Text

Issuance of Amendment for Temporary Change to Allow Two Inoperable Demand Position Indicators Per Control Bank
	ML13032A154
Person / Time
Site:	North Anna
Issue date:	02/14/2013
From:	V Sreenivas; Plant Licensing Branch II
To:	Heacock D; Virginia Electric & Power Co (VEPCO)
	Sreenivas V
References
	TAC ME8656
	Download: ML13032A154 (14)
	v • d • e

UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555*0001 February 14, 2013 Mr. David A Heacock President and Chief Nuclear Officer Virginia Electric and Power Company Innsbrook Technical Center 5000 Dominion Boulevard Glen Allen, VA 23060-6711

SUBJECT:

NORTH ANNA POWER STATION, UNIT NO.2, ISSUANCE OF AMENDMENT FOR TEMPORARY CHANGE TO ALLOW TWO INOPERABLE DEMAND POSITION INDICATORS PER CONTROL BANK (TAC NO. ME8656)

Dear Mr. Heacock:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued the enclosed Amendment No. 251 to Renewed Facility Operating License No. NPF-7 for the North Anna Power Station, Unit NO.2. The amendment consists of changes to the Technical Specifications (TSs) in response to your application dated May 11,2012.

The amendment revises the TS 3.1.7, "Rod Position Indication" to allow two demand position indicators in one or more banks to be inoperable for up to 4 hours4.62963e-5 days 0.00111 hours 6.613757e-6 weeks 1.522e-6 months . This change is proposed as a temporary change to the TS for the current operating cycle and is proposed as a footnote to the current TS Limiting Condition for Operation (LCO) Section 3.1.7, Condition D.

A copy of our related safety evaluation is also enclosed. The Notice of Issuance will be included in the Commission's biweekly Federal Register notice.

Sincerely,

r. V. Sreenivas, Project Manager Plant licensing Branch 11-1 Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-339

Enclosures:

1. Amendment No. 251 to NPF-7

2. Safety Evaluation cc w/encls: Distribution via Listserv

UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY DOCKET NO. 50-339 NORTH ANNA POWER STATION, UNIT NO.2 AMENDMENT TO RENEWED FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE Amendment No. 251 Renewed License No. NPF-7

1.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) has found that:

A.

The application for amendment by Virginia Electric and Power Company et aI., (the licensee) dated May 11, 2012, complies with the standards and requirements of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (the Act), and the Commission's rules and regulations set forth in 10 CFR Chapter I; B.

The facility will operate in conformity with the application, the provisions of the Act, and the rules and regulations of the Commission; C.

There is reasonable assurance (i) that the activities authorized by this amendment can be conducted without endangering the health and safety of the public, and (ii) that such activities will be conducted in compliance with the Commission's regulations; D.

The issuance of this amendment will not be inimical to the common defense and security or to the health and safety of the public; and E.

The issuance of this amendment is in accordance with 10 CFR Part 51 of the Commission's regulations and all applicable requirements have been satisfied.

- 2

2.

Accordingly, the license is amended by changes to paragraph 2.C.(2) of Renewed Facility Operating License No. NPF-7, as indicated in the attachment to this license amendment, and is hereby amended to read as follows:

(2)

Technical Specifications The Technical Specifications contained in Appendix A, as revised through Amendment No. 251, are hereby incorporated in the renewed license. The licensee shall operate the facility in accordance with the Technical Specifications.

3.

This license amendment is effective as of its date of issuance and shall be implemented before the end of spring 2013 refueling outage.

FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Robert J. Pascarelli, Chief Plant Licensing Branch 11-1 Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Attachment:

Changes to License No. NPF-7 and the Technical Specifications Date of Issuance: February 14, 2013

ATTACHMENT TO LICENSE AMENDMENT NO. 251 RENEWED FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO. NPF-7 DOCKET NO. 50-339 Replace the following pages of the Licenses and the Appendix "A" Technical Specifications (TSs) with the enclosed pages as indicated. The revised pages are identified by amendment number and contain vertical lines indicating the areas of change.

Remove Pages Insert Pages Licenses Licenses License No. NPF-7, page 3 License No. NPF-7, page 3 3.1.7-3 3.1.7-3

.3 (3)

PI.nUant 10 the Act and 10 CFR Pans 30..co, _ 70, VEPCO to NCeI'le, poIMIa. and.....tWfI time qbypraduct. lOURIe, II'Id tpeCIIIIl'JICf.

