ML15275A277

Formal Notification of New Fuel Design

ML15275A277
Person / Time
Site:	Calvert Cliffs
Issue date:	10/02/2015
From:	Jim Barstow Exelon Generation Co
To:	Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
TAC ME2831, TAC ME2832
Download: ML15275A277 (2)

Text

200 Exelon Way Exelon Generation Kennett Square. PA 19348 www.exeloncorp.com October 2, 2015 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ATTN: Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555 Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, Unit Nos. 1 and 2 Renewed Facility Operating License Nos. DPR-53 and DPR-69 NRC Docket Nos. 50-317 and 50-318

Subject:

Formal Notification of New Fuel Design for Calvert Cliffs 10 CFR 50.90

References:

1. Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, Unit Nos. 1 and 2 - Amendment:

Transition from Westinghouse Nuclear Fuel to AREVA Nuclear Fuel (TAC Nos. ME2831 and ME2832), dated February 18, 2011.

2. Safety Evaluation of Siemens Power Corporation Topical Report EMF-92-116(P) "Generic Mechanical Design Criteria for PWR Fuel Designs," dated February 2, 1999.

3. License Amendment Request - Transition from Westinghouse Nuclear Fuel to AREVA Nuclear Fuel, dated November 23, 2009.

This letter satisfies Exelon Generation Company, LLC (Exelon) requirement as described in the Calvert Cliffs Fuel Transition Safety Evaluation Report (SER), dated February 18, 2011.

Specifically, page 4 of the SER [Reference 1] states:

"... Any first batch application of a new or modified assembly component design or material or first batch application of a prior assembly design or material to a new reactor meets the staff's interpretation of a new fuel design and necessitates formal notification in accordance with this SE [Reference 2]

restriction."

The current AREVA NP Inc. (AREVA) fuel design for Calvert Cliffs is described in of Reference 3. The AREVA fuel design includes the use of Ms for the fuel rod cladding and both end caps.

AREVA is implementing a change in material for the fuel rod end caps from MS to Zircaloy-4. The fuel rod cladding will continue to use Ms. This material change meets the threshold criteria for notification of the NRC per the SER requirements on page 4 of Reference 1.

Formal Notification of New Fuel Design for Calvert Cliffs October 2, 2015 Page 2 AREVA will start fabrication of the new fuel design in early 2016, and implement this change in 2017 starting with Calvert Cliffs Unit 2, Cycle 22 and follow-on reloads for both Calvert Cliffs units.

AREVA has communicated to Exelon that this design change was evaluated against the criteria contained in their approved methodology as described in Reference 2 and concluded that all criteria will continue to be satisfied. AREVA has confirmed to Exelon that the Zircaloy-4 material used for the end caps does not impact any of the design parameters considered in their approved methods.

Furthermore, AREVA concluded that the fuel rod welds behave comparably to welds using M5 end caps, with respect to mechanical properties, corrosion, LOCA, neutronics, and fuel rod growth. Therefore, there is no adverse impact on the fuel assembly's performance, safety, or reliability.

This letter satisfies Exelon requirement of notification to the NRC as described in Reference 1.

There are no regulatory commitments contained in this letter.

If you should have any questions regarding this submittal, please contact Enrique Villar at 610-765-5736.

Respectfully, Jama=:~

Director - Licensing & Regulatory Affairs Exelon Generation Company, LLC cc:

NRC Project Manager, NRR - Calvert Cliffs NRC Regional Administrator, Region I NRC Resident Inspector, Calvert Cliffs S. T. Gray, MD-DNR