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| issue date = 01/04/2012 | | issue date = 01/04/2012 | ||
| title = Purdue University - Request for Additional Information Regarding the License Renewal, Responses to RAIs Dated 6 July 2011 | | title = Purdue University - Request for Additional Information Regarding the License Renewal, Responses to RAIs Dated 6 July 2011 | ||
| author name = Jenkins J | | author name = Jenkins J | ||
| author affiliation = Purdue Univ | | author affiliation = Purdue Univ | ||
| addressee name = Montgomery C | | addressee name = Montgomery C | ||
| addressee affiliation = NRC/Document Control Desk, NRC/NRR/DPR/PLPB | | addressee affiliation = NRC/Document Control Desk, NRC/NRR/DPR/PLPB | ||
| docket = 05000182 | | docket = 05000182 | ||
Line 13: | Line 13: | ||
| document type = Letter | | document type = Letter | ||
| page count = 13 | | page count = 13 | ||
| project = TAC:ME1594 | |||
| stage = Response to RAI | |||
}} | }} | ||
=Text= | |||
{{#Wiki_filter:PURDUE NN I V E R S I1 Y SCHOOL OF NUCLEAR ENGINEERING 4 Jan 2012 Document Control Desk US Nuclear Regulatory Commission One White Flint North 11555 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852 Attn: Ms. Cindy Montgomery, Research & Test Reactors (NRR/DPR/PRLB), Mailstop 012 D20 | |||
==SUBJECT:== | |||
PURDUE UNIVERSITY - REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE PURDUE UNIVERSITY REACTOR LICENSE RENEWAL (TAC NO. ME 1594), | |||
RESPONSES TO RAIs DATED 6 JULY 2011 (ML101460429) | |||
==Dear Ms. Montgomery:== | |||
Enclosed please find the responses to the Request for Additional Information regarding the Purdue University Reactor License Renewal dated 6 July 2011. Included with this submission are responses to questions 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31, 33, 35, 36, and 37. Further responses will be forthcoming as previously arranged. | |||
Should you have any questions or require further information, please don't hesitate to call me at 765.496.3573, or e-mail at jere@purdue.edu. | |||
I hereby certify under penalty of perjury with my signature below that the information contained in this submission is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. | |||
Attachments: As described. | |||
Cc: Duane Hardesty, USNRC Project Manager Leah Jamieson; Purdue University College of Engineering Jim Schweitzer, Purdue University REM Ahmed Hassanein, Purdue NE School of Nuclear Engineering fiwv~rc) | |||
Nuclear Engineering Building a 400 Central Drive a West Lafayette, IN 47907-2017 (765) 494-5739 v Fax: (765) 494-9570 w https:/lengineering.purdue.edu/NE | |||
PUR-1: Responses to Part of RAIs dated 6 July 2011 (ML101460429) | |||
REQUESTED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IN RESPONSE TO RAIs DATED 6 JULY 2011 (ML101460429) | |||
REGARDING THE PURDUE UNIVERSITY REACTOR LICENSE RENEWAL (TAC NO. ME 1594) | |||
: 11. NUREG-1537 states the content of the TSs follow ANSI/ANS 15.1 guidance. In TS 3.4, a specification states that the reactorroom will be maintainedat a negative pressureof 0.05 inches of water, but doesn't state what equipment maintainsthat negative pressure. | |||
ANSI/ANS-15.1-2007 states that equipment requiredto achieve confinement be specified. | |||
There is no specification(s)or surveillancesfor the ventilation system, which is used to maintain confinement during reactoroperations.Please update Section 3 of the TS to identify equipment requiredto achieve confinement and to specify appropriatesurveillancesin Section 4 of the TSs for the equipment or provide an explanation describingyour reason(s) for not incorporatingthe changes. | |||
PUR-1 Response TS 3.4.a.1 will be changed as follows: | |||
Specification - | |||
: a. During reactor operation the following conditions will be met: | |||
: 1. The reactor room will be maintained at a negative pressure of at least 0.05 inches of water with the operation of the room exhaust fan. | |||
Justification: The ventilation system surveillances are described in TS 4.4, including the negative pressure (developed by the exhaust fan pulling through the HEPA filter) which is checked weekly (4.4.a), | |||
and the inlet and outlet dampers (TS 4.4.b) checked semi-annually. These surveillances are already covered, therefore no changes are needed | |||
: 12. TS 3.4. TS 3.4(b) specifies requirementsfor HEPA filters or equivalent.However, there is no correspondingsurveillance associatedwith the HEPA filters. Please update the TS to include a surveillancethat indicates when such filters are checked and any criteria for requiringa filter change orjustify why this surveillance is not required. | |||
PUR-1 Response The surveillance of the HEPA filter is done every time the room pressure is measured. If the negative room pressure requirement is not able to be met, the filter is changed. This pressure is checked weekly as per TS 4.4.a. Therefore, a surveillance requirement is not necessary in the TS. | |||
: 13. TS 3.4. TS 3.4(d) specifies that the reactoroperatorcan secure the airconditioner.The purpose of this TS or the establishedconstraint on the system is not clearnor substantiated in the bases. Pleaseconsiderif this TS is requiredand update the TS and/orbases as required. | |||
PUR-1 Response of 11 4 January 2012 Page I1 of Page 11 4 January 2012 | |||
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PUR-A: Responses to Part of RAIs datedtfutp9O01t1I (IW fINI49)aA!J(] legua3) OO n 6u!pl!ng 6ujaau!6u3 jeapnN | |||
'uu.pa*tuz9'ivapnN 3Jo lOO tS The air conditioner is responsible for the air circulation within the room. Shutting down the air conditioner (which is done on the same switch as the room exhaust fan and damper) limits the spread of contamination from a failed experiment within confinement itself, and will limit the spread of contamination toward the egress doors and possible spread to the environment external to confinement. Therefore, as stated in the Bases, "the specifications stated above will further reduce the release to the environment". | |||
: 15. TS 4.1: ANSI/ANS-15.1-2007 Section 4.1 provides guidance relatedto annualmeasurement of core parameters.TS 4. 1(a) contains a requirementfor shutdown margin calculations without referring to excess core reactivity measurements. Please update TS 4.1(a) to be in conformance with ANSI/ANS-15.1-2007 Section 4.1 or discuss how conformance is achieved. | |||
PUR-1 Response The calculation of shutdown margin requires the value of core excess reactivity, so it must be determined prior to calculating shutdown margin. Excess reactivity is determined as part of the shim-safety rod worth measurements. | |||
: 16. TS Section 4.0: NUREG-1537 states the content of the TSs follow ANSI/ANS 15.1 guidance. | |||
ANSI/ANS-15.1-2007 Section 4.5 provides surveillance requirementsfor the ventilation systems. There are no TS under Section 4, Surveillance Requirements, for Ventilation Systems as requiredby ANSI/ANS-15.1-2007. Pleasepropose TS changes for surveillance of the ventilation system or provide an explanation describingyour reason(s)for not incorporatingthe changes. | |||
PUR-1 Response The ventilation system surveillances are described in TS 4.4, including the negative pressure (developed by the exhaust fan pulling through the HEPA filter) which is checked weekly (4.4.a), and the inlet and outlet dampers (TS 4.4.b) checked semi-annually. These surveillances are already covered, therefore no changes are needed. | |||
