ML23241A051
| ML23241A051 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | University of Lowell |
| Issue date: | 08/29/2023 |
| From: | Univ of Massachusetts - Lowell |
| To: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| Shared Package | |
| ML23241A049 | List: |
| References | |
| Download: ML23241A051 (1) | |
Text
University of Massachusetts Lowell Research Reactor (UMLRR) 2022-2023 OPERATING REPORT NRC Docket No. 50-223 NRC License No. R-125 One University Avenue Lowell, Massachusetts 01854
This report is submitted as required by the Technical Specification 6.7.1 of reactor license R-125 and provides the information as outlined in the specification.
CONTENTS
- 1. Narrative Summary - Tabulations
- 2. Inadvertent and Emergency Shutdowns
- 3. Major Preventive and Corrective Maintenance
- 4. Changes and Tests and Experiments Related to 10 CFR 50.59
- 5. Nature and Amount of Radioactive Effluents
- 6. Environmental Surveys
- 7. Personnel Exposures 1
- 1. NARRATIVE
SUMMARY
- TABULATIONS
- a. Narrative Summary The UML research reactor is designed to produce thermal neutrons for radioactivation and neutron radiography purposes, and fast neutrons for radiation effects studies. Uses include neutron activation analysis research, materials atomic displacement damage studies, neutron absorption studies, short-lived radioisotope production, neutron detector studies, and neutron imaging (radiography). Education uses include a variety of lab courses in the nuclear engineering and radiological sciences programs. Tours and demonstrations are provided to several other UMass Lowell courses, as well as other universities, high schools, and various organizations.
Short lived isotopes (e.g., Al-28, Na-24) are produced for routine practicum and demonstration purposes. The reactor is used for several nuclear engineering and non-nuclear engineering laboratory exercises and demonstrations. In addition, the reactor is used for training student operator license candidates.
- b. Tabulations Energy generated this period (MWD) 6.76 Critical hours 346.98 Cumulative energy to date (MWD) 100.16
- 2. INADVERTENT AND EMERGENCY SHUTDOWNS There were no emergency shutdowns for the reporting period. There were seven inadvertent non-emergency automatic shutdowns during the reporting period. Three scrams occurred from the trip setpoint being exceeded during automatic down-raging of a linear power channel as power was being lowered. The automatic ranging occurs when power reaches approximately 8% of a given range reading. When automatically shifting to the next lowest range, the linear reading may occasionally spike above the trip setpoint. One scram occurred due to a misaligned airlock-doors-open sensor. Three other scrams were due to data acquisition system communication errors. There was no safety significance associated with 2
any of the inadvertent scrams. All automatic and manual scrams are reviewed for safety significance and technical specification requirements by the SRO on duty.
- 3. MAJOR PREVENTIVE AND CORRECTIVE MAINTENANCE There was one major maintenance activity during the reporting period. The original (1960s era) 15-ton and 2-ton hoists and the hoists trolley for the overhead polar crane were replaced.
The replacement was managed and supervised by the universitys Facilities Department and performed and certified by the crane components manufacturer. The replacement components were evaluated under10CFR 50.59 and determined to be equivalent to the original components.
- 4. CHANGES AND TESTS AND EXPERIMENTS RELATED TO 10 CFR 50.59
- a. Changes to the Facility There were no changes to the facility during the reporting period.
- b. Changes to Procedures Procedures ROP-4 Addition or Removal of Core Samples, ROP-5 Reactor Operation, and SP-9 Rod Reactivity Worth Measurement were updated to conform to the new technical specifications under the renewed reactor license. Changes to the procedures also included minor edits and clarifications. Procedure SP-11 Rod Drop and Drive Measurements was updated to provide an additional acceptable method for performing the measurement of the control blade drop times. In addition, minor wording changes were made to conform to the new technical specifications and other minor editorial changes to some wording for additional clarity.
The changes to these procedures were evaluated and implemented under 10CFR 50.59.
- c. New Tests and Experiments The were no new tests or experiments during the reporting period requiring a 10CFR 50.59 evaluation.
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- 5. NATURE AND AMOUNT OF RADIOACTIVE EFFLUENTS
- a. Liquid Wastes and Gaseous Wastes As part of UMass Lowell ALARA goals, the radiation safety office has set a campus goal of limiting exposures to members of the public to less than 10% of the federal regulatory limits. 0.39 µCi was released through the reactor sewer and were well below the monthly limits for sewer releases. Argon-41 continues to be the only significant reactor produced radioactivity identifiable in the gaseous effluent. The reactor stack released roughly 5.218Ci in 2022 resulting in a (conservative) estimated upper limit to the TEDE of 0.2 mrem/year 100 m from the stack.
REACTOR ENVIRONMENTAL RELEASES SOURCE ACTIVITY DOSE GOAL Ci mrem mrem Sewer Releases 3.9x10-7 <0.1 10 Stack Releases 5.218 0.2 10
- b. Solid Wastes Solid wastes, primarily paper, disposable clothing, and gloves, along with other miscellaneous items have been disposed of in appropriate containers. Most of the activity from these wastes consisted of short-lived induced radioactivity. These wastes were held for decay and then released if no activity remained. Long lived waste (<40 cubic feet) is stored in a designated long lived waste storage area awaiting ultimate disposal at a low-level radioactive waste disposal site.
- 6. ENVIRONMENTAL SURVEYS A review of all 2022 Research Reactor Radiation Survey and Contamination forms found no measurable removable contamination levels due to unexpected occurrences in the facility.
The byproduct materials license specifies contamination as >500 dpm/100cm2 (beta, gamma) or >50 dpm/100cm2 (alpha). No appreciable stray radiation fields (>2mR/hr) were identified in a free area within the reactor. Radiation levels measured in the reactor building have been 4
typically less than 0.1 mrem/hr in general areas. Experiments have been conducted in which transient levels at specific locations have been in excess of 100 mrem/hr. Doses in these instances have been controlled by use of shielding, visual and audial notifications, and/or personnel access control. The pump room and beam port facility remain designated as a high and very high radiation area respectively during reactor operation and access is controlled.
Environmental monitoring external to the reactor building found no measurable doses.
- 7. PERSONNEL EXPOSURES An ALARA assessment of the UMass Lowell radiation safety program is performed annually. This review is reported to and reviewed by the Radiation Safety Committee. The 2022 ALARA goal for radiation workers at UMass Lowell was to limit the most exposed radiation worker at UML to less than 10% of the federal radiation exposure limits. In addition, the radiation safety manual requires a 100 mrem per week TEDE administrative level. No occupational exposure exceeded an ALARA limit. Personnel dosimetry was obtained by review of the 2022 Landauer dosimetry reports. These reports include, where appropriate, whole body OSL dosimetry and finger TLD dosimetry. Landauer is a NVLAP accredited dosimetry company.
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURES GROUP PERSONNEL MAX MAX Whole Body Extremity BADGED Dose Dose
(<500mrem) (<5000 mrem)
Reactor 14 50 939 NOTE: No one person exceeded the ALARA limits.
End of Report 5