REACTOR OPERATING PROCEDURES

September 10, 1953
Clifford Beck & Reactor staff

In the period immediately subsequent to the initial critical experiment on the Raleigh
Research Reactor, it is planned that the level of operation shall not exceed "a few watts",
say 10, or at most 100, since A. E. C. approval for operation above 100 watts has not yet
been received. The experiments and manipulations now visualised include

• 1. Further improvement and adjustment of the mechanical equipment on reactor
  (gas disposal flow meter, recirculating pump for high level operation, etc.;
  installation of thermal column, fitting of graphite plugs in port-holes, etc.)
•  
• 2. Assorted critical experiments
  (with a small source, with water in the cooling coils, at different temperature
  from 5.°C. to 25°C., etc.)
•  
• 3. Measurement of fluxes at various places, in the reflector, shield, and vicinity,
  by various means, at low level "steady states." Off-gas and cooling, water data
  under the same conditions.
•  
• 4. Experiments aimed at Determination of absolute power level.

During these initial operations, the procedures specified below to be followed tend
intentionally toward conservatism and even perhaps over cautious requirements in safety,
adequacy of records, and emphasis on prior planning of work.

The items listed below are intended both as guides in reactor operation and reminders
of items which must not be overlooked. As experience is gained some of these procedures
may be changed, some eliminated, and others added.

A. General
• 1. Each use of the reactor will be approved in advance by the Director
  and at least two additional members of the operating staff.
•  
• 2. During any actual use of the reactor, at last one member from each of
  the two following groups must be present.

  • Beck	Clark
    Menius	Lamonds
    Murray	Lundholm

  For each experiment, one person will be designated in advance as the
  Supervisor-in-charge.
•  
• 3. The R. S. O. will be notified of any pending operation of the reactor,
  The opinion of the R. S. O. will be obtained on safety aspects of any
  new or different procedures involving use of the reactor. The R. S. O.
  may be present as a participant in any reactor operation.

• 4. In any work in the Control Room or in the Reactor Room not involving
  operation of the reactor, (a) Mr. Joe Lundholm will be the Supervisor-
  in-charge, (b) not less than two people will be present at all times
  (i.e. one person will not work alone in these areas).
•  
• 5. At the end of each separate assignment, or at the end of each day (if
  an assignment lasts longer than one day, the Supervisor-in-charge will
  file a fully executed log-sheet with the Director.
•  
• 6. A duly annotated and identified Log book will be assigned for use in
  recording the different types of necessary data. The books assigned
  to date and their proper upkeep are:
  •  
  • A. Reactor Log Rook (loose-leaf):
    

    Contents:	(a) Chronological record of major events relative to the Reactor Project.
    	(b) Minutes of Reactor Staff meetings.

    Responsibility: Director
  •  
  • B. Console Log Book:

    Contents:	A record of every operation and use of the Reactor. Record of each use must show,
    	(1) Date; time of day (periodically noted); weather conditions
    	(2) Supervisor-in-charge
    	(3) Persons present
    	(4) Assignments of persons present
    	(5) Purpose of experiment
    	(6) Brief plan of experiment (at outset)
    	(7) Reactor instruments in use
    	(8) Relevant, pertinent, or unusual features of experiment or existing conditions
    	(9) Step by step record of procedures  (9a) Specific record of all data relevant   to discharge of activity, if any, up   stack and into sewer.
    	(10) Close down operations; notes for supervisor of next experiment

    Responsibility: Supervisor-in-charge
  •  
  • C. Reactor Instrumentation Book

    Contents:	(a) Description of reactor instruments. to filed drawings notes on revisions (with reference to numbered drawings)
    	(b) Dates of installation, or revision, or repairs etc.
    	(c) Calibration data
    	(d) Notes on performance

    Responsibility: Lamonds and Lundholm

• • D. Health Physics Records Book and Card File

    Contents:	(a) Records of personnel film badges and pocket meters
    	(b) Records of periodic radiation surveys
    	(c) Record of periodic water reservoir monitoring
    	(d) Records of unusual radiation events and incidents
    	(e) Other records of Health Physics activities

    Responsibility: Reactor Health Physicist in cooperation with R. S. O.
  •  
  • E. Uranium Inventory Log Book

    Contents:	(a) Records of uranium on hand
    	(b) Records of periodic accountability reports to the A. E. C.

    Responsibility: Director
  •  
  • F. Recorder Charts (on every recorder used)

    Contents:	(a) annotation at beginning of date, time, experiment, etc.
    	(b) annotation of all noteworthy events; change of scale, drop of rods, etc.

    Responsibility: Supervisor-in-charge

B. Reactor Operation

C. Health Physics