: 18. TS 4.3: TS 4.3(c) should reference the minimum 13 foot depth as specified in the LCO (TS 3.3(c)) for primary coolant and provided in the bases for TS 4.3. Please update the TS to include the numericalminimum depth and surveillanceintervalfor this surveillanceor justify why an alternativemeasurerelated to the height of the skimmer trough in TS 4.3(c) is more appropriatefor specifying the minimum performance level of TS 3.3(c). Additionally, prescribethe frequency, scope and minimum waterlevel of this surveillance when the reactor is secured or shutdown orjustify why a minimum level is not required. | |||
PUR-1 Response The surveillance interval is already included, it is whenever the reactor is operated, as it is also a LCO. | |||
The text will be changed as follows: | |||
: c. The reactor pool water will be at a height of the 13 feet over the top of the core whenever the reactor is operated. | |||
9NI833NIDN3 dV31)flN dO 10OHDS afllufHna A I*I S H 3 A I N fl Page 2 of 11 4 January 2012 | |||
PUR-A: Responses to Part of RAIs dated 6 July 2011 (ML101460429) | |||
Bases When the reactor pool water is at a height of 13 feet above the core, adequate shielding during operations is assured. | |||
The 13 feet of water requirement is for shielding during operations. No minimum level is necessary for safety during shutdown. | |||
: 21. TS 4.5: ANSI/ANS-15.1-2007, Section 6.5. provides the review and approvalprocess to comply with the guidanceprovided in Section 6.2.3, unless it is a "triedexperiment". PUR-1 TS 4.5 does defer the properreview and approval of the experiment to Section 6 of the TSs. | |||
However, PUR-1 TS 6.2.4(a) and 6.2.4(c) do not provide any of the formal review requirements or established and approved procedures for experiments. Please update the formal review and approvalrequirements for experiments in PUR-1 TS 6.2.4 to include the requirements of ANSI/ANS-15.1-2007, Section 6.5, identify where the provisions are contained in the PUR-1 TS, or justify why they are not required. | |||
PUR-1 Response Please see the response to Q27. | |||
: 23. TS 5.0: NUREG-1537 states the content of the TSs follow ANSIIANS 15.1 guidance.ANSI/ANS-15.1-2007 Section 5.0 provides the requirementsfor Design Features.There are no PUR-1 TSs under Section 5, Design Features,for the following systems: | |||
: a. Control Elements, as requiredby ANSIIANS-15.1-2007 TS 5.2, | |||
: b. Reactor Coolant System, as requiredby ANSI/ANS-15.1-2007 TS 5.2, | |||
: c. Ventilation Systems, as requiredby ANSI/ANS-15.1-2007 TS 5.1 Please propose changes to TS for the aforementionedsystems or provide an explanationdescribing your reason(s)for not incorporatingthe changes. | |||
PUR-1 Response The TS have been changed to reflect the questions in parts a and b as follows: | |||
5.2 Reactor Coolant System 5.2.1 Primary Cooling System - The PUR-1 primary cooling system is a pool containing approximately 6,400 gallons of water. | |||
5.2.2 Process Water System - The process water system is assembled in one unit and contains a pump, filter, demineralizer, valves, flow meters, and a heat exchanger (see 5.2.4). The demineralizer contains a removable cartridge that is monitored continuously for radioactivity buildup. This system limits, by the use of filters and ion-exchange resin, the aluminum corrosion rate, corrosion product buildup, and neutron activation of impurities in the coolant. | |||
5.2.3 Primary Coolant Makeup Water System - Makeup water for the pool is taken batchwise from the Purdue University water line and is passed through the demineralizer enroute to 11 of 11 4 January 2012 Page 33 of Page 4 January 2012 | |||
3N/nfpaoafnpfndeupEaufiUa//:Sdd1q , OLS6-176tV (S9L) :Xe4 a 6ELS-176t7 (S9L) | |||
PUR-A: Responses to Part of RAJs dated OL*014330t1N(Kt *5MlI9g a!Kj] lingua:) 00V7a 5u!pfn8 5iuaau!u3 JeapnN 3uz!.aau!9uit madPlnN Jo lOOqlS the pool. A vacuum breaker excludes any possibility of siphoning pool water into the supply line. The pool makeup water system, in addition to the demineralizer, also includes a normally closed manual shutoff and throttle valve and a check valve. | |||
5.2.4 Primary Coolant Chiller System - The chiller is designed with three loops. Pool water passes through the primary loop, a Freon refrigerant is in the secondary loop, and water from the building water supply is used to remove heat, which is then discharged to the building sewer system. The heat-removal capacity of the heat exchanger is 10.5 kW. It was designed to maintain the reactor pool temperature at 75 0 F during continuous operation at 10 kW. | |||
5.3 Reactor Core and Fuel 5.3.1 The fuel assemblies shall be MTR type consisting of aluminum clad plates enriched up to 20% in the U-235 isotope. | |||
5.3.2 A standard fuel assembly shall consist of up to 14 fuel plates containing a maximum of 180 grams of U-235. | |||
5.3.3 A control fuel assembly shall consist of up to 8 fuel plates containing a maximum of 103 grams of U-235. | |||
5.3.4 Partially loaded fuel assemblies in which some of the fuel plates are replaced by aluminum plates containing no uranium may be used. | |||
5.3.5 The core configuration shall consist of 13 standard fuel assemblies as described in 5.3.2, and 3 control fuel assemblies as described in 5.3.3, and two shim-safety rods and one regulating rod. | |||
5.3.6 Representative fuel assemblies shall be inspected annually, with no interval to exceed 15 months. | |||
The ventilation system is described in TS 5.1.7. | |||
: 25. TS 6.2.4, TS 6.2.5: Guidance in ANSI/ANS-15.1-2007 states there should be an individual or group responsible for implementing the radiationprotection program at PUR-1 and an individualor group thatperforms periodic audits of the program. In TS 6.2.4 and TS 6.2.5 there is no mention of who is responsible for the radiationprotectionprogram at PUR-1 or who performs the periodic audits. Please propose changes to TS or provide an explanation describingyour reason(s)for not incorporatingthe changes PUR-1 Response PUR-1 has operated under the Purdue University Radiation Safety Program since its early development, which is under the responsibility of the University Radiation Safety Officer and the Institution Radiation Safety Committee. This was mentioned in 6.1.5 of the submitted TS, and 6.1.1 .d of the revision submitted with these answers. It was also described in 6.1.7 of the original submission, which is now 6.1.4 of the revision. Audits of the Radiation Safety Program are carried out annually by the Radiation Safety Officer. | |||
9NII33NIDN3 IV31)flN JO 10OHS A I I S 11 A A I N fl Page 4 of 11 Hfl(ufflrd 4 January 2012 | |||
PUR-A: Responses to Part of RAIs dated 6 July 2011 (ML101460429) | |||
: 27. TS 6.2.4(c): ANSI/ANS-15.1-2007, Section 6.2.3 provides guidance for the review function for experiments as well as other activities. PUR-1 TS 6.2.4(c) indicates that the Committee on Reactor Operations (CORO) shall review and approve "proposedtests or experiments which are significantlydifferent from previous approved tests or experiments." Please explain what is meant by "significantlydifferent" and propose a quantitative,less subjective, revision to PUR-1 TS 6.2.4.c. that incorporatesCORO review for all of the items outlined in ANSI/ANS-15.1-2007, Section 6.2.3 or provide an explanation describingyour reason(s) for not incorporatingthe changes. | |||
PUR-1 Response 6.2.4(c) as written is very similar to ANSI 15.1-2007 6.5(2), which reads: | |||
6.5 Experiments review and approval Approved experiments shall be carried out in accordance with established and approved procedures. The following provisions shall be stated: | |||
