ML16131A383

Formal Notification of New Fuel Design

ML16131A383
Person / Time
Site:	Calvert Cliffs
Issue date:	05/10/2016
From:	David Gudger Exelon Generation Co
To:	Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
TAC ME2831, TAC ME2832
Download: ML16131A383 (2)

Text

Exelon Generation 200 Exelon Way Kennett Square. PA 19348 www.exeloncorp.com 10 CFR 50.90 May 10, 2016 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ATTN: Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555 Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, Units 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

References:

1. Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, Units 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 fuel design for Calvert Cliffs is described in Attachment 4 of Reference 3.

An AREVA design initiative is to standardize the length of their Combustion Engineering (CE) 14 MONO BLOCTM corner guide tubes.

The Calvert Cliffs MONO BLOC' guide tube length will be reduced to match the current St. Lucie 1 MONOBLOCTM guide tube length (the new AREVA standardized CE14 guide tube length). With Calvert Cliffs now using a standard length guide tube, the adjustment to meet

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Formal Notification of Fuel Design May 10, 2016 Page 2 the necessary guide tube assembly length will be controlled by the attachment of the guide tube locking sleeve. The gap between the top of the guide tube and the bottom of the guide tube locking sleeve counter bore will be increased slightly to obtain the required overall guide tube assembly length.

AREVA will start fabrication of the new fuel design in Summer 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 they have evaluated this design change 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 guide tube standardization does not impact any of the design parameters considered in their approved methods.

Furthermore, AREVA testing has demonstrated that the new standard CE14 guide tube assembly upper connection minimum break-away strength requirement continues to be satisfied with the standardized guide tube length. 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, David T. Gudger Manager - Licensing & Regulatory Affairs Exelon Generation Company, LLC cc: NRG Regional Administrator, Region I NRG Project Manager, Calvert Cliffs NRG Resident Inspector, Calvert Cliffs S. T. Gray, MD-DNR