ML13231A192

Reed College Reactor Annual Report

ML13231A192
Person / Time
Site:	Reed College
Issue date:	08/07/2013
From:	Krahenbuhl M P Reed College
To:	Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
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Download: ML13231A192 (25)

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REED COLLEGEREACTOR FACILITY32013 Southeast Woodstock Boulevard

Portland, Oregon97202-8199 telephone 503/777-7222 fax503/777-7274 reactor@reed.edu htrp://reactor.reed.edu August 7, 2013Document Control DeskUS Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555Docket 50-288Enclosed is Reed College Reactor's Annual Report.Please feel free to contact me for additional information.

Regards,Melinda P. Krahenbuhl

Director, Reed College Reactor REED RESEARCH REACTORANNUAL REPORTJuly 1,2012 -- June 30, 2013 REED RESEARCH REACTORANNUAL REPORTJuly 1,2012 -- June 30, 20133203 Southeast Woodstock Blvd.Portland, Oregon 97202-8199 503-777-7222 Fax: 503-777-7274 http://reactor.reed.edu reactor@reed.edu Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2012-2013 3

,JThis page is intentionally blank.4Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2012-2013 ITABLE OF CONTENTSOverview

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1People ..........................................................................................................................................

3Reactor Staff ........................................................................................................................................

3Reactor Operations Com m ittee .............................................................................................

4Facilities

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5Reactor Facility

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5Rotating Specim en Rack Facility

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5Pneumatic Transfer System ........................................

5In-Core Facilities

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SIn-Pool Facilities

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6Beam Facilities

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6R egulatory Events ......................................................................................................................

7A udits and Inspections

.................................................................................................

....... 8U sers .............................................................................................................................................

9Reactor Operations Sem inar ..................................................................................................

9Outside Users ......................................................................................................................................

9Colleges and U niversities

................................................................................................................

10H igh Schools and M iddle Schools .............................................................................................

10Special G roups ..................................................................................................................................

10High School Student Project .................................................................................................

11Concordia University

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11Scaler Kits ..........................................................................................................................................

12Reed Classes .....................................................................................................................................

12Industrial and Com m ercial Applications

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12Reactor Operations

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13Operations

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13Unplanned Reactor Shutdow ns ............................................................................................

15Reactor M aintenance

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16Significant M aintenance

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1610 CFR 50.59 Screenings

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16Radiation Protection

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17Personnel Dosim etry ....................................................................................................................

17Gaseous Releases

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18Liquid W aste Releases

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18Solid W aste D isposal .....................................................................................................................

19Environm ental Sam pling .......................................................................................................

19Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2012-2013 2

This page is intentionally blank.Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2012-2013 3

OVERVIEWThis report covers the period from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013, and is intended to fulfillthe reporting requirements of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission License No. R-112, Docket 50-288, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the Oregon Department ofEnergy Rule No. 345-030-010.

We specifically wish to thank Portland General Electric and Concordia University fortheir financial aid.Reed College operates a 250 kW TRIGAG Mark I reactor.

The Reed College ResearchReactor has been a resource for research and educational projects in the Portland areasince 1968. The main uses of the Reed Research Reactor are instruction and research, especially in the field of trace-element analysis.

During the year there were 2578 visitors from schools,

colleges, universities, and specialgroups. Specifically, there were 573 visitors were part of Reed College activities (prospective

students, family of students, Reed classes, etc.). One hundred and thirty-nine members of emergency response organizations came for training.

Finally, there were31 entries by inspectors and regulators from state and federal agencies.

Including toursand research conducted

.at the facility, the Reed Research Reactor contributed to theeducational programs of 13 colleges and universities.

During the year the reactor was taken critical 495 times on 162 days. The total energyproduced was approximately 33.02 megawatt-hours.

The reactor staff consists of a Director, an Associate

Director, and Reed Collegeundergraduate students who are licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission asreactor operators or senior reactor operators.