(1) All new experiments or class of experiments shall be reviewed by the review group (see Sec. 6.2.3) and approved in writing by Level 2 or designated alternates prior to initiation; (2) Substantive changes to previously approved experiments shall be made only after review by the review group and approved in writing by Level 2 or designated alternates. Minor changes that do not significantly alter the experiment may be approved by Level 3 or higher. | |||
The details to be reviewed as discussed in TS 6.2.4 a-c are similar to the requirements of ANSI 15.1-2007 Sec. 6.2.3(1-3), and the use of "substantive changes" in to ANSI 15.1-2007 6.5(2) is similar to the use of "significantly different" in TS 6.2.4c. The critical concept required to be reviewed is the safety significance of the changes. | |||
: 28. The regulationsin 10 CFR 20.1101 requirethat each licensee develop, document, and implement a radiationprotection program.NUREG-1537, Chapter 12.1 states that the organizationshould meet the non-power reactorstandardANSI/ANS-15.1-2007. ANSIIANS-15.1, Section 6.3 states that the facility shall implement a radiationprotection program in accordancewith the guidelines in ANSI/ANS-15.1. However the radiationprotection program is not presented or discussed in the PUR-1 TS 6.0. Pleaseprovide a TS to meet the criteriain 10 CFR 20.1101 and ANSI/ANS-15.1, Section 6.3 or provide an explanation describingyour reason for not incorporatingthe change. | |||
PUR-1 Response PUR-1 has operated under the Purdue University Radiation Safety Program since its early development, which is under the responsibility of the University Radiation Safety Officer and the Institution Radiation Safety Committee. This was mentioned in 6.1.5 of the submitted TS, and 6.1.1 .d of the revision submitted with these answers. It was also described in 6.1.7 of the original submission, which is now 6.1.4 of the revision. | |||
Page 5 of 11 4 January 2012 | |||
3N/npea'npnd'6u jaaui6uall:sd4q N OLS6-t6t7 (S9L) :Xe s 6ELS-t,6, (S9L) | |||
PUR-1: Responses to Part of RAIs dated ~ 4*u@4*hDSj(l00MQj a^IJ(] leIJlu) 00t, n 6u!pI!fn 6uijaau!6U3 jeapnN 3u!uaau!,8u wValinN jo lootps | |||
: 30. TS 6.6.2: ANSI/ANS-15.1-2007, Section 6.6.2 and 6.7.2(1) provide guidance on licensee actions following a reportableoccurrence.It is not specified in the PUR-1 TS 6.6.2 who can authorize restartof the reactorafter a reportableoccurrence where the reactorwas shut down. Please clarify this authority. | |||
PUR-1 Response The following changes have been made to the TS: | |||
TS 6.3 was moved to TS 6.6 as 6.6.1 to more closely align with ANSI 15.1-2007, and the suggested text from ANSI 15.1-2007 Sec 6.6.2 was added to clarify the authority to restart, as shown below: | |||
6.5 Required Actions The following actions shall be taken relating to the types of events listed in Secs. 6.6.1 and 6.6.2 6.5.1 The following actions shall be taken in the event the Safety Limit is violated: | |||
(1) The reactor will be shut down immediately and reactor operation will not be resumed without authorization by the Commission. | |||
(2) The Safety Limit Violation shall be reported to the Director of the appropriate NRC Office of Inspection and Enforcement (or designee), the Laboratory Director and to the CORO not later than the next work day. | |||
(3) A Safety Limit Violation Report shall be prepared. The report shall be reviewed by the CORO. This report shall describe (1) applicable circumstances preceding the violation, (2) effects of the violation upon facility components, systems or structures, and (3) corrective action taken to prevent recurrence. | |||
(4) The Safety Limit Violation Report shall be submitted to the Commission, the CORO and the Reactor Supervisor within 14 days of the violation, in support of a request to the Commission for authorization to resume operations. | |||
6.5.2 The following actions are to be taken in the event of reportable occurrence as defined in 1.36. | |||
(1) Reactor conditions shall be returned to normal, or the reactor shall be shut down. | |||
If it is necessary to shut down the reactor to correct the occurrence, operations shall not be resumed unless authorized by Level 2 or designated alternates; (2) Occurrence shall be reported to Level 2 or designated alternates and to chartering or licensing authorities as required; (3) Occurrence shall be reviewed by the review group at its next scheduled meeting. | |||
: 31. ANSI/ANS-15.1-2007, Section 6.7.2(2) provides guidance for a TS requirementto provide a written report to the NRC within 30 days of permanent changes in the PUR-1 organization involving Level I or 2 personnel and significantchanges in transientor accidentanalyses as describedin the SAR. This requirement does not seem to appearin TS 6.6. Pleaseamend PUR-1 TS 6.6 to include these requirements,provide reference to wh~refhiesreguigm~ny anaunu 9NIN3=NI9N3 HV31DnN JO 10OHDS Page 6 of 11 4 January 21 | |||
PUR-1: Responses to Part of RAIs dated 6 July 2011 (ML101460429) exist in the TS, or provide an explanation describingyour reason(s)for not incorporatingthe changes. | |||
PUR-1 Response The following was added as TS 6.6.2(2) | |||
(2) There shall be a written report within 30 days to the chartering or licensing authorities of the following: | |||
(a) Permanent changes in the facility organization involving Level 1 or 2 personnel (b) significant changes in the transient or accident analysis as described in the Safety Analysis Report. | |||
: 33. Section 5.0 Design Features- This section of the TS requiresapplicability,objective and bases statements per 10 CFR 50.36. Please update the PUR-1 TS to satisfy this regulatory requirement. | |||
PUR-1 Response PUR-1 does not agree with this question, since the words "applicability" and "objective" do not appear in 10 CFR 50.36. Furthermore, ANSI 15.1 does not suggest the necessity of Applicability or Objective statements or bases for Sec. 5 (see ANSI 15.1, Sec. 1.2.2), they are only required for Secs. 2, 3, and 4. | |||
Furthermore, 10 CFR 50.36 (a)(1) states: | |||
"Each applicant for a license authorizing operation of a production or utilization facility shall include in his application proposed technical specifications in accordance with the requirements of this section. A summary statement of the bases or reasons for such specifications, other than those covering administrative controls, shall also be included in the application, but shall not become part of the technical specifications." | |||
Since PUR-1 has a long operating history of safe operation, in addition to the fact that the facility has been licensed previously with these technical specifications approved, no further bases are required. | |||
: 35. TS 6.1.8 states that a qualified operatoris requiredat the operatingconsole unless the reactoris shutdown. ANSI/ANS-15.1-2007, Section 6.1.3 (1) requires a licensed operatorat the controls unless the reactoris secured. Please update the PUR-1 TS to be consistent with ANSI/ANS-15.1-2007 orjustify why a qualified operatoris not requiredat the controls when the reactoris shutdown per PUR-1 TS 1.33. | |||
PUR-1 Response ANSI 15.1-2007, Section 6.1.3(1) requires "a licensed reactor operator in the control room", not a licensed operator "at the controls" as suggested by Question 35. Since the controls for the reactor sit adjacent to the reactor pool, there is no "control room" per se. The intent of ANSI 15.1-2007, Section 6.1.3(1) is met in TS 6.1.8, as written. | |||
11 of 11 Page 77 of 4 January 2012 Page 4 January 2012 | |||