1ftIfIrta1 *...-cI neunn IOU..for ructor.faItIIP.*...., IGUfta for reeator fnatn.llMftlllCion 1ftd*1'ICIIUon manllorfngequlpment qlllntlon. 8ftd..

fIIIIon detiIctorIln nounta.. req"';.

(41)

PlnuMt to the AeI.,d 10CFR ParillO. 410. and 70. VEPCO to receive,

............. In ImIUI'ItIIi required."~ ICIIftIft.,.apeciaI 1IiC.'rMterIaI, Wlttaa..trtcaon 10 c:r.mlclll orphJII'calfonn. far..,pIt

.,.. or Instf\\I'Mf'A CIIIbrIIIon or _ocIIIed wIIh r.tdbldlve..,.,.,...or camponenta: end (5)

Purluentto IheAttand 1()CFRPIII'tI ~..o. _10, VEPCO toPCllui** buC..

nol.pnte.such by_ad end apllClllnuclIa; m...'.IImay be poduced by the operdOn rI thlfadllty.

C.

ThIs........a Jfcen.. shall be deemed to Cllftlalft n 1I*.ut:Ifed 10 the cDndlions lpeclild In the c:ommiIIiorta...~........fGIth In 10CFR Ct.__ MClfa IUb,llCtCo"""1c:abIe ~of tilt ~and II:) die rut..,..,....Ind ordn dIM Commlnlan now or.......rln eIJed:.lnd II ~ Co the adcIfIonel condlllons apIdfted OIlncorpor1ted below; (1)

MaJimum Pqwer Level VEPCO Ja tulhOI'IaCJ to operate thef-cllty <<ateady allite,.....". core power 1eItII. not In ftCNI of 2940 meQIIIW8tta (thIrm.~.

(2)

TIFIa._ SptciftgIIQnI Tt. TechnIcIII Specllk;atlonl ~ In ApI*\\dbC A... revI&ed throuah AmendlMflt No. *251...herMy tlCOIPCIfIItId In the.MnaWId Uceru. The 1Icen....hall oper-.e It. fadllty Ineccord.-.ee wIh", Techniell 8pec:;ffb1ltons.

p)

. MdItfoO.1 COndltlCf'lll

=oi~==~'=:"~=~=:::.

luuanctt of the condition orwfthn It. operatlo.., teIIIrIItIoI_ In.1.1d. The removal of theM condIJoN.... be",... by l1li MUtndmlntto the~

llcen.. supported by. f__ble ewJul&lQn." Ih. CommIIJlIon:

If\\JEPCO pIInI, to remove or 10 maP algnlftcant changes In.. normal openltion of equlpmel'Jllhtt conIra. It. amount d ~ 1ft elluenls

. tram lite North Anne Power St.,. the.

~ L.....No, NPF*7 NORTH ANNA* UNIT 2 Amtl'ldment,.,;251

Rod Position Indication 3.1. 7 ACTIONS CONDITION REQUIRED ACTION COMPLETION TIME D.

One demand position 0.1.1 Verify by Once per 8 hours9.259259e-5 days 0.00222 hours 1.322751e-5 weeks 3.044e-6 months indicator per bank administrative means inoperable for one or all RPls for the more banks.*

affected banks are OPERABLE.

AND 0.1.2 Verify the most Once per 8 hours9.259259e-5 days 0.00222 hours 1.322751e-5 weeks 3.044e-6 months withdrawn rod and the least withdrawn rod of the affected banks are

~ 12 steps apart.

OR D.2 Reduce THERMAL POWER 8 hours9.259259e-5 days 0.00222 hours 1.322751e-5 weeks 3.044e-6 months to ~ 50% RTP.

E.

Required Action and E.1 Be in MODE 3.

6 hours6.944444e-5 days 0.00167 hours 9.920635e-6 weeks 2.283e-6 months associated Completion Time not met.

i SURVEILLANCE REQUIREMENTS SURVEILLANCE FREQUENCY SR 3.1. 7.1 Perform CHANNEL CALIBRATION of each RPI.

