F2 2 Blaylock

Decommissioning the Georgia Tech Research Reactor: 

Decommissioning the Georgia Tech Research Reactor Dwayne P. Blaylock Nolan Hertel TRTR 2003 Conference Hamilton, Canada

Georgia Tech Research Reactor: 

Georgia Tech Research Reactor 5MW Thermal Reactor D2O moderated and cooled Reactor Core Contained up to 19 MTR type fuel elements 2’ High x 2’ Diameter Reactor Tank 6 foot diameter aluminum vessel Biological Shield Multilayered Shield made of Boral, Steel, Lead, and High Density Concrete

Georgia Tech Research Reactor: 

Georgia Tech Research Reactor Licensed in 1964 for 1MW operations Initial Criticality December 31, 1964 Reactor converted to 5MW in 1974 Ceased Operations on November 17, 1995 NRC Renewed license in May 1997 Decommissioning announcement July 1, 1997

Decision to Decommission: 

Decision to Decommission Design life-time of 30 years Underutilization of reactor Cost of renovation and upkeep Decline in NE enrollment HEU Fuel already removed for conversion to LEU fuel assemblies and the 1996 Olympic games

HEU Fuel Removal: 

HEU Fuel Removal 23 Fuel elements were removed from the reactor core and dry storage areas and moved to the Hot Cell Area by the Reactor Operations and Health Physics staff. The Hot Cell was used to cut the fuel section from each element.

HEU Fuel Removal: 

HEU Fuel Removal A BMI Cask was used to ship the fuel elements back to the Savannah River Site Personnel from NAC International helped with the loading and shipment of the cask

Characterization Survey: 

Characterization Survey Performed by NES, Inc. Determine the nature and extent of radiological contamination Study Began on October 8, 1997 Study completed on October 22, 1997 No off site contamination Characterization report released May 1998 Provided basis for Decommissioning Plan and Cost Estimate

D2O Shipment: 

D2O Shipment Additional Piping with quick connects was installed onto existing overflow pumps to fill the shipping drums. Drums were filled by the reactor operations and health physics staff. 98% of the original amount of heavy water was returned to the DOE

Cooling Tower: 

Cooling Tower The cooling tower was removed from the yard to make room for the decommissioning contractor trailers. The D.H. Griffin Co. was hired to demolish the cooling tower and a couple of clean experimental assemblies.

Executive Engineer – CH2M Hill: 

Executive Engineer – CH2M Hill Decommissioning consultant for Georgia Tech/GSFIC Monitor the DC’s performance Report on program progress to Georgia Tech/GSFIC Coordinate Georgia Tech’s review of DC documents Conduct weekly review and planning sessions Oversee “War Room”

Decommissioning Contractor – IT Corporation and GTS Duratek: 

Decommissioning Contractor – IT Corporation and GTS Duratek Perform decommissioning and engineering work Radioactive waste management Packaging Disposal Perform final release survey Prepare final report of license termination

Decommissioning Project: 

Decommissioning Project Vision - A facility left in a condition that meets required safety codes, NRC free-release criteria, and is suitable for conventional demolition and construction Mission - To work together in a positive relationship to achieve the vision and accomplish the following: Remain a good neighbor to the surrounding communities Continue the confidence and input of stakeholders Avoid negative impact to the ongoing research and academic activities in the remainder of the facility

Initial Work: 

Initial Work Organize, clean and/or dispose of various experimental assemblies on main floor. Core Sample of Biological Shield to determine the depth of activation and the best method of removing the shield

Process Room and Systems: 

Process Room and Systems All reactor systems were removed from the process room and basement. Clean components (secondary side) were packaged for recycling. All other parts were sent to GTS Duratek for processing.

Process Room and Systems: 

Process Room and Systems Residual liquid in the Heat Exchangers and D2O Storage Tank was drained. Large components were lifted from their supports via hand chains anchored into the ceiling. All parts were lifted through the ceiling opening and place into SeaLand containers.

Startup Source: 

Startup Source 5 Ci SbBe startup source was removed from the reactor tank with the GTRR fuel transfer cask. Source was transferred to a temporary storage container until it could be packed in it’s appropriate shipping container.

Horizontal Beam Plugs: 

Horizontal Beam Plugs Remove outer shield plugs Remove graphite strainers Dismantle “Guppy System” and Defractometer Pull horizontal beam gates

Reactor Tank: 

Reactor Tank Upper and lower shield were removed. 3.5” lead layer was removed from lower top shield by diamond wire cutting. Shim Blades and Shafts were removed and packaged. Horizontal Tubes were cut from the tank using long handled tools. Upper segment of the tank was disposed as low level waste. Lower segment was removed and packaged in a shielded shipping container.

Graphite Reflector: 

Graphite Reflector Entering through the thermal column the blocks of graphite were removed by hand. The majority of the project dose (11.15 Person-Rem) was received from the Eu-152 activation in the graphite blocks

Concrete Shield: 

Concrete Shield The metal on the outside of the biological shielding was remove by cutting torch. A containment tent was raised around the shielding to prevent the spread of contamination. Mechanical equipment with pneumatic hammers was use to remove all of the concrete shielding. Exhaust from the equipment was piped out of the containment building.

Thermal Shield: 

Thermal Shield The 100 ton lead, steel, and boral thermal shield was removed in two pieces. The top of the shield was removed and shipped. The remaining shield (80 tons) was lifted from the floor, wrapped and taken outside of containment by forklift to an awaiting truck.

Additional Areas: 

Additional Areas The old suspect waste tanks and system were removed and replaced. Contamination at the bottom of the spent fuel hole had to be remove by bringing a Brock hammer into the basement. Streaming radiation from the reactor inlet and outlet pipes caused activation in the alcove area that was removed by Brock hammer and by hand.

Final Survey: 

Final Survey The final survey was conducted in accordance with Reg Guide 1.86 NRC hired ORISE to conduct a confirmatory survey of the site

Georgia Tech Research Reactor: 

Georgia Tech Research Reactor 6 Years 46 Days since decision to decommission. 7 Years 271 Days since final shutdown. ~8 Million Dollars 60,000 Contractor Manhours 11.15 Person Rem