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PUR-1: Responses to Part of RAIs dated 6I14MI*03lUl(MU*1Wa~jlPll I aAuJ(] leIua:) 00t7, 6u!p!n 6uf!Juaau!fiu jeapnN UW1U!.ddu.1'uZt JovdpnN oOOWS | |||
: 36. Staffing - The minimum requirements for staffing the reactorin Section 6 of the PUR-1 TSs and not readily clear.ANSI/ANS-15.1-2007, Section 6.1.3 provides guidance for minimum staffing as tailoredby NUREG-1537. The following wording for minimum staffing as provided in NUREG 1537, Appendix 14.1 was previously deemed acceptableby the NRC: Staffing requirements 1. The minimum staffing when the reactoris operatingshall be: a. A licensed reactoroperatoror senior reactoroperatorin the control room, b. A second designated person present at the facility complex able to carry out prescribedwritten instructions. The instructionsmay, for more complex and higher-powerreactors,require initiatingthe first stages of the emergency plan including evacuation and initial notificationprocedures. | |||
Unexpected absence for as long as 2 hours to accommodate a personalemergency may be acceptableprovided immediate action is taken to obtain a replacement,c. A designated seniorreactoroperatorshall be present at the facility or readily available on call. "Readily Available on Call" means an individual who: i. has been specifically designated and the designation known to the operatoron duty, ii. can be rapidly contactedby phone, by the operatoron duty, iii. is capable of getting to the reactorfacility within a reasonabletime under normal conditions (e.g., 30 minutes or within a 15-mile radius); 2. The minimum staffing when the reactoris shutdown shall be a licensed reactoroperatoror senior reactoroperator in the licensed facility. 3. No licensed reactoroperatoror senior reactoroperatorshall be requiredwithin the licensed facility if the reactoris secure. | |||
PUR-1 Response Many of these requirements already existed in the PUR-1 TS, but they were not organized as recommended by ANSI 15.1, since they were written before ANSI 15.1 existed. The technical specifications have been reorganized and modified slightly as shown below, to more closely match the ANSI 15.1 format. | |||
6.1.2 Staffing (1) The minimum staffing when the reactor is not secured shall be (a) A licensed reactor operator in the reactor room, (b) The minimum crew for operating the reactor shall consist of 2 (two) persons, one of whom must be an NRC licensed member of the PUR-1 operations staff, the second crew member must be instructed as to how to shut down the reactor in the event of an emergency. | |||
(c) A designated senior reactor operator (unless the operations staff consists of only one senior reactor operator, and that individual is operating the reactor) shall be present or readily available on call at any time that the reactor is operating. | |||
"Readily Available on Call means an individual who (i) Has been specifically designates and the designation is known to the operator on duty, (ii) Can be rapidly contacted by phone or other method by the operator on duty, (iii) Is capable of getting to the reactor facility within a reasonable time under r8'i&? A I I S U A I N fl 9N, 33N19NY Htcfi~~fir Page 8 of 11 4 January 2012 | |||
PUR-A: Responses to Part of RAIs dated 6 July 2011 (ML101460429) | |||
(2) No licensed reactor operator or senior reactor operator shall be required within the licensed facility if the reactor is secure. | |||
(3) Events requiring the presence at the facility of a senior reactor operator are (a) Initial startup and approach to power following a core change. The presence of an SRO at the reactor facility is unnecessary for the initial daily start up, provided the core remains unchanged from the previous run; (b) All fuel or control-rod relocations within the core region; (c) Recovery from an unplanned or unscheduled shutdown except in instances which resulting from the following (i) A verified electrical power failure or interruption exclusive of internal power supply failures or interruption of the reactor instrumentation, control, and safety systems; (ii) Accidental manipulation of equipment in a manner which does not affect the safety of the reactor; (iii) A verified practice of the evacuation of the building initiated by persons exclusive of reactor operations personnel. | |||
The SRO shall be notified of the shutdown and shall determine its cause. If due to one of the enumerated reasons above, he shall decide if his presence is necessary for a subsequent start up. | |||
: 37. PUR-1 Organization:Neither Figure 6.1 nor TS 6.1.5 clearly indicatethe organizationallevel of the Head of Nuclear Engineering.Please update the figure and/or TS to reflect the level of authority for the Head of the school of Nuclear Engineeringor justify why it is not required. | |||
PUR-1 Response The NE department head was in the original organization chart from the 1988 license, which predated the licensee levels specified in ANSI 15.1. Since the organization has been changed to reflect the ANSI 15.1 style license levels, we have removed the NE department head from the organization chart, and TS 6.1.5 has been modified as follows: | |||
In all matters pertaining to the operation of the reactor and the administrative aspects of these technical specifications, the Laboratory Director (Level 2) [or the Reactor Supervisor (Level 3) in the absence of the Laboratory Director] shall report to and be directly responsible to the Level 1 Licensee, the Dean of the College of Engineering. In all matters pertaining to radiation safety they shall be responsible to the Radiation Safety Committee. | |||
Figure 6.1 has been modified to reflect that change. | |||
11 of 11 4 January 2012 Page 99 of Page 4 January 2012 | |||
3N/npeeanpind6u!jaau!6ua//:sdPL a OLS6-t'6V (S9L) :xeJ a 6ELS-Kt?6 (S9L) | |||
PURA1: Responses to Part of RAls dated1flGftd9MN( (U4%f46OiU9# | |||
WtW O0t, a 6u!pI!ng 6u!J~a~u!u3 jealpfN I( lPdiGJua) | |||
.9uua,9u!3uj ivapnN Jo looqiS I | |||
Vice President for Research I | |||
I Radiation ~~~~~1 I | |||
Safety I Committee I | |||
t Radiation iCommittee On Safety Officer I- Reactor Operations | |||
-Primarily Administration | |||
- - - Primarily Safety FIGURE 6.1: PUR-1 Organization | |||
: 38. TS 6.1.6. Please review TS 6.1.6 and correct the typographicalerrorassociatedwith reference to ANSIIANS-15.4. | |||
PUR-1 Response Minimum Qualifications of Reactor Personnel - The minimum qualifications should be consistent with the American National Standard for the Selection and Training of Personnel for Research Reactors, ANSI/ANS 15.4, and include the following: | |||
Justificationof the change is to correct a typo. | |||
DNIH33Nl9N3 NV31JfN JO 100HDS A I I S U 3 A I N n Page 10 of 11 2flUHfld 4 January 2012 | |||
_PUR-1: Responses to Part of RAIs dated 6 July 2011 (ML101460429) | |||
FURDUE rds to be retained for tl~jt egj0qpO(#jRR i rlity. The regulatonsr ing10 C .36 require that reviews of exceeding the safety limit (10 CFR 50.36(c)(1)(i)(A)), reviews of the failure of the automatic safety system that protects the limiting safety system settings (LSSSs) (10 CFR 50.36(c)(1)(ii)(A)) and reviews of not meeting limiting conditions for operation(10 CFR 50.36(c)(2)(i)) be retained until the Commission terminates the license. Please add these items to section 6.5 of the TSs. | |||
PUR-1 Response The technical specifications have been changed as shown: | |||
6.5.2 The following records and logs shall be prepared and retained for the life of the facility: | |||
: a. Gaseous and liquid waste released to the environs. | |||
