Joint IGORR / IAEA Technical Meeting - CNEA - Centro ... McMaster Facilities Overview/Upcoming...
Transcript of Joint IGORR / IAEA Technical Meeting - CNEA - Centro ... McMaster Facilities Overview/Upcoming...
Joint IGORR / IAEA Technical Meeting
Pierre Tanguay
Senior Project Officer
Regulatory Operations Branch
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
17 – 21 November 2014, Bariloche, Argentina
2 Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
Introduction
• Pierre Tanguay
• Senior Project Officer with the Canadian
Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC)
• Looking after Licensing and Compliance for
• Areas of the Chalk River Laboratories, i.e.
Moly-99, Safety Culture, HEU Repatriation.
Also, backup PO for the Fuel Fabrication
Facilities
• McMaster Nuclear Reactor
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Outline
• CNSC Mandate and Mission
• Overview of the Nuclear Industry in Canada
• Updates in the Regulatory Framework for
Research Reactors in Canada
• 2014 Licensing of the McMaster Nuclear Reactor
• McMaster Facilities Overview/Upcoming Projects
with the McMaster Nuclear Reactor
• Closing Remarks
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Abstract
• This paper discusses the licensing process used by the CNSC for
licensing and regulating research reactors in Canada.
• Licensing of research reactors, and in particular the renewal of Non-
Power Reactor Operating Licences (NPROL), involving the systematic
evaluation of 14 specific areas of performance, or Safety and Control
Areas (SCA).
• This includes the evaluation of all provisions the licensee makes to
ensure each SCA’s performance objectives and criteria are met, and
hence, that applicants are qualified and will make adequate
provisions to undertake the licensed activity.
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Abstract
• The CNSC maintains a modern regulatory framework for the nuclear
industry, ensuring that health, safety, security and the environment
are protected, as well as international agreements that Canada
adheres to.
• The regulatory framework is updated on a continuous basis,
reflecting the progress and improvements made in the industry, with
consideration to regulations, standards, guides and best practices.
• The most important challenge remains a regulatory framework that is
effective for larger NPPs and potential new builds in Canada, yet
flexible enough to allow a fair, graded approach for smaller, lower-risk
facilities.
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Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
Regulates the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect the health, safety and security of Canadians and the environment; implements Canada's international commitments on the peaceful use of nuclear energy; and disseminates objective scientific, technical and regulatory information to the public.
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The Commission Tribunal
Only federal court can review the decision of the Commission
Independent, quasi-judicial tribunal and court
of record
Consists of up to seven members appointed
under the authority of the Nuclear Safety and
Control Act (NSCA)
One member is designated as President of the
Commission and Chief Executive Officer of the
CNSC
Supported by scientific, technical and
professional staff
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Canada’s Nuclear Statistics
Power reactors – 17 operating – 2 being refurbished – 2 in guaranteed shutdown state
Research reactors – 7 (4 SLOWPOKES, NRU, ZED-2, MNR)
Uranium projects – 6 active – 1 being decommissioned – 19 inactive legacy uranium mines/mills Other licences ~ 3250 – Nuclear substances – medicine, research, industry – Waste – Import / Export
Typical share of nuclear energy
in total electricity generation
Ontario – 52%
New Brunswick – 30%
Canada – 14.7%
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Research Reactors Operating in Canada
Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd – Chalk River
NRU – 130 MW
ZED-2 – 200 W
McMaster University
McMaster Nuclear Reactor (MNR) – 5 MW
SLOWPOKES – 20 KW
University of Alberta
Saskatchewan Reasearch Council
Royal Military College of Canada
Ecole Polytechnique Montreal
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Regulatory Environment
• The CNSC was established in 2000 under the Nuclear Safety and
Control Act to replace the former Atomic Energy Control Board
• Reports to Parliament through the Minister of Natural Resources
on the Commission's activities under the Act.
• Neither the Minister nor the Governor in Council has a role in
CNSC's decision-making or the power of appeal.
• Its decisions are reviewable only by the Federal Court of Canada.
