ML082350935

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Generic Ltr 99-02 to All Holders of OLs for Nuclear Power Reactors,Except Those Who Have Permanenetly Ceased Operations & Certified That Fuel Permanently Removed from Rv Re Laboratory Testing of nuclear-grade Activated Charcoal
ML082350935
Person / Time
Site: Beaver Valley, Millstone, Hatch, Monticello, Calvert Cliffs, Dresden, Davis Besse, Peach Bottom, Browns Ferry, Salem, Oconee, Mcguire, Nine Mile Point, Palisades, Palo Verde, Perry, Indian Point, Fermi, Kewaunee, Catawba, Harris, Wolf Creek, Saint Lucie, Point Beach, Oyster Creek, Watts Bar, Hope Creek, Grand Gulf, Cooper, Sequoyah, Byron, Pilgrim, Arkansas Nuclear, Three Mile Island, Braidwood, Susquehanna, Summer, Prairie Island, Columbia, Seabrook, Brunswick, Surry, Limerick, North Anna, Turkey Point, River Bend, Vermont Yankee, Crystal River, Haddam Neck, Ginna, Diablo Canyon, Callaway, Vogtle, Waterford, Duane Arnold, Farley, Robinson, Clinton, South Texas, San Onofre, Cook, Comanche Peak, Yankee Rowe, Maine Yankee, Quad Cities, Humboldt Bay, La Crosse, Big Rock Point, Rancho Seco, Zion, Midland, Bellefonte, Fort Calhoun, FitzPatrick, McGuire, LaSalle, Fort Saint Vrain, Washington Public Power Supply System, Shoreham, Satsop, Trojan, Atlantic Nuclear Power Plant, Clinch River  Entergy icon.png
Issue date: 06/03/1999
From: Matthews D
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:
Alabama Power Co, Arizona Public Service Co, Arkansas Power & Light Co, Baltimore Gas & Electric Co (BGE), Boston Edison Co, Carolina Power & Light Co, Cleveland Electric Illuminating Co, Commonwealth Edison Co, Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Co, Consolidated Edison Co of New York, Consumers Energy Co, (Formerly Consumers Power Co), Dairyland Power Cooperative, Detroit Edison, Co, Duke Power Co, Duquesne Light Co, Florida Power & Light Co, Florida Power Corp, General Public Utilities Corp, Georgia Power Co, Gulf States Utilities, Co, Houston Lighting & Power Co, IES Utilities, (Formerly Iowa Electric Light & Power Co), Illinois Power Co, Indiana Michigan Power Co, (Formerly Indiana & Michigan Power Co), Long Island Lighting Co, Louisiana Power & Light Co, Maine Yankee Atomic Power Co, Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD), Niagara Mohawk Power Corp, Northeast Nuclear Energy Co (NNECO), Northern States Power Co, Offshore Power Systems (Subs of Westinghouse Electric), OMAHA PUBLIC POWER DISTRICT, Pacific Gas & Electric Co, Peco Energy Co, (Formerly Philadelphia Electric), Pennsylvania Power & Light Co, Portland General Electric Co, Power Authority of the State of New York, Project Management Corp, Public Service Co of Colorado, Public Service Co of New Hampshire, Public Service Electric & Gas Co, of New Jersey, Rochester Gas & Electric Corp, Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), South Carolina Electric & Gas Co, Southern California Edison Co, System Energy Resources, TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY, Texas Utilities Electric Co, Toledo Edison Co, Union Electric Co, Vermont Yankee, Virginia Electric & Power Co (VEPCO), WASHINGTON PUBLIC POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM, Wisconsin Electric Power Co, Wisconsin Public Service Corp, Wolf Creek, Yankee Atomic Electric Co
References
GL-99-02, GL-99-2, NUDOCS 9906030055
Download: ML082350935 (21)


Text

0MB Control No.: 3150-0011 UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION WASHINGTON. D.C. 205554)001 June 3,199 NRC GENERIC LETTER 9-02: LABORATORY TESTING OF NUCLEAR- GRADE ACTIVATED CHARCOAL AN holdrm of operang licenses for nuclear powr mracar, excepthoe who hae permnwwny coed operatione end hve oertilfledtht fuel has been permnentiy moved from the reactor veessel Pumoee The U.S. Nudcler Regulatory Commission (NRC) is suing th generic letter to:

(1) Alert cddresseese tht the NRC hase detennined tht testing nurder-rd etited chrcoal to stndards other then American Society for Tsting end MLterias (ASTM) D3803-1969, Standard Tet Method for Nucewa Grade Acivated Cwrbon, doe not provide murnce for oomolying wih the cumnt lkensing be a renkle to the doee lmknl of Germal Deign Criterion (GOC) 19 of Appendix A to Prt 50 of TWe 10 ofte Code of FEagf RBuagjone (10 CFR) and SWpa A of 10 CFR Part 100.

(2) Request th al addressees determine whether ther technil peidfcation (TS) reference ASTM 03803-IM for charcel filter lebortory teting. Addreesee whose TS do not reference ASTM D303-I19s hould either mnd their TS to referenoe ASTM 03803-106 or propose en alternativetet protocol and provide the information discussed inthe requested atons.

(3) Alert addressee of the staffs inlent to exercide enforoement discretion under oertain conritns.

(4) Request tht aN addressees send the NRC witten repones to th generic ler, relting to imnplemanttkion of the reouested aotons.

Iffikam"d dSeptyeleed Airs-oening unit used in the engineered safety feature (ESF) vention ytem of nue pow plnt reduce the poone oneltoeand offetb coneeoq s of

(<^ ) Ppo AkWu 0500o0oooJ qO(02

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GL 902 June 3.1990 Page 2 ofll nrdiological ocddent by adorbng ranlood. To ensur that hcharoal filter ud inthese systmwe ppwsfonn, ina mnne t is onsitn with te lnsing-ba ofa facility, mos lonss hamrequimn-ts in their falty TS to ptodiclly tt (ina lborntory) samples of charcol taon from the air-cling units.

The NRC's and the nudwer ixkdstr underitanding of the pprophrt laboaoy tt for nucldr-grad charcoal have evolved o the yer osin the Isounm of Regulory Guide 1.52, DigTe, and I.inance s(R) CrItYia for Poetacidt Enginrnd 8 y- tre Atmohwo Canup 8ytwem Air Filrtki and Adsorpton Units of Ulg-Wa Cooed Nucdwear Pow Plant, whiNch Is refenod in mny plantTS. t w Winitally assumed that hNgh4ampwarerhhrlvhumdty (RH) oondition wwe the mos sr . r, wit mor Wtlsg experimce, itbem c that the most conseivtw tst isat low temperatuNlh humidity. The us ofOuatd tt protocoe or inappropriate tt condibton can lad to an ovrestimation of the charoas ability to adsrb radioodine following an Problm associated with the pefomance of the tboratory te of chcol under inappropri test conditos wm discussed inAttachment I of Informaon Noti (I) 66.7, Problais Noted in Conrol Room Emrgeancy Vntilaon Systm. Attachmnt 1, umry of Control Room Habitablty Raviws, noted that charcoal wae being tsated at much higher temp-ralur1 than any xpted during the coUiw of an acidt and that h prformanc of the laboratory te at that temperaur can result in erronously high fficdency measrments.