: b. Offsite environmental monitoring surveys. | |||
: c. Radiation exposures for all PUR-1 personnel. | |||
: d. Updated, corrected, and as-built facility drawings. | |||
: e. Annual operating reports. | |||
: f. Reviews of instances where the safety limit was exceeded. | |||
: g. Reviews of failure of the automatic safety system that protects the limiting safety system settings (LSSSs). | |||
: h. Reviews of instances where limiting conditions of operation were not met. | |||
Justificationof the change is to bring the Technical Specifications into compliance with 10 CFR 50.36. | |||
School of Nuclear Engineering Nuclear Engineering Building s 400 Central Driv4#PsjlLaJ*tVe, IN 47907-2017 4 January 2012 (765) 494-5739 a Fax: (765) 494-9570 a https://engineering.purdue.edu/NE | |||
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Creation Date: 1/4/2012 1:08:00 PM Change Number: 4 Last Saved On: 1/4/2012 1:50:00 PM Last Saved By: jere Total Editing Time: 35 Minutes Last Printed On: 1/4/2012 1:58:00 PM As of Last Complete Printing Number of Pages: 11 Number of Words: 3,797 (approx.) | |||
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School of Nuclear Engineering Nuclear Engineering Building a 400 Central Drive a West Lafayette, IN 47907-2017 (765) 494-5739 a Fax: (765) 494-9570 a https://engineering.purdue.edu/NE}} |
Latest revision as of 10:57, 12 November 2019
ML12006A193 | |
Person / Time | |
---|---|
Site: | Purdue University |
Issue date: | 01/04/2012 |
From: | Joel Jenkins Purdue University |
To: | Cindy Montgomery Document Control Desk, Licensing Processes Branch (DPR) |
References | |
TAC ME1594 | |
Download: ML12006A193 (13) | |
Text
PURDUE NN I V E R S I1 Y SCHOOL OF NUCLEAR ENGINEERING 4 Jan 2012 Document Control Desk US Nuclear Regulatory Commission One White Flint North 11555 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852 Attn: Ms. Cindy Montgomery, Research & Test Reactors (NRR/DPR/PRLB), Mailstop 012 D20
SUBJECT:
PURDUE UNIVERSITY - REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE PURDUE UNIVERSITY REACTOR LICENSE RENEWAL (TAC NO. ME 1594),
RESPONSES TO RAIs DATED 6 JULY 2011 (ML101460429)
Dear Ms. Montgomery:
Enclosed please find the responses to the Request for Additional Information regarding the Purdue University Reactor License Renewal dated 6 July 2011. Included with this submission are responses to questions 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31, 33, 35, 36, and 37. Further responses will be forthcoming as previously arranged.
Should you have any questions or require further information, please don't hesitate to call me at 765.496.3573, or e-mail at jere@purdue.edu.
I hereby certify under penalty of perjury with my signature below that the information contained in this submission is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
Attachments: As described.
Cc: Duane Hardesty, USNRC Project Manager Leah Jamieson; Purdue University College of Engineering Jim Schweitzer, Purdue University REM Ahmed Hassanein, Purdue NE School of Nuclear Engineering fiwv~rc)
Nuclear Engineering Building a 400 Central Drive a West Lafayette, IN 47907-2017 (765) 494-5739 v Fax: (765) 494-9570 w https:/lengineering.purdue.edu/NE
PUR-1: Responses to Part of RAIs dated 6 July 2011 (ML101460429)
REQUESTED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IN RESPONSE TO RAIs DATED 6 JULY 2011 (ML101460429)
REGARDING THE PURDUE UNIVERSITY REACTOR LICENSE RENEWAL (TAC NO. ME 1594)
- 11. NUREG-1537 states the content of the TSs follow ANSI/ANS 15.1 guidance. In TS 3.4, a specification states that the reactorroom will be maintainedat a negative pressureof 0.05 inches of water, but doesn't state what equipment maintainsthat negative pressure.
ANSI/ANS-15.1-2007 states that equipment requiredto achieve confinement be specified.
There is no specification(s)or surveillancesfor the ventilation system, which is used to maintain confinement during reactoroperations.Please update Section 3 of the TS to identify equipment requiredto achieve confinement and to specify appropriatesurveillancesin Section 4 of the TSs for the equipment or provide an explanation describingyour reason(s) for not incorporatingthe changes.
PUR-1 Response TS 3.4.a.1 will be changed as follows:
Specification -
- a. During reactor operation the following conditions will be met:
- 1. The reactor room will be maintained at a negative pressure of at least 0.05 inches of water with the operation of the room exhaust fan.
Justification: The ventilation system surveillances are described in TS 4.4, including the negative pressure (developed by the exhaust fan pulling through the HEPA filter) which is checked weekly (4.4.a),
and the inlet and outlet dampers (TS 4.4.b) checked semi-annually. These surveillances are already covered, therefore no changes are needed
- 12. TS 3.4. TS 3.4(b) specifies requirementsfor HEPA filters or equivalent.However, there is no correspondingsurveillance associatedwith the HEPA filters. Please update the TS to include a surveillancethat indicates when such filters are checked and any criteria for requiringa filter change orjustify why this surveillance is not required.
PUR-1 Response The surveillance of the HEPA filter is done every time the room pressure is measured. If the negative room pressure requirement is not able to be met, the filter is changed. This pressure is checked weekly as per TS 4.4.a. Therefore, a surveillance requirement is not necessary in the TS.
- 13. TS 3.4. TS 3.4(d) specifies that the reactoroperatorcan secure the airconditioner.The purpose of this TS or the establishedconstraint on the system is not clearnor substantiated in the bases. Pleaseconsiderif this TS is requiredand update the TS and/orbases as required.
PUR-1 Response of 11 4 January 2012 Page I1 of Page 11 4 January 2012
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PUR-A: Responses to Part of RAIs datedtfutp9O01t1I (IW fINI49)aA!J(] legua3) OO n 6u!pl!ng 6ujaau!6u3 jeapnN
'uu.pa*tuz9'ivapnN 3Jo lOO tS The air conditioner is responsible for the air circulation within the room. Shutting down the air conditioner (which is done on the same switch as the room exhaust fan and damper) limits the spread of contamination from a failed experiment within confinement itself, and will limit the spread of contamination toward the egress doors and possible spread to the environment external to confinement. Therefore, as stated in the Bases, "the specifications stated above will further reduce the release to the environment".
- 15. TS 4.1: ANSI/ANS-15.1-2007 Section 4.1 provides guidance relatedto annualmeasurement of core parameters.TS 4. 1(a) contains a requirementfor shutdown margin calculations without referring to excess core reactivity measurements. Please update TS 4.1(a) to be in conformance with ANSI/ANS-15.1-2007 Section 4.1 or discuss how conformance is achieved.
PUR-1 Response The calculation of shutdown margin requires the value of core excess reactivity, so it must be determined prior to calculating shutdown margin. Excess reactivity is determined as part of the shim-safety rod worth measurements.
- 16. TS Section 4.0: NUREG-1537 states the content of the TSs follow ANSI/ANS 15.1 guidance.
ANSI/ANS-15.1-2007 Section 4.5 provides surveillance requirementsfor the ventilation systems. There are no TS under Section 4, Surveillance Requirements, for Ventilation Systems as requiredby ANSI/ANS-15.1-2007. Pleasepropose TS changes for surveillance of the ventilation system or provide an explanation describingyour reason(s)for not incorporatingthe changes.