In accordance with the Surveillance Frequency Control Program

During North Anna Unit 2 Cycle 22. the Condition of two demand position indicators per bank inoperable for one or more banks is allowed with a Required Action to restore one demand position indicator per bank and a Completion Time of 4 hours4.62963e-5 days 0.00111 hours 6.613757e-6 weeks 1.522e-6 months provided the Rod Control System is immediately placed in a condition incapable of automatic rod movement and verify by administrative means that the RPls for the affected banks are OPERABLE and the rods are aligned within 12 steps. If the 4 hour4.62963e-5 days 0.00111 hours 6.613757e-6 weeks 1.522e-6 months Completion Time is not met. enter Condition E.

North Anna Units 1 and 2 3.1. 7-3 AmendmentsNo.251

~

UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001

't'/.

~

¥-o SAFETY EVALUATION BY THE OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION RELATED TO AMENDMENT NO. 251 TO RENEWED FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO. NPF-7 VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY NORTH ANNA POWER STATION, UNIT NO.2 DOCKET NO. 50-339

1.0 INTRODUCTION

By application dated May 11, 2012 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML12136A451), the Virginia Electric and Power Company, (Dominion, the licensee), submitted a request for changes to the North Anna Power Station, Unit No.2 (License No. NPF-7) Technical Specifications (TSs).

The requested amendment is a one-time change that would affect TS Section 3.1.7, "Rod Position Indication." The requirements related to one inoperable bank demand position indicator (DPI) would be modified by a footnote to allow two DPls to be inoperable per bank for one or more banks on a temporary basis during the current operating cycle (Cycle 22). This provision would allow for corrective maintenance on three inoperable DPls in the rod position indication (RPI) system that necessitates removing both DPls for the affected rod banks from service during the repair.

2.0 REGULATORY EVALUATION

Section 182a of the Atomic Energy Act requires applicants for nuclear power plant operating licenses to include TSs as part of the license. The TSs ensures the operational capability of structures, systems, and components that are required to protect the health and safety of the public. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regulatory requirements related to the content of the TSs are contained in Section 50.36 of Title 10 of the Code ofFederal Regulations (10 CFR), which requires that the TSs include items in the following categories:

safety limits, limiting safety systems settings, and limiting control settings; limiting conditions for operation (LCOs);

surveillance requirements (SRs);

design features; and administrative controls.

Operability, including position indication of the control rods and shutdown rods is an initial condition assumption in all safety analyses that assume rod insertion upon a reactor trip.

Maximum rod misalignment is an initial condition assumption in the safety analysis that directly affects core power distributions and assumptions of available shutdown margin. Control rod

- 2 inoperability or misalignment may cause increased power peaking due to the asymmetric reactivity distribution and a reduction in the total available rod worth for reactor shutdown.

As stated in 10 CFR 50.36(c)(2)(i), LCOs "are the lowest functional capability or performance levels of equipment required for safe operation of the facility. When a[n] [LCD] of a nuclear reactor is not met, the licensee shall shut down the reactor or follow any remedial action permitted by the technical specification.... " The remedial actions in the TSs are specified in terms of LCD conditions, required actions, and completion times (CTs) to complete the required actions. When an LCD is not being met, the CTs specified in the TSs are the time allowed for completing the specified required actions. The conditions and required actions specified in the TSs must be acceptable remedial actions for the LCD not being met, and the CTs must be of a reasonable duration for completing the required actions.

North Anna Power Station TS LCD Section 3.1.7, provides the operability requirements, allowed conditions, required actions, CTs, and SRs associated with the RPI system, and thereby ensures compliance with the control rod alignment and insertion limits. LCD 3.1.7, Condition C, provides the required actions and CTs for one DPI per bank inoperable for one or more banks. The proposed change would modify the TS requirements to allow two DPls per bank to be inoperable for one or more banks during Operating Cycle 22. The inoperability of two DPls in a bank affects only the ability to determine the control system demand position for the bank. The actual rod position indications remain available through the use of the ARPls, as required by Required Action C.1.1, which requires that all ARPls for the affected banks be verified to be operable by administrative means once per 8 hours9.259259e-5 days 0.00222 hours 1.322751e-5 weeks 3.044e-6 months .

The NRC staff reviewed the license amendment request to verify that the above regulatory requirements, as well as the licensing basis criteria stated in the Updated Final Safety Analysis Report (UFSAR), continue to be met with the proposed temporary change.

3.0 TECHNICAL EVALUATION

3.1 Description of Affected Systems A description of the RPI system is provided in the Bases documents for TS LCD Section 3.1.7.

