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Category:Letter
MONTHYEARIR 05000261/20230042024-01-31031 January 2024 Integrated Inspection Report 05000261/2023004 ML24009A2432024-01-25025 January 2024 Unit, No. 2 - Exemption from Select Requirements of 10 CFR Part 73 (EPID L-2023-LLE-0047 (Security Notifications, Reports, and Recordkeeping and Suspicious Activity Reporting)) ML24009A2712024-01-24024 January 2024 Revision to Reactor Vessel Material Surveillance Capsule Withdrawal Schedule ML23354A0052024-01-0808 January 2024 Request for Withholding Information from Public Disclosure, H. B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant, Unit No. 2 ML23342A0902023-12-0808 December 2023 Notification of Inspection and Request for Information for NRC Problem Identification and Resolution Inspection IR 05000261/20234202023-11-30030 November 2023 Security Baseline Inspection Report 05000261/2023420 (Cover Letter with Report) IR 05000261/20230102023-11-28028 November 2023 Fire Protection Team Inspection Report 05000261/2023010 ML23317A3462023-11-14014 November 2023 Duke Fleet - Correction Letter to License Amendment Nos. 312 & 340 Issuance of Amendments Regarding the Adoption of Technical Specifications Task Force Traveler TSTF-554, Revision 1 IR 05000261/20230032023-11-0707 November 2023 Integrated Inspection Report 05000261 2023003 and 07200060 2023001 ML23226A0862023-10-12012 October 2023 Issuance of Amendment No. 277 Regarding Revision of TSs to Add High-High Steam Generator Level Function to Table 3.3.2-1 and Remove Obsolete Content from TSs 2.1.1.1 and 5.6.5.b ML23346A1322023-10-0606 October 2023 Communication from C-10 Research & Education Foundation Regarding NextEra Common Emergency Fleet Plan License Amendment Request and Related Documents Subsequently Published ML23256A0882023-09-25025 September 2023 Issuance of Alternative to Steam Generator Welds ML23195A0782023-08-29029 August 2023 Issuance of Amendments Regarding the Adoption of Technical Specifications Task Force Traveler TSTF-554, Revision 1 ML23235A0552023-08-23023 August 2023 Notification of an Fire Protection Team Inspection (FPTI) (NRC Inspection Report 05000261/2023010) and Request for Information (RFI) IR 05000261/20230052023-08-21021 August 2023 Updated Inspection Plan for H.B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant (Report 05000261/2023005) IR 05000261/20230022023-08-0707 August 2023 Integrated Inspection Report 05000261/2023002 IR 05000261/20234022023-05-30030 May 2023 Cyber Security Inspection Report 05000261/2023402 ML23145A1602023-05-25025 May 2023 Submittal of Updated Final Safety Analysis Report (Revision No. 30), Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation Safety Analysis Report (Revision No. 28), Technical Specifications Bases Revisions, Quality IR 05000261/20230012023-05-0202 May 2023 Integrated Inspection Report 05000261/2023001 ML23118A0762023-05-0101 May 2023 Approval for Use of Specific Provision of a Later Edition of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section XI ML22332A4932023-03-10010 March 2023 William States Lee III 1 and 2 - Issuance of Amendments Regarding the Relocation of the Emergency Operations Facility IR 05000261/20220062023-03-0101 March 2023 Annual Assessment Letter for H.B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant, Unit 2 (Report 05000261/2022006) ML23047A4512023-02-21021 February 2023 Information Request for the Cyber-Security Baseline Inspection, Notification to Perform Inspection 05000261/2023402 ML23041A2272023-02-13013 February 2023 2022 Q4 Robinson_Workflow Final ML22329A2982023-01-19019 January 2023 Issuance of Amendment No. 274 Regarding Revision of Technical Specification 3.8.1 Surveillance Requirement 3.8.1.16 ML22294A0922022-12-15015 December 2022 Issuance of Amendment No. 273 Regarding Adoption of TSTF-577, Revised Frequencies for Steam Generator Tube Inspections, Revision 1 ML22339A1362022-12-0101 December 2022 2023 Requalification Program Inspection - H.B. Robinson Nuclear Plant ML22096A0032022-11-18018 November 2022 McGuire Nuclear Station and Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant Authorization of RA-19-0352 Regarding Use of Alternative for RPV Head Closure Stud Examinations ML22322A1322022-11-18018 November 2022 301, NRC Operator License Examination Report & Cover Letter Merged ML22256A2532022-11-14014 November 2022 Issuance of Amendments Regarding the Adoption of Technical Specifications Task Force Traveler TSTF-541, Rev. 2 IR 05000261/20220032022-11-0303 November 2022 Integrated Inspection Report 05000261 2022003 IR 05000261/20224022022-10-19019 October 2022 Security Baseline Inspection Report 05000261/2022402 IR 05000261/20220102022-09-26026 September 