In 1962, th Amrican Sodety of Mchanical Erginaam (ASE) Corrms on NWdar Air and Gas Treatment (CONAiT) conducted an Inter-laboraory comparison test using ASTM 303-1979 and found that savan U.S. labortoriea and eight forign lborar obtind aly difent results when testng SampSS of the sameharoal. MAter fr to rasolv thedfrwnc fald, th NRC corated wth EOG t idho RNatiEngnsin Laboratory (NEL) to asses the problm. At a result of Vthil asssmeint the NRC isued IN 7-32. 0Dsifcens in the Testin of NucearGrAde A*a Chrol.- a Through IN87-32, th NRC informed Bonas of ddendann i theting of nucarrad arcoi, p clly noing iour problem wllh the apabiltlie ofth teaing ao -nd with the te1 saendard(ASTM 0303.1979). TheNRC orCto deatiledhe specif prblms in o WOW ealuJaj ropor, EGG-CS-763, FTlnal Tchncal Evluartio Rpo r e NRCAINEL Acived Carbon Testing Proram.' Spdcally, EGO rportedisthat ATM 03S03-1iP'9 hadunaceptbl teeparamstertoterancaand intrumentcarln^

requirmet, and Owt A8TM 3D03-199 wee nonoon rva innot rqurg humidity pr,.

quIWmng -of used charol. The iormnation Inobce indiedled that thipotoco dvlo by E0<< could be Mood for prforming th labortory tet ur ft 0-2 comomtt ruponib for ASTM 0303 rvisd the tandard. Thecomm nitee omplted Itha rvisi ad iue i in Dossmber ISI. ThM probles assocad with he, NeW iglalborat wererea-d al-ar the numbr of U.8.Anie perfrming uch ats dropped ftom asvn to the ourrent .

OnApril 2.1903, rprsentatvw from ASME and CONAt T met with t NRC stal to epre (hair oonornm abo oratory teongof charcoal. CONAGT discussd a variaon n

GL 99-02 Junew 3, 1999 Page 3 of 11 IrorMory et rmult obtained (mrthyl iodid pWnrhtion) when tempWrature, RH, fce vodty, bd depth, tt protocol, mWirrmgnetO wr vWed. CONAGT tbid Oth the 1989 verion of ASTM 003 is eonly aoptbeo te mehod for TS ppicrioms and cm id We lst oflribortory tes pwrformd uiring the 196 version of ASTM D3803 (which is e 1979 vrsonwih ditorimlchnigme) to rJbult uing the 1969 version. The result from le 196 protocol shomed signicnwly higher i6*m vm cpabilites thow +w reult from the 1969 verion.

I addor., CONAGT inrkated thtetichecoel at nempeatuw g r thn 30 C I F aImotalwy reults inthe chaoal meeting the TS cceptncecrieri, even wt e chacol isdeficdnt To support thi premie, CONAGT preied te reult of lbortory test conducted rt temprtu os f3o C 166 F, 60 *C(176 *F], end 130 *C M6 F1. the data show signrfcet knees iniodineemval cpeMltes the tst mpratu r inreas.

CONAGT indicated tht Nsystem oced outke of continment shod be trted at 30 *C(6 'Fj, which is monre rpemwenttive of he imting cident conditons. TeO conducted at 60 C [176 OF) or 130 OC [266 F) we inapproprato becuM tt t thes temperturw reult in thereenerton of the charcorl. As the teperture of thechcol i inceaed, thee i an incree in the rection ra, which reut in the rwcoal beinog be to adsob more iodine thn itcoud at wer temperatures. Therefore, testing at the elevated temperatures rel in an oeretimrton of the actual iodine-emoval caeby ofthl chro, nd tti at25 C(77 nFJor30 *C[l66 ngcnrot Ohr nrnmomicre~rWc r -WmWitor cpebMity of the chrco. CONAGT conduded it preetalon by stating tha Wmor problem sociated with ie ortory tet o hwcol e the designation of(the tet protocol nd tw TS tht dsigrnte lie t to be peformd.

On Nomber 6. 1996, the stff vitedthetwo remahn lbortorie t (test ncer-gr ctrtdchacoal, NC8 Cporponn nd NUCON ermnionwl. Inc. Both lboratoies have reohl the poor reproducidblity prob dentid in the EGG report by perfoming o

&a wMh cIbrtd *quipmen t is crptble of maintining th tight tolwrsa oflt es prametenr specified inASTM 0303-1969. TIght tolerce m very inpotw t when tets ae pebrmd a high RH, becae ig vrition in RH rest in unccMptably oe dmierence ii e teted effMaiciency of the chrcoa.

AJIhough one licmnsees ha gsd their TS to referenc the tt tng stndrd (ATMU 8030-19). meny gusem ouWted stntodrds ndlor et condMlor hat Imy m09 n0 tw cabilityoft rcharool intheirESF yrenm. A reult.the ebty othe dhrco ters inthee sysems to pseriorm in mwier oonelistent wh e in ng bib for ie bdlty mny be inquetion.

Theoeneee of lowu pwe (V.C. Summw, Dav-ees, Oeon, wnd Blrr ) dtwmrmind tho te l thy pefomed were not incomplonce wIh tir TB nd submitd emrgncy T om inenm (( Endoeure I for deto). As a reul or the emergency TS dch e. the etf ha prormd n inlwnil urvy of hi T8 of oprdtng plnt to deermine wrsthf oth

Gi:Ao.0 GL<<0m0 June3.. 5O Po 4of ii pInto hm Ote potnRiW for siila compiane proboms. The aurny indrrcld ta it les one*rd aof Foperno IgmelTr knes my be & tof complnCe woIth TS becauee alog i w T 8 sreww rnce G 1.52 orAmarioN F1aw fu,' 8tandtrds hutke (ANSI)

NIMOS-IP, %uclw Pam Plat Air-Cleaig Unit &d Componwnft, ft Ieneess may hew uedler vMaons r tm standards for ft laboraoy tes ofther nue grad charoCl in order 1t ac more accurate ting r m s. On the bib of thl urvey, th tff bhmd tfolowing four groupi of plantso:

(1) Pwf in compance wilh thir TS ht st in rmccorf with ASTM 0D3803-19 (2) plnt in comlc with their T tha test i raordne with a tet ptool ohe th AMU 0303-1989 (3) plat not in compintew wihtSth t ht nt accordance with ASTM D363.-199 (4) plts not inmcmpanc wIth Vthir that tet l id odaner with a te protocol otw han Ucensee inGroup I haw TS that mrque chroal to be tesd in accordn with AMU 03803-199, which adequtely deontrtmb the crbity of Ichacol. As dirCUsed in Enclowsure 1,th sltaff conid AMU m 0303-1989 to be # most acct nd moat reokicpotclfofr tMei cheYoO in ESF ventilation systms because offers reatestm wne of accuratey nd conssently dmning ft caplty of charcol.

Forwemn , requirs em te to be pformdat conr

  • klow temperaturof 30 -C19S -FT t provd for lroleance intemperature, uidty, a4 oair OWand k hwa humidiy prenqullbron.

