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Category:CORRESPONDENCE-LETTERS
MONTHYEARML20217N3581999-10-25025 October 1999 Ack Receipt of Ref Author Ltr of 990720, Transmitting Changes to Fixed Site & Transportation Plan for Protection of Special Nuclear Matl of Moderate & Low Strategic Significance.Nrc Approval Not Required ML20217C4981999-10-0101 October 1999 Informs That Based on NRC Review of General Atomics Info Concerning Decommissioning Cost Estimates.Nrc Has Determined That Submittal Listed Should Be Withheld from Public Disclosure,Per 10CFR2.790 ML20211L9961999-08-27027 August 1999 Forwards Semiannual Effluent Rept Required for Period 990101-990630.All Airborne & Liquid Effluent Releases Were Well within Allowable State of CA & NRC 10CFR20 Limits ML20216G7361999-08-16016 August 1999 Identifies Listed Revs Which Impact Portion of Physical Protection Plan Applying to Mark I And/Or Mark F Triga Reactors,To Assist in Review of Jul 1999 Version of Plan ML20210Q8571999-08-12012 August 1999 Forwards Amends 36 & 45 to Licenses R-38 & R-67,respectively & Se.Amends Approve Decommissioning Plan for Ga Triga Mark 1 & F Research Reactors & Authorized Approved Decommissioning Plan to Be Included as Suppl to SAR ML20210G2371999-07-29029 July 1999 Forwards EA Re Issuance of Amend 36 to Amended Facility License R-38 & Amend 45 to Amended Facility License R-67 for General Atomics ML20216G7161999-07-26026 July 1999 Documents That Changes Applicable to Two Triga Reactors Have Been Made Per 10CFR50.54 Re Revised Fixed Site & Transportation Plan for Protection of Special Nuclear Matl of Moderate & Low Strategic Significance ML20212H5571999-07-20020 July 1999 Forwards Proprietary Revised Fixed Site & Transportation Plan for Protection of Special Nuclear Matl of Moderate & Low Strategic Significance. Encl Withheld,Per 10CFR2.790 ML20196F2361999-06-22022 June 1999 Forwards Pages with Revised Organization Chart for Proposed Revised Tech Specs & for Decommissioning Plan ML20206S0341999-05-12012 May 1999 Responds to NRC 990414 RAI Re Licensee Submittal of Decommissioning Plan & Request for Termination of Triga Mark I & Mark F non-power Reactor Licenses R-38 & R-67.Revised Triga Ts,Encl,For Review & Approval ML20217B6491999-05-0707 May 1999 Informs of Staff Determination That Document Re Decommissioning Cost Estimates Should Be Withheld from Public Disclosure in Response to & Affidavit,Per 10CFR2.790 ML20206F4141999-05-0303 May 1999 Responds to Recent RAI Re Submittal of Decommissioning Plan & Request for Termination of Triga Mark & Mark F non-power Reactor Licenses R-38 & R-67.Decommissioning Plan,Encl ML20205S1981999-04-22022 April 1999 Responds to NRC 990414 RAI Re General Atomics Submittal of Decommissioning Plan & Request for Termination of Triga Mark I & Mark F non-power Reactor Licenses R-38 & R-67 ML20205P4251999-04-14014 April 1999 Discusses Continuing Review of Amend Request for Amended Facility License Numbers R-38 & R-67 Submitted 970418. Forwards Rai.Response Requested within 30 Days of Date of Ltr ML20195E6471999-04-14014 April 1999 Forwards Triga Mark I 1998 Annual Rept. Sections of Rept Are Numbered Consistent with Items of Info Referred to in Section 9.6e of TSs for Mark I Triga Reactor ML20205D6181999-03-31031 March 1999 Forwards Proprietary Rept on Agreed Upon Procedures & Rept & Consolidated Financial Statements Re Financial Assurance for Decommissioning.Encls Withheld,Per 10CFR2.790 ML20203D7261999-02-11011 February 1999 Ack Receipt of Which Transmitted Changes to General Atomic Radiological Contingency Plan Submitted Under Provisions of 