ML11138A291

Memo from Jack to Malcom, Program Office Review of Oconee'S Simulation Facility Testing and Test Credit Plan Scheme

ML11138A291
Person / Time
Site:	Oconee
Issue date:	06/01/2011
From:	Mchale J NRC/NRR/DIRS/IOLTB
To:	Widmann M Division of Reactor Safety II
Lawrence Vick
References
Download: ML11138A291 (3)

Text

June 1, 2011 MEMORANDUM TO: Malcolm T. Widmann, Chief Operations Branch No. 1 Division of Reactor Safety, Region II FROM: Jack McHale, Chief /RA/

Operator Licensing and Training Branch Division of Inspection and Regional Support Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

SUBJECT:

PROGRAM OFFICE REVIEW OF OCONEES SIMULATION FACILITY TESTING AND TEST CREDIT PLAN SCHEME In a letter dated April 19, 2011, the Oconee Nuclear Station informed the NRC that its new Unit 1 plant-referenced simulator Simulator Bravo (SIM-B) and the existing Unit 1 plant-referenced simulator Simulator Alpha (SIM-A) are functionally identical using the same modeling software in each simulator. The licensee also explained that SIM-Bs design scope (hardware and software) and initial validation and verification testing meets the requirements of ANSI/ANS-3.5-1998 in the same manner that SIM-A does.

The only difference between the two simulators is certain hardware and I/O (input/output) interfacing which is transparent to the simulators use in operator training and examinations. Finally, the licensee described its simulation facility Test Plan and Testing Credit scheme for both simulators and requested that NRC review this approach. Specifically, the licensee proposed that:

1) SIM-B malfunction testing credit is grandfathered since its simulation models and initial conditions execute identically without regard to simulator environment.

2) Relative to changes that involve hardware/software: (a) hardware verification and validation is conducted on both simulators; and (b) software verification and validation is conducted on as single simulator with acceptance of test credit for both simulators.

3) Single simulator SBT testing credit is accepted for both simulators.

CONTACT: Lawrence Vick NRR/DIRS/IOLB (301) 415-3181

4) Single simulator Annual Testing credit is accepted for both simulators based on the following testing schedule:

Testing Year Simulator 2011 SIM-B 2012 SIM-A 2013 SIM-B 2014 SIM-A 2015 SIM-B The program office has completed its review of Oconees simulation facility request as described above. The staff understands that SIM-B has been demonstrated to meet the same ANSI/ANS-3.5-1998 simulator scope and fidelity requirements that SIM-A meets.

Given that SIM-B is effectively a clone of SIM-A, the staff has confidence that SIM-B is equivalent in all material aspects to SIM-A and as such should be able to demonstrate compliance with the Commissions scope and fidelity requirements of 10 CFR 55.46(c) and the continued assurance of simulator fidelity requirements of 10 CFR 55.46(d) in the same manner as SIM-A.

The staff has no objection to Oconees simulation facility performance testing scheme and associated test crediting since the proposal does not conflict with 55.46 because the performance testing is being conducted throughout the life of the simulation facility in a manner sufficient to ensure that simulator fidelity is demonstrated and maintained.

Oconees proposed alternate performance testing of SIM-A and SIM-B, albeit on separate but identical software modeling platforms, is sufficient, as the regulation does not specify periodicity. Therefore, the staff concludes that Oconees simulation facility Testing and Test Credit Plan is an acceptable approach toward conducting performance testing in a manner sufficient to ensure that fidelity is both demonstrated and met on an on-going basis.

ML11138A291 Package No. ML11138A294 OFFICE IOLB/DIRS IOLB/DIRS NAME LVick JMcHale DATE 5/31/2011 6/1 /2011