During the reporting period, 14 out of 15Reactor Operator candidates passed their NRC exams and 6 out of 7 the Senior ReactorOperator candidates passed their NRC exams.There were no radiation exposures to individuals in excess of the limit during the year.There were no releases of liquid radioactive material from the facility and airbornereleases were well within regulatory limits. There was one shipment of low-level radioactive waste from the facility.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission conducted an inspection Dec. 3-6, 2012.Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2012-2013 1

This page is intentionally blank.2Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2012-2013 IPEOPLEReactor StaffDuring the period July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013, the staff consisted of:*Reactor Director:

Melinda Krahenbuhl (6/11 -present)Associate Director:

Reuven Lazarus (5/11 -6/2013)Radiation Safety Officer:

Kathleen Fisher (1/03 -present)Reactor Supervisor:

Ian Flower (5/12 -5/13)Christina Barrett (5/13 -present)Training Supervisor:

Mike Vignal (5/12 -5/13)Molly Maguire (5/13 -present)Assistant Training Supervisor:

Molly Maguire (5/12 -5/13)Veronica Stewart (5/13 -present)Requalification Supervisor:

Kathryn Linthicum (5/12 -7/13)Erin Weisenhorn (incoming)

Hannah AllenChristina BarrettDaniel Dashevsky Wesley EricksonIan FlowerEvan GreenLuke HowardAustin HumphreyTrevor LohreyPraker BajpaiLily Ben-AviAndrew BlountMadelyn BrandtMiguel ConnerGray DavidsonFrancis Dieterle.

Elisabeth GraceGianmarco GreciSenior Reactor Operators (SRO)Jake Luton Rachael OttoIsaac Khader Erin SheffelsMelinda Krahenbuhl Elisabeth ThomasBenjamin Larsen Erik ThomasReuven Lazarus Mike VignalMolly Maguire Christopher VittalHuy Nguyen Patrick Wijngaard Neha Rao Andrew WarrenMichael Reichert Erin Weisenhorn Reactor Operators (RO)Alexander Harris Evan PeairsJosh Hepworth Evan PikulskiKelsey Houston-Edwards Grace Poetzinger Lydia Kerns Nicole SchermSimran Mahtani Nathan ShowellJared Milfred Juliet ShaftoCharlie McIntyre Natalie StoneStephan Okar Riley ThorntonIlana Novakoski Michaela VoorheesJossef Osborn Reilly Villanueva Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2012-2013 3

The list of operators includes everyone who held a license at any time during thereporting period. Reactor Operators who upgrade their licenses to Senior ReactorOperators during the reporting period are listed under Senior Reactor Operators.

All ofthe licensed operators are Reed College undergraduate students with the exception of theDirector and Associate Director.

For the 2012-2013 year there are 56 licensed operators at Reed College, 22 women and34 men.Reactor Operations Committee For the 2012 -2013, the membership of the Reactor Operation committee is shownbelow.Reactor Operations Committee Wayne Lei -Chair (Director of Research and Development,Portland Norm Dyer (OAR Services)

Daniel Gerrity (Chemistry

Faculty, Reed College).

Kathleen Fisher (Director, Reed Environmental Health and Safety)Lucas Illing -Chair (Physics

Faculty, Reed College)Steve Reese (Radiation Center Director, Oregon State University)

Pat McDougal (Dean of the Faculty, Reed College)Melinda Krahenbuhl (Director, RRR) .Reuven Lazarus (Associate

Director, RRR)Ian Flower (Reactor Supervisor, RRR)General Electric) 4Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2012-2013 LFACILITIES Reactor FacilityIn addition to the reactor, Reed College has a radiochemistry lab. The equipment available at the reactor facility includes high purity germanium gamma spectrometers, alpha spectrometers, a whole body counter, gas flow proportional

counters, ion chambers, beta counters, Geiger Muller tubes, neutron detectors, alpha detectors, and thermoluminescent dosimeter readers.

These instruments are used for experiments and trainingin nuclear science and radiation detection.

Two exit monitors are in the control room. Aliquid scintillation detector serves the both the reactor and broad scope license users. Thereactor facility has several systems for performing irradiations, described below.Rotating Specimen Rack FacilityThe rotating specimen rack is located ih a well on top of the graphite reflector surrounding the core. The rack consists of a circular array of 40 tubular receptacles, eachof which can -accommodate two irradiation tubes. Vials holding up -to 17 ml (four drams)are used in this system. Samples are loaded'in the specimen rack prior to the start-up ofthe reactor.

The rack automatically rotates during irradiation to ensure each samplereceives the same neutron flux. Typically, researchers use the rotating rack when longirradiation times (generally greater than five minutes) are required.

The approximate thermal neutron flux in a rotating rack position at full power is 1.7 xl10" n/cm2s with acadmium ratio of 6. The specimen rack can be used for gamma irradiations (approximately 8 Rad/min) when the reactor is shutdown.

Pneumatic Transfer SystemThe pneumatic transfer system ("rabbit")

consists of an irradiation chamber in the outerF-ring of the core and its associated pump and piping. This allows samples to betransferred in and out of the reactor core very rapidly while the reactor is at power.Routine use of the pneumatic transfer system involves placing samples into vials, whichin turn are placed in special capsules known as "rabbits."

