IR 05000284/2020201

Idaho State University - U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Inspection Report No.05000284/2020201

ML20006G121
Person / Time
Site:	Idaho State University
Issue date:	01/10/2020
From:	Reed E NRC/NRR/DANU/UNPO
To:	Dunzik-Gougar M Idaho State University, Pocatello
Elizabeth Reed, NRR/DANU, 415-1554
References
IR 2020201
Download: ML20006G121 (9)

Text

ary 10, 2020

SUBJECT:

IDAHO STATE UNIVERSITY - U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION INSPECTION REPORT NO. 05000284/2020201

Dear Dr. Dunzik-Gougar:

From December 3-4, 2019, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) conducted an inspection at the Idaho State University Aerojet-General Nucleonics-201M Research Reactor Facility. The enclosed report documents the inspection results, which were discussed on December 4, 2019, with you, and members of your staff.

The inspection examined activities conducted under your license as they relate to public health and safety, compliance with the Commissions rules and regulations, and compliance with the conditions of your license. The inspector reviewed selected procedures and records, observed various activities, and interviewed personnel. Based on the results of this inspection, no findings of significance were identified. No response to this letter is required.

In accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 2.390, Public inspections, exemptions, requests for withholding, a copy of this letter, its enclosure, and your response (if any) will be available electronically for public inspection in the NRC Public Document Room or from the NRCs document system (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS)). ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Web site at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html (the Public Electronic Reading Room).

M. Dunzik-Gougar -2-Should you have any questions concerning this inspection, please contact Mr. Kevin Roche at (301) 415-1554 or by electronic mail at Kevin.Roche@nrc.gov.

Sincerely,

/RA/

Elizabeth Reed, Acting Chief Non-Power Production and Utilization Facility Oversight Branch Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-284 License No. R-110 Enclosure:

As stated cc: See next page

Idaho State University Docket No. 50-284 cc:

Dr. Scott D. Snyder Idaho State University Interim Vice President for Research Mail Stop 8130 Pocatello, ID 83209-8060 John Longley, Radiation Safety Officer Environmental Health and Safety Office Idaho State University P.O. Box 8106 Pocatello, ID 83209-8106 Director Idaho Dept. of Environmental Quality 1410 North Hilton Boise, ID 83606 Test, Research and Training Reactor Newsletter Attention: Ms. Amber Johnson Department of Materials Science and Engineering University of Maryland 4418 Stadium Drive College Park, MD 20742-2115

ML20006G121 *concurrence via e-mail NRC-002 OFFICE NRR/DANU/UNPO/PM* NRR/DANU/UNPO/LA* NRR/DANU/UNPO/BC (A)

NAME KRoche NParker EReed DATE 1/9/2020 1/9/2020 1/10/2020

U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION Docket No. 50-284 License No. R-110 Report No. 50-284/2020-201 Licensee: Idaho State University Facility: Aerojet-General Nucleonics-201M Research Reactor Facility Location: Pocatello, Idaho Dates: December 3-4, 2019 Inspector: Kevin Roche Project Manager: Duane Hardesty Approved by: Elizabeth Reed, Acting Chief Non-Power Production and Utilization Facility Oversight Branch Division of Advanced Reactors and Non-Power Production and Utilization Facilities Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Enclosure

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Idaho State University Aerojet-General Nucleonics-201M Research Reactor Facility Inspection Report No. 05000284/2020201 The primary focus of this routine, announced inspection included onsite review of selected aspects of Idaho State Universitys (the licensees) Class II research reactor safety program design changes. The licensees program was acceptably directed toward the protection of public health and safety and was generally in compliance with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requirements.

Design Changes The Aerojet-General Nucleonics (AGN) console upgrade that had been initiated is following the Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) 50.59, Changes, tests and experiments, regulation with additional effort required on the part of the licensee to be completed successfully.

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REPORT DETAILS Summary of Facility Status The Idaho State University (ISU) AGN-201M Research Reactor Facility, licensed to operate at a maximum steady-state thermal power of 5 watts, continued to be operated in support of operator training, surveillance, experiments, and laboratory work. During the inspection the reactor was not operated due to on-going console replacement testing.

1. Design Changes a. Inspection Scope (IP 92701, 69001-Section 02.08)

In order to verify whether console upgrade project was consistent with the licensees 10 CFR 50.59 processes and procedures, the inspector reviewed:

• Appendix A to Facility Operating License No. R-110 Technical Specifications for Idaho State University AGN-201 M Reactor (Serial No. 103) Docket No.

