PSR at Training Reactor VR-1

Marek Sedlbauer

marek.sedlbauer@fjfi.cvut.czCzech Technical University in Prague

IAEA Workshop on Application of the Code of Conduct on the Safety of Research Reactors, November 2, 2015

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Outline

Reactor VR-1 Safety classified SSCs Review and operational safety Documentation Safety committee Emergency Preparedness Review reports

M. Sedlbauer – PSR at Training Reactor VR-1

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Reactor VR-1 – parameters

Power 5 kWth

Fuel tube fuel IRT-4M

Vessel Diameter/Height 2 300 mm/ 4 720 mm

Temperature 20°C

Reactor Shielding water + heavy concrete

Core Cooling natural convection

Pressure atmospheric

Reactivity control Cd control rods

Neutron Flux 8. 109 cm-2.s-1

Start-up Neutron Source Am-Be

Work inside the reactor vessel

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Reactor VR-1

1990: commissioning - first criticality 03/12/1990

2015: 25 years of safety and successful operation

www.ReactorVR1.eu

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Applied to different fields of Reactor life with emphasis on technologies and activities important to the nuclear safety Systems, Structures and Components (SSCs) –

safety classified equipment – the highest attention, RMS, exp. devices, NMAC system, etc. including their ageing

Procedures, documents Safety analysis Emergency Preparedness Review reports Etc.

Application PSR

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Safety classified SSCs

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The most important SSCs to safety: Control rods Vessels and corridor Fuel elements (cladding) Control system

Safety classified SSCs are reviewed with the highest possible attention because of their direct impact on safety

Also other SSCs are reviewed regularly – RMS, water management system, physical protection system, experimental devices, ….

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Control rods

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7 control rods – type UR-70 with step engine and Cd absorber Operational test – after each disconnection of rod, special

test (velocity of rod up/down and drop time), record in protocol and check log

Regular checks o every year: all rods disassembling by reactor staff, check

of rust products, base functions of mechanisms and absorber

o every 5 years: NDT check of all absorbers by external service company, checks of ageing and tests on special stand, records in protocol and check log

Ad hoc check - in case of rod defects is sent external service company

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Control rods checks

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Fuel elements

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IRT-4M fuel elements enriched to 19,7% with Al cladding (thickness up to 0,45 mm) Regular checks - every year during summer shutdown,

checks of all fuel elements visually using light, eyeglass and digital camera, inspection of geometry by special stand, records in check log and photos all sides of fuel elements

Ad hoc – in 2014 realized inspection of the most used fuel elements by profilometer to check cladding

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Profilometer inspection

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Internal Review and Operational Safety

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Regular meeting of operational staff monthly meeting initiated by reactor manager evaluation all activities during last operation period

(experience, attention, requirements, etc.) review of all realised checks in last operation period scheduling of staff training activities (NSaf, NSec, RP,

EP) scheduling of reactor operation preparation for regular report to SONS (every 3

months) evaluation of disagreements from internal Bugzilla

information system recommendation for future refurbishment or innovation

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Documents at the Reactor VR-1 are divided into groups according importance to safety - graded approach Emphasis on controlled documents – emergency

plan, OLCs, QA program, Monitoring program, SAR, etc.

Controlled document processing – processing request, authorization for document processing and defining the scope of the document, check during the processing, approval process

Effort to do all needed changes in documents as soon as possible

Obligatory review of all controlled documents every year by responsible person for appropriate document

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Documentation

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The aim of the committee is to provide sufficient information for the management of the operator of the reactor Established this year (2015) 8 members Committee meetings - regular (annual) or extraordinary

(ad hoc) Independent assessment of the safety of the reactor

operation Good functioning of the Committee may affect safety

culture Review of operation, activities important to safety, plans

of innovation, emergency planning, developments, etc. Evaluation and recommendation report

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Safety committee

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Safety committee

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Rector - Statutory representativeCHAIRMAN

DeanDEPUTY CHAIRMAN

operational and organizational reactor staff

Head of department

Reactormanager

Radiationprotection

officer

Expert in NS

Expert in OS

Expert in RP

3 independent members

Internal emergency plan - main controlled document to ensure emergency preparedness

Emergency exercise – annual exercise in the presence of all staff, inspection of state authority randomly

Immediate evaluation after emergency exercise in the presence of all staff

Results of evaluation implemented the emergency plan review in case of serious findings

Review of emergency exercise reported to SONS within 14 days

Obligatory review of Internal emergency plan every year by responsible person

Emergency Preparedness

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Quarterly report Number of hours in operation Characteristic of operation for the three-month period – types

of operation, changes, innovations, inspections, maintenance, etc.

Overview of events important to safety Review of safe operation and compliance with OLCsAnnual report Number of hours in operation per year Characteristic of operation per year Review of safe operation, RP, EP and NSec Plans for the future (document reviews, innovations, etc.)Ad hoc report

Review reports on the State Office

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Thank you for attention

M. Sedlbauer – PSR at Training Reactor VR-1