ULie es 1. Group 2 h TS thw rquir chco to be meted in accordne wth It dan dsothew thn ATM 03603-1969. On te bis ot mitabteo labonatory tmet rult for mrethn 50 hro smples, toereim snifife dierecs ifiler effIcienciesfor about 18 to 20 pwioN of Iem tMeod ampl when compin9 tem wt result from ATM 0303-1979 nd ASTM 03803-199. When l Ow chroaloamples mw testd in WIordneo o hASTM 03803-1979, thy rppmrd to hm high ffclndleos. Homwv,wen mssmeachercool smpl mr nrc oo rdnce wiAliaM 030-19695.lgnlwti adxctninfincy me nod. Depwndng on w systemnarragimn iredu ionfi ft, nacwy an rew in caloie dosess o th o omoperaor main the GOC 19 bft bym mua ch asai or f 1.t 5 lo2. orprw-&-A--.A--ro-M (PWR)wih mondoAy efohnn^ Sfor an owl ngr reaors( ), ft mrectkion int r Slncy cqan resut in dtS de a filteed pdny ere sergn by n much a fctor 1 . sart 1t01e ^ 1e1 "teio udwerV dectvoaed chacolto Amndert oth Own AIIM 03803-1989 do notproieu murao for op)yn rwith e plantirlcig bis as IrtmestbfrdoI dmbtoof0OC 19OdPPat 100. O

~r_____l_

GL 99-02 Jun 3, 1999 Pags ofMi In iddition, the tefI hs dermined thkt ASTM D3803-1969 should be used for both nw and usd chroco beceue IIdow for accurdtely monitoring the degradton of th chrcotl v line. The original ratonal for tetinusd nd new charcoal diffntly w th bif tht a brtg qulbron pWkIod would rmrate the used charcoal by remowving onta innts adsorbed by tol chrcoal during normal pant use. Howmr, an EG&G technical evaluation report dsriberd in Enclosure 1,dmonrtd that th is not trUm. As a reut, ASTM 03803-1909 specifies testin both used nd nw dcharwal in the am mannr.

Cumwrby, efo shppig, suppliers tet most now charcoal witht ASTM 03603-1969 protocol at 30 'C [ *F1 and 95 peront RH inadditin to the tet protocol and tIt coodrio theaddrses recordS on the purchase order. The resul)s from the new charcoal ttd via ASTM 0303-1989 pent a soald baseine for the initial capbity of th charcoal. Using ATU D303-1989 to tert used charcoal is a very accurate and reproducible mthod for dtarminin the capability of the charcoal. By comparing the results of the tests perfomed on used charcoal wth t baseline tet performed on new charcoal, the addresses can be crtain of the charcoars klevel of dgradation.

Anayss of desgonbeais acrcidnt assume a particular ES charcoal fler adorptin Af-day when calculating fits and control room operator dose. Ucensees then tst chrcoal fIlWr smp to dtrmin whe the filter adorbrWffkiciency i gt r tha h assumed in the design-basis accidnt anaiyrsis. The laboratory trt acceptance critria contain a asily factor to nsur thrt the efficiency assrumed in the accidert analyss is rtdl vaid at the d of the operating cycl. Because ASTM 03803-1969 is a more accurate and dmanding le than older trets, addreae that upgrade their TS to this nrw protocol wil be able to we a as* fator as low as 2 for dtrmining fthe acceptrs acritoria for charcoal Iler efficiency (no not inEnclosure 2 for futhr discussion). This sfty factor can b weud for sydtems wih or wlthoul humidity ontro because the lack of humidity control ois already accounted for in t tst conditIon (syrstm without imidty control trt at 95 percnt RH nd systm with humdty control can trt t 70 perent RH). The stat hs previously approved reductin in fta adlty fator r sant adopting the ASTM D3W3-1989 standard on a cae--by-ca babs.

(The start plan to naov s ormin chanoes to RO 1.52.)

The inores that received amrgncy TS chanoges ware inGroups 3and 4. Ucensees in 0Goup 3 d 4 how TS thtWrquir52orl to b ld ins wi 1.2 or ANSI N18091976, and ar not incompianoe with thir TS because t specified ert protoo cannot besauccsfuly oompleted as discsd i Endosur .lThese lirnsess are eitr (I) sg inaordance witht dsred A8TM D303-196 (Oroup3)or(2) uing *orir ewlor ASTM 03603 or an older standard, which Vhy beleve are acceptable (Goup 4).

The itrdMos not hve onfidsice Othate reswults from RO 1.52 or ANSI N0U-1976 mret thn irrt offtT, .whc wtherequrdto nsure that th dose are within mts. Therefore, korwas inthioss roupe hav not fadsquMy demontratd oodmpaince with t licnsing baol a treatls to th does knit of OC 19 and Part 10i0.

'e a blieve that (1)oortingo uianoce. (2)compl and ambiguous srtanrds, nd (3)Iana b tif u uathot agr varson oftht ABTM D30 tandard would sati TB

GL 99-02 June 3. 1999 Pgp6 of 11 rquirmnTw , contrW to oonu on grdidng cwcoalttinog. Thes factor may expain whty licns did not dopt ASTM I3803168 (no Enclosure I fO further discussion). In additon, on Se bess of the avarbt abortory m results, the tff bi thatVW most chrool in use isnot degrdd to an wnt i thart would dvwrsl ffrct ontrolrm habl lty or public he and sfty. This conf= e - chco perfomance, the low probabity of a d nbi accIldeIt O Ondie onServabm inh n in Vie designson s dose calculions

.ldudin the cnservalimt in thVe desnmasio sro trm, jutiy the ti m forth reoion orf tirmatter. Therefore, theaff -sds to exerce enforowent discreton.

ontn with Setion VHl.6 of the Enforowemn Polcy, for aadd*resses in Groups 2,3, and 4, provided that

  • A TS amndr-.it request referencing ASTM D3803-1969 or n alter t test protocol is subrnmitted tc,. NRC within 180 days the dat of th itter
  • At the next required laboatory survtlance t of a rcol sampie tht is or more doys after Ve dt of this gnoiec ltter, chwrol smlre tested in accordanc with A8TM 03803-1989 or d of the carcorl is repgod with new cwrod tha ha been Wtod in aocordance with ASTM D3803-1989. In cases, the results should m tdthe cceptn wcftion that isderkvd from appying a softy factor as low as 2 (a the note in EndoMu 2) to the chrco file ffidency assumed in the addr'essee design-bmi dos analysis; and
  • Thechaorosmpoe continMu tobe tert iacxxrdaSceD with A8TM 3803-1N9, iniu othe urrentST-reuired iortoytting,unti theT mn dmet approved by the NRC.

cemses in Group 2 have w been oompying with thr T8 by tting

-th*r chrco in acorda wih their TS. Therefore, nforem t dcretion is not required for pest survel c ten.

Hovewr, the tdOwE eyxrtim notint dlscretn for ltcesee in Group 2 o liin unnwcsy tinto of hrWcol smples to both A8TM D303-19 and the curnt T ting pFooM during thae od ottimehbetwe isuaneof the r ltt nd approval the T amndmnwt.

-- haAlp Acgkm

1. Whn 10 days of te d oflo geericlttr, .ubmta writt epo to NRC deln yu ourW TT8 qWuiren t for thelabortory tIng f chaool mpin for
  • c ESF veti b on syem O m licd d Vespefi P test protocol. tmpwun, RH. charoa bed Ihicknmes, tl riidnce time per bed dpth, nd pnrtion at which h TS requre t ewttobepemfomwd. Ifyour currnt TBspcly requireWabontory tng or chaooa mls in aordonce wih ithe ASTM 036081989 protood t 30 *C W68 F1 nd you he been eing inacordnce wth this Isndrd,.then you only nRed to addrem this requestod scon (I.. no T8 mendmen or addlonl tting i orequird).

__*__i_

GL9902 Jurw3. 1999 Pae 7 of 11

2. If you choome to adopt th ASTM D38038199 protocil. submt a TS amedmet requst to rquirle ting to th protocol within 6O ds of t date of thi gwrictlW. The request hould conta the t tmperatur, RH, nd pewtra on at whic the oposed T8 wrl rquir MttW tob perfomimd and the b for tse vlume. Ift syatem has fac vlodty grdw thn 10 pecent of 0.203 nVs 140 WmnJ. ine. n the rvid TS hould speiytw facevrloly. Also, inditeIwhn the nu alboratoy lst is schduled to be pwfomed. (Encdosrm 2 i tsamtpe hrt tht NRC corides accptable.)
3. If you e propos an alternaetst protocol, mddrs the atrbA dicusd below d submiT TS ma dm t nrpuu toreui tstingtothi alermt potocol wit 180 dyoof te of th gmneric tter. The request should cont Oin the tt temprture, RH, and peetrstoi al wh the propoed TS wil roequire the tt to be pwrformd nd t basis for thm vrues. If th systm ha a fe vlocdty grater an 10 prmnt of 0.203 me 140 ftmn], thm the revised T should specify th fce vodty.