10CFR50.54(q).Informs That NRC Approval Not Needed Since Changes Do Not Decrease Plan Effectiveness ML20203C4571999-02-0303 February 1999 Forwards Issue a to QAPD-9009-2, Triga Reactor Facility Decommissioning QA Program Document ML20202C6241999-01-28028 January 1999 Responds to NRC 980116 RAI Re Decommissioning Plan & Request for Termination of Triga Mark I & Mark F non-power Reactor Licenses R-38 & R-67 ML20202A6821999-01-25025 January 1999 Ack Receipt of Which Transmitted Changes to Ga Radiological Contingency Plan Submitted,Per 10CFR50.54(q). NRC Approval Not Required ML20198K8811998-12-21021 December 1998 Informs That 981120 Affidavit of Jr Edwards & Listed Investment Statement of Account,Marked Proprietary Will Be Withheld from Public Disclosure,Per 10CFR2.790(b)(5) & Section 103(b) of Aea,As Amended ML20196F5371998-12-0101 December 1998 Informs That from General Atomics Technologies Corp Will Be Withheld from Public Disclosure,Pursuant to 10CFR2.790(b)(5) & Section 103(b) of Atomic Energy Act of 1954,as Amended ML20195H3721998-11-20020 November 1998 Responds to RAI Re Submittal of Decommissioning Plan & Request for Termination of Triga Mark I & Mark F non-power Reactor Licenses R-38 & R-67.Item 6 Addressed Separately as It Contains Proprietary Info.Proprietary Encl Withheld ML20155H0921998-11-0505 November 1998 Forwards Bracketed Version of Proprietary Re Financial Assurance for Decommissioning,As Requested in NRC .Pdr Copy of Subject Ltr,Encl.Proprietary Info Withheld ML20154M3191998-10-0909 October 1998 Forwards Revised Pages 10-1 & 10-2 to Licensee NRC Approved Radiological Contingency Plan.Pages Were Revised to Require Radiation Safety Training for Triga Reactor Personnel Annually,Per NRC ML20154M3021998-10-0909 October 1998 Forwards Revised Pages 10-1 & 10-2 of Licensee NRC Approved Radiological Contingency Plan.Pages Were Revised to Require Radiation Safety Training for Triga Reactor Personnel Annually,Per NRC ML20154G9531998-10-0101 October 1998 Submits Reissued ,Forwarding Signed License Amend 44,which Replaces Criticality Safeguards Committee with Criticality & Radiation Safety Committee & Decreasing Frequency of Audits from Quarterly to Annually ML20154B4661998-10-0101 October 1998 Forwards Amend 44 to License R-67 & Safety Evaluation.Amend Replaces Criticality Safeguards Committee with Criticality & Radiation Safety Committee & Decreases Frequency of Audits from Quarterly to Annually ML20153C2831998-09-18018 September 1998 Ack Receipt of Transmitting Changes to Licensee Fixed Site & Transportation Plan for Protection of Special Nuclear Matls of Moderate & Low Strategic Significance ML20239A2661998-08-24024 August 1998 Forwards Proprietary Revised Pp 4-7 & 4-8 of Licensee Radiological Contingency Plan. Revs Update Selected Names & Telephone Numbers of Licensee Emergency Response Personnel.Proprietary Info Withheld NUREG-0849, Informs That General Atomics Radiological Contingency Plan for Training & Familiarization Onsite for Offsite Response Organizations Acceptable & Approved by Nrc.Changes Were Revised Using NUREG-08491998-08-24024 August 1998 Informs That General Atomics Radiological Contingency Plan for Training & Familiarization Onsite for Offsite Response Organizations Acceptable & Approved by Nrc.Changes Were Revised Using NUREG-0849 ML20237D0591998-08-20020 August 1998 Forwards Revised Pp 4-7 & 4-8 of Licensee Radiological Contingency Plan. Revs Update Selected Names & Telephone Numbers of Ga Emergency Response Personnel.Changes Do Not Represent Decrease in Effectiveness of Plan ML20238E7581998-08-20020 August 1998 Forwards Semiannual Effluent