September 2007

2007 TRTR Conference

U.S. Domestic Reactor Conversion Programs

Eric WoolstenhulmeDana Meyer

Background on the current U.S. Domestic Conversion Program at the INL

• Support the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Global Threat Reduction Initiative to reduce the amount HEU by converting 7 U.S. research and training reactors from HEU-to-LEU fuel by 2009

The Conversion Generally Includes:

• Revision of the facilities Safety Documents and

supporting analysis

• Fabrication of new LEU fuel

• Change-out of the reactor core

• Removal of the used HEU fuel (by INL University Fuels

Program)

Three major Reactor Conversion Program milestones have been accomplished since 2006

• The conversion of the TRIGA reactor at Texas A&M University Nuclear Science Center

The conversion of the University of Florida Training Reactor

The conversion of the Purdue University Reactor

The major entities involved are:

• U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

• University reactor department

• Fuel and hardware fabricators

• Spent fuel receipt facilities

• SNF shipping services

• U.S. Department of Energy and their subcontractors

various branches

reactor operations, radiation protection, shipping, procurement, and etc

BWXT, CERCA, GA

SRS, INL/Idaho Nuclear Tech. and Eng. Center

NAC, STS, INL

ANL, INL

Lessons Learned Overview

Purpose: To benefit future conversion and project teams

• Conversion Activities were scored 1 to 5 on performance difficulty

– 1 (extremely challenging) / 5 (exceptional easy)

• Activity Grouping

– Project Initiation

– Conversion Proposal to the NRC

– Fuel Fabrication and Hardware

– Core Conversion

– Spent Nuclear Fuel

• Issues and Recommendations

Lessons Learned: Project Initiation

Average Score: 3.9

• Issues

– University felt that the Conversion Project Team was sometimes segregated

and was not certain that all necessary information was shared appropriately

– Was not always clear that the University’s needs were being addressed

• Recommendations

– Kick-off meetings involving all of the Conversion Project Team

– Clarify roles and expectations better

– Determine technical requirements for the activities

– Direct the universities to provide a list of individuals that will be reviewing

drawings, specifications, etc

Lessons Learned: Conversion ProposalAverage Score: 3.6

• Issues

– Due to the age and history of the reactors, changes in designs and equipment are

likely

– Over conservatism in analyses can limit reactor operations and make fabrication

difficult

• Recommendations

– Advise Universities early to recover historical documents, drawings, etc

– Involve ALL parties (e.g.: analysis, design, fabricators, and university) in ALL

conversations that will impact them directly/indirectly

– Involve the NRC in the process as soon as possible

• Observation

– The NRC discussed their issues and questions with Licensee while reviewing the

proposals. This practice eased the Request for Additional Information process.

Lessons Learned: Fuel Fabrication and HardwareAverage Score: 3.2

• Issues

– Assumptions with regard to design, fit, and function proved invalid, requiring

correction

– Trucks arriving at the universities to deliver the new LEU fuel were not what

was anticipated

– Unfamiliarity with the shipment process when returning empty containers

• Recommendations

– Verify existing equipment (drawings don’t necessarily match existing)

– Ensure the university and the shipper communicate with regard to logistics,

restrictions, tools needed, etc

– Make time early in the process to inform the university about the

requirements for return shipment

Lessons Learned: Core Conversion

Average Score: 3.4

• Issues

– Downtime maintenance created additional schedule impacts

– New hardware had to be re-machined because of lack of information

– Reactivity at intermediate points of loading had not been calculated

• Recommendations

– Schedule activities that can be performed prior to reactor loading as

soon as possible

– Pay close attention to the details of the reactors

– If needed, provide for onsite expertise to resolve startup issues and

have a detailed plan/procedure with a number of hold points

Texas A&M University Nuclear Science Center

• TRIGA conversion reactor, 1 megawatt

• Spent LEU core shipped before

conversion

• Conversion milestone accomplished on

27 September, 2006

• Final HEU SNF shipment complete

• Unirradiated HEU element removed

University of Florida Training Reactor

• Argonaut type reactor, 100

kilowatt

• Spent core shipped before conversion

• Conversion milestone accomplished on September 28, 2006

• Final partial plate assembly completed in August 2007

Purdue University Reactor

• LW moderated pool, plate fuel,1,000 watt

• Spent core to be shipped after conversion

• Conversion milestone accomplished on September 8,

2007

Our near-term projects are to:• Convert Washington State University Nuclear Radiation Center

reactor by Sept 30, 2008

• Convert Oregon State University TRIGA Reactor by Sept 30, 2008

• Convert University of Wisconsin Nuclear Reactor by Sept 30, 2009

• Convert Neutron Radiography Reactor Facility by Sept 30, 2009

2006

2007

2008

2009

TEXAS A&M

Washington State University Reactor

• TRIGA conversion reactor, 1 megawatt

• Spent core to be shipped after conversion

• Conversion Proposal submitted to NRC on 8/16/07

Oregon State University

• TRIGA Mark II, 1.1 megawatt

• Spent core to be shipped after conversion

• Conversion Proposal to be submitted to NRC 9/30

• Fuel is being fabricated

University of Wisconsin

• TRIGA conversion reactor, 1

megawatt

• Conversion Proposal to begin

in October 2008

Neutron Radiography Reactor Facility

• TRIGA conversion reactor, 1 megawatt

• Spent core to be shipped after conversion

• Safety Analysis work has begun