The capsule is loaded into thesystem in the laboratory next to the reactor and is then transferred pneumatically into -thecore-irradiation position.

At the end of a predetermined time the sample is transferred back to the receiving

terminal, where it is removed for measurement.

The transfer timefrom the core to the terminal is about seven seconds, making this method of irradiating samples particularly useful for experiments involving radioisotopes with short half-lives.

The flux in the core terminal is approximately 5x1012 n/cm2s when the reactor is at fullpower.In-Core Facilities The central thimble is a water-filled irradiation chamber about 3 cm in diameter.

Itprovides the highest available neutron flux, about IxlO*3n/cm2s. Special sample holdersare used in the central thimble to provide maximum flexibility in experiment design.Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2012-2013

-5 A fuel replacement source holder assembly can also be used as an irradiation facility.

Thechamber fits into a fuel-element position within the core itself. It holds only one specially positioned irradiation container 7.5 cm in length and 2.5 cm in diameter.

Foil-insertion holes, 0.8 cm in diameter, are drilled at various positions through the gridplates. These holes allow inserting special holders containing flux wires into the core, toobtain neutron flux maps of the core.In-Pool Facilities Near core, in-pool irradiation facilities can be arranged for larger samples.

Neutron fluxeswill be lower than in the rotary specimen rack and will depend on the sample location.

An iridium gamma irradiator is also in the reactor pool for gamma only irradiations.

Beam Facilities The central thimble can be evacuated with gas, producing a vertical neutron beam. Thisbeam can be used to generate directional neutron flux, or for limited irradiations abovethe tank. Prompt gamma analysis and neutron radiography can be done. The flux abovethe beam exit is approximately lxl06 n/cm's when the reactor is at full power.6Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2012-2013 IREGULATORY EVENTSThe Nuclear Regulatory Commission conducted inspections during December 3-6, 2012.A.Notice of Violation was issued Jan. 2,2013. A reply was sent to the NRC on January30,2013.

Corrective actions have been implemented.

Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2012-2013 7

AUDITS ANDINSPECTIONS Two audits and one inspection were completed during this period. Norm Dyer completed an internal audit on Dec. 11, 2012. On July 30-31, 2012. Phillip Campbell conducted anaudit of the Campus Radiation Safety program.

Additionally, Ed Everett from ANINuclear Liability Insurance completed an inspection.

Recommendations that are stillbeing addressed are Emergency Plan revisions, Record Retention and Radioactive wastestorage and documentation.

8Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2012-2013

.U SERSReactor Operations SeminarThe Reed Research Reactor conducts an annual seminar series. This non-credit courseserves as an introduction to nuclear reactor theory, health physics, and.reactor:operation.

Some of the students continue with in-depth reactor operator training and subsequently apply for a Reactor Operator (RO) license.

If successful, the individual.

may be hired tooperate the reactor.

In addition, existing ROs may take the NRC Senior Reactor Operator(SRO) exam to upgrade their licenses.

During the reporting period, 14 out of 15 RO candidates and 5 out of 6 SRO candidates passed their NRC exams.Figure 1 is a graph of the number of license application each year showing how manynew RO and SRO licenses were awarded at Reed.N M "r Ln ID N co M 0 -N M '. Lfn ID r- W 0 -Na, a, a, a, a, a, a, 0 0 0 0 0 0C0D 0 -~a, a, a, M 0a0000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Figure 1 Reed Research Reactor License Exam ResultsOutside UsersDuring the year there were 1871 visitors from schools,

colleges, universities, and specialgroups. Additionally, there were 537 visitors as part of Reed College activities (prospective

students, family of students, Reed classes, etc.). One hundred and thirty-Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2012-2013 9

nine members of emergency response organizations came for training.

Finally, there were31 entries by inspectors and regulators from state and federal agencies.

