ML13225A496

Transmittal of 2012-2013 Annual Report for University of Wisconsin Nuclear Reactor Lab

ML13225A496
Person / Time
Site:	University of Wisconsin
Issue date:	08/09/2013
From:	Agasie R J Univ of Wisconsin - Madison
To:	Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
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Nuclear Reactor Laboratory UWNR University of Wisconsin-Madison 1513 University Avenue, Room 1215 ME, Madison, WI 53706-1687, Tel: (608) 262-3392, FAX: (608) 262-8590email: reactor~engr.wisc.edu, hftp://reactor.engr.wisc.edu License R-74Docket 50-156August 9, 2013U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ATTN: Document Control DeskWashington, D. C. 20555

Dear Sir:

Enclosed is a copy of the 2012-2013 Annual Report for theUniversity of Wisconsin Nuclear Reactor Laboratory as requiredby Technical Specification 6.7.1(1).

Sincerely, Robert A sieReactor DirectorEnc. (Annual Report)cc: Compliance Inspector, Craig BassettFacility Project Manager, Geoffrey A. WertzReactor Safety Committee, RSC 1169.Aozo-,"?z~

THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN NUCLEAR REACTOR LABORATORY FISCAL YEAR 2012-2013 ANNUAL OPERATING REPORTPrepared to meet reporting requirements of:U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission License R-74Docket 50-156Technical Specification 6.7.1(1)Prepared by:Robert J. AgasieDepartment of Engineering PhysicsTHE UNIVERSITY WISCONSI NMADISON UWNR ANNUAL REPORT- Fiscal Year 2012-2013 Page 1 of 15EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF REACTOR UTILIZATION Instruction:

Teaching usage of the reactor during the yearincluded:

131 Nuclear Engineering students inlaboratory and lecture courses.36 students and staff from other UW-Madison departments and programs.

711 individuals from 16 organizations aspart of the UW Nuclear Reactor OutreachProgram.Research:

Neutron irradiations during the year included:

207 samples irradiated for departments atUW-Madison.

48 samples were irradiated for othereducational and research institution research programs.

UWNR ANNUAL REPORT- Fiscal Year 2012-2013 Page 2 of 15TABLE OF CONTENTSA. SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS

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

31. INSTRUCTIONAL USE ....................................

32. OUTREACH AND COMMUNITY SERVICE .......................

43. SAMPLE IRRADIATIONS AND NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSISSERVICES

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

64. OTHER MAJOR EDUCATIONAL,

RESEARCH,

& OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES

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

85. CHANGES IN PERSONNEL, FACILITY AND PROCEDURES

.........

96. RESULTS OF SURVEILLANCE TESTS AND INSPECTIONS

.........

9B. OPERATING STATISTICS AND FUEL EXPOSURE

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

10C. EMERGENCY SHUTDOWNS AND INADVERTENT SCRAMS ...............

10D. MAINTENANCE

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

10E. CHANGES IN THE FACILITY OR PROCEDURES REPORTABLE UNDER10 CFR 50.59 .............................................

11F. SUMMARY OF RADIATION EXPOSURE OF PERSONNEL

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

11G. RESULTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SURVEYS .........................

12H. RADIOACTIVE EFFLUENTS

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

12TABLE 1 ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING DOSE DATA ............

13TABLE 2 LIQUID EFFLUENT FROM POOL.............................

14TABLE 3 EFFLUENT FROM STACK .................................

15 UWNR ANNUAL REPORT- Fiscal Year 2012-2013 Page 3 of 15A. SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS

1. INSTRUCTIONAL USENuclear Engineering (NE) 231, "Survey of NuclearEngineering" was offered in the spring semester with anenrollment of 30 students.

The course is designed forfreshmen students interested in nuclear engineering andconsists of three lecture modules surveying

fission, fusionand radiation science technologies.

The fission moduleconcludes with a reactor tour.Two sections of NE 427 were offered in the fall and springsemesters with a total enrollment of 48 students.

SeveralNE 427 experiments use materials that are activated in thereactor.