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Regulatory Environment
The CNSC's regulatory framework consists of laws passed by Parliament that govern the regulation of Canada's nuclear industry, and regulations, licences and documents that the CNSC uses to regulate the nuclear industry.
• Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations
• Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission By-laws
• Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Cost Recovery Fees Regulations
• Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Rules of Procedure
• Class I Nuclear Facilities Regulations
• Class II Nuclear Facilities and Prescribed Equipment Regulations
• Directive to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Regarding the Health of Canadians
14 Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
Regulatory Environment
• General Nuclear Safety and Control Regulations
• Nuclear Non-proliferation Import and Export Control Regulations
• Nuclear Security Regulations
• Nuclear Substances and Radiation Devices Regulations
• Packaging and Transport of Nuclear Substances Regulations
• Radiation Protection Regulations
• Uranium Mines and Mills Regulations
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Regulatory Environment
• The NSCA empowers the CNSC to make regulations and to develop other regulatory tools to establish requirements for, and provide guidance related to the use of nuclear energy and materials in Canada.
• Beyond the NSCA and the Regulations, CNSC develops a regulatory framework consisting of two categories: Requirements and Guidance.
• Requirements are mandatory. Licensees or applicants must meet these requirements to obtain or retain a licence or certificate to use nuclear materials or operate a nuclear facility.
• Regulatory Documents provide greater detail than regulations, as to what the licensees and applicants must achieve in order to meet the requirements.
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Regulatory Document Framework
1.0 Regulated facilities and activities
1.1 Reactor facilities
1.2 Class IB facilities
1.3 Uranium mines and mills
1.4 Class II facilities
1.5 Certification of prescribed
equipment
1.6 Nuclear substances and radiation
devices
2.0 Safety and control areas
2.1 Management system
2.2 Human performance management
2.3 Operating performance
2.4 Safety analysis
2.5 Physical design
2.6 Fitness for service
2.7 Radiation protection
2.8 Conventional health and safety
2.9 Environmental protection
2.10 Emergency management and fire protection
2.11 Waste management
2.12 Security
2.13 Safeguards and non-proliferation
2.14 Packaging and transport
3.0 Other regulatory areas
3.1 Reporting requirements
3.2 Public and Aboriginal engagement
3.3 Financial guarantees
3.4 Commission proceedings
3.5 Information dissemination
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Publications in 2013-14
• REGDOC-2.12.2, Site Access Security Clearance
– provides guidance regarding the process for granting a site access security
clearance for authorized unescorted entry to a protected area
• REGDOC-2.12.3, Security of Nuclear Substances: Sealed Sources
– sets out the minimum security measures required to prevent the loss,
sabotage, illegal use, illegal possession, or illegal removal of sealed
sources while they are in storage at the site of a licensed activity, in
transport or being stored during transportation
• REGDOC-3.5.2, Compliance and Enforcement: Administrative
Monetary Penalties
– complements the Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations, which
came into force on July 3, 2013, REGDOC in March 2014
– provides an overview of how and where AMPs fit into the CNSC's
approach to graduated enforcement, and describes how penalty
amounts are calculated
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Publications in 2013-14
• Recently approved by the Commission in March 2014: – REGDOC-2.4.1, Deterministic Safety Analysis
– REGDOC-2.4.2, Probabilistic Safety Assessment for Nuclear Power Plants
– REGDOC-2.5.2, Design of Reactor Facilities: Nuclear Power Plants
– REGDOC-3.1.1, Reporting Requirements: Reporting Requirements
for Nuclear Power Plants
• Requesting Commission approval for making of regulations: – Nuclear Security Regulations and Nuclear Substances and Radiation
Devices Regulations
– Packaging and Transport of Nuclear Substances Regulations, 2014
• Requesting Commission approval for publication: – REGDOC-2.2.2, Personnel Training
– REGDOC-2.3.1, Conduct of Licensed Activities: Commissioning of
Reactor Facilities
– REGDOC-2.3.2, Accident Management
– REGDOC-2.10.1, Emergency Preparedness and Response
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Publications in 2013-14