PUR-1 Response The ventilation system surveillances are described in TS 4.4, including the negative pressure (developed by the exhaust fan pulling through the HEPA filter) which is checked weekly (4.4.a), and the inlet and outlet dampers (TS 4.4.b) checked semi-annually. These surveillances are already covered, therefore no changes are needed.
- 18. TS 4.3: TS 4.3(c) should reference the minimum 13 foot depth as specified in the LCO (TS 3.3(c)) for primary coolant and provided in the bases for TS 4.3. Please update the TS to include the numericalminimum depth and surveillanceintervalfor this surveillanceor justify why an alternativemeasurerelated to the height of the skimmer trough in TS 4.3(c) is more appropriatefor specifying the minimum performance level of TS 3.3(c). Additionally, prescribethe frequency, scope and minimum waterlevel of this surveillance when the reactor is secured or shutdown orjustify why a minimum level is not required.
PUR-1 Response The surveillance interval is already included, it is whenever the reactor is operated, as it is also a LCO.
The text will be changed as follows:
- c. The reactor pool water will be at a height of the 13 feet over the top of the core whenever the reactor is operated.
9NI833NIDN3 dV31)flN dO 10OHDS afllufHna A I*I S H 3 A I N fl Page 2 of 11 4 January 2012
PUR-A: Responses to Part of RAIs dated 6 July 2011 (ML101460429)
Bases When the reactor pool water is at a height of 13 feet above the core, adequate shielding during operations is assured.
The 13 feet of water requirement is for shielding during operations. No minimum level is necessary for safety during shutdown.
- 21. TS 4.5: ANSI/ANS-15.1-2007, Section 6.5. provides the review and approvalprocess to comply with the guidanceprovided in Section 6.2.3, unless it is a "triedexperiment". PUR-1 TS 4.5 does defer the properreview and approval of the experiment to Section 6 of the TSs.
However, PUR-1 TS 6.2.4(a) and 6.2.4(c) do not provide any of the formal review requirements or established and approved procedures for experiments. Please update the formal review and approvalrequirements for experiments in PUR-1 TS 6.2.4 to include the requirements of ANSI/ANS-15.1-2007, Section 6.5, identify where the provisions are contained in the PUR-1 TS, or justify why they are not required.
PUR-1 Response Please see the response to Q27.
- 23. TS 5.0: NUREG-1537 states the content of the TSs follow ANSIIANS 15.1 guidance.ANSI/ANS-15.1-2007 Section 5.0 provides the requirementsfor Design Features.There are no PUR-1 TSs under Section 5, Design Features,for the following systems:
- a. Control Elements, as requiredby ANSIIANS-15.1-2007 TS 5.2,
- b. Reactor Coolant System, as requiredby ANSI/ANS-15.1-2007 TS 5.2,
- c. Ventilation Systems, as requiredby ANSI/ANS-15.1-2007 TS 5.1 Please propose changes to TS for the aforementionedsystems or provide an explanationdescribing your reason(s)for not incorporatingthe changes.
PUR-1 Response The TS have been changed to reflect the questions in parts a and b as follows:
5.2 Reactor Coolant System 5.2.1 Primary Cooling System - The PUR-1 primary cooling system is a pool containing approximately 6,400 gallons of water.
5.2.2 Process Water System - The process water system is assembled in one unit and contains a pump, filter, demineralizer, valves, flow meters, and a heat exchanger (see 5.2.4). The demineralizer contains a removable cartridge that is monitored continuously for radioactivity buildup. This system limits, by the use of filters and ion-exchange resin, the aluminum corrosion rate, corrosion product buildup, and neutron activation of impurities in the coolant.
5.2.3 Primary Coolant Makeup Water System - Makeup water for the pool is taken batchwise from the Purdue University water line and is passed through the demineralizer enroute to 11 of 11 4 January 2012 Page 33 of Page 4 January 2012
3N/nfpaoafnpfndeupEaufiUa//:Sdd1q , OLS6-176tV (S9L) :Xe4 a 6ELS-176t7 (S9L)
PUR-A: Responses to Part of RAJs dated OL*014330t1N(Kt *5MlI9g a!Kj] lingua:) 00V7a 5u!pfn8 5iuaau!u3 JeapnN 3uz!.aau!9uit madPlnN Jo lOOqlS the pool. A vacuum breaker excludes any possibility of siphoning pool water into the supply line. The pool makeup water system, in addition to the demineralizer, also includes a normally closed manual shutoff and throttle valve and a check valve.
5.2.4 Primary Coolant Chiller System - The chiller is designed with three loops. Pool water passes through the primary loop, a Freon refrigerant is in the secondary loop, and water from the building water supply is used to remove heat, which is then discharged to the building sewer system. The heat-removal capacity of the heat exchanger is 10.5 kW. It was designed to maintain the reactor pool temperature at 75 0 F during continuous operation at 10 kW.
5.3 Reactor Core and Fuel 5.3.1 The fuel assemblies shall be MTR type consisting of aluminum clad plates enriched up to 20% in the U-235 isotope.
5.3.2 A standard fuel assembly shall consist of up to 14 fuel plates containing a maximum of 180 grams of U-235.
5.3.3 A control fuel assembly shall consist of up to 8 fuel plates containing a maximum of 103 grams of U-235.
5.3.4 Partially loaded fuel assemblies in which some of the fuel plates are replaced by aluminum plates containing no uranium may be used.
5.3.5 The core configuration shall consist of 13 standard fuel assemblies as described in 5.3.2, and 3 control fuel assemblies as described in 5.3.3, and two shim-safety rods and one regulating rod.
5.3.6 Representative fuel assemblies shall be inspected annually, with no interval to exceed 15 months.
The ventilation system is described in TS 5.1.7.
- 25. TS 6.2.4, TS 6.2.5: Guidance in ANSI/ANS-15.1-2007 states there should be an individual or group responsible for implementing the radiationprotection program at PUR-1 and an individualor group thatperforms periodic audits of the program. In TS 6.2.4 and TS 6.2.5 there is no mention of who is responsible for the radiationprotectionprogram at PUR-1 or who performs the periodic audits. Please propose changes to TS or provide an explanation describingyour reason(s)for not incorporatingthe changes PUR-1 Response PUR-1 has operated under the Purdue University Radiation Safety Program since its early development, which is under the responsibility of the University Radiation Safety Officer and the Institution Radiation Safety Committee. This was mentioned in 6.1.5 of the submitted TS, and 6.1.1 .d of the revision submitted with these answers. It was also described in 6.1.7 of the original submission, which is now 6.1.4 of the revision. Audits of the Radiation Safety Program are carried out annually by the Radiation Safety Officer.
9NII33NIDN3 IV31)flN JO 10OHS A I I S 11 A A I N fl Page 4 of 11 Hfl(ufflrd 4 January 2012
PUR-A: Responses to Part of RAIs dated 6 July 2011 (ML101460429)
- 27. TS 6.2.4(c): ANSI/ANS-15.1-2007, Section 6.2.3 provides guidance for the review function for experiments as well as other activities. PUR-1 TS 6.2.4(c) indicates that the Committee on Reactor Operations (CORO) shall review and approve "proposedtests or experiments which are significantlydifferent from previous approved tests or experiments." Please explain what is meant by "significantlydifferent" and propose a quantitative,less subjective, revision to PUR-1 TS 6.2.4.c. that incorporatesCORO review for all of the items outlined in ANSI/ANS-15.1-2007, Section 6.2.3 or provide an explanation describingyour reason(s) for not incorporatingthe changes.