One experiment entitled "Radiation Survey"requires that students make measurements of radiation levels in and around the reactor laboratory.

Two sections of NE 428 were offered in the fall and springsemester with a total enrollment of 41 students.

Threeexperiments in NE 428 require exclusive use of the reactor.These experiments

("Critical Experiment",

"Control ElementCalibration",

and "Pulsing")

required a total of 36 hour4.166667e-4 days <br />0.01 hours <br />5.952381e-5 weeks <br />1.3698e-5 months <br />sof exclusive reactor use. Other NE 428 laboratory sessionsuse material that has been irradiated in the reactor ("FastNeutron Flux Measurements by Threshold Foil Techniques" and"Resonance Absorption").

A new course entitled "Detection and Remediation ofRadionuclides in the Environment" was developed incollaboration with Civil and Environmental Engineering.

The cross listed course, NE 602/CEE 629, was offered in thespring of 2013 with 16 students participating.

Moredetails about this new course can be found in section A.4of this report below.Individual class sections for Anthropology 311,"Archaeological Chemistry",

and Medical Physics 569,"Health Physics" where held at the Reactor Laboratory, with32 students participating.

UWNR ANNUAL REPORT- Fiscal Year 2012-2013 Page 4 of 15The Reactor Laboratory's continued commitment to itseducational outreach program and community service attractslarge numbers of community organizations who visit thereactor.

A listing of individual schools and educational programs that have visited or received services is providedbelow in section A.2 of this report.2. OUTREACH AND COMMUNITY SERVICEParticipating Institution Number of Participants Abundant Life Christian High School 20Reactor tour with a discussion on applications of nuclearenergy and uses of the UW nuclear reactor.Argyle High School 6Reactor tour with a discussion on applications of nuclearenergy and uses of the UW nuclear reactor.Barneveld High School 6Reactor tour with a discussion on applications of nuclearenergy and uses of the UW nuclear reactor.Beaver Dam High School 41Reactor tour with a discussion on applications of nuclearenergy and uses of the UW nuclear reactor.Beloit College 0Analyzed swipe tests to leak check radioactive sources andperformed detector calibrations.

Boy Scouts of America 405Reactor tour with a discussion on applications of nuclearenergy and uses of the UW nuclear reactor.

Programincluded hands on demonstrations of radiation detection andshielding.

Program co-sponsored by the UW student branchof the American Nuclear Society in support of the ScoutsAtomic Energy Merit Badge program.

UWNR ANNUAL REPORT- Fiscal Year 2012-2013 Page 5 of 15Participating Institution Number of Participants Capital Science & Engineering Fair 16Reactor tour with a discussion on applications of nuclearenergy and uses of the UW nuclear reactor.

Part of theCapital Science & Engineering Fair which was established toprovide high school students from South Central Wisconsin aunique opportunity to perform science and engineering andlearn from University faculty and staff.Dane County Emergency Management 12Reactor tour with a discussion on emergency planning forthe UW nuclear reactor.Girl Scouts of the USA 39Reactor tour with a discussion on applications of nuclearenergy and uses of the UW nuclear reactor.

Programincluded hands on demonstrations of radiation detection andshielding.

Program co-sponsored by the UW student branchof the American Nuclear Society in support of the GirlScouts Atomic Merit Badge.Pecatonia High School 7Reactor tour with a discussion on applications of nuclearenergy and uses of the UW nuclear reactor.Spring Harbor Middle School 96Provided lecture to students on nuclear energy and areactor demonstration using remote distance education technology as described in section A.4 of this report.State Engineering University of ArmeniaYerevan, Armenia 24Provided laboratory course to nuclear engineering studentsin Yerevan, Armenia using remote distance education technology as described in section A.4 of this report.UW Energy Institute 7Reactor tour with a discussion on applications of nuclearenergy and uses of the UW nuclear reactor.