A summary of the RPI system, as described in the Bases for TS LCD Section 3.1.7, was provided by the licensee as follows:

The axial position of shutdown rods and control rods are determined by two separate and independent systems: the Bank Demand Position Indication System (commonly called group step counters) and the ARPI System.

The Bank Demand Position Indication System counts the pulses from the Rod Control System that move the rods. There is one step counter for each group of rods. Individual rods in a group all receive the same signal to move and Should, therefore, all be at the same position indicated by the group step counter for that group. The Bank Demand Position Indication System is considered highly precise (+/-1 step or +/- 5/8 inch). If a rod does not move one step for each demand pulse, the step counter will still count the pulse and incorrectly reflect the position of the rod.

- 3 The RPI System provides a highly accurate indication of actual control rod position, but at a lower precision than the step counters. This system is based on inductive analog signals from a series of coils spaced along a hollow tube. The RPI System is capable of monitoring rod position within at least +/- 12 steps.

3.2 Background for Proposed TS Change Technical Specifications (TS) Limiting Condition for Operation (LCO) Section 3.1.7, uRod Position Indication," provides the operability requirements, allowed Conditions, Required Actions, Completion Times and Surveillance Requirements associated with the Rod Position Indication system. TS LCO Section 3.1.7, Condition 0, specifies that the Required Actions and Completion Times for one demand position indicator per bank inoperable for one or more banks. There is no Condition specified for two demand position indicators per bank inoperable for one or more banks.

Therefore, based on the current TS, entry into LCO 3.0.3 is required for this condition. The current requirements are overly restrictive because the inoperability of two demand position indicators in a bank only affects the ability to determine the control system demand position for that bank. The actual rod position indications remain available through the use of the rod position indicators (RPls), as required by Required Action 0.1.1. The action requires that all RPls for the affected banks be verified operable by administrative means once per 8 hours9.259259e-5 days 0.00222 hours 1.322751e-5 weeks 3.044e-6 months with one inoperable demand position indicator in the bank.

This temporary TS change is being proposed at this time due to potential maintenance activities associated with the rod control system (a single group demand counter) which would render both groups of demand position indicators inoperable in one or more banks to complete the maintenance. In February 2012, rod operability testing identified the inoperability of three demand position indicators (Shutdown Bank A Group 2, Control Bank A Group 2, and Control Bank C Group 2) due to circuit card(s) in the logic cabinet. Adjustments were made to the seating of certain rod control cards, one card (AS03) was replaced, and post maintenance testing was subsequently performed to verify operability of the demand counters. However, if other rod control cards required adjustment or replacement to eliminate the inoperability, there was the likelihood that both demand position indicators for the three control rod banks (Shutdown Bank A and Control Banks A and C) could have been made inoperable to correct the malfunction. This would have placed North Anna, Unit 2, in TS 3.0.3, which requires that the unit shall be placed in a MODE, i.e., plant shutdown or other specified condition in which the LCO is not applicable.

In anticipation of similar results during future rod control system testing, and the ensuing maintenance activities that could potentially render both groups of demand position indicators inoperable for one or more banks, a temporary TS change is proposed that would establish a Condition for inoperability of two demand position indicators for one or more banks. This proposed change is requested in order to establish a TS Condition that permits repair of the demand position indicators without entering TS 3.0.3. Additional troubleshooting and necessary repairs on the demand step counters will be completed during the next Unit 2 refueling outage.

3.3 Proposed TS Change The proposed change will allow two demand position indicators in one or more banks to be inoperable for 4 hours4.62963e-5 days 0.00111 hours 6.613757e-6 weeks 1.522e-6 months . This change is proposed as a temporary change to the TS for the current operating cycle and is provided as a footnote to the current TS LCO Section 3.1.7, Condition D.

The proposed footnote states, "During North Anna, Unit 2, Cycle 22, the Condition of two demand

-4 position indicators per bank inoperable for one or more banks is allowed with a Required Action to restore one demand position indicator per bank and a Completion Time of 4 hours4.62963e-5 days 0.00111 hours 6.613757e-6 weeks 1.522e-6 months provided the Rod Control System is immediately placed in a condition incapable of rod movement and verify by administrative means that the RPls for the affected banks are OPERABLE and the rods are aligned within 12 steps. If the 4 hour4.62963e-5 days 0.00111 hours 6.613757e-6 weeks 1.522e-6 months Completion Time is not met, enter Condition E."