The following institutions have participated in facility tours, experiments, and researchprojects in the reporting period.Colleges and Universities University of Washington Clark CollegeColumbia Gorge Community CollegeConcordia University Oregon Health Science University Oregon Institute of Technology Oregon State University Pitzer CollegePacific University Portland State University Portland Community College (Rock creek, Sylvania)

Warner Pacific CollegeMount Hood Community CollegeHigh Schools and Middle SchoolsCatlin GabelChrist the King Catholic SchoolCleveland High SchoolEkton Charte" SchoolGresham Barlow Academy:Grout High SchoolMarist High SchoolPutnam High SchoolWaldorf High SchoolSunnyside Environmental SchoolRoosevelt High SchoolSpecial GroupsThomas Deus GroupRainbo PTGBoy Scouts (597, 110)nConnectRSO classSaturday AcademyASE STEM CampLatin ForumThe Read Bleck Experience PNCCScience Outreach10Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2012-2013 Figure 2 is a graph showing the history of visiting groups.40* "Colleges and Universities 3525 --a-High Schools and Middle SchoolsA2 I -- -pei alG o p%i20 N*"A 'AIXA% I i..ak -- \ ,,* I I I, h a ,h ., i, ,a ,,,/ \ ^ / * -\ / .". /-~ --'" F/ / / -./\ , / k"5 ......" " .- .I \* .1992"1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 201"1 2012 2013Figure 2 Visiting GroupsMany reactor tours include hands-on use of facility equipment to conduct experiments inradiation

science, health physics, and nuclear physics.

A typical lab involves determining the background of .a Geiger Muller scalar system and then determining the half-life of asample of radioactive material.

College classes are generally more closely tailored to theindividual interests and needs of the Consortium faculty member involved.

Experiments include more direct use of the reactor itself .by the students, more detailed analysis ofmaterials,

-and emphasize the incorporation of other classroom activities as much aspossible.

Several special programs for gifted children use the reactor for projects.

These aredesigned to enrich their educational program and prepare them for college.

Some of thegroups who use the reactor target minority and disadvantaged youth who are historically under-represented in science professions.

High School Student ProiectThe Reed Research Reactor continues to be used in independent science projects initiated by students from several Oregon and Washington State high schools.Concordia University The reactor -provides training and experiments involving radiation, radioactive

material, and trace element analysis for Concordia University classes.Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2012-2013

11.

Scaler KitsThrough the generosity of Portland General Electric, the reactor lends out kits containing a Geiger counter, a scaler, and some small exempt sources to local high schools.Reed Classes* Chemistry 101 students explored the properties of alpha, beta and gammairradiation.

" Chemistry 311 Extent of Chemical Reaction using potassium as the tracer* Three Reed students used the reactor as part of their senior thesis.o Deep Blue." Examining CerenX-ov Radiation Through Non-tradiliona/

A/Hedza, Ian Flowero Thermal Mapping of the Reed Research Reactor Core, Michael Vignalo A Novel Synthetic Route to porous V205, Ellen MurphyIndustrial and Commercial Applications The Reed Research Reactor is available for industrial or commercial concerns when itdoes not conflict with our educational goals. As in the past, the primary operations involved neutron activation analysis of materials or environmental samples.

The facilityalso provides radiation protection training to interested parties and schools in the.area.

12Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2012-2013 REACTOR OPERATIONS Operations During the year the reactor was taken critical 495 times on 162 days. The total energyproduced was approximately 33 megawatt-hours.

Operating history by month appears intable 1. A history of the datais shown in figure 3.Table 1 Operating History 2011-2012 TIMES CRITICAL DAYS OPERATED MW-HOURSJuly 2012 14 10 0.97August.2012 18 10 1.69September 2012 48 12 2.44October 2012 41 14 1.98November 2012 37, 14 3.71December

.2012 66 11 2.08January 2013 19 12 1.74February 2013 111 23 6.97March 2013 35 15 2.00April 2013 57 22 5.04May 2013 37 14 3.73June.2013 12 5 0.67Total 495 162 33.02Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2012-2013 13 600500 -Irradiations

---MW-hrs4003002001001992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 21Figure 3. Operations 14 Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2012-2013 009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Unplanned Reactor Shutdowns There were 9 inadvertent reactor shutdowns (scrams) as shown in table 2. The number ofunplanned reactor shutdowns is increasing as shown in figure 4.Table 2 Unplanned Reactor Shutdowns 2520151050DATE SCRAM TYPE CAUSE OF SCRAM.8/23/2012 Grounded magnet.9/13/2012 Linear Power Auto range not selected9/22/2013 Linear Power Operator overshot target power9/23/2013 Linear Power Operator overshot target power11/13/2013 Linear.Power.

Operator overshot target power1/28/2013 Percent power Test signal inadvertently actuated during operations 2/7/2013 Linear Power...

Operator overshot target power2/23/2013 Linear Power Operator overshot target power2/24/2013 Linear Power Auto range not selected1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013Figure 4 Unplanned Shutdowns Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2012-2013 15 IýREACTOR MAINTENANCE Significant Maintenance Reactor staff performs routine equipment checks on a daily, weekly, bimonthly, semiannual (January and July) and annual (January) basis as required by facilityprocedures.