UWNR ANNUAL REPORT- Fiscal Year 2012-2013 Page 6 of 15Participating Institution Number of Participants UW Engineering Physics Department Graduate Student Recruitment Program 21Reactor tour with a discussion on the capabilities and usesof the UW nuclear reactor in support of graduate researchrecruitment program.UW -Materials Research Science& Engineering Center 11Reactor tour with a discussion on the capabilities and usesof the UW nuclear reactor.

The UW MRSEC Education Group(IEG) creates and distributes a broad range of educational products that are widely used for K-12 and college-level instruction on topics that build on the center's materials science discoveries and expertise.

UW-Whitewater Department of Physics 0Analyzed swipe tests to leak check radioactive sources andperformed detector calibrations.

OUTREACH AND COMMUNITY SERVICE USER SUMMARY:Organizations:

16Participants:

7113. SAMPLE IRRADIATIONS AND NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSISSERVICESThere were 255 individual samples irradiated during theyear. Of these samples, 138 were irradiated for 15 minutesor less. Samples accumulated 58.7 irradiation space hoursand 299.2 sample hours. Many samples were irradiated andthen counted at the Reactor Laboratory as part of ourneutron activation analysis program.

In the listing belowthe notation (NAA) indicates that the samples wereprocessed by our neutron activation analysis program.

UWNR ANNUAL REPORT- Fiscal Year 2012-2013 Page 7 of 15Department of Electrical

& Computer Engineering, UW-Madison 3 samples, 4.1 sample hoursIrradiation of silicon dioxide to induce damage that willchange the electrical properties of the material.

Department of Engineering

Physics, UW-Madison NE 602Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, UW-Madison CEE 6296 samples, 0.6 sample hoursIrradiation of foil sources for radiation detectorexperiments for a new course in radiation detection andremediation in the environment.

Department of Engineering

Physics, UW-Madison Instrumentation Laboratory 171 samples, 172.5 sample hoursIrradiation of foil sources for radiation detectorexperiments, including absolute counting for neutron fluxmeasurements and activation of samples for neutronactivation analysis experiment.

Department of Engineering

Physics, UW-Madison NE 42822 samples, 23.7 sample hoursIrradiation of foils for resonance absorption measurements and fast neutron flux measurements.

Department of Engineering

Physics, UW-Madison UW Nuclear Reactor Laboratory 4 samples, 2.2 sample hoursProduction of calibration sources for required reactormeasurements and development of methods for instrumental neutron activation analysis.

Department of Medical Physics, UW-Madison 23 samples, 25.1 sample hoursIrradiation of copper foils to explore the viability ofusing thin metal foils as personnel neutron dosimeter.

UWNR ANNUAL REPORT- Fiscal Year 2012-2013 Page 8 of 15United States Geological Survey (USGS) (NAA)University of Denver48 samples, 96 sample hoursNAA supporting a thesis project in sedimentology of theZiegler Reservoir in Snowmass, Colorado.

The hypothesis isthat the sediments were primarily wind transported and thusmay hold a record of past climates.

4. OTHER MAJOR EDUCATIONAL,

RESEARCH,

& OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES In December 2012 the facility conducted reactordemonstrations "offered at a distance" with Spring HarborMiddle School in Madison, WI. Over 95 childrenparticipated in a lecture and demonstration that wasbroadcast over the internet.

Adobe Connect Pro softwarewas utilized to connect the Spring Harbor Middle Schoolwith the UW Nuclear Reactor Lab. The reactor demonstration included a supercritical power excursion and demonstration of the prompt negative fuel temperature coefficient ofreactivity that ended with a reactor scram to show theshutdown characteristics of a nuclear reactor.In May 2013 the facility conducted a nuclear energyworkshop "offered at a distance" with the State Engineering University of Armenia in Yerevan, Armenia.

Approximately 24 students participated in 3 laboratory sessions over a 3day period. Again, Adobe Connect Pro software was utilizedto connect Yerevan with the UW Nuclear Reactor Lab. Thereactor modules included an approach to critical, controlelement calibration and pulsing behavior of TRIGA reactors.

This program was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy(DOE) via the International Nuclear Safety Program (INSP)and the Safety Analysis Capability (SAC) program managed byArgonne National Laboratory.