Rept for Jan-Jun 1998, IAW 10CFR70.59.Attachment a to Rept Provides Detailed Info Concerning Triga Ar-41 releases,Kr-85 & XE-133 Releases & Stack Sample Results Over Reported Period ML20237A2741998-08-11011 August 1998 Forwards Certificate to Js Greenwood Newly Licensed Individual at General Atomics.W/O Encl ML20236Y4551998-08-0707 August 1998 Responds to 980730 Request for Info,Providing Justification for Reducing Training Frequency ML20236V5411998-07-30030 July 1998 Informs That NRC Has Completed Review of Changes to General Atomics Radiological Contingency Plan Submitted on 971010 ML20236U2461998-07-27027 July 1998 Informs That Effective 980731,J Greenwood Will Be Replacing J Razvi as Physicist-in-charge for Licensee Triga Mark I & Mark F Reactors ML20236U7321998-07-22022 July 1998 Ack Receipt of Informing NRC of Steps Taken to Correct Violations Noted in Insp Repts 50-089/98-202 & 50-163/98-202 Issued on 980611 ML20236R5601998-07-20020 July 1998 Informs That J Greenwood Submitted Applications to Be Licensed for Both non-power Reactors Mark I & Mark F,But Has Only Received License for Mark I.Ga Would Appreciate Nrc'S Help in Correcting Oversight ML20236N0121998-07-10010 July 1998 Responds to NRC Re Violations Noted in Insp Repts 50-089/98-202 & 50-163/98-202.Corrective Actions:Discussed Violation W/Health Physics Technician Responsible for Drill & Distributed Memo Re Criticality Warning Alarm Sys Drills ML20249A8481998-06-17017 June 1998 Informs of Arrangements Made W/J Razvi for Administration of OL Exams at General Atomics Mark I/Mark F Reactor During Week of 980706.Requests Matl Listed in Encl 1 as Soon as Possible ML20249A6821998-06-12012 June 1998 Advises NRC of Licensee Plans for Portion of Bldg That Houses Some of Offices & Bathrooms Near Mark I Triga Reactor.Security & Emergency Plans Will Be Revised to Show New Entrance ML20249A6971998-06-11011 June 1998 Forwards Insp Repts 50-089/98-202 & 50-163/98-202 on 980504- 07 & Notice of Violation.Various Aspects of Safety & Security Programs Inspected ML20216B6761998-05-12012 May 1998 Informs That 980331 Submittal Re Affidavit of Je Jones, Secretary & Treasurer of General Atomics Technologies Corp, Will Be Withheld Per 10CFR2.790 & Section 103(b) of AEC Act of 1954 ML20217H7541998-04-28028 April 1998 Forwards Proprietary New Parent Company Guarantee to Replace 920909 Guarantee,To Be Consistent W/Agreed Upon Alternative Method.Encl Withheld ML20217F8601998-04-24024 April 1998 Advises NRC That as Licensee Recently Discussed by Telcon, Need Addl Time to Prepare Appropriate & Complete Responses ML20216G0621998-04-14014 April 1998 Forwards Triga Mark I Reactor Annual Rept CY97, Per Applicable Ts.Sections of Rept Are Numbered Consistent W/ Items of Info Referred in Licensee TS Section 9.6e ML20217J3081998-03-31031 March 1998 Forwards Proprietary Revised Financial Documents for 1997 Re Financial Assurance for Decommissioning.Proprietary Encls Withheld ML20217C2101998-03-18018 March 1998 Forwards Insp Repts 50-089/98-201 & 50-163/98-201 on 980217- 18.No Violations Noted ML20197B7351998-03-0303 March 1998 Concludes That General Atomics Triga Reactors Facility Reactor Operator Requalification Program Meet Requirements of Regulations & Acceptable,Per 971216 Submittal & Suppl, 1999-08-27
[Table view] Category:INCOMING CORRESPONDENCE