Reed College maintenance personnel assist with routine preventative maintenance to auxiliary equipment.

10 CFR 50.59 Screenings 12-04 Replace the secondary cooling towerThe secondary cooling tower was replaced as a turn-key installation.

Some superfluous piping was removed.

Drawings in the Facility reference manual and Training Manuelwere replaced.

12-05 Replaced the electromagnet on the safety control rodThe electromagnet on the safety control rod was replaced with an electromagnet from aspare control rod drive.12-06 Replaced the air pump for the APM and GSM12-07 Mount the thermocouple apparatus.

Special Experiment

1. 4Two thermocouple mounts were designed to fit over adjacent fuel element pins. Thedesign did not impede water flow through the core. The experiment was approved by theReactor Operations Committee.

12-08 Add Check valve to the primary clean-up line (not implemented yet)13-01 Replaced the Reg Rod SwitchThe Reg rod up button was replaced with-a similar button.13-02 Single fuel element replacement During fuel inspection, a single fuel element had a suspect spot. The element wasreplaced with an element with a similar operational history.13-03 Revised calculation for Rod worth measurements.

The mathematical modeling for the rod worth measurements were updated.16Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2012-2013 RADIATION PROTECTION Personnel Dosimetry Dosimeters are changed on a calendar quarter schedule.

Individuals were issued beta-gamma sensitive ring badges and whole-body badges. The Director and Associate Director were issued beta-gamma-neutron sensitive dosimetry.

During the year the largest whole body dose reported for this year was 2 mrem deep doseequivalent.

The largest extremity dose reported was 30 mrem shallow dose equivalent.

However, all individuals with used dosimetry for that quarter were assigned 30 mremshallow dose due to loss of the control badge.Fixed Area Dosimetry

.Radiation levels are continually monitored to provide an indication of the averageradiation levels in the reactor bay and dose outside the facility.

All dosimeters monitorbeta and gamma radiation.

Three locations also measure neutron dose.The deep dose equivalent, radiation measured by fixed dosimeters during the period July1,2011 to June 30, 2012 are shown in table 5. M indicated less than 1 mrem during thequarter.Table 5 Area Radiation Dosimeters (doses are in mr'em per calendar quarter)LOCATION HEIGHT RADIATION JUL 1 -OCT 1 -JAN I -APR I -TOTAL(M) DETECTED, SEP 30 DEC 31 MAR 31 JUN 30Reactor East Wall 1.5 4 7 15 16 37Reactor North Wall J.1.6 [3, 11 14 10 8 80Reactor West Wall 1.0 [3, ,, n 37 42 24. 25 116Reactor South Wall 1.6 13, y, n 5 6 7 6 33Reactor North Wall 2.3 13, y 4 8 7 3 42Control Room 1.5 3'Y 0 4 3 2 21Outside North 2.8 : 3, y 3 6 3 2 33Outside Roof 0.4 '3,,n M M M M MOutside East 1.5 M M M M MOutside South 0.4 Y M M M M MCounting Room 1.5 M M M M MReed Research Reactor Annual Report 2012-2013 17 Gaseous ReleasesThe only routine release of gaseous radioactivity is from 41Ar (1.83-hour half-life) andS6N (7.13-second half-life).

These come from activation of pool water and air in the poolwater and in the irradiation facilities.

For the reporting period, the average gaseousactivity at the site boundary was 3.41 x 101'0 Ci/Iml, which would deliver a dose to amember of the public of approximately 1.70 mrem, well below regulatory guidelines andconstraints.

Figure 5 shows the gaseous releases for each year.1 .E-06I .E-071.E-081.E-091.E-101.E-111.E-121992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013Figure 5 Gaseous Releases Activity (yCi/ml) at Site BoundaryLiauidi Waste ReleasesNo liquid radioactive waste was released from the Reed Research Reactor during thisreport period.18Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2012-2013 Solid Waste DisposalThere .was one shipments of low-level radioactive waste from the facility during thisreporting period.Table 6 Solid Waste DisposalDateDrumActivityRadionuclide 7m7/25/2012*1.

Q 12.2 57 MBq (0.061. mCi) Co60, Mn54, Sc46, Zn6Environmental SamplineSoil samples taken from the area surrounding the facility showed no activity abovebackground.

Water from the facility's secondary cooling-system and the nearby canyonwere sampled for activation products and tritium, but showed no activity above normalbackground.

Reed Research Reactor Annual Report 2012-2013 19