2022 Design Basis Assurance Inspection (Teams) Inspection Report 05000261/2022010 IR 05000261/20223012022-09-23023 September 2022 301 Operator License Exam Approval Letter (05000261/2022301) ML22258A0302022-09-15015 September 2022 Evacuation Time Estimate Reports IR 05000261/20220052022-08-26026 August 2022 Updated Inspection Plan for the H.B Robinson Steam Electric Plant - Report 05000261/2022005-Final IR 05000261/20214042022-08-10010 August 2022 Reissue - H.B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant Security Baseline Inspection Report 05000261/2021404 IR 05000261/20220022022-08-0909 August 2022 Integrated Inspection Report 05000261 2022002, 07200060 2022001 and Exercise of Enforcement Discretion ML22213A0682022-08-0505 August 2022 Request for Withholding Information from Public Disclosure for H. B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant, Unit 2 ML22193A2122022-08-0404 August 2022 Request of Alternatives to ASME Code Section XI Subsection IWE Requirements for Containment Inspections ML22159A2952022-08-0303 August 2022 Issuance of Amendment No. 271 Regarding Correction to Non-Conservative Technical Specifications Figure 3.4.3-2, Pressure/Temperature Limit Cooldown Curves IR 05000261/20220112022-07-19019 July 2022 Biennial Problem Identification and Resolution Inspection Report 05000261/2022011 ML22167A1702022-07-14014 July 2022 Closeout of Generic Letter 2004 02, Potential Impact of Debris Blockage on Emergency Recirculation During Design Basis Accidents at Pressurized-Water Reactors ML22046A0222022-06-14014 June 2022 Issuance of Amendments to Adopt TSTF-439, Eliminate Second Completion Times Limiting Time from Discovery of Failure to Meet an LCO ML22125A1942022-05-12012 May 2022 Request for Withholding Information from Public Disclosure for H.B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant, Unit 2 IR 05000261/20220012022-05-0202 May 2022 Integrated Inspection Report 05000261/2022001 IR 05000261/20224012022-04-19019 April 2022 Security Baseline Inspection Report 05000261/2022401 ML22098A2262022-04-11011 April 2022 Notification of Inspection and Request for Information for NRC Problem Identification and Resolution Inspection ML22083A0032022-03-29029 March 2022 Closeout of Bulletin 2012 01, Design Vulnerability in Electric Power System IR 05000261/20210062022-03-0202 March 2022 Annual Assessment Letter for H.B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant Unit 2 (Report No. 05000261/2021006) 2024-01-08
[Table view] Category:Federal Register Notice
MONTHYEARML19238A3692019-09-0303 September 2019 Biweekly Federal Register Notice - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: 09/10/2019 ML18278A2802018-10-10010 October 2018 Biweekly Federal Register Notice - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: 10/23/2018 NRC-2017-0238, Biweekly Federal Register Notice - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: January 2, 20182017-12-21021 December 2017 Biweekly Federal Register Notice - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: January 2, 2018 ML17353A1922017-12-21021 December 2017 Biweekly Federal Register Notice - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: January 2, 2018 ML16271A0922016-09-28028 September 2016 Biweekly Federal Register Notice - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: October 11, 2016 NRC-2016-0143, Federal Register Notice on Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving Proposed No Significant Hazards Considerations and Containing SUNSI and Order Imposing Procedures for Access to SUNSI2016-07-18018 July 2016 Federal Register Notice on Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving Proposed No Significant Hazards Considerations and Containing SUNSI and Order Imposing Procedures for Access to SUNSI - Au ML16187A2232016-07-18018 July 2016 Federal Register Notice on Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving Proposed No Significant Hazards Considerations and Containing SUNSI and Order Imposing Procedures for Access to SUNSI - Au NRC-2016-0100, Biweekly Federal Register Notice - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: May 24, 20162016-05-13013 May 2016 Biweekly Federal Register Notice - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: May 24, 2016 ML16131A7952016-05-13013 May 2016 Biweekly Federal Register Notice - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: May 24, 2016 ML16061A3012016-03-0202 March 2016 Biweekly Federal Register Notice - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: March 15, 2016 ML15204A2792015-07-27027 July 2015 Biweekly FRN - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: August 4, 2015 ML15188A1632015-07-23023 July 2015 Application