MONTHYEARML20211L9961999-08-27027 August 1999 Forwards Semiannual Effluent Rept Required for Period 990101-990630.All Airborne & Liquid Effluent Releases Were Well within Allowable State of CA & NRC 10CFR20 Limits ML20216G7361999-08-16016 August 1999 Identifies Listed Revs Which Impact Portion of Physical Protection Plan Applying to Mark I And/Or Mark F Triga Reactors,To Assist in Review of Jul 1999 Version of Plan ML20216G7161999-07-26026 July 1999 Documents That Changes Applicable to Two Triga Reactors Have Been Made Per 10CFR50.54 Re Revised Fixed Site & Transportation Plan for Protection of Special Nuclear Matl of Moderate & Low Strategic Significance ML20212H5571999-07-20020 July 1999 Forwards Proprietary Revised Fixed Site & Transportation Plan for Protection of Special Nuclear Matl of Moderate & Low Strategic Significance. Encl Withheld,Per 10CFR2.790 ML20196F2361999-06-22022 June 1999 Forwards Pages with Revised Organization Chart for Proposed Revised Tech Specs & for Decommissioning Plan ML20206S0341999-05-12012 May 1999 Responds to NRC 990414 RAI Re Licensee Submittal of Decommissioning Plan & Request for Termination of Triga Mark I & Mark F non-power Reactor Licenses R-38 & R-67.Revised Triga Ts,Encl,For Review & Approval ML20206F4141999-05-0303 May 1999 Responds to Recent RAI Re Submittal of Decommissioning Plan & Request for Termination of Triga Mark & Mark F non-power Reactor Licenses R-38 & R-67.Decommissioning Plan,Encl ML20205S1981999-04-22022 April 1999 Responds to NRC 990414 RAI Re General Atomics Submittal of Decommissioning Plan & Request for Termination of Triga Mark I & Mark F non-power Reactor Licenses R-38 & R-67 ML20195E6471999-04-14014 April 1999 Forwards Triga Mark I 1998 Annual Rept. Sections of Rept Are Numbered Consistent with Items of Info Referred to in Section 9.6e of TSs for Mark I Triga Reactor ML20205D6181999-03-31031 March 1999 Forwards Proprietary Rept on Agreed Upon Procedures & Rept & Consolidated Financial Statements Re Financial Assurance for Decommissioning.Encls Withheld,Per 10CFR2.790 ML20203C4571999-02-0303 February 1999 Forwards Issue a to QAPD-9009-2, Triga Reactor Facility Decommissioning QA Program Document ML20202C6241999-01-28028 January 1999 Responds to NRC 980116 RAI Re Decommissioning Plan & Request for Termination of Triga Mark I & Mark F non-power Reactor Licenses R-38 & R-67 ML20195H3721998-11-20020 November 1998 Responds to RAI Re Submittal of Decommissioning Plan & Request for Termination of Triga Mark I & Mark F non-power Reactor Licenses R-38 & R-67.Item 6 Addressed Separately as It Contains Proprietary Info.Proprietary Encl Withheld ML20155H0921998-11-0505 November 1998 Forwards Bracketed Version of Proprietary Re Financial Assurance for Decommissioning,As Requested in NRC .Pdr Copy of Subject Ltr,Encl.Proprietary Info Withheld ML20154M3191998-10-0909 October 1998 Forwards Revised Pages 10-1 & 10-2 to Licensee NRC Approved Radiological Contingency Plan.Pages Were Revised to Require Radiation Safety Training for Triga Reactor Personnel Annually,Per NRC ML20154M3021998-10-0909 October 1998 Forwards Revised Pages 10-1 & 10-2 of Licensee NRC Approved Radiological Contingency Plan.Pages Were Revised to Require Radiation Safety Training for Triga Reactor Personnel Annually,Per NRC ML20239A2661998-08-24024 August 1998 Forwards Proprietary Revised Pp 4-7 & 4-8 of Licensee Radiological Contingency Plan. Revs Update Selected Names & Telephone Numbers of Licensee Emergency Response Personnel.Proprietary Info Withheld ML20237D0591998-08-20020 August 1998 Forwards Revised Pp 4-7 & 4-8 of Licensee Radiological Contingency Plan. Revs Update Selected Names & Telephone Numbers of Ga Emergency Response Personnel.Changes Do Not Represent Decrease in Effectiveness of Plan ML20238E7581998-08-20020 August 1998 Forwards Semiannual Effluent Rept for Jan-Jun 1998, IAW 10CFR70.59.Attachment a to Rept