ML23256A371
| ML23256A371 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | University of California-Davis |
| Issue date: | 09/20/2023 |
| From: | Geoffrey Wertz NRC/NRR/DANU/UNPL |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML23256A372 | List: |
| References | |
| Download: ML23256A371 (1) | |
Text
September 20, 2023 LICENSEE: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA FACILITY: UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - DAVIS MCCLELLAN NUCLEAR RESEARCH CENTER
SUBJECT:
SUMMARY
OF AUGUST 30, 2023, MEETING WITH UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - DAVIS On August 30, 2023, an Observation public meeting was held between the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff and representative of the Regents of the University of California (the licensee) for the University of California - Davis (UCD), McClellan Nuclear Research Center (MNRC). The meeting was conducted virtually to discuss the UCD MNRC TRIGA [Training, Research, Isotopes, General Atomics] research reactor fuel-shim plate interference in the reactor core and the proposed changes to the UCD MNRC technical specifications (TSs) needed to resume operation. The meeting notice and agenda, dated August 17, 2023, are available in Agencywide Documents Access and Management System Accession No. ML23229A457. A copy of the presentation used by the UCD MNRC staff during the meeting is available at ML23243B009. A list of meeting attendees is provided as an enclosure to this summary.
During the meeting, the UCD MNRC staff explained the fuel-shim plate interference with core grid locations K1 and L1. The licensee suspects that modifications for the installation of shim plates were performed when the MNRC TRIGA research reactor was owned and operated by the U.S. Air Force to increase the licensed steady-state power level to 2.3 megawatts. These plates had tabs at the top which protruded into the corner of the G-ring fuel locations. The licensee noted scratches on G-ring fuel elements at K1 and L1 are consistent with potential contact with this tab. The licensee also noted that the lower grid plate circumference had been machined into the circular fuel element opening.
Current TS 5.3.1, Reactor Core, specification 2 requires that all core locations be filled with either TRIGA fuel, graphite elements, control rods, startup sources, or experiments. The licensee indicated that the K1 location interference was marginal, and a graphite element could, and was, inserted into that location. However, the L1 location interference was such that none of the TS 5.3.1, specification 2 items could be inserted without major modifications. The licensee plans to measure the clearances between the G-ring fuel locations and the shim plate with a specially designed tool. The licensee expects the other G-ring locations to be acceptable for use with TRIGA fuel, or graphite elements. The licensee has performed some neutronics analysis that indicates that the L1 location can be water-filled, and an amendment to the requirements of TS 5.3.1, specification 2 was forthcoming.
The licensee indicated that the UCD MNRC reactor is one of two reactors in the U.S. that perform pyrotechnic neutron radiography for the space industry. The other facility is General Electric-Hitachi, which plans to cease operation at the end of the year.
2 The NRC staff had general questions about the analyses and clearance testing process, and about the urgency of the need for the license amendment request (LAR) given the importance of the pyrotechnic testing needs. The licensee indicated that it could submit an LAR a few weeks after the completion of the clearance testing. The NRC staff indicated that resources would be available to expedite the review of the LAR.
Ben Kolodner, representing SpaceX, was the only member of the public who spoke, expressing appreciation for the information provided during the meeting.
If you have any questions, please contact me at (301) 415-0893, or by email at Geoffrey.Wertz@nrc.gov.
Geoffrey A. Wertz Geoffrey Wertz, Project Manager Non-Power Production and Utilization Facility Licensing Branch Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-607 License No. R-130
Enclosure:
As stated cc: GovDelivery Subscribers
Public Meeting Notice: ML23229A457 Public Meeting Presentation: ML23243B009 Public Meeting Summary: ML23256A371 Package: ML23256A372 NRC-001 OFFICE NRR/DANU/PM NRR/DANU/PM NRR/DANU/LA NRR/DANU/BC NRR/DANU/PM NAME GWertz LTran NParker JBorromeo GWertz DATE 9/18/2023 9/19/2023 9/19/2023 9/19/2023 9/20/2023 LIST OF ATTENDEES AUGUST 30, 2023, REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA - DAVIS 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Name Organization Josh Borromeo U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Geoffrey Wertz U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Justin Hudson U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Michael Balazik U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Scott Burnell U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Santosh Bhatt U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Andrew Miller U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Patrick Boyle U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Kelly Sullivan U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Benjamin Park U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Jeremy Wachutka U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission John Tsao U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Eric Palmer U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Lisa Dimmick U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Joseph Staudenmeier U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Wesley Frey University of California - Davis Janelle Lachica University of California - Davis Rayan Holmes University of California - Davis Milton Reese U.S. Navy Lynne Dillman U.S. Navy Ashley Leonard U.S. Navy Melina Andino U.S. Navy Luke Gilde University of Maryland Nathan McBride U.S. Department of Energy Douglas Morrell U.S. Department of Energy Ben Kolodner SpaceX William Biggs Member of the public P. Baker Member of the public Jake Swanson Member of the public Andrew Boulanger Member of the public Michael Benson Member of the public Enclosure