ML100131278

Draft RAI on Proposed Amendment to Convert TS to ITS Format

ML100131278
Person / Time
Site:	Kewaunee
Issue date:	01/13/2010
From:	Tam P Plant Licensing Branch III
To:	Riste G Dominion Energy Kewaunee
Tam P
References
TAC ME2139
Download: ML100131278 (2)

Text

Accession No. ML100131278 From: Tam, Peter Sent: Wednesday, January 13, 2010 1:49 PM To: Jerry Riste (gerald.o.riste@dom.com); 'Jack Gadzala'; Craig D Sly; Thomas L Breene Cc: Cusumano, Victor; Waig, Gerald; Sheng, Simon

Subject:

Kewaunee - Draft RAI on the 8/24/09 application for ITS conversion (TAC ME2139)

Jerry:

This is regarding Kewaunee's 8/24/09 application (Accession No. ML092440398) for amendment to convert the TS from custom to standard (ITS) format.

Page 49 of Attachment 1, Volume 9, specified actions to be taken when Limiting Condition for Operation (LCO) 3.4.3 regarding pressure-temperature (P-T) limits is not met. These actions are identified as M02, which stands for more restrictive changes. The current Technical Specifications (CTS) 3.0.c, Limit Conditions for Operation, requires action to be initiated within 1 hour1.157407e-5 days <br />2.777778e-4 hours <br />1.653439e-6 weeks <br />3.805e-7 months <br /> and to be in hot standby (equivalent to Mode 3) within the next 6 hours6.944444e-5 days <br />0.00167 hours <br />9.920635e-6 weeks <br />2.283e-6 months <br />, hot shutdown (equivalent to Mode 4) within the following 6 hours6.944444e-5 days <br />0.00167 hours <br />9.920635e-6 weeks <br />2.283e-6 months <br />, and cold shutdown (equivalent to Mode 5) within the subsequent 36 hours4.166667e-4 days <br />0.01 hours <br />5.952381e-5 weeks <br />1.3698e-5 months <br />. These CTS 3.0.c actions will result in cold shutdown whenever the P-T limits are exceeded. However, the improved TS (ITS) version on Page 49 provides a path to continue the heatup or stay at power operation if the parameters are restored to within limits in 30 minutes and the reactor coolant system is determined to be acceptable for continued operation (in 72 hours8.333333e-4 days <br />0.02 hours <br />1.190476e-4 weeks <br />2.7396e-5 months <br />). Comparing the CTS and ITS actions, the NRC staff concludes that the ITS actions are less restrictive than the CTS actions, not more restrictive as claimed by the submittal. Please clarify. If the LCO was severely violated but was restored in 30 minutes, please (1) discuss the steps to be taken to ensure that acceptability of continued operation will be determined within 72 hours8.333333e-4 days <br />0.02 hours <br />1.190476e-4 weeks <br />2.7396e-5 months <br /> (the CTS would have completed the shut down within 48 hours5.555556e-4 days <br />0.0133 hours <br />7.936508e-5 weeks <br />1.8264e-5 months <br /> of the violation), and (2) discuss any plant procedure to identify the severity of the short excursion promptly before a formal evaluation is completed.

Please set up a conference call with me to discuss the above with our reviewers. At this time this e-mail does not formally convey an NRC staff position, and does not formally request for additional information. The above question will be dispositioned in the proposed conference call.

Peter S. Tam Senior Project Manager (for Kewaunee and Monticello)

Plant Licensing Branch III-1 Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Tel. 301-415-1451 E-mail Properties

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Subject:

Kewaunee - Draft RAI on the 8/24/09 application for ITS conversion (TAC ME2139)

Sent Date: 01/13/2010 1:36:07 PM Received Date: 01/13/2010 1:49:00 PM From: Tam, Peter Created By: Peter.Tam@nrc.gov Recipients:

gerald.o.riste@dom.com (Jerry Riste (gerald.o.riste@dom.com))

Tracking Status: None jack.gadzala@dom.com ('Jack Gadzala')

Tracking Status: None craig.d.sly@dom.com (Craig D Sly)

Tracking Status: None thomas.l.breene@dom.com (Thomas L Breene)

Tracking Status: None Victor.Cusumano@nrc.gov (Cusumano, Victor)

Tracking Status: None Gerald.Waig@nrc.gov (Waig, Gerald)

Tracking Status: None Simon.Sheng@nrc.gov (Sheng, Simon)

Tracking Status: None Post Office:

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Priority: olImportanceNormal ReplyRequested: False Return Notification: False Sensitivity: olNormal Recipients received: