ML072400307

Request for Additional Information Regarding Lead Test Assemblies TAC MD5699)

ML072400307
Person / Time
Site:	Summer
Issue date:	09/05/2007
From:	Martin R NRC/NRR/ADRO/DORL/LPLII-1
To:	Archie J South Carolina Electric & Gas Co
Martin R, NRR/DORL, 415-1493
References
TAC MD5699
Download: ML072400307 (3)

Text

September 5, 2007 Mr. Jeffrey Archie Vice President, Nuclear Operations South Carolina Electric & Gas Company Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Station Post Office Box 88 Jenkinsville, South Carolina 29065

SUBJECT:

VIRGIL C. SUMMER NUCLEAR STATION REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING LEAD TEST ASSEMBLIES (TAC NO. MD5699)

Dear Mr. Archie:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff is reviewing the request for an exemption for the Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Station dated May 31, 2007, concerning lead test assemblies (LTAs) and finds that we need additional information as follows.

In your letter dated May 31, 2007, you refer to the VANTAGE+ topical report, concluding that the fuel handling accident (FHA) thyroid doses are not adversely affected by extended burnup.

However, the amount of fission gas release (from the fuel pellet) is sensitive to burnup and power history. As such, the fission product gap inventory may be affected by the higher burnup and the power history of the LTA. Due to limited fission gas release measurements on high burnup fuel and the lack of an approved fuel performance model up to 75 gigawatt days per metric ton uranium, it is difficult to validate the fission product gap inventory assumed in the FHA dose assessment. To compensate for this uncertainty in gap inventory, please identify any conservatisms within the existing dose calculation. For example, provide the LTA's peak rod and assembly average power peaking factors during Cycle 18, as compared to the assumed values used in the FHA dose calculation.

This request for additional information was discussed with your staff on August 22, 2007.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

/RA/

Robert E. Martin, Senior Project Manager Plant Licensing Branch II-1 Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-395 cc: See next page

ML072400307 NRR-088 OFFICE NRR/LPL2-1/PM NRR/LPL2-1/LA NRR/SNPB/BC NRR/LPL2-1/BC NAME RMartin:nc CSola TMendiola EMarinos DATE 08/31/07 08/30/07 09/4/07 09/5/07 Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Station cc:

Mr. Jeffrey B. Archie Ms. Kathryn M. Sutton Vice President, Nuclear Operations Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP South Carolina Electric & Gas Company 111 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.

Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Station Washington, DC 20004 Post Office Box 88 Jenkinsville, SC 29065 Mr. R. J. White Nuclear Coordinator S.C. Public Service Authority c/o Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Station Post Office Box 88, Mail Code 802 Jenkinsville, SC 29065 Resident Inspector/Summer NPS c/o U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 576 Stairway Road Jenkinsville, SC 29065 Chairman, Fairfield County Council Drawer 60 Winnsboro, SC 29180 Mr. Henry Porter, Assistant Director Division of Waste Management Bureau of Land & Waste Management Dept. of Health & Environmental Control 2600 Bull Street Columbia, SC 29201 Mr. Thomas D. Gatlin, General Manager Nuclear Plant Operations South Carolina Electric & Gas Company Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Station Post Office Box 88, Mail Code 300 Jenkinsville, SC 29065 Mr. Robert G. Sweet, Manager Nuclear Licensing South Carolina Electric & Gas Company Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Station Post Office Box 88, Mail Code 830 Jenkinsville, SC 29065