and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving Proposed No Significant Hazards Considerations and Containing Sensitive Unclassified Non-Safeguards Information and Order Imposing Procedures for Acce NRC-2015-0165, Application and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving Proposed No Significant Hazards Considerations and Containing Sensitive Unclassified Non-Safeguards Information and Order Imposing Procedures for2015-07-23023 July 2015 Application and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving Proposed No Significant Hazards Considerations and Containing Sensitive Unclassified Non-Safeguards Information and Order Imposing Procedures for Acce ML15148A3762015-06-0101 June 2015 Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Published June 9, 2015 ML13018A2392015-04-0808 April 2015 G20110171 - Letter to Petitioner Saporito on Proposed Director'S Decision Regarding 2.206 Petition Dated: March 12, 2011 NRC-2014-0917, Biweekly Sholly FRN - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: September 16, 20142014-09-0505 September 2014 Biweekly Sholly FRN - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: September 16, 2014 ML14247A1542014-09-0505 September 2014 Biweekly Sholly FRN - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations - Publication Date: September 16, 2014 ML14099A2172014-04-28028 April 2014 FRN on Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses and Combined Licenses Involving Proposed No Significant Hazards Considerations and Containing SUNSI and Order Imposing Procedures for Access to SUNSI ML13225A5572013-08-12012 August 2013 Rescission of Certain Security Orders Concerning Spent Nuclear Fuel in Transit ML13228A3992013-08-12012 August 2013 Letter to Holders of Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation (ISFSI) Licenses Re Rescission of Certain Security Orders Concerning Spent Nuclear Fuel in Transit - Rin 3150-AI64 (NRC-2009-0163) EA-02-109 ML13164A2012013-06-13013 June 2013 Correction to Bi-weekly Notice ML12056A0442012-03-12012 March 2012 Order Modifying Licenses with Regard to Reliable Spent Fuel Pool Instrumentation (Effective Immediately) - to All Power Reactor Licensees and Holders of Construction Permits in Active or Deferred Status NRC-2012-0067, Order Modifying Licenses with Regard to Reliable Spent Fuel Pool Instrumentation (Effective Immediately) - to All Power Reactor Licensees and Holders of Construction Permits in Active or Deferred Status2012-03-12012 March 2012 Order Modifying Licenses with Regard to Reliable Spent Fuel Pool Instrumentation (Effective Immediately) - to All Power Reactor Licensees and Holders of Construction Permits in Active or Deferred Status ML11255A0582011-12-0202 December 2011 H. B. Robsinon Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation - Federal Register Notice - Order Approving Indirect License Transfer NRC-2011-0282, H. B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant, Unit 2 and H. B. Robsinon Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation - Federal Register Notice - Order Approving Indirect License Transfer2011-12-0202 December 2011 H. B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant, Unit 2 and H. B. Robsinon Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation - Federal Register Notice - Order Approving Indirect License Transfer ML11297A1032011-10-31031 October 2011 Letter - Exemption Regarding Use of M5 Alloy in Fuel Rod Cladding ML11297A1042011-10-31031 October 2011 Exemption ML11277A0312011-10-17017 October 2011 Letter - Environmental Assessment and Finding No Significant Impact Regarding Use of M5 Alloy in Fuel Road Cladding ML11277A0322011-10-17017 October 2011 Federal Register Notice - Environmental Assessment NRC-2011-0247, H. B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant, Unit 2 - Federal Register Notice - Environmental Assessment2011-10-17017 October 2011 H. B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant, Unit 2 - Federal Register Notice - Environmental Assessment ML11251A0092011-09-0808 September 2011 September 20, 2011 Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating License Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations NRC-2011-0216, September 20, 2011 Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating License Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations2011-09-0808 September 2011 September 20, 2011 Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating License Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations ML11221A3942011-08-22022 August 2011 Federal Register Notice - Notice of Consideration NRC-2011-0187, Biweekly Sholly Report - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations; Fr