• Publication of guidance material: – REGDOC-1.6.1, Licence Application Guide: Nuclear Substances and
Radiation Devices (supersedes RD/GD-371)
– REGDOC-2.2.3, Personnel Certification: Radiation Safety Officers at Class II
Facilities (previously RD/GD-380)
– REGDOC-3.5.1, Licensing Processes (supersedes INFO-DOC 0756 & 0759)
• Stakeholder consultations, including: – REGDOC-2.2.1, Human Performance: Fitness for Duty
– REGDOC-2.9.1, Environmental Protection: Environmental Assessment
– REGDOC-3.2.2, Aboriginal Engagement
• Regulatory projects under analysis, including: – Small Reactor Facilities
– Radiation Protection
– Waste and Decommissioning
– Regulatory Fundamentals
– Configuration Management
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New Challenges
Identify
Feedback invited from stakeholders
Analyze
Consultation on
Discussion Paper
Develop
Consult on draft
documents &
regulations
Implement
Coordinate
implementation
with Licensees
Review & Revise
Consult on revisions
Engage
and
Consult
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Conclusions
• The CNSC maintains a modern, dynamic regulatory
framework
• Flexible enough to work with the broad range of
nuclear industries in Canada
• Provides confidence that CNSC is accountable to the
public, and protects the health, safety, security and
international obligations
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Part 2
2014 Renewal of
the McMaster
Nuclear Reactor
Operating
Licence
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McMaster Nuclear Reactor
• McMaster Nuclear Reactor
(MNR) is a pool-type reactor
• Located on the campus of
McMaster University in
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
• Light water cooled, MTR type
• Achieved criticality in April
1959
• Maximum authorized power of
5 MW-thermal
• Fully contained in a concrete
Containment Building
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McMaster Nuclear Reactor
McMaster Nuclear Reactor is
used for:
• Teaching
• Materials research and testing
• Sample irradiation for
geological and environmental
testing
• Neutron radiography
• Medical isotope production
(Iodine-125)
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MNR Licence Renewal 2014
• Last licence was issued on July 1, 2007 and expired June
30, 2014
• McMaster University submitted an application for the
renewal of the licence for a period of 10 years
• CNSC staff assessed the application, considering the
CNSC’s 14 Safety and Control Areas, plus other areas of
interest to the Commission
• Included a review of all documents in support of a new
licence
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Licensing Process
Environmental assessment
Licence or certificate decision
Technical assessment
Commission review
Public hearing
Designated officer review
Application • Applicants must demonstrate they are
qualified
• Regulations outline information required
to apply for licences
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Licensing Process
• Required for activities listed under Canadian Environmental Act, 2012 regulations
Key objectives – Predict environmental effects of a
specific project – Identify mitigation measures to
eliminate, minimize or control adverse environmental effects
– Incorporate environmental considerations into decision-making
• Provide opportunities for public participation
• No licence can be granted unless there is a decision that the project will not likely cause significant adverse environmental effects
Environmental assessment
Licence or certificate decision
Technical assessment
Commission review
Public hearing
Designated officer review
Application
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Licensing Process
Assessment
Peer Review,
Judgement,
Guidance
Safety and control areas
•Management system
•Human performance
management
•Operating
performance
•Safety analysis
•Physical design
•Fitness for service
•Radiation protection
•Conventional health
and safety
•Environmental protection
•Emergency management
and fire protection
•Waste management
•Security
•Safeguards
•Packaging and transport
Other areas
•Financial guarantees
•Consultations and
communications Environmental
assessment
Licence or certificate decision
Technical assessment
Commission review
Public hearing
Designated officer review
Application
Risk
Graded
Approach
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Safety and Control Areas
Safety and control areas (SCA)
are the technical topics CNSC
staff use across all regulated
facilities and activities to assess,
verify and report on regulatory
requirements and performance.
Enforce
Verify
Report
This framework is used throughout our
core processes.