Also, idicat when th ne laboratory let is chduled to be perfomed.

Thefolownr iforomtn hould be ubmitMed for staff review to dtrmi t acceptbity of the trtor protocol:

1. summwary of thetret mnthod
2. precision of thenmwthod
3. demcrition of the ttapparatus aong with tolerm
4. paramtr peIfications
5. mater rquirements
6. hzarmd
7. preparation of the apparatus bore intition of the toet
8. caldbration nquliremnt fthe st equpm t
9. tot procedure
10. muarw of rcatngpimtrao nW andror
11. Ppapmbllty nd rpprodudcibity oflh results for I pwort and 10 per PVnaitreo and tpens>don=1 at percnt M 1corifdenoc intrval for chrooal Ited a:70 porc t Pe nd g9 g prcox RH

GL 9902 Jukn 3, 199 Pagea of 11

12. bi associated with t mthod
13. reult from at leat two boratories which damontrate that the alternate proooolachiev aresuto that me oonitent with, or more conaervao thn, nreultb aocted wih ASTM D3803-IM.

The domonsation IdentWf in hIm 13 abovN should be beMed upon a win of sts compwring the altlern tet protocol and ASTM D3803-1989, nd should ply to both nmW useand dcharrlw rdt7% penr RHwnd 95percent RH Ifan addrse chooM to tt its charo soorwnmplesat acua acidni conditons which arediOrnt fro th tt coondiion poti d inASTMD3803-199 thn that twt should ba trated a an amea protocol. At lat two laboratories should be used in dtrmning theacceptablty of the alernmate protocol. One laboratory should b used to developth alrato protocol and the other to dmontratnb the rpeabity and rprodudblity of thealnato protocol. The two laboratoriaes houd be ab to derontate tht the alternato protocol is at lart as conservatie ASTM D3803-.198, and hould be abe to perorm the ASTM 03803-1989 teast nd achieve repeatabl and reproducbale results

4. At the nxtrquird laboratory survellanc test orf a charcoal samp that is 80 or more dyp alter the date of this generic letter, test your oarl ample in accordanom with ASTM 03860-1989 or nrwea a of th charcoal wth new charcoal th has bn testedin accordance with ASTM 03803-1969. Inal cases, the results should nmet the aceptance clltrlonOWls derived from applyig a safety faltor lw aa aa 2 (aa tha note in Enclosure 2) to the charcoal fter aMdfficiy aumd in your design-bAmis don nli and th charcoal sampes should cortnua to be teted Inacoordance with ASTMU 03803-1989, In Iu of the umrnTS-quW laboatoy terting, unti the TS amndment is approved by the NRC.

5 Addressees who choo not to do the above acdiorn ware reoquested to notify the NRC in writing oftheir dcision, asso ascson israchd but nolatehr an 80day rom the date of this generic lar. Tha 80 day written respons should alo discuss (1)addrese plans to pursue a proposed alternative ourn of adclon (indudig the bais for ateblhing Its aOep)l-ty), (2)the schedule for &rM VW proposal for NRC staff nreview (Iha prrpal should be subnitted to the NRC no er than 180 days from t dat ofthiogTIc A)., i (3)the bo for continued operabltty offfcded sytms nd compont u luch rnthat th proposed alternatnive cours of acon isapproved by ft NRC.

Address the wrten respona otohe U.S. Nuclar Regulatory Cornmilson, ATTN: Domet Conrol DOek. Wahngon, D.C. 205665.0001. in addition, na a copy to the appropriate plonl ad nMbeor.

GL9W2 Jun 3,IM6 P O9 of 11 Jdaanlft Theo -e rto n1swt requet add*ressM s ubm n Wn onft Thew nquSod knkmnion wa MINi fr NRiC m a I Hto d aiPI -rilnon ViWt ussess we ting Il the nulw grad WIesd dwcond ofir*E veson swamyisme acirdance r with a siale Weshg Mnal tidsloanuslOte Flraposod brs u cope of prrming uirrquired y Aindloni and r anuig bii oflhelrespc fwlolle rr ingo nI nd d dos monemquenPea canma be to adlbd.

The NRCnwrmoudly asumd Irt 3 her xter les proc oer f cin tha A8TM 03803-Im8 wod be sAcls, to asure cuis ax nd rprodudcible rmul. it fa, the rt>b blgbry tel st redu Fdsmonae iWiMg Mgotts praocoMolo tha AMU 03803-18O do no provde accuris wnd eproducble te result and may overdm tIe cMbfty of dwhrcol. Thwereor. Irequsisdfmontir neosmry far thNRC lf tor na an acout amessnmrt of chao d fMtr capbty, hi order to assure oo-rplna -wh the plr's oMI I g n besss a nrkMas to As dose bmt of GOC 19 nd Pot 100. hidudlng oommitme to t relecon of T Acdion Plan Item III.D.3.4.

Appendk A to 10 CFR Put 50. Ger Deoin CrWir (GOC) for Nudwr Pow Pitst and SpluM ly anrymwes rquir anlmoomm l rtroh i se dein nd tes Ity&rebad esi, sys9ntm, and omponwi tooor asuran th thec rorm Oaqkus r

etoy inrm. 8pseay, GOC lOf1 ofAedx A to 10 CFR Put 50 specls doe mtb to gnsre hit co rof room opelrrs we proidd with adiquie- rad n prox n under OsadsM omedn. Poisin th WccidM t Three Mweo ind (TC). TIU Acton Pln Nm U.D.S4,'Conalr Room HWitay NRquirenis' amp s hi NUREG37, ClIarleion of TU Aclwo Pla Raquiremi requiresi al k ses to perfobrm evlans ndo propPId mo lnsot T ensur Mst cant roam opMnn ror reiqudely proated from f rel of lemrs gases n OWst Ow nu11ls por pl can be udWy opird or )dii dmn undr ddgncbaed rmcMhndtloa (OC I ). MHn modlcadlow M proposed by lnmses., fhe NRC issued odre caniwhg lniase ommi nsns. As resM i loneswe rquired tomthe doe mbo r OC 19. In wadilan, 8upt Aof 10 CR Part 100 pMwas ofirmea dos vsm OWIt cn be used inoeulbng w ul etUiy ofproposad d ie for Meer pow plat rasped ltop drd i re or altccse coul rssuihri Mu rlasseof inhl quAl w of reloa Uss. -proxW. Thersa tain is MT sJt bloella nd ngkeslrd sley Md i ireidusd mweguwd agrsin the howdous comnqumOs ofan Ochint. Ihoud ar>> Ocur.encur a tow rik of puit sre hi tis Idds leensma conimma to does nb sa= be used Owtbaseoi

  • llllW u perormance of atyarlrrd . udurs, sydeme, and corrngns Ausrqly, t eruse os m inud oompioan ith fadi'llsndng bs, e they msto the dose mt of GDC 10 mdaPart 100, a void eMpraool is MMeMssry.