PUR-1 Response 6.2.4(c) as written is very similar to ANSI 15.1-2007 6.5(2), which reads:
6.5 Experiments review and approval Approved experiments shall be carried out in accordance with established and approved procedures. The following provisions shall be stated:
(1) All new experiments or class of experiments shall be reviewed by the review group (see Sec. 6.2.3) and approved in writing by Level 2 or designated alternates prior to initiation; (2) Substantive changes to previously approved experiments shall be made only after review by the review group and approved in writing by Level 2 or designated alternates. Minor changes that do not significantly alter the experiment may be approved by Level 3 or higher.
The details to be reviewed as discussed in TS 6.2.4 a-c are similar to the requirements of ANSI 15.1-2007 Sec. 6.2.3(1-3), and the use of "substantive changes" in to ANSI 15.1-2007 6.5(2) is similar to the use of "significantly different" in TS 6.2.4c. The critical concept required to be reviewed is the safety significance of the changes.
- 28. The regulationsin 10 CFR 20.1101 requirethat each licensee develop, document, and implement a radiationprotection program.NUREG-1537, Chapter 12.1 states that the organizationshould meet the non-power reactorstandardANSI/ANS-15.1-2007. ANSIIANS-15.1, Section 6.3 states that the facility shall implement a radiationprotection program in accordancewith the guidelines in ANSI/ANS-15.1. However the radiationprotection program is not presented or discussed in the PUR-1 TS 6.0. Pleaseprovide a TS to meet the criteriain 10 CFR 20.1101 and ANSI/ANS-15.1, Section 6.3 or provide an explanation describingyour reason for not incorporatingthe change.
PUR-1 Response PUR-1 has operated under the Purdue University Radiation Safety Program since its early development, which is under the responsibility of the University Radiation Safety Officer and the Institution Radiation Safety Committee. This was mentioned in 6.1.5 of the submitted TS, and 6.1.1 .d of the revision submitted with these answers. It was also described in 6.1.7 of the original submission, which is now 6.1.4 of the revision.
Page 5 of 11 4 January 2012
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PUR-1: Responses to Part of RAIs dated ~ 4*u@4*hDSj(l00MQj a^IJ(] leIJlu) 00t, n 6u!pI!fn 6uijaau!6U3 jeapnN 3u!uaau!,8u wValinN jo lootps
- 30. TS 6.6.2: ANSI/ANS-15.1-2007, Section 6.6.2 and 6.7.2(1) provide guidance on licensee actions following a reportableoccurrence.It is not specified in the PUR-1 TS 6.6.2 who can authorize restartof the reactorafter a reportableoccurrence where the reactorwas shut down. Please clarify this authority.
PUR-1 Response The following changes have been made to the TS:
TS 6.3 was moved to TS 6.6 as 6.6.1 to more closely align with ANSI 15.1-2007, and the suggested text from ANSI 15.1-2007 Sec 6.6.2 was added to clarify the authority to restart, as shown below:
6.5 Required Actions The following actions shall be taken relating to the types of events listed in Secs. 6.6.1 and 6.6.2 6.5.1 The following actions shall be taken in the event the Safety Limit is violated:
(1) The reactor will be shut down immediately and reactor operation will not be resumed without authorization by the Commission.
(2) The Safety Limit Violation shall be reported to the Director of the appropriate NRC Office of Inspection and Enforcement (or designee), the Laboratory Director and to the CORO not later than the next work day.
(3) A Safety Limit Violation Report shall be prepared. The report shall be reviewed by the CORO. This report shall describe (1) applicable circumstances preceding the violation, (2) effects of the violation upon facility components, systems or structures, and (3) corrective action taken to prevent recurrence.
(4) The Safety Limit Violation Report shall be submitted to the Commission, the CORO and the Reactor Supervisor within 14 days of the violation, in support of a request to the Commission for authorization to resume operations.
6.5.2 The following actions are to be taken in the event of reportable occurrence as defined in 1.36.
(1) Reactor conditions shall be returned to normal, or the reactor shall be shut down.
If it is necessary to shut down the reactor to correct the occurrence, operations shall not be resumed unless authorized by Level 2 or designated alternates; (2) Occurrence shall be reported to Level 2 or designated alternates and to chartering or licensing authorities as required; (3) Occurrence shall be reviewed by the review group at its next scheduled meeting.
- 31. ANSI/ANS-15.1-2007, Section 6.7.2(2) provides guidance for a TS requirementto provide a written report to the NRC within 30 days of permanent changes in the PUR-1 organization involving Level I or 2 personnel and significantchanges in transientor accidentanalyses as describedin the SAR. This requirement does not seem to appearin TS 6.6. Pleaseamend PUR-1 TS 6.6 to include these requirements,provide reference to wh~refhiesreguigm~ny anaunu 9NIN3=NI9N3 HV31DnN JO 10OHDS Page 6 of 11 4 January 21
PUR-1: Responses to Part of RAIs dated 6 July 2011 (ML101460429) exist in the TS, or provide an explanation describingyour reason(s)for not incorporatingthe changes.
PUR-1 Response The following was added as TS 6.6.2(2)
(2) There shall be a written report within 30 days to the chartering or licensing authorities of the following:
(a) Permanent changes in the facility organization involving Level 1 or 2 personnel (b) significant changes in the transient or accident analysis as described in the Safety Analysis Report.
- 33. Section 5.0 Design Features- This section of the TS requiresapplicability,objective and bases statements per 10 CFR 50.36. Please update the PUR-1 TS to satisfy this regulatory requirement.
PUR-1 Response PUR-1 does not agree with this question, since the words "applicability" and "objective" do not appear in 10 CFR 50.36. Furthermore, ANSI 15.1 does not suggest the necessity of Applicability or Objective statements or bases for Sec. 5 (see ANSI 15.1, Sec. 1.2.2), they are only required for Secs. 2, 3, and 4.
Furthermore, 10 CFR 50.36 (a)(1) states:
"Each applicant for a license authorizing operation of a production or utilization facility shall include in his application proposed technical specifications in accordance with the requirements of this section. A summary statement of the bases or reasons for such specifications, other than those covering administrative controls, shall also be included in the application, but shall not become part of the technical specifications."
Since PUR-1 has a long operating history of safe operation, in addition to the fact that the facility has been licensed previously with these technical specifications approved, no further bases are required.
- 35. TS 6.1.8 states that a qualified operatoris requiredat the operatingconsole unless the reactoris shutdown. ANSI/ANS-15.1-2007, Section 6.1.3 (1) requires a licensed operatorat the controls unless the reactoris secured. Please update the PUR-1 TS to be consistent with ANSI/ANS-15.1-2007 orjustify why a qualified operatoris not requiredat the controls when the reactoris shutdown per PUR-1 TS 1.33.
PUR-1 Response ANSI 15.1-2007, Section 6.1.3(1) requires "a licensed reactor operator in the control room", not a licensed operator "at the controls" as suggested by Question 35. Since the controls for the reactor sit adjacent to the reactor pool, there is no "control room" per se. The intent of ANSI 15.1-2007, Section 6.1.3(1) is met in TS 6.1.8, as written.