Publication Date: 8/23/20112011-08-11011 August 2011 Biweekly Sholly Report - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations; Fr Publication Date: 8/23/2011 ML1122302752011-08-11011 August 2011 Biweekly Sholly Report - Applications and Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses Involving No Significant Hazards Considerations; Fr Publication Date: 8/23/2011 ML1000822002010-03-0303 March 2010 FRN: General Notice. H. B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant, Unit No. 2 - Exemption ML1000821462010-02-16016 February 2010 Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact ML1000821702010-02-16016 February 2010 Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact ML1002704092010-02-0404 February 2010 Individual Notice of Consideration of Issuance of Amendment to Facility Operating License, Proposed No Significant Hazards Consideration Determination, and Opportunity for Hearing and Order Imposing Procedure ML0732303002007-11-21021 November 2007 Notice of Consideration of Issuance of Amendment to Facility Operating License, Proposed No Significant Hazards Consideration Determination, and Opportunity for a Hearing ML0702301402007-01-24024 January 2007 Individual Notice of Consideration of Issuance of Amendment, Proposed No Significant Hazards Consideration Determination, and Opportunity for a Hearing ML0533903522006-01-0909 January 2006 FRN: All Nuclear Power Plants That Use Hemyc/Mt Fire Barriers Notice of Issuance of Director'S Decision Under 10 CFR 2.206 ML0518903022005-07-20020 July 2005 Environmental Assessment MC6225, Handling and Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel ML0517405622005-06-27027 June 2005 G20050379 - Paul Gunter Ltr. 2.206 Inoperable Hemyc/Mt Fire Protection System ML0426801182004-09-24024 September 2004 Fr Notice - Notice of Partial Denial of Amendment to Facility Operating License and Opportunity for Hearing ML0410401882004-04-19019 April 2004 Federal Register Notice ML0334303752003-12-12012 December 2003 Final Supplement 13 to the Generic Environmental Impact Statement for H.B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant, Unit 2 License Renewal ML0312600842003-05-0505 May 2003 Notice of Availability of the Draft Plant-Specific Supplement to the Generic Environmental Impact Statement Regarding H.B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant, Unit 2 ML0318204412003-03-0606 March 2003 Email Dated March 6, 2003, from Dr. Ed Siegel to A. Hiser, W. Bateman, and T. Chan, Fwd: Fyi: Questions? Comments? ML0301704342003-01-22022 January 2003 Federal Register Notice, Notice of Consideration & Opportunity for Hearing 2019-09-03
[Table view] |
Text
UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555*0001 October 31, 2011 Mr. Robert J. Duncan II, Vice President H.B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant Carolina Power & Light Company 3581 West Entrance Road Hartsville, SC 29550
SUBJECT:
H. B. ROBINSON STEAM ELECTRIC PLANT, UNIT NO.2 - EXEMPTION REGARDING USE OF M5 ALLOY IN FUEL ROD CLADDING (TAC NO. ME4912)
Dear Mr. Duncan:
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved the enclosed exemption from certain requirements of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 50, Section 50.46, "Acceptance criteria for emergency core cooling systems for light-water nuclear power reactors,"
and Appendix K to 10 CFR 50, "ECCS [Emergency Core Cooling System] Evaluation Models,"
for H.B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant (HBRSEP), Unit NO.2.
This action is in response to your application dated October 19,2010, requesting the exemption to allow the use of M5 alloy fuel rod cladding at HBRSEP, Unit NO.2.
A copy of the exemption is enclosed. The exemption has been forwarded to the Office of the Federal Register for publication.
~f7;--w Brenda L. Mozafari, seni:r~':1:anager Plant licensing Branch 11-2 Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-261
Enclosure:
Exemption cc w/encl: Distribution via Listserv
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
[NRC-2010-0062; Docket No. 50-261]
Carolina Power & Light Company H. B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant, Unit 2 Exemption
1.0 BACKGROUND
Carolina Power & Light Company (the licensee) is the holder of Renewed Facility Operating License No. DPR-23, which authorizes operation of the H. B. Robinson Steam Electric Plant (HBRSEP), Unit 2. The license provides, among other things, that the facility is subject to all rules, regulations, and orders of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC, the Commission) now or hereafter in effect. The facility consists of one pressurized-water reactor located in New Hill, North Carolina.