The remote connectivity capability described above wasfunded through a NRC Educational Curriculum Development Grant, entitled "Remote Nuclear Reactor Measurements Laboratory:

Development of innovative web-based nuclearengineering measurement modules to be offered at adistance".

UWNR ANNUAL REPORT- Fiscal Year 2012-2013 Page.9 of 15In the spring of 2013 a collaborative effort between the UWNuclear Reactor and the UW Department of Civil andEnvironmental Engineering developed a new course in thedetection and remediation of radionuclides in theenvironment.

Sixteen students from both curricula participated in the course. The course focused on thefundamental and practical concepts in nuclear engineering and environmental engineering to educate students from bothdisciplines so that they can communicate with each other.The course included hands-on laboratory experiences in bothdisciplines.

The course development was funded through aNRC Educational Curriculum Development Grant.5. CHANGES IN PERSONNEL, FACILITY AND PROCEDURES Any changes reportable under 10 CFR 50.59 are indicated insection E of this report.Other changes to the facility included the replacement ofthe NLI-1000 analog output board with a new board thatprevents negative currents on the 0 to 1 mA log poweroutput to the main panel control board meter.The facility voluntarily participated in the DOE/NNSAGlobal Threat Reduction Initiative (GTRI) program toenhance security in the auxiliary spaces surrounding theprotected area.Personnel changes during the year were as follows:The following Reactor Operator Licenses were terminated:

Name License Effective DateSamuel R. Maslonkowski OP-71024 August 14, 2012David J. Ozburn OP-71025 March 18, 20136. RESULTS OF SURVEILLANCE TESTS AND INSPECTIONS The program of inspection and testing of reactor components continues, satisfactorily meeting procedural acceptance criteria.

Inspection of underwater components during theannual maintenance showed no deterioration or abnormalwear.

UWNR ANNUAL REPORT- Fiscal Year 2012-2013 Page 10 of 15The pool leak surveillance program continues to monitor thepool evaporation rate, the pool make-up volume, and poolwater radioactivity.

The pool leak surveillance programindicated that approximately 70 gallons of water effluenthas been released to the environment as detailed in table 2below.B. OPERATING STATISTICS AND FUEL EXPOSUREOperating Period Critical MW-Hrs Runs PulsesHoursFiscal Year 300.97 235.06 86 282012-2013 Cumulative 1,601.50 1,043.98 615 169TRIGA 30/20 LEU IIICore K21-R6 was operated throughout the year. The excessreactivity of this core was determined to be 4.183%p.C. EMERGENCY SHUTDOWNS AND INADVERTENT SCRAMSThere were no automatic SCRAMS or manual emergency shutdowns during the year.D. MAINTENANCE The Preventive Maintenance Program continues to maintainequipment and systems in good condition.

Routinereplacement of demineralizer resins occurred on August 29,2012.Corrective maintenance performed as a follow up actionnecessary for reactor restart following an automatic SCRAMis covered in section C of this report. Additional corrective maintenance was performed on the following installed

systems, structures and components (SSC) asdescribed in the SAR:

UWNR ANNUAL REPORT- Fiscal Year 2012-2013 Page 11 of 15On May 5, 2013 while performing the pre-startup check listthe blade disengaged annuciator would not clear nor wouldthe #2 magnet engaged lamp illuminate even through theblade was coupled to the drive. Troubleshooting indicated the connection from the blade drive to the control consolewas at fault. Upon removing the shell of the plug, wire234 was observed broken from the cup socket due to a coldsolder joint. The wire was reconnected and the indication was verified to respond as expected.

During annual maintenance activities in June 2013 theswitch which indicates the transient rod is fully insertedduring SCRAM time testing was observed to have failed. Theswitch was replaced with an identical spare and testedsuccessfully.