11 of 11 Page 77 of 4 January 2012 Page 4 January 2012
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PUR-1: Responses to Part of RAIs dated 6I14MI*03lUl(MU*1Wa~jlPll I aAuJ(] leIua:) 00t7, 6u!p!n 6uf!Juaau!fiu jeapnN UW1U!.ddu.1'uZt JovdpnN oOOWS
- 36. Staffing - The minimum requirements for staffing the reactorin Section 6 of the PUR-1 TSs and not readily clear.ANSI/ANS-15.1-2007, Section 6.1.3 provides guidance for minimum staffing as tailoredby NUREG-1537. The following wording for minimum staffing as provided in NUREG 1537, Appendix 14.1 was previously deemed acceptableby the NRC: Staffing requirements 1. The minimum staffing when the reactoris operatingshall be: a. A licensed reactoroperatoror senior reactoroperatorin the control room, b. A second designated person present at the facility complex able to carry out prescribedwritten instructions. The instructionsmay, for more complex and higher-powerreactors,require initiatingthe first stages of the emergency plan including evacuation and initial notificationprocedures.
Unexpected absence for as long as 2 hours2.314815e-5 days <br />5.555556e-4 hours <br />3.306878e-6 weeks <br />7.61e-7 months <br /> to accommodate a personalemergency may be acceptableprovided immediate action is taken to obtain a replacement,c. A designated seniorreactoroperatorshall be present at the facility or readily available on call. "Readily Available on Call" means an individual who: i. has been specifically designated and the designation known to the operatoron duty, ii. can be rapidly contactedby phone, by the operatoron duty, iii. is capable of getting to the reactorfacility within a reasonabletime under normal conditions (e.g., 30 minutes or within a 15-mile radius); 2. The minimum staffing when the reactoris shutdown shall be a licensed reactoroperatoror senior reactoroperator in the licensed facility. 3. No licensed reactoroperatoror senior reactoroperatorshall be requiredwithin the licensed facility if the reactoris secure.
PUR-1 Response Many of these requirements already existed in the PUR-1 TS, but they were not organized as recommended by ANSI 15.1, since they were written before ANSI 15.1 existed. The technical specifications have been reorganized and modified slightly as shown below, to more closely match the ANSI 15.1 format.
6.1.2 Staffing (1) The minimum staffing when the reactor is not secured shall be (a) A licensed reactor operator in the reactor room, (b) The minimum crew for operating the reactor shall consist of 2 (two) persons, one of whom must be an NRC licensed member of the PUR-1 operations staff, the second crew member must be instructed as to how to shut down the reactor in the event of an emergency.
(c) A designated senior reactor operator (unless the operations staff consists of only one senior reactor operator, and that individual is operating the reactor) shall be present or readily available on call at any time that the reactor is operating.
"Readily Available on Call means an individual who (i) Has been specifically designates and the designation is known to the operator on duty, (ii) Can be rapidly contacted by phone or other method by the operator on duty, (iii) Is capable of getting to the reactor facility within a reasonable time under r8'i&? A I I S U A I N fl 9N, 33N19NY Htcfi~~fir Page 8 of 11 4 January 2012
PUR-A: Responses to Part of RAIs dated 6 July 2011 (ML101460429)
(2) No licensed reactor operator or senior reactor operator shall be required within the licensed facility if the reactor is secure.
(3) Events requiring the presence at the facility of a senior reactor operator are (a) Initial startup and approach to power following a core change. The presence of an SRO at the reactor facility is unnecessary for the initial daily start up, provided the core remains unchanged from the previous run; (b) All fuel or control-rod relocations within the core region; (c) Recovery from an unplanned or unscheduled shutdown except in instances which resulting from the following (i) A verified electrical power failure or interruption exclusive of internal power supply failures or interruption of the reactor instrumentation, control, and safety systems; (ii) Accidental manipulation of equipment in a manner which does not affect the safety of the reactor; (iii) A verified practice of the evacuation of the building initiated by persons exclusive of reactor operations personnel.
The SRO shall be notified of the shutdown and shall determine its cause. If due to one of the enumerated reasons above, he shall decide if his presence is necessary for a subsequent start up.
- 37. PUR-1 Organization:Neither Figure 6.1 nor TS 6.1.5 clearly indicatethe organizationallevel of the Head of Nuclear Engineering.Please update the figure and/or TS to reflect the level of authority for the Head of the school of Nuclear Engineeringor justify why it is not required.
PUR-1 Response The NE department head was in the original organization chart from the 1988 license, which predated the licensee levels specified in ANSI 15.1. Since the organization has been changed to reflect the ANSI 15.1 style license levels, we have removed the NE department head from the organization chart, and TS 6.1.5 has been modified as follows:
In all matters pertaining to the operation of the reactor and the administrative aspects of these technical specifications, the Laboratory Director (Level 2) [or the Reactor Supervisor (Level 3) in the absence of the Laboratory Director] shall report to and be directly responsible to the Level 1 Licensee, the Dean of the College of Engineering. In all matters pertaining to radiation safety they shall be responsible to the Radiation Safety Committee.
Figure 6.1 has been modified to reflect that change.
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PURA1: Responses to Part of RAls dated1flGftd9MN( (U4%f46OiU9#
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- - - Primarily Safety FIGURE 6.1: PUR-1 Organization
- 38. TS 6.1.6. Please review TS 6.1.6 and correct the typographicalerrorassociatedwith reference to ANSIIANS-15.4.
PUR-1 Response Minimum Qualifications of Reactor Personnel - The minimum qualifications should be consistent with the American National Standard for the Selection and Training of Personnel for Research Reactors, ANSI/ANS 15.4, and include the following:
Justificationof the change is to correct a typo.
DNIH33Nl9N3 NV31JfN JO 100HDS A I I S U 3 A I N n Page 10 of 11 2flUHfld 4 January 2012
_PUR-1: Responses to Part of RAIs dated 6 July 2011 (ML101460429)
FURDUE rds to be retained for tl~jt egj0qpO(#jRR i rlity. The regulatonsr ing10 C .36 require that reviews of exceeding the safety limit (10 CFR 50.36(c)(1)(i)(A)), reviews of the failure of the automatic safety system that protects the limiting safety system settings (LSSSs) (10 CFR 50.36(c)(1)(ii)(A)) and reviews of not meeting limiting conditions for operation(10 CFR 50.36(c)(2)(i)) be retained until the Commission terminates the license. Please add these items to section 6.5 of the TSs.
PUR-1 Response The technical specifications have been changed as shown:
6.5.2 The following records and logs shall be prepared and retained for the life of the facility:
- a. Gaseous and liquid waste released to the environs.
- b. Offsite environmental monitoring surveys.
- c. Radiation exposures for all PUR-1 personnel.
- d. Updated, corrected, and as-built facility drawings.
- e. Annual operating reports.
- f. Reviews of instances where the safety limit was exceeded.
- g. Reviews of failure of the automatic safety system that protects the limiting safety system settings (LSSSs).
- h. Reviews of instances where limiting conditions of operation were not met.
Justificationof the change is to bring the Technical Specifications into compliance with 10 CFR 50.36.
School of Nuclear Engineering Nuclear Engineering Building s 400 Central Driv4#PsjlLaJ*tVe, IN 47907-2017 4 January 2012 (765) 494-5739 a Fax: (765) 494-9570 a https://engineering.purdue.edu/NE
PURDUE 2012-01-04_RAI An~t]qd0J&XNUCLEAR ENGINEERING S:\REACTOR\RE-LICENSING-2008\RAIs\SUMBITTED Template:
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School of Nuclear Engineering Nuclear Engineering Building a 400 Central Drive a West Lafayette, IN 47907-2017 (765) 494-5739 a Fax: (765) 494-9570 a https://engineering.purdue.edu/NE