2,0 REQUEST/ACTION Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), 50.46, "Acceptance criteria for emergency core cooling systems for light-water nuclear power reactors," paragraph (a)(1 )(i) provides requirements for reactors containing uranium oxide fuel pellets clad in either zircaloy or ZIRLO. Additionally, Appendix K to 10 CFR Part 50, "ECCS [Emergency Core Cooling System]
Evaluation Models," specifies the use of zircaloy or ZIRLO fuel cladding when doing calculations for energy release, cladding oxidation, and hydrogen generation after a postulated loss-of coolant accident. Therefore, both of these regulations either state or assume that either zircaloy or ZIRLO is used as the fuel rod cladding material.
By letter dated October 19,2010 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML102980142), the licensee requested an exemption from the requirements of 10 CFR 50.46 and Appendix K to 10 CFR Part 50 to allow the use of fuel rods
-2 clad with AREVA's M5 alloy. The advanced zirconium-based M5 alloy is a proprietary alloy and chemically different from zircaloy or ZIRLO fuel cladding materials, which are approved for use.
The exemption request related solely to the specific types of cladding material specified in these regulations. As written, the regulations presume the use of zircaloy or ZIRLO fuel rod cladding.
Thus, an exemption from the requirements of 10 CFR 50.46 and Appendix K to 10 CFR Part 50 is needed to support transition to the AREVA fuel design with advanced zirconium-based M5 alloy at HBRSEP Unit NO.2.
3.0 DISCUSSION Pursuant to 10 CFR 50.12, the Commission may, upon application by any interested person or upon its own initiative, grant exemptions from the requirements of 10 CFR Part 50 when (1) the exemptions are authorized by law, will not present an undue risk to public health or safety, and are consistent with the common defense and security; and (2) when special circumstances are present. The requested exemption to allow the use of M5 advanced zirconium alloy rather than zircaloy or ZIRLO for fuel cladding material for reloads at HBRSEP, Unit No.2, satisfies these requirements as described below.
Authorized by Law This exemption would allow the use of M5 advanced alloy, in lieu of zircaloy or ZIRLO, for fuel rod cladding in fuel assemblies at HBRSEP, Unit No.2. As stated above, 10 CFR 50.12 allows the NRC to grant exemptions from the requirements of 10 CFR 50.46 and Appendix K to 10 CFR Part 50. The NRC staff has determined that granting of the licensee's proposed exemption will not result in a violation of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, or the Commission's regulations. Therefore, the exemption is authorized by law.
No Undue Risk to Public Health and Safety The underlying purpose of 10 CFR 50.46 is to establish acceptance criteria for ECCS performance. In the approved topical report BAW-1 0227(P)(A), Revision 1, "Evaluation of
- 3 Advanced Cladding and Structural Material (M5) in PWR Reactor Fuel," dated June 18, 2003, Framatome ANP demonstrated that the effectiveness of the ECCS will not be affected by a change from zircaloy fuel rod cladding to M5 fuel rod cladding. The analysis described in the topical report also demonstrated that the ECCS acceptance criteria applied to reactors fueled with zircaloy clad fuel are also applicable to reactors fueled with M5 fuel rod cladding.
The NRC staff's review and approval of topical report BAW-10227(P)(A), Revision1 addressed all of the important aspects of M5 with respect to ECCS performance requirements:
(1) applicability of 10 CFR 50.46(b) fuel acceptance criteria; (2) M5 material properties including fuel rod ballooning and rupture strains; and (3) steam oxidation kinetics and applicability of Baker-Just weight gain correlation. A subsequent NRC-approved topical report, BAW-10240P A, "Incorporation of M5 Properties in Framatome ANP Approved Methods," further addressed M5 material properties with respect to the loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) applications.
Appendix K, paragraph I.A5, of 10 CFR Part 50 ensures that cladding oxidation and hydrogen generation are appropriately limited during a LOCA, and conservatively accounted for in the ECCS evaluation model. Appendix K requires that the Baker-Just equation be used in the ECCS evaluation model to determine the rate of energy release, cladding oxidation, and hydrogen generation. In topical report BAW-10227(P)(A), Revision 1, Framatome ANP demonstrated that the Baker-Just model is conservative in the evaluated post-LOCA scenarios with respect to the use of the M5 advanced alloy as a fuel rod cladding material, and that the amount of hydrogen generated in an M5-clad core during a LOCA will remain within the HBRSEP, Unit No.2, design basis.