E. CHANGES IN THE FACILITY OR PROCEDURES REPORTABLE UNDER10 CFR 50.59There were no changes to the facility reportable pursuantto 10 CFR 50.59 completed during the year.F. SUMMARY OF RADIATION EXPOSURE OF PERSONNEL (01/01/12

-12/31/12)

The personnel radiation monitoring program at theUniversity of Wisconsin for the past calendar year usedLandauerLuxel brand monitors for whole body and extremity exposure.

No personnel received any significant radiation exposure for the above period. The highest annual dosesrecorded were 20 mrem to the whole body and 50 mrem to theextremities.

The highest dose received by a member of the publicvisiting the reactor lab was 0.67 mrem, as measured bySiemens brand Electronic Personal Dosimeters.

Monthly radiation surveys continue to demonstrate acceptable radiation dose rates within the reactorlaboratory and no contamination.

UWNR ANNUAL REPORT- Fiscal Year 2012-2013 Page 12 of 15G. RESULTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SURVEYS(01/01/12

-12/31/12)

The environmental monitoring program at the University usesLandauer Luxel brand area monitors located in areassurrounding the reactor laboratory.

Table 1 indicates thedose a person would have received if continuously presentin the indicated area for the entire 2012 calendar year.H. RADIOACTIVE EFFLUENTS

1. LIQUID EFFLUENTS There was no liquid waste discharged to the sanitarysewer from the facility during the year.Liquid effluents released to the environment duringthe year are detailed in Table 2.2. EXHAUST EFFLUENTS Table 3 presents information on stack discharges during the year.3. SOLID WASTEThere was no solid waste transferred from the facilityduring the year.

UWNR ANNUAL REPORT- Fiscal Year 2012-2013 Page 13 of 15TABLE 1 ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING DOSE DATA(01/01/12

-12/31/12)

LocationDose Inside Reactor Laboratory StackHighest Dose in Non-restricted AreaHighest Dose in Occupied*

Non-restricted AreaAverage Dose in all Non-restricted Areas(26 Monitor Points)Annual Dose(mrem)<1420.3*Occupied areas include classrooms,

offices, andlobbies/meeting areas where an individual might reasonably spend in excess of 2 hours2.314815e-5 days <br />5.555556e-4 hours <br />3.306878e-6 weeks <br />7.61e-7 months <br /> per day UWNR ANNUAL REPORT- Fiscal Year 2012-2013 Page 14 of 15TABLE 2 LIQUID EFFLUENT FROM POOLLiquid Release to the Environment

-All Activity H-3WaterReleased(Gallons)

AverageConcentration (PCi/ml)MonthActivityReleased(mCi)Fractionof MPCJuly 2012AugustSeptember OctoberNovemberDecemberJanuary 2013FebruaryMarchAprilMayJune70000000000007.76E-57.84E-57.43E-56. 81E-57.22E-57.57E-57. 03E-57.24E-57 .43E-57.08E-56 .84E-56.76E-5Average7.25E-50.0210i0000.0000.0000.0000.0000.0000.0000.0000.0000.0000.000Total0.0210.078Average0.078Total70 UWNR ANNUAL REPORT- Fiscal Year 2012-2013 Page 15 of 15TABLE 3 EFFLUENT FROM STACK1. Particulate ActivityThere was no discharge of particulate activity abovebackground levels.2. Gaseous Activity

-All Argon-41MonthJuly 2012AugustSeptember OctoberNovemberDecemberJanuary 2013FebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneActivityDischarged (Curies)0.0430.0000.5390.6020.4040.1380.1880.3620.2960.2720.0550.022MaximumConcentration (pCi/ml x IE-6)1.1700.0001.5300.7801.1730.9801.7601.1300.8421.5400.9400.980AverageConcentration (pCi/ml x 1E-6)0.0030.0000.0370.0400.0260.0090.0130.0270.0220.0190.0040.002Total2.920Maximum1.760Average0.018Using the Gaussian Plume model, as described in section13.1.7.2 of the "LEU Conversion Safety Analysis Report forthe University of Wisconsin Nuclear Reactor",

aconcentration of 6E-5 pCi/ml at the stack discharge wouldresult in a maximum air concentration of 1E-8 pCi/ml at anypoint downwind.