II GL 90 Junw3, 1999 Poe 10 of 11 Th bcton requested in i generic ltr we oonedrd oompiN bddft under th proisions of 10OC 50OISX41)(). The complmno exr pion addree,. intera is ltution whiesOne k s hs fa o me w nand etablish Commission stndrds ause of IIna I I of fe Ss 50 FR 36103 (Soptmber 20.1965). The NRC rronmously anumed Sriinlgchiroos sr ltIproools *o thanASyTM 303-199O would be s to asuburoM and remproducibleto rwes . Inft avaiabe isboriory ltd reuits d1ma01o at und i 1gIt prFoool d tr V=n ASTM 03803199 do not provide ore an rroduble st rd sband may overeetiis Vocapablilty of Me charoc. Thereore, i proposd bedR h ich Iwould apply only to used choo lars, isneossaryfor cars ssn rioftlh chacor flcs oabty, inorder o aure complincewith plas teing bs Itrltss to th dos limits of GODC 19 nd Part 100. including oomm tt o OwnreM on of T MIten Plan Itom 111.0.3.4. The NRC stef has adopted a new sWtaf position by endorsing eASTM 1 03 8 03-1969 tlading tandad for rerencdinn a T because ASTM 0303-199 is the only vaiable ttinog standard h staff is rww of tht provids ccuroe and reproducible t results. In accordane wiNh twhe provisions of 10 CFR 50.100(aK4(X), rgardng complincbcfit, ful badit anlysis w nt psrfomntd. However, an evludlon w prfommd in oordMnce wth NRC proosdures JiMng a M sriof tfe obeie, Ve maons for t requsted actions, and e basis for wodngoVe compian exoption, ard is rl d in thteb lt discussion.

A notice of opportniy for public commwt wa spublsthed n th Fet w/Resgtr on February 25, 199. Comms wer roeceived from 18 icMnses, 2 industry orgnIWAions.

2 charcoal s0 l oretoin , and I individual. The 9SM a tonadssd al ommert OW war mresvd!, Indn- cammn received as s a May 26,IM. Copi of e staff evWiution of thse oommairwe available in ti Public Documere Room.

PýMK Ngluction Actp k Ths generic istlr ootan- information collections Wt we sub to th Paperwork Reduction Ast of 0 5 (22 U.S.C. 3601 t seq.). Thes inonrmtn collections w approved by th e Manage sof n rwt land Budget OM

( B), pproval number 31500011, ough Augut 31,2000.

Th pub reporting bwden-forthcls claI of infrdoin isestimted to average 250 hours0.00289 days <br />0.0694 hours <br />4.133598e-4 weeks <br />9.5125e-5 months <br /> Pe sponse, induding Vie Vine for rel~ilr<<n 1dstkig inucto, seang da sou ,

nerbd swi sntalning Viedeta needed erw compleng ard mrelrwlng One colsolon of olmdon. The U.S Nulear skglory Commision iesm ptel 1DBB0ing kst of Ve sotion of k issuer Is l public comnwot on tOw dlon orln d inVisgenericletter and on Vi (1) i the pposd o lteonof ormlon ncessry for Ie pop performance of t ncon of e NRC, Includxing cndsao of wheder VMe irmation wi hw prah I-YI?

GL99-02 Junae3, 1999 P004111 of11 (2) Ism esltome arMrtnCcu^?

bm (3) w Is ean to sthmtnh e he qualy, uiay, and.cly of No korlhmianto be colsctii?

(4) HowcanMie burden of ietoolMosn oflftiomion b mlnnid, iclding cidrMon of t userd aiomidcoleFlon lchniqueM?

sid oommnwib on any spec ot toolctn o informton, indindhg suggestins re&%A Vl bmWds, to the hkmidlon and Records Mwvamnt &and T4 F33, U.S.

1 RepIabory dw  ! Coml ulon,i Washigton, D.C. 205640001, aid to the Desk Offlor, Ole of Ink*rmdln and Rsguiy Affa, NEO-10202 (3150-0011), Ofceof an ageamet and , Wadg Wahingon, D.C. 20603.

The NRC nmay not oonduct or ponsor, and a pron is not nreuid to respond to, a collection of inomtaion unless itdisplays a currnly valid 0MB oonbol number.

Io he any questons doutthis miter. plma ontact teochnia rect lisd below or t appria OfficO of Nudato R acVgultion (NRR) proNct man r.

OMid B. Memm-.Dw, OMlvon of ftegulAy Improemnet Programrns OfQi of Nuclear RM.tor ftRoguation Technical contc.. John P. feoale. NRR 301415-18W VInlte irne fnrgov Lad pojmanaOge Bnmda L Maotefri, NRR 301-415-2020 Intnt binmnrc.gov Aitechmnts (1) Bdeground Inhomdton on Ie Laboraory Tstin or Nudaer edoAdvlstd Chweol (2) Saie Thnadml Ape8dklaom (3)LUd*ofPtsnIy lMued NRC Omric LUale

Attachnment 1 GL 99-02 June 3, 1999 poge1 of BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE LABORATORY TESTING OF NUCLEAR4RADE ACTIVATED CHARCOAL Anyse of design-blswaccidents assume a prtlar gined sefty eures (ESF) chwoorIfIlw adorp(tion ffimcy when calcuairng oftle and c* room operato doses.

Uown then tet charoa l fller nmpe to drmine whther the filer adsrb fficiency grmtw thmn th sumed in h deign4bMai cidetanalysi. The hbortoy te accptance rterta contin a saty factor to ensure tht tho fkciency assumed in t accidnt arlysis isstill valid at tRhe nd of the uprwting cyce.

Guidnce on the frequncy f, and thet method for, the laboraory teting of charcoal appearsw, in vwiou dcumwt, including all viwsion of Regultory Guide (RG) 1.52, 'Design, Teeng, and Maintenano Critria for Po*Adoridn Engineered-Safty- ture AAtmophere Clenup System Air Filration and Adsorption Units of Ugh-Wler-Cooled Nuclear Powr Plit, ard othwr NRCdocummnt onplt tinia pecification (TS). Guidonce on the laboratory t protoco appears in such standds Amrwica Natona Stanrds Initute (ANSI) N509. "Nudcr PoIwr Plant Air-Cleaning Units and Component"; ANSI N51i0. Teting of Nucar Ak-Cleaning sytme Mitary Specifcrtion RDT M 1681T, "G Phase Adorbs for Trapping Radioacih lodine and Iodine Componnt"; and Amwerican Society for Teting and Materials (ASTM) StWnd D3603.' "Standard Teat Mehod for Nudwclear-Grade Activaed Crbon."

A of the dandad describe a pre-quIbntion period, a challenge period, and an eluion period. During the preequiatwon (pre-we) period, the chwco is exposed to a flow of air controlled at the s tempwrure and reative humidity (RH) befor the challW gas is fed through the chacoal. The pr>>equNibratln period enures th the cha(oal has stabkled at the Pcified et tempeatued RH for period of time, which results in the chrcoal becoming turd with moture befo is challeg with meeheiodide. During the cI Ipperiod, r at the tt ltemperture and R with radioble Mehy iodide is injed through t chhooal beds to challenge the capabiliy of the cheor. ODuring th etuon (post-swep) period, air at t tes t mpenrture ad RH is pssed through th chcoal bedt to evale the ability of the cahwrcol to hold th methyl iodide ono it is captured.

The ATM 303.1 S9 rstndrd has two addionaltstig periodstt m not required by Wr standards: the steablk on period and dthe eqtraon period. During the sritabi on perod, te charcol bed is broug t to thw nrm equilmbrium t the lt tmnperture bern th sart of preqibrion During the eIbdon period, air a th te tmperature and RH is ped vough the chrcoal beds to enure th chrcal adsob s all ft vlb moisture boe the feed period. During this period, the syWtem is mo y onitorwd thn In the oel pe-Nqulbr1aion period to nur that parameters e mntind within their limits.