• Annual Reports
• Licence applications
• Planning & Inspections
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Safety and Control Areas
• The SCAs are presented in a comprehensive framework consisting of 14
safety and control areas which are grouped into three primary “functional” areas (Management, Facility and Equipment, and Core Control Processes).
• Specific areas define the individual SCAs, and serve as a list of options that
can be selected, as deemed appropriate, by line management for each of the regulated facilities or activities. These specific areas will enable improved communication amongst ourselves as well as externally, with licensees, the Commission, and the public.
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Licensing Process
Licensee Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
Application submitted by
McMaster, addressing all 14 SCAs
and other areas of interest
Address deficiencies in program
documents or develop transition
plans
Project Plan developed
Application Guide provided to the Licensee
Application assessed by CNSC staff
Sufficiency determination made by CNSC
Assessment of all main program documents and processes.
Operating performance, past inspections. Evolving
requirements, standards, guides and practices, e.g.
Fukushima
Inspection performed where additional implementation
details required
Preparation of new licence
Preparation of Licence Conditions Handbook
Notice of Public Hearing
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Licensing Process
Licensee Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
Preparation of Commission Member Document
and Presentation
Addressing interventions (Q & A)
Hearing
Implement any transition plans, additional
requirements from Record of Decision
Preparation of Commission Member Document
and Presentation
Addressing interventions (Q & A)
Hearing
Record of Decision
Adjustments to Licence and LCH, as required to
reflect decision, specific requests
Licence and LCH issued
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Licence & LCH
• The Licence is comprised of a Licence and a Licence Conditions
Handbook
• The licence is a short, 5-page document.
• Very generic and common to all research reactors and similar to Class II
facility licences in Canada.
• For McMaster, there is a General section, followed by 14 sections
corresponding to the 14 Safety & Control Areas
• A total of 28 Licence Conditions are stated.
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Licence & LCH
• The Licence Conditions Handbook is a 120-page document
• Provides the details associated with each licence condition, with general interpretation, compliance verification criteria and references to licensee documents submitted as part of the licence application, Regulatory documents, Standards and guides.
• Transparent, no-surprise approach.
• Freedom for the facility to evolve and update its documentation
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Licence & LCH
• Licensing basis documents can be updated with approvals at the working level (without a hearing with the Commission), through the Delegation of Authority to Designated Officers, as approved by the Commission.
• Requests made to the Commission as part of the Hearing: • Accept the recommendations made by staff • Renew McMaster’s licence for a period of 10 years • Accept the Delegation of Authority described in the LCH
36 Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
Novelties brought by the new Licence
• The Licence is comprised of a Licence and Licence Conditions
Handbook
• Licensing Basis documents are now in Appendix D of the LCH – without
revision numbers. These are kept as a separate document referenced in
the LCH which can be easily updated. Allows the Licensee to revise the
documents and evolve more easily, without having to go through Licence
Amendments to keep documents up to date.
• Public Information and Disclosure Program is a new requirement.
REGDOC issued in 2012. The Commission, in the Record of
Proceedings, directed McMaster University to complete a disclosure
protocol by June 2015.
• Requirement for Annual Reporting to the Commission. Requirement is
on CNSC staff; however, it will affect the Licensee as well (likely to
present to the Commission)
37 Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
Novelties brought by the new Licence
Impact of Fukushima.
Although most of the work related to the Fukushima incident has been done,
focus remains high. It has brought about some changes in operations:
Core spray system
Emergency procedures
Defence-in-Depth analysis
External power supply
Camera surveillance
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Novelties brought by the new Licence
• Aging Management. The requirement was developed over the past licence
period; however, it is formalized under this licence. This licence condition
requires the licensee to develop an aging management program for the facility
which provides direction for the procedures, arrangements, and activities for
managing, within acceptable limits, the effects of physical aging and
obsolescence of Structures, Systems and Components (SSCs) occurring over
time or with use.
• Licence period of 10 years. Previous period was 7 years.
• Generic Licence Conditions aligned with SCAs. Finer details are contained in
LCH, Licensee documents, Regulations, REGDOCS, etc.