50-284, Amendment No. 7, February 2011

• Safety Analysis Report Idaho State University AGN-201M Research Reactor License No. R-110 Docket No. 50-284, ISU January 2003

• Hazards Summary Report for the AGN-201 Reactor Aerojet-General Nucleonics by the AGN staff, August 1956

• Daniels, Maxwell James, 2017, Design and Implementation of Safety Channels for the Idaho State University AGN-201M Nuclear Reactor Modern Control Console, M.S. Thesis: ISU, Pocatello, Idaho

• Nagarajan, Ashoak Niranch, unpublished, Design and Construction of the Control Console for the AGN-201 Reactor, Project Report: ISU, Pocatello, Idaho

• SCH-ISU-NEL-001, 2018, AGN 201: Test Frequency Generator Module, Revision 1, October 2018

• SCH-ISU-NEL-002, 2018, AGN 201: Channel 1 Module, Revision 1, October 2018

• SCH-ISU-NEL-003, 2018, AGN 201: Channel 2 Module, Revision 1, October 2018

• SCH-ISU-NEL-004, 2018, AGN 201: Channel 3 Linear Amp Module, Revision 1, October 2018.

• SCH-ISU-NEL-005, 2018, AGN 201: Channel 3 Integrator Module, Revision 1, October 2018

• SCH-ISU-NEL-006, 2018, AGN 201: Channel 1 Module, Revision 1, October 2018

• SCH-ISU-NEL-007, 2018, AGN 201: Interlock Bus & Magnet Module, Revision 0, October 2018

• SCH-ISU-NEL-008, 2018, AGN 201: Channel 1 Block Diagram, Revision 0, October 2018

• SCH-ISU-NEL-009, 2018, AGN 201: Channel 2 Block Diagram, Revision 0, October 2018

• SCH-ISU-NEL-010, 2018, AGN 201: Channel 3 Block Diagram, Revision 0, October 2018 Field Code Changed-3-

• SCH-ISU-NEL-011, 2018, AGN 201: Interlock & Magnet Block Diagram, Revision 0, October 2018

• SCH-ISU-NEL-013, 2018, AGN 201: Period Calculator, Revision 0, October 2018

• AP-ISU-NEL-001, 2018, 10 CFR 50.59 Evaluations, ISU Nuclear Engineering Laboratory Administrative Procedure, Revision 0, July 2018 b. Observations and Findings The inspector noted that the licensee had completed a significant amount of work replacing the reactor control console. However, the licensee has substantial amount of technical work to complete including integrated systems testing, a complete 10 CFR 50.59 evaluation and supporting documentation submittal for the Reactor Safety Committee review, operating procedure updates, and development of a start-up plan. It appeared reasonable to the inspectors that licensee followed their procedures up to the date of the inspection for modifications under 10 CFR 50.59 for this specific application. The inspector did identify minor issues, mostly administrative in nature, that were communicated to the licensee. Since the 10 CFR 50.59 evaluation for the console replacement project was not complete, the licensee was informed that completion will be tracked by the NRC using an inspector follow-up item (IFI) and reviewed during a future inspection (IFI 05000284/2020201-1).

c. Conclusion Various changes had been initiated and/or completed at the facility during the past two years but none required a license amendment.

2. Exit Interview The inspection scope and results were summarized on December 4, 2019, with licensee representatives. The inspector discussed the findings for each area reviewed. The licensee acknowledged the results of the inspection and did not identify as proprietary any of the material provided to or reviewed by the inspector during the inspection.

Field Code Changed-4-

PARTIAL LIST OF PERSONS CONTACTED Licensee M. Dunzik-Gougar Reactor Administrator and Interim Reactor Supervisor J. Kunze Professor Emeritus, Idaho State University and member of the RSC Other Personnel William Phoenix Console Project Consultant Stuart Bondurant Console Project Consultant INSPECTION PROCEDURES USED IP 69001 Class II Research and Test Reactors IP 92701 Follow-up on Previously Identified Issues ITEMS OPENED, CLOSED, AND DISCUSSED Opened:

IFI 5000284/2020201-01 Follow-up on the licensees actions to ensure that the console replacement is completed in accordance with the licensees program and 10 CFR 50.59.

Closed:

None LIST OF ACRONYMS USED 10 CFR Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations AGN-201M Aerojet General Nucleonics-201M IFI Inspector Follow-up Item IP Inspection Procedure ISU Idaho State University NRC Nuclear Regulatory Commission Attachment