3.4 Technical Evaluation As previously stated, the current TS does not include a Condition for the inoperability of two demand position indicators in one or more banks. Based on the current TS, entry into LCO 3.0.3 is required for this condition. The current requirements are overly restrictive because the inoperability of two demand position indicators in a bank only affects the ability to determine the control system demand position for the bank. The actual rod position indications remain available through the use ofthe RPls, as required by Required Action D.1.1, which requires that all RPls for the affected banks be verified operable by administrative means once per 8 hours9.259259e-5 days 0.00222 hours 1.322751e-5 weeks 3.044e-6 months . In addition, Required Action D.1.2 requires verification that the most withdrawn rod and the least withdrawn rod of the affected banks are s; 12 steps apart once every 8 hours9.259259e-5 days 0.00222 hours 1.322751e-5 weeks 3.044e-6 months .

A Completion Time limit of 4 hours4.62963e-5 days 0.00111 hours 6.613757e-6 weeks 1.522e-6 months for the proposed Condition provides a time limit that is more restrictive than the Completion Times associated with Condition D of LCO 3.1.7. Therefore, the Completion Time limit for the proposed temporary Condition and associated Required Action to restore one demand position indicator per bank will allow completion of the Condition D Required Actions after restoration of one demand position indicator per bank. During the timeframe where two demand position indicators per bank are inoperable, the Rod Control System will be placed in a condition incapable of rod movement to allow Operators to maintain control of rod position. In addition, the RPls for the affected banks will immediately be verified Operable with the rods in the affected bank are aligned within 12 steps. Typical adjustments to maintain RPI indications accurate are permitted at power. If the Required Action to restore one indicator per affected bank is not completed within 4 hours4.62963e-5 days 0.00111 hours 6.613757e-6 weeks 1.522e-6 months , then Condition E would be entered because there is no applicable LCO and Required Action E. 1 would apply and require the plant to be in MODE 3 within 6 hours6.944444e-5 days 0.00167 hours 9.920635e-6 weeks 2.283e-6 months .

The inoperability of two demand position indicators in one or more banks does not directly affect any accident analysis or design basis limits or cause any limits not to be met. The inoperability of these indicators does prevent the comparison of the RPls to the demand position indication for verification of rod insertion and rod group alignment limits, which are required limits for maintaining the reactor within analyzed conditions. The use of a 4 hour4.62963e-5 days 0.00111 hours 6.613757e-6 weeks 1.522e-6 months Completion Time limit provides a restriction that limits the time that reactor operation can continue during the loss of one method of indirectly determining position indication. This time limit is more restrictive than TS requirements that are generally specified for this type of loss of indication. For example, the loss of the rod insertion limit monitor requires verification that each control bank is within the limits specified in the core operating limits report (COLR) for TS Surveillance Requirement (SR) 3.1.6.2. SR 3.1.6.2 is conducted in accordance with the Surveillance Frequency Control Program (SFCP). The SFCP specifies a frequency of 12 hours1.388889e-4 days 0.00333 hours 1.984127e-5 weeks 4.566e-6 months .

The current TS requirements that use demand position indicators include the following:

LCO 3.1.4 states "All shutdown and control rods shall be OPERABLE AND individual indicated rod positions shall be within 12 steps of their group step counter demand position." Additionally, SR 3.1.4.1 requires verification of individual rod positions within

- 5 alignment limits at a frequency as specified in accordance with the SFCP. The SFCP specifies a frequency of 12 hours1.388889e-4 days 0.00333 hours 1.984127e-5 weeks 4.566e-6 months .

LCO 3.1.5 states that "Each shutdown bank shall be within insertion limits specified in the COLR." SR 3.1.5.1 requires verification that each shutdown bank is within the limits specified in the COLR at a frequency as specified in accordance with the SFCP. The SFCP specifies a frequency of 12 hours1.388889e-4 days 0.00333 hours 1.984127e-5 weeks 4.566e-6 months . This can be accomplished with the individual rod positions indicators (IRPls).

LCO 3.1.6 states "Control banks shall be within the insertion, sequence, and overlap limits specified in the COLR." SR 3.1.6.2 requires verification that each control bank insertion is within the limits specified in the COLR at a frequency as specified in accordance with the SFCP. SR 3.1.6.3 requires verification that each control bank not fully withdrawn from the core is within the sequence and overlap limits specified in the COLR at a frequency specified in the SFCP. The SFCP specifies verification frequencies of 12 hours1.388889e-4 days 0.00333 hours 1.984127e-5 weeks 4.566e-6 months . This can be accomplished with the individual rod position indicators (IRPls).