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Novelties brought by the new Licence
• Reporting. The section on Reporting of unplanned/adverse situations
(Appendix E of the LCH) is much more detailed (several pages), although no
additional burden is expected.
• Pressure Boundaries. Section removed, no pressurized vessels at MNR. Subject
is covered under SCA Physical Design
• Licence Format. The licence has gone from a 32-page document to a 5-page
document, accompanied with a 120-page LCH.
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Record of Proceedings and Decision
• The Commission concluded that McMaster University is qualified to carry
out the activity that the licence will authorize.
• The Commission is of the opinion that McMaster University, will make
adequate provision for the protection of the environment, the health and
safety of persons and the maintenance of national security and
measures required to implement international obligations to which
Canada has agreed.
• The Commission, pursuant to section 24 of the Nuclear Safety and
Control Act, renews the Non-Power Reactor Operating Licence issued to
McMaster University for the McMaster Nuclear Reactor.
• The renewed licence, is valid until June 30, 2024, unless suspended,
amended, revoked, replaced or transferred.
41 Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
Record of Proceedings and Decision
• The Commission directs CNSC staff to provide annual reports on the
performance of the McMaster Nuclear Reactor. CNSC staff shall
present these reports at public proceedings of the Commission.
• The Commission accepts CNSC staff’s recommendation regarding the
delegation of authority in the Licence Conditions Handbook (LCH).
The Commission directs CNSC staff to inform the Commission on an
annual basis of any changes made to the LCH.
• The Commission requests that progress on training and certification
be part of the annual reports to the Commission.
• The Commission also accepts the revised financial guarantee for
decommissioning of the MNR.
• The Commission directs McMaster University to complete a disclosure
protocol by June 2015 (par. 170).
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McMaster Facilities Overview
Nuclear Facilities 6
1 Research Reactor w. Isotope Production Facilities
3 Accelerators
1 Irradiator
1 Cyclotron Production and Research Facility
State of the Art High Level Lab Facility - 23000 sq ft
Other CNSC
Licenses 2
Consolidated Radioisotope
Human Research Studies
Radioisotope Lab
Permits
(highest current
project approval)
248
210 Basic
19 Intermediate
5 High
14 Sealed Source and Device
Approved Projects 179 NSERC, CIHR funded studies (basic science, health
and preclinical experiments)
Authorized
Users/Workers 868
Internationally recognized Health Physics training
and support programs
44 Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
McMaster Facilities Overview
• 6 radial beam tubes
• 1 in-core high flux site
• 7 graphite & 1 Be
irradiation reflectors
• Numerous Isotope
Production Sites
• 3 “rabbit” terminals
45 Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
McMaster Facilities Overview
• BP 1 & 2 : Neutron Radiography
(turbine blades)
• BP 3 : 3-D Neutron Radiography
• BP 4 : Prompt Gamma (SANS)
• BP 5 : McMaster Intense Positron
Beam Facility
• BP 6 : Condensed Science Research
46 Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
McMaster Facilities Overview
• McMaster University currently produces I-125 which is used in the treatment of prostate cancer and supplies seed manufacturers around the world
• Other isotopes under development include: I-131, Lu-177, Re-186/188, etc..
47 Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
McMaster Facilities Overview
• 16.4 MeV GE PETtrace cyclotron
• Supporting Production/Research Facilities
• Research Facilities to develop new cyclotron based isotopes
48 Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
McMaster Facilities Overview
• 24,000 ft2 (2300 m2) CNSC
Licensed Facility (only one like it at
a Canadian University)
• Licensed to handle small through
large quantities of radioactive
material
• 35 Licensed Laboratories
• Access Control (security)
• 5 Radiopharmaceutical Hot cells
• Radio-chemists and Radio-
biologists work their magic
• Transforming Radioisotopes into
clinical impacts
49 Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
McMaster Facilities Overview
McMaster will likely require a Licence
amendment to include 2 new facilities:
•New Positron facility
•Small Angle Neutron Scattering
Future Projects