ML080530256

Unit 1 - Technical Specifications (TS) Change TS-431 - Extended Power Uprate (EPU) - Fuels Methods Commitments

ML080530256
Person / Time
Site:	Browns Ferry
Issue date:	02/21/2008
From:	Langley D Tennessee Valley Authority
To:	Document Control Desk, Office of New Reactors
References
TAC MD5262, TVA-BFN-TS-431
Download: ML080530256 (5)

Text

February 21, 2008 TVA-BFN-TS-431 10 CFR 50.90 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ATTN: Document Control Desk Mail Stop OWFN, P1-35 Washington, D. C. 20555-0001 Gentlemen:

In the Matter of

)

Docket Nos. 50-259 Tennessee Valley Authority )

BROWNS FERRY NUCLEAR PLANT (BFN) - UNIT 1 - TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS (TS) CHANGE TS-431 - EXTENDED POWER UPRATE (EPU) - FUELS METHODS COMMITMENTS (TAC NO. MD5262)

By letter dated June 28, 2004 (ADAMS Accession No. ML041840109) TVA submitted a license amendment application to the NRC for the EPU operation of BFN Unit 1. In support of the Unit 1 EPU license application, TVA has agreed to maintain selected General Electric (GE) fuels methods limitations and conditions. The three particular GE fuel methods limitations/conditions are listed below and will be maintained for Unit 1 EPU applications based on GE methods.

1. For GE-based fuels methods applications, the Unit 1 core R-factor calculation at a bundle level will be consistent with the lattice axial void conditions expected for the hot channel operating state.

2. Before applying 10 weight percent gadolinium to Unit 1 GE EPU licensing applications, the GE Thermal-Mechanical (T-M) Licensing Topical Report demonstrating that the T-M acceptance criteria specified in GESTAR II and Amendment 22 to GESTAR II can be met for steady-state and transient conditions must be NRC-approved.

Specifically, the T-M application must demonstrate that

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Page 2 February 21, 2008 the T-M acceptance criteria can be met for thermal overpower and mechanical overpower conditions that bounds the response of plants operating at EPU at the most limiting state points, considering the operating flexibilities (e.g., equipment out-of-service.)

3. For GE-based Unit 1 EPU fuels methods applications, the calibration errors due to bypass voiding will be accounted for when determining the Oscillation Power Range Monitor setpoints for the detect and suppress long term methodology.

TVA has determined that the additional information provided by this letter does not affect the no significant hazards considerations associated with the proposed TS changes. The proposed TS changes still qualify for a categorical exclusion from environmental review pursuant to the provisions of 10 CFR 51.22(c)(9).

There are three regulatory commitments made in this submittal as listed above and as shown in the Enclosure. If you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact me at (256)729-2636.

Sincerely, Original signed by:

D. T. Langley Manager of Licensing and Industry Affairs

Enclosure:

List of Regulatory Commitments

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Page 3 February 21, 2008 Enclosure cc (Enclosure):

State Health Officer Alabama State Department of Public Health RSA Tower - Administration Suite 1552 P.O. Box 303017 Montgomery, Alabama 36130-3017 NRC Senior Resident Inspector Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant 10833 Shaw Road Athens, AL 35611-6970 Branch Chief U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region II Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center 61 Forsyth Street, SW, Suite 23T85 Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8931 Eva Brown, Project Manager U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (MS 08G9)

One White Flint, North 11555 Rockville Pike Rockville, Maryland 20852-2739

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Page 4 February 21, 2008 BCM:BAB Enclosure Cc (Enclosure):

G. P. Arent, EQB 1B-WBN W. R. Campbell, Jr. LP 3R-C S. M. Douglas, POB 2C-BFN R. F. Marks, Jr., PAB 1C-BFN D. C. Matherly, BFT 2A-BFN L. E. Nicholson, BR 4X-C B. A. Wetzel, BR 4X-C M. D. Skaggs, NAB 2A-BFN S. A. Vance, WT 6A-K E. J. Vigluicci, ET 11A-K NSRB Support, LP 5M-C EDMS WT CA-K, s:lic/submit/subs/EPU/TS-418 - Extended Power Uprate (EPU) - Unit 1 Fuels Methods Commitments.doc

ENCLOSURE TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY BROWNS FERRY NUCLEAR PLANT (BFN)

UNITS 1 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS (TS) CHANGES TS-431 EXTENDED POWER UPRATE (EPU) - FUELS METHODS COMMITMENTS LIST OF REGULATORY COMMITMENTS The three GE fuel methods limitations/conditions are listed below and will be maintained for Unit 1 EPU applications based on GE methods. These will be applicable when operating above the current licensed power of 3458 megawatts thermal.

1. For GE-based fuels methods applications, the Unit 1 core R-factor calculation at a bundle level will be consistent with the lattice axial void conditions expected for the hot channel operating state.

2. Before applying 10 weight percent gadolinium to Unit 1 GE EPU licensing applications, the GE Thermal-Mechanical (T-M)

Licensing Topical Report demonstrating that the T-M acceptance criteria specified in GESTAR II and Amendment 22 to GESTAR II can be met for steady-state and transient conditions must be NRC-approved. Specifically, the T-M application must demonstrate that the T-M acceptance criteria can be met for thermal overpower and mechanical overpower conditions that bounds the response of plants operating at EPU at the most limiting state points, considering the operating flexibilities (e.g., equipment out-of-service.)

3. For GE-based Unit 1 EPU fuels methods applications, the calibration errors due to bypass voiding will be accounted for when determining the Oscillation Power Range Monitor setpoints for the detect and suppress long term methodology.