LCO 3.1.7 states "The Rod Position Indication (RPI) System and the Demand Position Indication System shall be OPERABLE." Required Action 0.1.1, requires that all RPls for the affected banks be verified operable by administrative means once per 8 hours9.259259e-5 days 0.00222 hours 1.322751e-5 weeks 3.044e-6 months and Required Action 0.1.2 requires verification that the most withdrawn rod and the least withdrawn rod of the affected banks are s 12 steps apart once every 8 hours9.259259e-5 days 0.00222 hours 1.322751e-5 weeks 3.044e-6 months .

During the time that two demand position indicators are inoperable in a bank, rod position can be verified with the RPls (both Main Control Room indication and Plant Computer System (PCS)). A temporary Completion Time limit for restoring at least one demand position indicator in the affected bank has been chosen to be 4 hours4.62963e-5 days 0.00111 hours 6.613757e-6 weeks 1.522e-6 months . This time limit is consistent with the most limiting Completion Time and surveillances associated with the use of the demand position indicators and will provide adequate time to perform maintenance on the inoperable demand counter.

Additionally, the requirements for the use of RPls and applicable conditions for inoperable RPls are unaffected by the proposed change. For example, LCO 3.1.7 Required Action C.1 requires that the position of the rods with inoperable position indicators be verified by using the movable incore detectors within 4 hours4.62963e-5 days 0.00111 hours 6.613757e-6 weeks 1.522e-6 months of moving the affected rods in excess of 24 steps in one direction.

In addition, the Rod Control System will be placed in a condition incapable of rod movement and the RPI for the affected banks will be immediately verified Operable with the rods in the affected bank aligned within 12 steps. If the 4 hour4.62963e-5 days 0.00111 hours 6.613757e-6 weeks 1.522e-6 months Completion Time is not met, then Condition E will be entered.

The loss of both demand position indicators in one or more banks does not prevent or inhibit operation of the control rods. The reactor protection functions remain operable and able to mitigate design basis events and transient conditions. Additionally, the applicable core power distribution limits (Le., LCO 3.2.1 Heat Flux Hot Channel Factor, LCO 3.2.2 Nuclear Enthalpy Rise Hot Channel Factor, LCO 3.2.3 Axial Flux Difference, and LCO 3.2.4 Quadrant Power Tilt Ratio) remain in effect in accordance with the applicability requirements for these TS. This further ensures the reactor will be maintained within required limits.

The preceding justifications provide the basis for the proposed change. The addition of a footnote to the current TS LCO 3.1.7, Condition 0, is being proposed at this time due to potential maintenance requirements associated with the rod control system which would render both

- 6 groups of demand position indicators inoperable in one or more banks for a brief period of time.

In February 2012, rod operability testing identified the inoperability of three demand position indicators in three control rod banks due to circuit card(s) in the logic cabinet. Adjustments were made to the seating of certain rod control cards, one card (A503) was replaced, and post maintenance testing was subsequently performed to verify operability of the demand counters.

However, if other rod control cards had required adjustment to eliminate the inoperability, there would have been a likelihood that both demand position indicators for the three control rod banks could have been rendered inoperable to correct the malfunction, and that would have placed North Anna, Unit 2, in TS 3.0.3.

In anticipation of similar results during future rod control system testing and ensuing maintenance activities that could potentially render both groups of demand position indicators inoperable for one or more banks, a temporary TS change is proposed that would establish a Condition for inoperability of two demand position indicators for one or more banks. This change is proposed to establish a TS Condition that permits for repair of the demand position indicators and eliminate the possible entry into TS 3.0.3.

Based on the evaluation described above, the NRC staff concludes that the proposed footnote, which provides the conditions and required actions for two inoperable DPls in the same rod bank for one or more banks, is acceptable because the change (1) incorporates a CT that minimizes the amount of time demand position indication is out of service for all affected banks, (2) provides adequate controls to ensure that the rod position is known using alternate methods (Le., ARPls or incore detectors), and (3) addresses the situation that exists at North Anna, Unit 2.

The NRC staff determined that the proposed footnote meets the 10 CFR 50.36 requirements.