Deendong upon the pns TS, typa tet temperares we ualy one of the following:

2C5 f77CC F).30TCP6 I [17e6 O'F).0C F),or 130e C 2PO. In additon. the T8 usuay NquiN that th tat be oonduoted at 70 pcnt RH If the ESF system oontrol teO RH to 70 prow or les, orat 96 perw e thw not osned to 70 peront.

iRHs

I:

Aftehnon 1 0L9 002 June 3, 1999 Psee 2 of 6 Thesiandard tlchni d pel BIlWOOD (8TS) nd many plaspedKfiT8 specfy agdy Podrlon C.6.a of RO .I.Z RMon 2. s the requimri for h Ith bontary !esiIl of ft chwooi. agultaiy P lon C.. rels to Table 2 of RG 1.52. Tabe 2 referewes Tet 5.b of TAbe S1 of ANi N501-1976, %Nuce Pmr Plw Air-Cenlng Une and Componet."

Trte 56.b eren thet m od from pararap h 4.5.3 ofMay pSpecfllabon ROT M 1-1T. '%a Phm Admorbwet for Trpping Rado<<hcd loc'w and lodinc Comporwmnt'(dte not inditeld), bt spedils thu e tes is to be cnductod at 80 *C 176 *F d95 ;F. pwos RH w,h peloslg and rpordodingB mwp 25 'C 77 This rst i refwd tomthe 25.60-25 ts.ts The e6tsio Wemis ofthit tare asf lows:

  • 70pront or 9 prcent RH
  • Show prp equlRtn on (;9remp) time, " air at 265 'C [77 'F) nd pit-pAllc RH
  • 2-houwfchalng , with ga t 0 C [176 F] and plmodpcRH P
  • A 2-hou aUon (post-map)a tm, with air at 25 C [77F) nd plrt-pcific RH The lest acceptb thodoklgy fcr the Lborory ttin of twchwcodl s ASTM Stndrd 03( 'Stndhrd z1089, Test Method for Nuclernradt Activtied Cwbon.

ASTM D3031969Ois updrtred guidane bm on an NRC verification and validrton eort regwdin ASTM 0303-1979, ~NchiB updated gudlanc basd on ROT M 1I-1T. The eeital alomis of th A8TM 03603-1969 test re s folowm:

o 70pecriCor 95prcentRH

  • 2Iu minimum twmnal tabeition, at 30 'C (86 *Fj S16ow pourqulrton (pre-wa p) time, with
  • at 30 'C I86 'N nd pla-pwefi RH
  • 2-houw equbroion time, with ir at 30 'C [86 'r1 nd plant-specific RH S1-how callene, with a 1at 30 *C i[6 IF) and pat-wr-pacl RH

-hour hweLon (past-0wep) time, with air at 30 'C 6 *F) &nd plnt-pecift RH The mn r diference btween the ANSI N50-1976 and ASTM 03803-1969 tandrds for chawol teng e a follows:

MAJOR WPf RNC ASTS 03803-IM ANSI iO1Mt 6 PreqMubr1a (P $SwP o TpIpssume 30 'C INe F] 25 C[77 'F)

_chuIIgoST..psItUhs 30 OC6W F] 60'C[176'F]

Pmea^os ap)TnmpsMm v 30'C[66'F) 25 C [77*F)

ToWl PoTest Maqullbon 16 hours1.851852e-4 days <br />0.00444 hours <br />2.645503e-5 weeks <br />6.088e-6 months <br /> Shous Teleoe dofTet Pamar Smaler Lage As srtrd abov, ASTMU 0033-1969 chlenges w enttr h v chacol nmpl at 30 C6C I FNlfterth(n at60'C(17 OF]. The quantity of wetr retned by chaeol is depeide atmpnperature, nd le wateiNrwd i nsthe npraw rihm. Th wter ntnd by w chercoal ders Iis efficincy in dsoeblno oonamnan. At 30 *CPS 3 md9 N peot RH, chaoornl rtain bou 24to25welogt-prtl wer. At 60 'C (176 O1 and 5 prct RH, crharoat retains only Mbou 19 to 20 wegt-peort wer

Attechmmnmt I GL09902 June 3, 1999 Pao 3 of 6 BOus mot chcol isanticidpratd to be chalonged d a tmnprture closer to 30 C (6 TF rather than 0 *C (178 'P.L the or ernpwurm tat codlon of ASTM D3803-1jb9 wa yll mon rmlistic resul tan would att performed t 80 'C 176 Fj].

A8TM 0303-1969 specife a t empernture of 30 'C 86 *FJ for both the pre- and post-tet wp ratherthan25'C (77F. There isNitlo difter inthe adsorption behavior of dcrcol btwen thOM twomperto bWre. A tmpertur of 25 'C(77 OF) inmoe conms iv; hovwr, the IncrM from 25 'C [77n to 30 C (86 F) doM not rpewnt a lgni vtio in thtest resmults.

ASTM D0303-1909 provide results thrt e reproducible compared to RDT M 16-IT becuemr t mhas maler tolerances on various et pna ters, nd t requires t the charco sample be pe-equilbrat for a much longer period. The longer pre-equbtion time is mor con rhbeca Mt wi comnpleobtly strate the repreentt chcorl ml, which ensures rpodudbility of thwresults by havig every charcoal mpe bgin the tt at the mn irtl conditionsw. Therefore, teting in csordance with ASTM D3803-1 99 wIN resutin a mmnr raitic predikction of th capailt of the charcoal.

Laboratory tt of the charcoal are typicaLy quiWd (1)once everyrfusing outge (2) when crtain vant occur that could adversely aff the ability of the charcoal to parform its 2in!add function, and (3)folowing a dfnd period of ESF rystam operation. The TS require denontraion by borfory tsting that t harcoal i capsbeof performing at a lel gea than that assumed in the NRC staf safty evaluation report r it fail to perfonn at t itevel, the charcoal mut b replaced.

The deitrmination of the appropriate test condritons, tet protoco, and acceptance cr for lwatoy testinOg of nuclear-gorad activatd chercoal is equently not a stratrwrd processo . ft omrtim nrqui a cumpexjourmy through a numbwr ofdocumen toacertin to appropriat tst conditions, tet protocol, nd acceptance crtria \s deabd earlier, if the plant has ST, the 8TS re(arence Regultory Position C.6.a of k 1.52 for the requirmnt for fthe loratory tAtin of charcoal. Regulatory Poiton C..a refrs to Tabl 2 oftheregulatoryfguid. Tal 2 fraences Tet 5.b of Table 5-1 of ANSI N509-1976. Tst 5.b frn Table 5.1 rfno thatrst mnthod from paragraph 4.5.3 of RDT M 16-IT (date not indicaed), but pmclfism that thtlet t to be conducled at 80 'C [176 'F] and 96 perwnt RH h pre-odn and poodortiong map at 25 'C (77 'F]. This trt srfrred to as the 82&-W025 tuts Alo5 contrib Iothe potential confusion wr th various ways inwhich T e writen, and Pilng NRC guidane on teig, partiulry NRC ltr to th nu indusry nd NRC papers presned at nional conferences. This probm aro ftom th voving undarstanding of wa conlMed an appropri ltet. At various tIme, the NRC has ad that the newast version of a stondard can be used and the tt cn be conducted at a mperature of 30 'C (66F). At othertime, thNRC indicad that the TS are rquirmants and thett tats mut be parformd t the 2590-25 cond~iona. Invarious fornm, the NRC has alo Mtad tt a teohnil aroumnt my be mad for using the nwr standard. However, in

Attachment 1 GL 99-02 June 3, 1999 Page 4 of 6 some instances when nwer standards war utilized to demonstrateoonfomne with the TS, the NRC required ienee to submiTS amndm requests because the newer stnards were not referenced in the TS. Therefore, i is under-tandable that icenseos may be confused about laboratory tetng prtocols, tetlng condition, an acceptance crteria. As a result, many licensees re not teting charcol in accordance with their TS, thouh the tests they condud may be more conservative than the tests equird by the TS.