Provides Detailed Info Concerning Triga Ar-41 releases,Kr-85 & XE-133 Releases & Stack Sample Results Over Reported Period ML20236Y4551998-08-0707 August 1998 Responds to 980730 Request for Info,Providing Justification for Reducing Training Frequency ML20236U2461998-07-27027 July 1998 Informs That Effective 980731,J Greenwood Will Be Replacing J Razvi as Physicist-in-charge for Licensee Triga Mark I & Mark F Reactors ML20236R5601998-07-20020 July 1998 Informs That J Greenwood Submitted Applications to Be Licensed for Both non-power Reactors Mark I & Mark F,But Has Only Received License for Mark I.Ga Would Appreciate Nrc'S Help in Correcting Oversight ML20236N0121998-07-10010 July 1998 Responds to NRC Re Violations Noted in Insp Repts 50-089/98-202 & 50-163/98-202.Corrective Actions:Discussed Violation W/Health Physics Technician Responsible for Drill & Distributed Memo Re Criticality Warning Alarm Sys Drills ML20249A6821998-06-12012 June 1998 Advises NRC of Licensee Plans for Portion of Bldg That Houses Some of Offices & Bathrooms Near Mark I Triga Reactor.Security & Emergency Plans Will Be Revised to Show New Entrance ML20217H7541998-04-28028 April 1998 Forwards Proprietary New Parent Company Guarantee to Replace 920909 Guarantee,To Be Consistent W/Agreed Upon Alternative Method.Encl Withheld ML20217F8601998-04-24024 April 1998 Advises NRC That as Licensee Recently Discussed by Telcon, Need Addl Time to Prepare Appropriate & Complete Responses ML20216G0621998-04-14014 April 1998 Forwards Triga Mark I Reactor Annual Rept CY97, Per Applicable Ts.Sections of Rept Are Numbered Consistent W/ Items of Info Referred in Licensee TS Section 9.6e ML20217J3081998-03-31031 March 1998 Forwards Proprietary Revised Financial Documents for 1997 Re Financial Assurance for Decommissioning.Proprietary Encls Withheld ML20216G0171998-02-25025 February 1998 Forwards Semiannual Effluent Rept for Period 970701-1231, Including Data on Radiological Gaseous & Particulate Effluent Released to Unrestricted Areas from Facilities Handling Radioactive Matl ML20217P0961998-02-24024 February 1998 Forwards Response to 980105 RAI Re Revised Reactor Operator Requalification Program.Table Encl to Facilitate Review of Response Also ML20198P4321998-01-15015 January 1998 Requests That Described Financial Info Submitted to NRC by Various Financial Institutions Be Treated as Proprietary Info Under Provisions of 10CFR2.790 ML20203K1341997-12-16016 December 1997 Informs That Licensee Has Revised NRC-approved Reactor Operator re-qualification Program Reflecting Regulatory Requirement for Facility to Have Licensed Reactor Operators as Long as Fuel Is Located at Facility ML20199B6991997-11-0606 November 1997 Requests Approval for Three Changes to Radiological Contingency Plan,Dtd Oct 1997.List of Each Change & Corresponding Section & Justification for Changes,Encl ML20211N7031997-10-10010 October 1997 Forwards Revised Radiological Contingency Plan, Reflecting Possession Only License Status & Names & Telephone Numbers Emergency Personnel ML20198G7391997-08-29029 August 1997 Forwards Revised Version of Proposed TSs Submitted in Support of Ga'S Pending Request for Possession Only License Amend Request for Triga Mark I Reactor License R-38 ML20210Q6971997-08-26026 August 1997 Forwards Revised Version of Corresponding Proposed Tech Specs,Per Telcon Re Ga'S Pending Request for Possession Only License Amend to Triga Mark I Reactor License R-38 ML20217B0151997-08-20020 August 1997 Forwards Semiannual Effluent Rept for Period 970101-0630, Including Data on Radiological Gaseous & Particulate Effluent & Radiological