Therefore, the NRC staff finds the proposed changes acceptable on a temporary basis to be implemented during operating Cycle 22.

4.0 STATE CONSULTATION

In accordance with the Commission's regulations, the Virginia State official was notified of the proposed issuance of the amendment. The State official had no comments.

5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATION

The amendments change a requirement with respect to the installation or use of facility components within the restricted area as defined in 10 CFR Part 20. The NRC staff has determined that the amendments involve no significant increase in the amounts and no significant change in the types of any effluents that may be released offsite, and that there is no significant increase in individual or cumulative occupational radiation exposure. The Commission has previously issued a proposed finding that the amendments involve no significant hazards considerations, and there has been no public comment on such finding (77FR 35077).

Accordingly, the amendments meet the eligibility criteria for categorical exclusion set forth in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(9). Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental impact statement or environmental assessment need be prepared in connection with the issuance of the amendments.

- 7

6.0 CONCLUSION

The Commission has concluded, based on the considerations discussed above, that: (1) there is reasonable assurance that the health and safety of the public will not be endangered by operation in the proposed manner, (2) such activities will be conducted in compliance with the Commission's regulations, and (3) the issuance of the amendments will not be inimical to the common defense and security or to the health and safety of the public.

Principal Contributor: Matthew Hardgrove Samuel Miranda Date: February 14, 2013

February 14, 2013 Mr. David A. Heacock President and Chief Nuclear Officer Virginia Electric and Power Company Innsbrook Technical Center 5000 Dominion Boulevard Glen Allen, VA 23060-6711

SUBJECT:

NORTH ANNA POWER STATION, UNIT NO.2, ISSUANCE OF AMENDMENT FOR TEMPORARY CHANGE TO ALLOW TWO INOPERABLE DEMAND POSITION INDICATORS PER CONTROL BANK (TAC NO. ME8656)

Dear Mr. Heacock:

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued the enclosed Amendment No. 251 to Renewed Facility Operating License No. NPF-7 for the North Anna Power Station, Unit No.2. The amendment consists of changes to the Technical Specifications (TSs) in response to your application dated May 11, 2012.

The amendment revises the TS 3.1.7, "Rod Position Indication" to allow two demand position indicators in one or more banks to be inoperable for up to 4 hours4.62963e-5 days 0.00111 hours 6.613757e-6 weeks 1.522e-6 months . This change is proposed as a temporary change to the TS for the current operating cycle and is proposed as a footnote to the current TS Limiting Condition for Operation (LCO) Section 3.1.7, Condition D.

A copy of our related safety evaluation is also enclosed. The Notice of Issuance will be included in the Commission's biweekly Federal Register notice.

Sincerely, IRA!

Dr. V. Sreenivas, Project Manager Plant Licensing Branch 11-1 Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-339

Enclosures:

1. Amendment No. 251 to NPF-7

2. Safety Evaluation cc w/encls: Distribution via Listserv DISTRIBUTION:

Public LPL2-1 R/F RidsAcrsAcnw_MailCTR Resource RidsNrrDorlLpl2-1 Resource RidsOgcRpResource RidsNrrDirsltsb Resource RidsNrrPMNorthAnna RidsRgn2MailCenter RidsNrrLASFigueroa MHardgrove, NRR RidsNrrDorlDprResource SMiranda, NRR CJackson, NRR ADAMS AcceSSion No.: ML13032A154

'SE input ML12331A257 OFFICE ILPL2-1/PM LPL2-1/LA DSS/SRXB/BC OGC NLO LPL2-1IBC ILPL2-1/PM INAMF DATE

/1/31/13 I~Fimlp.ro::l 214/13 CJackson 12114/12 MYouna 2113113 RPascarelli 2/14/13 VSreenivas 2/14/13 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

v t e Letter Sequence Approval
TAC:ME8656, (Approved, Closed)
Initiation Acceptance Administration Questions Answers Results Approval Other:
MONTHYEAR2012-05-22 [Table View]

ML13032A154

Text

SUBJECT:

Dear Mr. Heacock:

Enclosures:

Attachment:

1.0 INTRODUCTION

2.0 REGULATORY EVALUATION

3.0 TECHNICAL EVALUATION

4.0 STATE CONSULTATION

5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATION

6.0 CONCLUSION

SUBJECT:

Dear Mr. Heacock:

Enclosures:

Navigation menu

Search