The M5 alloy is proprietary zirconium-based alloy comprised of primarily zirconium
(-99 percent) and niobium (-1 percent). The elimination of tin has resulted in superior corrosion resistance and reduced irradiation-induced growth relative to both standard zircaloy (1.7 percent
-4 tin) and low-tin zircaloy (1.2 percent tin). The addition of niobium increases ductility, which is desirable to avoid brittle failures.
The NRC staff has reviewed the advanced cladding and structural material, M5, for pressurized-water reactor fuel mechanical designs as described in BAW-10227(P)(A), Revision
- 1. In the safety evaluation for this topical report, the NRC staff concluded that, to the extent and limitations specified in the staff's evaluation, the properties of M5 and mechanical design methodology are acceptable for referencing in fuel reload licensing applications.
Based on the above, no new accident precursors are created by the use of M5 fuel cladding at HBRSEP, Unit No.2; thus, the probability of postulated accidents is not increased.
Also, based on the above, the consequences of postulated accidents are not increased.
Therefore, there is no undue risk to public health and safety.
Consistent with Common Defense and Security The proposed exemption would allow the use of M5 advanced alloy, in lieu of zircaloy or ZIRLO, for fuel rod cladding in fuel assemblies at HBRSEP, Unit No.2. The M5 fuel rod cladding is similar in design to the current cladding material used at HBRSEP, Unit NO.2. This change in cladding material will not result in any changes to the security aspects associated with the control of special nuclear material. The change in cladding material is unrelated to other security issues. Therefore, the common defense and security is not impacted by this exemption.
Special Circumstances Special circumstances, in accordance with 10 CFR 50.12, are present whenever application of the regulation in the particular circumstances would not serve the underlying purpose of the rule, or is not necessary to achieve the underlying purpose of the rule.
The underlying purpose of 10 CFR 50.46 is to ensure that nuclear power facilities have adequately demonstrated the cooling performance of their ECCS. As discussed above, topical
- 5 report BAW-1 0227(P)(A), Revision 1 concluded that the effectiveness of the ECCS will not be affected by a change from zircaloy fuel rod cladding to M5 fuel rod cladding and also demonstrated that the ECCS acceptance criteria applied to reactors fueled with zircaloy clad fuel are also applicable to reactors fueled with M5 fuel rod cladding.
The underlying purpose of 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix K, paragraph 1.A.5 is to ensure that cladding oxidation and hydrogen generation are appropriately limited during a LOCA and conservatively accounted for in the ECCS evaluation model. Specifically, Appendix K requires that the Baker-Just equation be used in the ECCS evaluation model to determine the rate of energy release, cladding oxidation, and hydrogen generation. Topical Report BAW 10227(P)(A), Revision 1, demonstrated that the Baker-Just model is conservative in the evaluated post-LOCA scenarios with respect to the use of the M5 advanced alloy as a fuel rod cladding material.
Based on the above, the underlying purpose of 10 CFR 50.46 and 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix K is still met and literal compliance is not necessary for use of M5 fuel rod cladding.
Therefore, the special circumstances required by 10 CFR 50.12 for the granting of an exemption from 10 CFR 50.46 and Appendix K of 10 CFR Part 50 exist.
4.0 CONCLUSION
Accordingly, the Commission has determined that pursuant to 10 CFR 50.12 the exemption is authorized by law, will not present an undue risk to the public health and safety, and is consistent with the common defense and security. Also, special circumstances are present. Therefore, the Commission hereby grants the licensee an exemption from the requirements of 10 CFR 50.46 and Appendix K of 10 CFR 50.
- 6 Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.32, the Commission has determined that the granting of this exemption will not have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment (October 26, 2011; 76 FR 6633). This exemption is effective upon issuance.
51' Dated at Rockville, Maryland, this 3I day of October 2011.
FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Michele G. Evans, Director Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
ML11297A102 LTR: ML11297A103 Exemption: ML11297A104 OFFICE DORL/LPL2-2/PM DORL/LPL2-2/LA DSS/SNPB/BC DORL/LPL2-2/BC OGC NLO DORL/D DORL/LPL2-2/PM NAME BMozafari CSola Mendiola DBroaddus RHarper MEvans BMozafari DATE 10/26/11 10/26/11 10/28/11 10/28/11 10/27/11 10/31/11 10/31/11