ML20238A016
| ML20238A016 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 05000134 |
| Issue date: | 08/12/1987 |
| From: | Newton T WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE, WORCESTER, MA |
| To: | NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20237L750 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8708200344 | |
| Download: ML20238A016 (2) | |
Text
_ _ _ _ _ - _ _ _ - _ _ _ _ _
~~~ ~
WORCESTER Worcester
- _ POLYTECHNIC Massachusetts 01609
- - INSTITUTE (617)793-5000 August 12, 1987 USNRC - Region I 631 Park Avenue King of Prussia, PA 19406 Attn: Chief, Reactor Projects Section 3C ,
Amendment Request for Technical Specification Facility: Worcester Polytechnic Institute Open Pool Reactor License: R61 Docket Number: 50-134 Please amend our Technical Specifications to conform with revised page 8, enclosed, dated 8/3/87.
l Safety Analysis l In 1985, the Washburn Building was renovated as shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5(a) - 5(d). Rooms 245 and 248 (Figure Sc) now house electron microscope laboratories which are currently utilized as much as 10 hours1.157407e-4 days <br />0.00278 hours <br />1.653439e-5 weeks <br />3.805e-6 months <br /> / day.
Under our current technical specifications, these rooms, as well as rooms 249, 336, and 323 (a classroom), become restricted areas when the reactor is operated at levels in excess of 1 kW. Although activities are reduced in these areas when restricted, frequently workers choose to remain in these areas wearing dosimetry and continue working.
Surveys have shown the maximum radiation level at 10kW to be about 10 mR/hr in room 248, with the other rooms significantly lower. In order to reduce exposure to personnel, shielding would be placed above the reactor to bring the maximum level to below 1 mR/hr.
The WPI Reactor, during maximum demand, is operated on an average of less than 10 hours1.157407e-4 days <br />0.00278 hours <br />1.653439e-5 weeks <br />3.805e-6 months <br /> per week, with many operations below 1 kW. In order to maintain compliance with 10 CFR 20.105B(2), a tabulation record of opera-tions above 1 kW will be kept on a weekly basis so that if increased operations cause exposure levels to approach 10 millirem in seven con-secutive days, the rooms will become restricted areas as before.
On average, the WPI Reactor operates a total of about 100 hours0.00116 days <br />0.0278 hours <br />1.653439e-4 weeks <br />3.805e-5 months <br /> per year and produces about 150 kW-hrs during the year. Operations records will also be kept on a yearly basis so that in the case of increased operation, the 0.5 rem / year level of 10 CFR 20-105a will not be exceeded.
8708200344 s70elo PDR ADOCK 05000134 l
P PDR L- - - _ __ _ _ _ _ . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ______________ ____________ __________ _ __ _ _ _
Using current operating histories and assuming all operations to be at 10 kW with shielding in place, causing a maximum radiation level of 1 mR/hr in room 248, the maximum weekly exposure would be 10 mR, and'the yearly exposure would be 100 mR, both well below the limits of 10 CFR 20.105.
Upon installation of the shielding, a survey will be made at full power to verify that radiation levels are at or below 1 mR/hr in all of the areas before they are designated unrestricted. Periodic surveys will also be made for additional verification.
Sincerely, Rn T Msh !
Thomas H. Newton, Jr.
Director Nuclear Reactor Facility THN/ns i
i
% x w. Mary $ Kelley,'Notarf Public My commission expires !
March 5, 1993 j I
- - _ - _ - _ - _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _