ENS Event | |
|---|---|
05:00 Oct 17, 2022 | |
| Title | Operation with Non Compliant Fuel |
| Event Description | The following information was provided by the Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory (NETL) at the University of Texas via email:
We identified a potential non-compliance with Technical Specifications for the University of Texas research reactor on October 17 while shutdown. Our facility license specifies TRIGA fuel elements with stainless steel cladding, and we operated from January to October [2022] with two aluminum clad fuel elements in the core. On discovery, we suspended operations, removed the aluminum clad elements from the core, and compared the event to each reportable category identified in our Technical Specifications. The closest reporting criteria is: An observed inadequacy in the implementation of administrative or procedural controls such that the inadequacy causes or could have caused the existence or development of an unsafe condition with regard to reactor operations. However, we were unable to identify the implementation of facility administrative controls or procedures that led to this event. Furthermore, analysis indicates all operations maintained a margin to the safety limit for aluminum fuel, and aluminum clad TRIGA fuel elements are used in other TRIGA reactors. Regardless, we felt strongly that NRC should be informed and notified our program manager and designated inspector before initiating investigation and causal analysis. In developing corrective action, NETL staff identified changes in procedures and administrative controls that would have been adequate to prevent insertion of disqualified fuel in NETL reactor core. Since insertion of disqualified fuel has the potential to cause existence or development of an unsafe condition with regard to reactor operations, NETL management is now reporting this as a potentially reportable event under the category described. NRC Project Manager and NPR Inspector have been notified. |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Univ Of Texas (Tex2) Austin, Texas (NRC Region 0) | |
| License number: | R-129 |
| Reporting | |
| Non | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+387.75 h16.156 days <br />2.308 weeks <br />0.531 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Paul Whaley 08:45 Nov 2, 2022 |
| NRC Officer: | Adam Koziol |
| Last Updated: | Nov 2, 2022 |
| 56198 - NRC Website | |
Univ Of Texas (Tex2) with Non | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 561982022-10-17T05:00:00017 October 2022 05:00:00
[Table view]Non Operation with Non Compliant Fuel 2022-10-17T05:00:00 | |