05000390/LER-2023-001, Interpretation of Technical Specification (TS) Table 1.1-1 Leads to a Condition Prohibited by TS
| ML23184A083 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Watts Bar  |
| Issue date: | 07/03/2023 |
| From: | Anthony Williams Tennessee Valley Authority |
| To: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, Document Control Desk |
| References | |
| WBL-23-029 LER 2023-001-00 | |
| Download: ML23184A083 (1) | |
| Event date: | |
|---|---|
| Report date: | |
| 3902023001R00 - NRC Website | |
text
J\\14 TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY Tennessee Valley Authority, Post Office Box 2000, Spring City, Tennessee 37381 WBL-23-029 July 3, 2023 ATTN: Document Control Desk U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555-0001 Watts Bar Nuclear Plant, Unit 1 Facility Operating License No. NPF-90 NRC Docket No. 50-390 10 CFR 50.73
Subject:
Licensee Event Report 390/2023-001-00, Interpretation of Technical Specification (TS) Table 1.1-1 Leads to a Condition Prohibited by TS This submittal provides Licensee Event Report (LER) 390/2023-001-00. This LER provides details concerning a recent event where operation with Unit 1 above Mode 6 with one reactor head bolt not installed led to a condition prohibited by the Technical Specifications, which is reportable in accordance with Title 1 O of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR)
- 50. 73( a)(2)(i)( B).
There are no new regulatory commitments contained in this letter. Please direct any questions concerning this matter to Jonathan Johnson, WBN Licensing Manager, at jtjohnson0@tva.gov.
Respectf Anthony L. Williams IV Site Vice President Watts Bar Nuclear Plant
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission WBL-23-029 Page 2 July 3, 2023
Enclosure:
LER 390/2023-001-00, Interpretation of Technical Specification (TS) Table 1.1-1 Leads to a Condition Prohibited by TS cc (w/Enclosure):
NRC Regional Administrator - Region II NRC Senior Resident Inspector - Watts Bar Nuclear Plant NRC Project Manager - Region II
ENCLOSURE Tennessee Valley Authority Watts Bar Nuclear Plant Unit 1 LER 390/2023-001-00, Interpretation of Technical Specification (TS) Table 1.1-1 Leads to a Condition Prohibited by TS
Abstract
On May 3, 2023, while starting up from a refueling outage, an NRC inspector questioned compliance for Watts Bar Nuclear Plant (WBN) Unit 1 being in Mode 5 with 53 of 54 Reactor Vessel head closure bolts fully tensioned, which NRC determined was not in compliance with Technical Specification (TS) Table 1.1-1. Following review of this issue within WBN and NRC management, WBN Unit 1 was returned to Mode 6 on May 4, 2023 at 0237 Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Investigation shows the WBN Unit 1 had operated with only 53 reactor vessel head closure bolts fully tensioned for Cycles 17 and 18 due to a damaged reactor head closure stud hole, which represents a condition prohibited by TS.
No human performance cause is attributed to this event. The 10 CFR 50.59 screening associated with this determined prior NRC approval was not required. WBNs position was supported by vendor analysis. The NRC applied a different interpretation of TS Table 1.1-1. Corrective actions included the submittal and the receipt of a TS amendment allowing operation of WBN Unit 1 with 53 reactor head closure bolts being fully tensioned. A permanent license amendment request will be submitted to allow operation with 53 reactor head closure bolts. Training will also be provided to 10 CFR 50.59 qualified individuals at WBN on this event.
VII. Previous Similar Events at the Same Site
None
VIII. Additional Information
None.
IX.
Commitments
None.