Liquid Effluent Released ML20210M6341997-08-18018 August 1997 Forwards Responses to NRC 970709 Request for Addl Info Re Triga Mark I Research Reactor & Revised Ts.Licensee in Process of Removing All Fuel Elements from Reactor Core Structure & Placing Elements Into Storage Canal of Reactor ML20198E7801997-07-16016 July 1997 Forwards Proprietary Copy of Latest Rev of Licensees, Fixed Site & Transportation Plan for Protection of SNMs of Moderate & Low Strategic Significance. Plan Addresses Physical Protection Requirements.Encl Withheld ML20138C5921997-04-25025 April 1997 Forwards Response to 970320 RAI Re License Amend to Withdraw Authorization to Operate General Atomic Triga Mark I non-power Reactor.Revised Tss,Also Encl ML20137U1381997-04-14014 April 1997 Forwards Triga Mark I Reactor Annual Rept for CY96 ML20147H1331997-03-31031 March 1997 Forwards Proprietary General Atomic Technologies Corp Rept & Consolidated Financial Statements from 961231 & 94 & General Atomic Technologies Corp Rept on Agreed-Upon Procedures for 970312. Encl Withheld (Ref 10CFR2.790) ML20128F6191996-08-28028 August 1996 Forwards Semiannual Effluent Rept Required for Period 960101-0630,data on Radiological Gaseous & Particulate Effluent Released to Unrestricted Areas,Backup Info & Calculation Worksheet for Releases Into Sanitary Sewage Sys ML20128K0451993-02-0909 February 1993 Suppls Reporting That Trace Levels of Fission Product Releases Detected in Pit Water & Air Surrounding Mark F Reactor.After Startup on 930105,trace Levels Again Detected.Graphic of Mark F CAM Activity Encl ML20125D3731992-12-0909 December 1992 Submits 30-day Written Rept Re Detection of Trace Levels of Fission Product Activity in Pit Water & Surrounding Areas of Mark F Reactor.Increased Surveillance Will Continue Until Next Scheduled Reactor Shutdown Planned on 921223 ML20062G3141990-10-25025 October 1990 Forwards Comments Re Administration of Reactor Operator & Senior Reactor Operator Exams at General Atomics ML20055G9951990-07-19019 July 1990 Responds to Re Results of NRC Review of 10CFR50.59 Safety Analysis. Safety Evaluation Under 10CFR50.59 Microprocessor-Based Instrumentation & Control Sys for Ga Co Triga Mark I Reactor, Encl ML20247J8441989-09-0808 September 1989 Requests That All Info Submitted Re 10CFR50.59 Review Be Considered General Atomics Proprietary Info & Afforded Requisite Protection as Provided Under 10CFR2.790 ML20244D8351989-04-0606 April 1989 Forwards Endorsements 76 & 144 to Maelu Policy MF-59 & Nelia Policy NF-34,respectively ML20235J3121989-02-15015 February 1989 Submits Supplemental Info Re Facility Personnel.W Wittemore Promoted from Physicist in Charge of Triga Reactors to Director,Irradiation Svcs.J Razvi Promoted from Associate physicist-in-charge to physicist-in-charge 1999-08-27
[Table view] |
Text
v CENERAL ATOMIC 3 \
67-1997 December 9,1992 Document Control Desk U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555
Subject:
Docket No. 50-163; Reactor Facility License No. R-67: Detection of Trace Levels of Fission Product Activity Gentlemen:
On Tuesday, November 10,1992, General Atomics (GA) notified Mr. Alexander Adams, Jr., Senior Project Manager, Non-Power Reactors and Decommissioning Project Directorate, and NRC Region V, that extremely low levels of fission product activity were detected in the pit water and air surrounding GA's Mark F reactor. The levels detected were well below the maximum permissible concentrations 1MPC) for unrestricted release of the radionuclides; in fact, low enough to be considered "not present" as defined by 10 CFR 20, Appendix B, Footnote 5.
