1 .693) (357) 604.4 pCi/liter Control limit - CL CL R. + 30R

= D4R where D4** = 2.575 for N = 3

= (2.575) (604.4)

CL = 1556 pCi/liter 0

Standard error of the range - R OR = (R+3oR- R) - 3

= (D41R-R) + 3

= (1556 - 604.4) + 3 aR = 317.2 pCi/liter Let Range = r =wR + XcR = 180 pCi/liter Define normalized range w+x for r >- R, w = 1 then r = wR + XO = R + Xo or x =-------------

CR r-R therefore w+x 1 +x = 1+

  • Rosentein, M., and A. S. Goldin, "Statistical Techniques for Quality Control of Environmental Radioassay,"

AQCS Report Stat-1, U.S. Department of Health Education and Welfare, PHS, November 1964.

    • From table "Factors for Computing Control Limits," Handbook of Tables for Probability and Statistics, 2nd Edition, The Chemical RubberCo., Cleveland, Ohio, 1968, p. 454.

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for r

  • R, x = 0 then r = WF + XoR = wF r

or w=

R r

therefore w+x = w+0 =

H since r < R, (180 < 604.4) 180 w+x-604.4 w+x 0.30 Normalized deviation of the mean from the known value = ND Deviation of mean from the known .value = D D = x--I

= 3120 - 3273 D = -153 pCi/liter Standard error of the mean = am a

357

,/3 am =206.1 pCi/liter D

ND-a~m

-153 206.1 ND = -0.7 Control limit = CL CL =(1p 3am) 27

. ý1 4 Warning limit = WL WL = (p 2om)

Experimental sigma (all laboratories) s, N

SX2 i2 i St

-1 M

- (49345)2 162639133

-~ 15 14 st = 149 pCi/liter Grand Average GA N

GA = .i=_

N 49345 15 GA = 3290 pCi/liter Normalized deviation from the grand average = ND' Deviation of the mean from the grand average D' D'= - GA

= 3120 - 3290 D'= -170 pC.i/liter D

ND m

-170 206.1 ND' = -0.8 28

APPENDIX 2 Joint Frequency Distribution Raleigh-Durham Airport: 2000 - 2006 N

W E S

Calms excluded.

Rings drawn at 5% intervals.

0.1 3.9 6.9 11.9 18.9 24.9 Wind flow is FROM the directions shown.

Wind Speed (Miles Per Hour) No observations were missing.

29