ML071510594
| ML071510594 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Perry  |
| Issue date: | 06/15/2007 |
| From: | Catherine Haney Plant Licensing Branch III-2 |
| To: | Allen B FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Co |
| Wengert, Thomas NRR/DORL 415-4037 | |
| References | |
| Download: ML071510594 (5) | |
Text
June 15, 2007 Mr. Barry S. Allen Site Vice President FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company Mail Stop A-PY-A290 P.O. Box 97, 10 Center Road Perry, OH 44081-0097
SUBJECT:
PERRY NUCLEAR POWER PLANT, UNIT NO. 1 - COMMITMENT FOR HYDROGEN IGNITER BACKUP POWER SUPPLY AND CLOSURE PROCESS FOR GENERIC ISSUE 189, SUSCEPTIBILITY OF ICE CONDENSER AND MARK III CONTAINMENTS TO EARLY FAILURE FROM HYDROGEN COMBUSTION DURING A SEVERE ACCIDENT
Dear Mr. Allen:
This letter acknowledges your February 26, 2007, letter committing to changes at the Perry Nuclear Power Plant, Unit No. 1 (PNPP), that will enhance plant capabilities to mitigate the potential for early containment failure from hydrogen combustion. The proposed changes involve procurement of portable equipment to power one train of igniters and development of procedures and training to power hydrogen igniters using the portable equipment and through a cross-tie from the Division 3 diesel generator.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff agrees that the proposed changes will resolve concerns related to Generic Issue 189 (GI-189), Susceptibility of Ice Condenser and Mark III Containments to Early Failure from Hydrogen Combustion During a Severe Accident, and provide benefits for certain security scenarios. The NRC staff understands that the changes will enhance the electrical independence of the containment hydrogen igniter system. This action is warranted for boiling water reactors with Mark III containments because many systems that prevent core damage rely on the same power supplies and electrical distribution system as the hydrogen igniters. This enhancement mitigates the potential for early containment failure by allowing control of hydrogen within containment following certain beyond-design-basis events that may progress to core damage and preclude operation of the hydrogen igniters from their normal power supply. The NRC staff expects this enhancement will provide hydrogen igniter system electrical independence commensurate with the expected frequency, challenges, and uncertainties associated with these beyond-design-basis events.
Consistent with the guidelines of NRC Management Directive 6.4, Generic Issues Program, the NRC staff will perform a verification inspection at PNPP. This inspection will include elements to verify that you establish procedures to provide back-up power to the hydrogen igniters, train appropriate staff in the procedures, and institute appropriate controls on the reliability and availability of necessary equipment. Procedures that allow trained personnel to establish backup power to the igniters within 3 hours3.472222e-5 days <br />8.333333e-4 hours <br />4.960317e-6 weeks <br />1.1415e-6 months <br /> are fully consistent with goals to mitigate
B. S. Allen potential hydrogen accumulation. The NRC staff understands that implementation of vendor recommended maintenance and existing procedures will ensure adequate availability and reliability of the backup power supplies. In addition, NRC licensing project managers may verify the integrity of your commitments over time through established review procedures for your commitment management program.
Verification of your committed actions and those of other affected licensees will provide the basis by which the NRC will close out GI-189. The NRC staff will perform the verification inspection at a time consistent with the implementation date specified in your letter.
Accordingly, please keep the NRC staff informed of any changes in the scope of modifications or the implementation date.
Sincerely,
/RA/
Catherine Haney, Director Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-440 License Nos. NPF-58 cc: See next page
ML071510594 OFFICE DSS/SBPB DSS/SBPB/BC DSS/D DPR/PGCB DIRS/D NAME SJones JSegala JWermiel JGolla ECollins DATE 06/05/07 06/05/2007 06/05/2007 06/05/2007 06/08/2007 OFFICE LPL3-2/LA LPL3-2/PM LPL3-2/BC DORL/D NAME EWhitt TWengert RGibbs CHaney DATE 6/12/2007 6/12/2007 6/12/2007 6/15/2007
Perry Nuclear Power Plant, Unit No. 1 cc:
David W. Jenkins, Attorney FirstEnergy Corporation Mail Stop A-GO-15 76 South Main Street Akron, OH 44308 Resident Inspector's Office U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission P.O. Box 331 Perry, OH 44081-0331 Regional Administrator, Region III U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 2443 Warrenville Road, Suite 210 Lisle, IL 60532-4531 Sue Hiatt OCRE Interim Representative 8275 Munson Mentor, OH 44060 Manager, Site Regulatory Compliance FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company Perry Nuclear Power Plant Mail Stop A-PY-A200 P.O. Box 97, 10 Center Road Perry, OH 44081-0097 Mayor, Village of North Perry North Perry Village Hall 4449 Lockwood Road North Perry Village, OH 44081 Donna Owens, Director Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Industrial Compliance Bureau of Operations & Maintenance 6606 Tussing Road P.O. Box 4009 Reynoldsburg, OH 43068-9009 Carol OClaire, Chief, Radiological Branch Ohio Emergency Management Agency 2855 West Dublin Granville Road Columbus, OH 43235-7150 Mayor, Village of Perry P.O. Box 100 Perry, OH 44081-0100 Dennis Clum Radiological Assistance Section Supervisor Bureau of Radiation Protection Ohio Department of Health P.O. Box 118 Columbus, OH 43266-0118 Zack A. Clayton DERR Ohio Environmental Protection Agency ATTN: Mr. Zack A. Clayton P.O. Box 1049 Columbus, OH 43266-0149 Chairman Perry Township Board of Trustees 3750 Center Road, Box 65 Perry, OH 44081 Daniel Z. Fisher Transportation Department Public Utilities Commission 180 East Broad Street Columbus, OH 43215-3793 James H. Lash Senior Vice President of Operations and Chief Operating Officer FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company Mail Stop A-GO-14 76 South Main Street Akron, OH 44308 Director, Fleet Regulatory Affairs FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company Mail Stop A-GO-2 76 South Main Street Akron, OH 44308 Joseph J. Hagan President and Chief Nuclear Officer FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company Mail Stop A-GO-14 76 South Main Street Akron, OH 44308
Perry Nuclear Power Plant, Unit No. 1 cc:
Danny L. Pace Senior Vice President, Fleet Engineering FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company Mail Stop A-GO-14 76 South Main Street Akron, OH 44308 Jeannie M. Rinckel Vice President, Fleet Oversight FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company Mail Stop A-GO-14 76 South Main Street Akron, OH 44308 Manager, Fleet Licensing FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company Mail Stop A-GO-2 76 South Main Street Akron, OH 44308 Richard Anderson Vice President, Nuclear Support FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company Mail Stop A-GO-14 76 South Main Street Akron, OH 44308