This 30-day written wrt is being submitted in accordance with the applicable license, as amended.
The effluent data from air and water samples that have been taken show that the detected fission product activities are not only well within MPC concentrations, but their trend and levels i
show that the likely source of this activity is " tramp uranium" rather than damaged clad on one or more fuel elements.
This letter presents the sequence of events that led to the discovery of fission products and the results of the increased monitoring efforts above those which are routinely carried out.
Sequence of Events i
The GA Mark F reactor is currently in an around-the-clock operating mode to perform in-pile irradiations on direct conversion (thermionic) devices. Beginning late in October 1992, a meteorological inversion layer was present in the San Diego area resulting in a noticeable increase in the background radiation levels detected on all monitors around the G A facility. On the 25th of October, these levels were high enough to cause the Mark F continuous air monitor (CAM) to signal an alert at 10,000 CPM (the scram is set at 50,000 CPM). To monitor the source of this increased activity, the filter paper that collects particulates in the air that is sampled by the CAM was removed twice and a gamma ray spectral analysis performed. At this l time, no fission products were cetected on any of the filter papers. Operation of the reactor continued with a general trend showing increases in background levels during the night hours followed by a decrease in levels during the day hours (see attact ' ctartup charts for typical change in activity - Attachment 1).
l 0
S 1 3550 GEN $RAL ATOM!CS COURT, SAN DIEGO. CA 92121-1194 PO BOX 85808. SAN OfEGO, CA 9218& 9784 (619t 455 3000
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission December 9,1992 67 1997 Page 2 On Monday, November 9, results of a gamma spectral analysis of a pool water sample, taken for the routine quarterly monitoring program, indicated the presence of very low levels of the fission product Xe-133. Subsequently, another sample was taken the following morning to look for typical isotope signatures that can be expected to be present from short lived fission product activity, in addition to the activation products normally present in the pool water. This analysis indicated low levels of fission products, as shown in Table 1.
l Table 1.
Mark F Pit Water Activity Levels 10 NOV 92 Radionuclide T 1/2 Activity (min) ( Ci/ml)
Rb-89 15.1 2.4 x 10-5 Kr-88D 18 (7) 3.1 x 10-5
! Ba-139 82.9 1.9 x 10-5 Cs-138 32.2 5.1 x 10-5 Xe-133 - 138 17 to 5.3d 1.4 x 104 l
Notably, no iodines or Cs-137 were deteved in the water.
The Reactor Safety Committee and Health Physics were notified of the detection of fission products in the pool water. As a precautionary measure, the TRIGA emergency air samples were turned on in the afternoon of the 9th of November to detect any potential airborne l activity outside the restricted area. On the following day the filter papers were removed and analyzed. No detectable radioactivity from any fission products was observed. With the concurrence of the Safety Committee, reactor opattions have continued while an exnanded surveillance program was implemented to monitor the fission product radioactiiity levels in the
! air and water.
