ML113180135
| ML113180135 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | University of Missouri-Columbia |
| Issue date: | 11/28/2011 |
| From: | Alexander Adams Research and Test Reactors Licensing Branch |
| To: | Univ of Missouri - Columbia |
| Adams, A 415-1127 | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML113180132 | List: |
| References | |
| Download: ML113180135 (5) | |
Text
November 28, 2011
LICENSEE: University of Missouri - Columbia FACILITY: University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR)
SUBJECT:
SUMMARY
OF NOVEMBER 10, 2011, MEETING WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI - COLUMBIA, ON CONVERSION OF THE MISSOURI UNIVERSITY RESEARCH REACTOR FROM HIGH-ENRICHED URANIUM TO LOW-ENRICHED URANIUM FUEL On November 10, 2011, a Category 1 public meeting was held between the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff and representatives of the University of Missouri - Columbia (the licensee) at NRC Headquarters, One White Flint North, 11555 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland. All information pertaining to this meeting is available in the Agencywide Documents Access and Management System at Accession No. ML113180132.
In support of the goals of the U.S. Department of Energy Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactors program to minimize the use of high-enriched uranium (HEU) fuel, the licensee is making plans to convert the Missouri University Research Reactor from the use of HEU fuel to low-enriched uranium (LEU) fuel. Conversion is governed by the regulations in Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Section 50.64. The conversion to LEU fuel results in a change in the neutron spectrum in the reactor core which reduces the thermal neutron flux in experimental facilities. To restore neutron flux levels, the licensee is considering raising the reactor power level from 10 MW(t) to 12 MW(t). In accordance with the definitions in 10 CFR 50.2, this would result in the reactor's designation changing from a research reactor to a testing facility. No other licensee that has converted or that is anticipated to convert faces this issue of a change in reactor designation. The licensee would prefer that the reactor continues to be a research reactor after conversion, consistent with its current activities.
The licensee is considering pursuing the option of requesting an exemption from the definition of testing facility in accordance with 10 CFR 50.12 to remain a research reactor after conversion. The definition of testing facility and the requirements of 10 CFR 50.12 were discussed focusing on the licensee's potential justification for requesting an exemption.
It was agreed that the licensee would provide NRC a letter stating their intent to pursue an exemption along with their reasoning for pursuing this option.
One member of the public attended the meeting and another participated by phone. Public Meeting Feedback forms were not received. Please direct any inquiries to A. Adams at 301-415-1127 or Alexander.Adams@nrc.gov.
/RA/
Alexander Adams, Jr., Senior Project Manager Research and Test Reactors Licensing Branch Division of Policy and Rulemaking Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket 50-186
Enclosure:
List of Attendees
PKG: ML113180132; Notice: ML112720632; Slides: ML113180004; Summary: ML113180135 NRC-001 Office PRPB:PM PRLB:LA PRLB:BC PRPB:PM Name AAdams GLappert JQuichocho AAdams Date 11/14/11 11/14/2011 11/21/11 11/28/11 LIST OF ATTENDEES MEETING BETWEEN NRC STAFF AND UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-COLUMBIA CONVERSION OF THE MURR FROM HIGH-ENRICHED URANIUM TO LOW-ENRICHED URANIUM FUEL NOVEMBER 10, 2011 DOCKET 50-186 Nuclear Regulatory Commission R. Nelson, NRR/DPR J. Adams, NRR/DPR A. Adams, NRR/DPR/PRLB X. Yin, NRR/DPR/PRLB S. Uttal, OGC B. Mizuno, OGC
University of Missouri R. Butler L. Foyto J. C. McKibben T. Poindexter (outside counsel for licensee) L. Chandler (outside counsel for licensee)
Public W. P. Moore, Beveridge & Diamond, P.C. J. Beetem, Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Enclosure University of Missouri-Columbia Docket No. 50-186 cc:
John Ernst, Associate Director Regulatory Assurance Group Research Reactor Facility Columbia, MO 65201
Homeland Security Coordinator Missouri Office of Homeland Security P.O. Box 749 Jefferson City, MO 65102 Planner, Dept of Health and Senior Services Section for Environmental Public Health 930 Wildwood Drive, P.O. Box 570 Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570 Deputy Director for Policy Department of Natural Resources 1101 Riverside Drive Fourth Floor East Jefferson City, MO 65101 A-95 Coordinator Division of Planning Office of Administration P.O. Box 809, State Capitol Building Jefferson City, MO 65101
Test, Research, and Training Reactor Newsletter University of Florida 202 Nuclear Sciences Center Gainesville, FL 32611
Mr. Ralph Butler, Director Research Reactor Center University of Missouri- Columbia Research Park Columbia, MO 65211