Additionelly, the 25-80-25 tet has difficulties Ihn none of the protocols in aeny version of RDT M 16-IT or ASTM 03803 addresses perfoming the laboratory tes at multiple tmperaturesn required by ANSI N509-1976. if the tst protocol described in paragraph 4.5.3 of RDT M 16-IT (1973) Isfolowed verbatim, a thenrmal step change must be made after the 5-hour pre-equilibration period to increase the temperature from 25 -C [77 F) to 80 -C [176 -F]

for the challenge period. The problem with such thermal step changes is that they result in condensationforming on the charcoal. TP condernation of free water in the sample bed is cause for aborting the test, according to the 1977 version of ROT M 16-1T and subsequent versions of ASTM 03803. Therefore, the 250-25 tet cannot be performed pursuant to any existing tst protocol.

Because paegraph 4.5.3 cannot be followed verbatim, a few licensees have changed the 25-80-25 test to thermally equilibrate the charcoal before introducin the challenge gas.

Following the pre-sweep condnitrnj at 2b C 177 F), the bed temperature is rased to 80 *C [176 *Fj before introdudcing the chaLu&ge gas. Although such teting does not cause condentimon in the tet rig, itis not acceptable because the reults are rnot eaiy reproducible, and even when the test is successfully completed, the results may not be conservative.

Section 2 of ANSI N509-1976 states for the variou documents that supplement ANSI N509 that the issuance of a document in effect at the time of the purchase order shall apply unless otherwie specified. In the case of charcoal, the purchase order date could be considered the date tat the charcoal is procured. Therefore, TS that have the STS wording may a&ow the NiOnse the flexibility to use a more recent laboratory protocol than the 1973 versIon of ROT U 16-IT, dpending on the procurement date for the charco, without a TS change.

However. alhough the flexibility of protocol selection exists, the requirement to perform a 2540-25 test for those plate that have TS that reference either Revision I or Revision 2 of RG 1.52, Table 5-1 of ANSI N509-1976, or ANSI N510-1975 can only be relieved by license amandment.

C~r~oc~krr or Plants Since February 1996, the rtaff has Issued three emergency TS changes to lces that had determined that the tet they performed were not in compliance with their TS becaue the required tting standards and test protoools did not support a tet in which the tetmperature is changed as required by the TS. If the temperature in the test apparatus i changed from 25 *C [77 F) to 80 *C [176 F] during the tet without modifying the tet prontocol, water condenewws on the charcoal, thereby causng the tet to be aborted (to fail). The emergency TS change wer issued for the V.C. Summer, Davis-eese, and Oconee facilities. The details of thes TS changes are discusseud below.

Atachm nt1 GL99-02 June 3, 1999 Page 5 of 6 On Februaiwy 10 .1996. the loicens for the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station, South Carolina ecric & Ga Company (SCEA ). requested an emergency TS change. The systems invohed wme theconrol room merwgecy wvnilNton system and the fuel hnding builing

  • hau system. On February 10, 1996, the NRC granteod the emegency TS change. The mergency To chang was requested because SCEG had dtermind that Iortwory tests of the chrood of tho conbtrol om vntilatkon systm and the fuhandl ding system hd not beenperfomd in ompian with th V.C. Summer T. The labortory tet prformed for V.C. Summnrws 25225-25 tinIhu of the 2560-25 rquired by if TO. The licns had ben performing the 25-25-25 test because, inconsulttion with its tsting laboratory. it concluded that performanoe of the 25-0-25 test would result in odentioon the charcoal and, thus, an invid tet.

On March 29, 1996, the Toledo Edison Company requested an rrigency TS chIge for the Davi-Ben plant. The system invohved wme the hydrogen purge, the sheld building emergency ventiatton, and the control room. The TS for Devis-Bere required the laboratory tet to b performed in accordance with RG1.52, Reviion 2. Inthis cee, the licensee was performing a 30-30-30 tet ufsk thee esting protocol of ASTM D3803-1979 in lieu of the 2560-25 te. On March 29,1996, the NRC granted the emergency TS change to Mlow the 300-30 tesot.

On Aprl 2, 199, Duke Powr Company requested an emergency TS change for the Oconee Nuclear Statioen. The system involved wre the reactor building purge, the spent furl podl ventilation, and the penetration room ventilatlon. The TS forOcones required the laboratory tet of charcoai to be performed in accordance with ANSI N510-1975 and Method C of ASTM D303-1979, which requires the performance of the test at 130 -C (266 F) and 95 peroentRH. Hower, the Icene was actualy performing a 30-30-30 test using the test protocol of ASTM D3803-1969. The NRC granted an emergency TS change on Apri 2, 1996, to permit the 330-30 test.

Ineach of thee caese. the tet performed to demonstrate conplinnc wL TS provked results that the staff conrwldered cioser to reflecting the capability of the chacoa than the test requid by the TS. Inaddtion the licensees be hved that u the "arW staard would satisfy their TS requirement Their besee for this belief were the limitations of the test referenced in RO 1.52. their Irterpretaton of ANSI N509 as lowing the use of later versions of the test prolocal, and some of the guidance provided by the NRC. Inthe cae of Ocoonee, the test ctudly performed i the te t t the sta beieves iet appropriate orw, ASTM 033-1989 Howw, because Ohnee test had no been conducted incompliance with the plans T, each licIniei would haw had to shut down N plant or rema in ia cold-shtdown mode unti the test required by the TS could b suoeefuly performed, or until the TS were amended.

On March 21.1996. Cehorn Power Ught Company flew a charcod sample from the bunewicl tardby gas tremtment system (S0TS) o its teing laborstory in Ohio for the Prformanc of the 25405 tet to comply with the Brunwk* T before restart of en idle unit.

The Bnmja T rqulrd that the laboratory et b prformed in accordancewith Reviionl I oft RO 1.52. Previously, the lioenee directed Ibts terting labratoroy to perform an I000 tp. To peform the 2540- teK the laboratory quilibrated the chiCoJ to 0o C11h *F lbore n inrodunag o i laengo ge. The erme hs not requmtsd a TO chano for Brunswec to couot fe pron and a awaiting is- guldnce from the NRC.

I I I I - - - -

Atachment I GL99-02 Jun 3. 1999 Pge a of 6 AIS 0 frSu of the emesncy TS n0 tho has performed ainternal survey of OFeraIN 0plM TS to deemn whehe oth plit ha the polnei for ulmil proolems wh com i p t nc. The ury Indin d that da stoneWd of operating mrwt licesees my not be Incompno wnih their T8 becMuse they rWnW the fawd 2&6W25 Mting p Cl MY hae used ter version of the stanidards for theaboratory tet of their nudasrgr de charol. On bi of this survey, th rtrff etblitd the fbloing four Woups of plnts:

(1) plats Incomplanc with tieir TS twt tst Inaccordance with ASTM D3803-1 969 (2) plnt in coince with their T tht tt inaccordance with a te protool other thn ASTM D303-m (3) plnt not in complVe with their T tha tst in acordac with ASTM D3803-1 9 (4) plant not in compliance with their T thatst inaccordance f ateat protocol other than ASTM D3803-190 The licensee inGroup I havw TB that rquim Charcoal to be tested inaccowdanc with ASTM D38603-199, which adequly demonsrte the capabMty of the charcoal. The lcynes in Group 2 have TS that nrequire dwhrcoal to bo 0ted In ccodance with test stWndar other tan ASTM D3803.1989. The icensmes tht receved ergeny TB changes wee in Groups 3 "n4. in Group 3 4h TS th*nreuire S o to b tsted in accordncce wth th 2560.25 tet.