! Filter papeis from the CAM, Mark F reactor room, and exhaust stack were also removed and analyzed. Trace levels of fission products were detected on the filter papers shown in l Figures 1 through 3 (as fraction of MPC). The primary signatures were from Rb-89, Ba-139 and Cs-138.
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U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission December 9,1992 67-1997 Page 3 l
l Summary of Radioactivity Levels and Personnel Expewn While the measured radioactivity on the CAM and in the reactor room showed detectable levels of short lived fission product isotopes, the airborne concentrations have remained well ;
below MPC levels for controlled areas. For example, the concentration of the most prevalent isotope, Rb-89, was always detected at levels less than 0.006 of MPC, with the sum of ratios of detected fission products remaining less than 0.011 of MPC. In addition, these levels were measured in the air immediately above and around the reactor pool, which can be expected to be the location (s) of the highest concentration. As a result of further dilution in the reactor-room, the airborne concentrations elsewhere in the reactor room confinement can be expected to be further reduced.
The measured fission product activity in the reactor room stack was always less than 0.12 of the MPC for unrestricted areas. Whea a dilution factor of 2 90 for the GA site boundary is taken into account, the concentration of any airborne fission product activity at the site beundary ,vould not be measurable. In fact, an emergency sampler located on the roof of the reactor building, adjacent to the stack vent, showed no detxtable activity.
4 The radiation levels in the reactor and control rooms, have continued to be at normal levels, as evidenced by the area monitor readings. Sim%ly, the internal radiation exposure of personnel from invivo body counting performed during this period showed normal results. This is to be expected because of the extremely low levels of airborne activity as well as the short half lives of the airborne radin isotopes, j Actions and Analysis Upon detection of trace levels of fission product activity in the water and air sampl_es, the Physicist-in-Charge instituted a monitoring progiam involving increased frequencies at which -
water and air samples were analyzed. As a result, the particulate activity on the CAM and air sampler above the reactor tank were removed and analyzed-on alternaie days, and the stack sempler as well as the pit water sampled once a week. - The spectral analysis was carried out such that all short-lived activities could be detected and quantified.- Results of these analyses are shown in Figures 1 through 4.
Using Rb-89 activity as an indicator, it appears that equilibrium levels were never
~
established, in addition to the fact that airbome activities are at trace levels for all isotopes. ' The source of the detected fission products therefore, appears to be a possible recurrence of the
" tramp uranium" problem previously encountered with the R-67 facility during the 1978-1980- <
period, rather than a clad failure on one or more fuel elements. -While a potential clad failure could not be ruled out, the level and trend of fission product activity since the activity was first
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U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission December 9,1992 67-1997 Page 4 I detected point away from such a failure being the source of the detected fission products.
Further, no new fuel has been added to the core since April,1992 and no fission products have been detected in the routine analyses of the air and water samples in the April-November time period. A new fueled experiment (thermionic device) was installed in-core in late September, 1992, but the fact that the fuel is doubly contained points away from this device being the source of the fission products.
GA will continue the increased surveillance as outlined in this report, until the next scheduled reactor shutewn on December 23,1992. The level of fission product activity will again be monitored after reactor startup on January 5,1993, at which time the necessity and level of increased surveillance wil! be reconsidered.
If you have any questions concerning this letter, please contact Dr. Junaid Razvi at (619) 455-2441, or me at (619) 455-2823.
Very truly yours,
~
Keith E. Asmussen, Director Licensing, Safety and Nuclear Compliance KEA:shs
Enclosures:
Attachment 1 l
Figures 1-4 l
cc: Mr. Alerander Adams, Jr., Sr. Project Manager, Non-Power Reactors and Decommissioning Project Directorate, Division of Operating Reactor Support, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.
Mr. Phillip Qualls, NRC Region V.
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