ML080290202
| ML080290202 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Byron  |
| Issue date: | 02/04/2004 |
| From: | Exelon Generation Co |
| To: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| References | |
| FOIA/PA-2008-0046 | |
| Download: ML080290202 (2) | |
Text
Byron Bulletin Wednesday, February 4, 2004 Feedwater Tracer Test Planned with Safety as Top Priority Feedwater Tracer Testing is scheduled to be performed on both Unit 1 and Unit 2 on Friday, February 6, to assist in validating the new AMAG flow meters installed on the Main Feedwater Header in each plant. This document provides some background on the AMAG system and specific information about Friday's test and the actions the site has taken to ensure that all safety aspects and radiological concerns have been properly addressed.
Why is an accurate measurement of Feedwater Mass Flow important to Byron Station? ~
Measurement of Main*Feedwater Flow:is critical to plant power operation.'a Unitiheat rate depends directly on the Feedwater imass flow rate to the Steam Generators.
PWRs were designed to measure Feedwater mass flow~ rate with venturi flow meters.
The flow coefficient of veifulr flow meters can alter with time.:s result, periodca rclibrations 'are advisable in order to operate h ln tiseooi optimum, Both Byron and Braidwood have iused an AMAG flow meter to calibrate their venturi flow meters in the past. :.
~Why should a Fee'dwater Trace Test be performed?~~Q OrigiialiyAM flow* meters wereinstalled on the Hidividual*Feedwater linesto eichli Stem G'enerator. To valiate the originalAMAG instruments, AMAG instuments were-installed on the commiion upstream header in each unit. Ivesttgation into an overpower root cause conchlude that signal contamnination at the original location of the AMAG instrumenta 'a sourceof errors.
SA oomparison ccg%%ýitei flow ilnd(icatlon from the ventun flo1 meters to AMAG*
header flow reveals thait AMAG readings- are low, by 0.8 to 1.4%.ý Signal checks oni thec header installatlon concluded noise that could affect the AMAG common header accuracy does not exist.~
oetter bo understanid Feedwater flow and to asist validation of AMAG flow indication a hi*gf precision tracer test is to h1e+performed Atracer tesictan measureimass flowý withi accujracy betweenl 0.1% and0 %
AD Also OP go 4%
ýIF I
How does the Feedwater Tracer Test impact Byron Station? ,
Many itests and evoluti*ns occur weekly at a power plant, but few can affect a plant as much as a handling Snjecting a radioactive tracer. This test is not tectimcial difficult, but it does require coordination!
,amoiin,(teal oisite departmniits. AARA is the principalconcern for the conduct of this test.
Theitracer is highly radioactive with dose rates tata can exceed 30 r/ r.Great care will be takeni during the handling of this material *The exposur* to handlers will be kept to a minimum by followingg . th&'
principas of ALARA: minimize time, incre's distance and increase shielding., In additioin the sodiumi24!<"
will be quickly diluted at the injection equipment and further diluted upon entering main Feedwater flow path. After entering and dilutinmgwith Feedwater flow(ltie high radiation hazard no longer exists. After the solutito* enters the Steam Generatorsn lonly the small W1amoun t, which is camried over in the moisture droplets, w'I11be!seen in the Turbine Building 1 For additional details contact:
Nick Holhut Test Director Ext. 2296 Mark Roberts Radiation Protection Ext. 3036 Norma Gordon Chemistry Ext. 2356 Jeff Bottomley Work Week Mgr.
Ext. 4444 Kelly Ferneau Operations Ext. 2204 Brian Ledger Project Coordinator Ext. 2379