Attachment 2 GL 99-02 June 3, 1999 Page 1of 2 SAMPLE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS For Plants With Imroved Standard Technical Secifications C. Dsmc..W atffor each lcthe ESF systems that a laboratory test of a sample of the charcoal adsorber, when obtained as described in (Regulatory Guide 1.52, Revision 21, shows the methyl iodide peretration leass than the vahe specified below when tested Inaccordance with ASTM D3803-1989 at a temperature of 30 OC [86 OF]

and the relative humidity specified below.

ESF Ventilation System Penetration RH see notel see e bel or belo NOp: The use of any sesndard other than ASTM D3803-1 989 tu tet the charcoai sample may reult in an overestimation of the capability of the charcoal to adsorb radloiodine. As a resut, the ability of the charcoal filters to perform in a manner oonsitent with the licenaing basis for the facildity is indetrminate.

ASTM D3803-1989 is a more stringent testing standard because it does not differntiate between used and new charoal, It has a longer equlibrtion period performed at a temperature of 30 *C [86 OF) and a relative humidity (RH) of 95%

(or 70% RH with humidity control), and it has more stringnt toleranoes that improve repeatability of the test.

AIS (1W i00- £Ol" f "i 11 bl i'for eChl=

09 inL mnUe'& AGdd Ag*lyo"]

Pnwliw Sfe yrcbv Whan ASTM D3803-199 isused with 30 *C (86 Fj and 95% RH (or 70% RH with humidity control) Isused, the staff wi aocpt the following:

Safety factor . 2 for system with or without humidity control.

Humidity oontrol can be provided by heaters or an NRC-approved analysis that damonatrtesm tat the air enterfing the charcoal wi be maintained less than or equal to 70 parcena RH uider wonrst-case designb i conditions.

Thi value should be the eficincy that wa incrporatd in the licensee's accident ahinys which was reviewed and approved by the taff in a safety evau>>ten.

IVC-------

^- fAttchenrt 2 GL99-02 S

June 3, 190 Poe 2of 2 Fat' Plants iTCda h IUhkr #c~i~g.

Each imnred dety fteur (E8F) vWntlton yftem 0ha be dermonsdr OPERABLE:

a. At ble ono pr 1 monh or (1)aftr any tructur mantnntw on th HEPA le or charcl dr r houing, or (2)folowirg pein-g, fir, or chemical relese in any WbenIo zone oommunicting wth the syrstn by:
1) V&rkin, Wthin 31 dys afttr rnmov, #thart ibroy ts of sampl of the charoal adorbr, when obtlnd in cortnc wih Reuay Poion C.6.b of Regultoy Guid 1.52, Revson 2, M wrch 1078, shows th mehyl 0d pntrtion less tha lse note in prcding ctin tMtd For Plant Wh Improved StWnd Technica pcldficIonsm'% when toested in accordance with ASTM 0310 at a epr atur of 30 *C [a OF) ad a rltve humidity of [s note in prding section tted For Plan With Improved Standwd Technica Spd-clron'.1%.
b. Wihin 31 days o complting 720 hours0.00833 days <br />0.2 hours <br />0.00119 weeks <br />2.7396e-4 months <br /> of charo dsorbtw opation, vefy tht a Wbwo"ty et M d smpNathe chrcoal admorbe when obtained inaccra with Regulatory Positon C.6.b a Regulatory Guide 1.52, Revs 2, March 1976 shows the mehyl Md pentration less thn (u note inpreceding section tld oFor Plns With improved Sndard Tchnical SpcllcatlnsJ% when tated in accordance with ASTM D3803-199 at a temperatr d 30 OC 66 OF] antd a rltv humidity a [usnore inprecdin section ted Tor Pant With Iiproved Sandard Technical Spcficatlns'%.

I Attactwnet 3 GL99-02 Jurn 3, 1999 Poge 1O1f LOtOF WCLWTLY lddUU) OPfSFRKC LFRFFd GENE~RIC DATE OF LEM SUBJECT-SUANCE ISSUED TO 9941 ReMnt Nucear Materil Safety 53/9 AlN materials Ucennes.

and Safeguards Oedion on Bunding Exemnpt Quwntte 9641, supp. 1 Yea 2000 Rdines of Computer 1/11/99 AN hoders of operating Ii Systems at Nuclear Power Plants 1loene for nudear power Plant, excep toe who have permmntty ceased operation and have OedW.d that fuel has been permanently removed from the reactor vesnd.

9645 BoWng Water Reactor Ucenee 11/10/98 AN holders of operating Use ofthe BWRVIP-05 Report lownwe (or construction To Request Reef From Augmented permot) for BWRs, except ExamrnJon Requirement on Reactor thee who have permanenw y Prwsure Vesel Circumferential Shel oeaed operation and have WfKwli certied tht fuel has been permanenty removed from tw readcor vea.

Potential for Degradation of the 07/14/98 AN holders of operating Emergency Core Cooing System lIcons for nucear power And tde Containment Spray System reactors. Sweptthoee who After a Losnof-Coolnt Accident have permaneny cead Bocause of Construction and opatio and have ertfIed Proive Coaing Defiiencies tht fuel has been and Foreign Material In Containment Permanenty removed from lie reactor veeee".

OP Operating uLicene CP

  • Conduction PwnI WPR a Nucear Power Reator

r GLO-02 June3. 19M Page o11 f11 (2)Is thellMof burdinaccurate?

(3) I twer a wy to *nhM the quly, utlity. rdfty of the ifonnfmadon to be ooleed (4) How can Ito burde of thew coln of iorm-ton be minimize, induding cnmiderton of MI use of ioUmed orlelon tchniques?

8ad commeNt an amy spect ofis colton c irormaton, of incluOg sgesons fr sducdng OWIN urde, to theIhormulon wnd Reords Managemet Branch, T-6 F33, U.S.

Nuld Repieory CommIsson, Wingtlron. D.C. 206650001. and to the Dete Offcr Ol"o of knxmrton and Reguory Afair. NEOBS-10202 (31500011). Oflc o Ma men and Bud9K Wahe<*on, D.C. 20603.

The NRC may not conduct or sponor, nd apmron is not requird to respond to, a colecton of kfmionf unlm Ideploys currmtly void 0MB control number.

I you have ny quesoMn bo this mrter, plMe ooantc t t chnica contact ted below or the approprrdOffe of NucdwrRmctor Regulation (NRR) proj managr.

[Orig. /s/'d by S.F. Newberry]

for Dlvid B. Mlthwn, Diretor DMon of Regulatory Improvement Program Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Technicl contact John P.Sgala, NRR 301.415-18 Internt jplQnrogov LMd proct mnagr: Brand L Mozr@ie, NRR 301-415-2020 Intrnwt: bmGnrogcv MAfclments:

(1)Badgr nd Inrlnrmlon on # Laboratory Tetlng of Nud GrwOb Adkved Charcol (2)Sempe Tecrlnel Speolall oir (3)Lid of Reny IsuedJ NRC Genric Ltoe DOCUMENT tNAME: A:Mcygl43.wpd Tom@*s* aaoov e d sa uMIi.dtC t nIh box CaoCpy ido ahmwin m douu EuCopyv miabmmiwndhure N No O EI REXB: DRI D8A8P3 C:EX:DRp I D:DRIP 1 JiJS ltefs LMersh MM ha OFFICIAL RECORD COPY