U.S. Domestic Reactor Conversion Programs

U.S. Domestic Reactor Conversion Programs Eric Woolstenhulme Dana Meyer 2007 TRTR Conference September 2007

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 converting7 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: 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 • 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

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 Proposal Average 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 Hardware Average 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

TEXAS A&M 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

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

U.S. Domestic Reactor Conversion Programs