ML17226A336

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Supplement to Application to Adopt 10 CFR 50.69, Risk-Informed Categorization and Treatment of Structures, Systems, and Components for Nuclear Power Reactors
ML17226A336
Person / Time
Site: Limerick  Constellation icon.png
Issue date: 08/14/2017
From: Jim Barstow
Exelon Generation Co
To:
Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
CAC MF9873, CAC MF9874
Download: ML17226A336 (29)


Text

200 Exelon Way Kennett Square, PA 19348 www.exeloncorp.com 10 CFR 50.90 10 CFR 50.69 August 14, 2017 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555-0001 ATTN: Document Control Desk Limerick Generating Station, Units 1 and 2 Renewed Facility Operating License Nos. NPF-39 and NPF-85 NRC Docket Nos. 50-352 and 50-353

Subject:

Supplement to Application to Adopt 10 CFR 50.69, Risk-Informed Categorization and Treatment of Structures, Systems, and Components for Nuclear Power Reactors

References:

1. Letter from J. Barstow (Exelon Generation Company, LLC) to U.S.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Application to Adopt 10 CFR 50.69, Risk-Informed Categorization and Treatment of Structures, Systems, and Components (SSCs) for Nuclear Power Plants," dated June 28, 2017 (ADAMS Accession No. ML17179A161).

2. Letter from V. Sreenivas (U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission) to B. C.

Hanson (Exelon Generation Company, LLC), "Limerick Generating Station, Units 1 and 2, - Supplemental Information Needed for Acceptance of Requested Licensing Action RE: Adoption of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations Section 50.69 (CAC Nos. MF9873 and MF9874)," dated July 31, 2017 (ADAMS Accession No. ML17207A077).

In Reference 1, Exelon Generation Company, LLC (Exelon) requested an amendment to the Renewed Facility Operating License Nos. NPF-39 and NPF-85 for Limerick Generating Station (Limerick), Units 1 and 2, respectively. The proposed amendment would modify the licensing basis by the addition of a license condition to allow for the implementation of the provisions of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), Part 50.69, Risk-Informed Categorization and Treatment of Structures, Systems, and Components for Nuclear Power Reactors.

In Reference 2, the NRC requested that Exelon provide supplemental information by August 17, 2017 to support the acceptance review of the license amendment request. The attachment to this letter provides a restatement of the NRC questions followed by our responses.

Exelon has reviewed the information supporting a finding of no significant hazards consideration, and the environmental consideration, that were previously provided to the NRC in the Enclosure of the Reference 1 letter. Exelon has concluded that the information provided in this response does not affect the bases for concluding that the proposed license amendment does not involve a significant hazards consideration under the standards set

License Amendment Request Supplement Adopt 10 CFR 50.69 Docket Nos. 50-352 and 50-353 August 14, 2017 Page 2 forth in 10 CFR 50.92. In addition, Exelon has concluded that the information in this response does not affect the bases for concluding that neither an environmental impact statement nor an environmental assessment needs to be prepared in connection with the proposed amendment.

In accordance with 10 CFR 50.91, "Notice for public comment; State consultation,"

paragraph (b), Exelon is notifying the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania of this supplement to the application for license amendment by transmitting a copy of this letter and its attachment to the designated State Official.

This letter contains no regulatory commitments.

If you should have any questions regarding this submittal, please contact Glenn Stewart at 610-765-5529.

I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on this 141h day of August 2017.

Respectfu~lly, (J,JYW2o ~

James Ba w Director - ensing and Regulatory Affairs Exelon Generation Company, LLC Attachment cc: USNRC Region I, Regional Administrator USNRC Project Manager, Limerick USNRC Senior Resident Inspector, Limerick Director, Bureau of Radiation Protection - Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

ATTACHMENT License Amendment Request Supplement Limerick Generating Station, Units 1 and 2 NRC Docket Nos. 50-352 and 50-353 Application to Adopt 10 CFR 50.69, Risk-Informed Categorization and Treatment of Structures, Systems, and Components for Nuclear Power Reactors

License Amendment Request Supplement Attachment Adopt 10 CFR 50.69 Page 1 of 26 Docket Nos. 50-352 and 50-353 In Reference 1, Exelon Generation Company, LLC (Exelon) requested an amendment to the Renewed Facility Operating License Nos. NPF-39 and NPF-85 for Limerick Generating Station (Limerick), Units 1 and 2, respectively. The proposed amendment would modify the licensing basis by the addition of a license condition to allow for the implementation of the provisions of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR), Part 50.69, Risk-Informed Categorization and Treatment of Structures, Systems, and Components for Nuclear Power Reactors.

In Reference 2, the NRC requested that Exelon provide supplemental information by August 17, 2017 to support the acceptance review of the license amendment request. A restatement of the NRC questions followed by our responses is provided below.

1. The regulations in 10 CFR 50.69(c)(1)(i) require that the probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) must be (1) of sufficient quality and level of detail to support the categorization process and must be (2) subjected to a peer review process assessed against a standard or set of acceptance criteria endorsed by the NRC. Section 50.69(b)(2)(iii) of 10 CFR requires that the results of the peer review process conducted to meet 10 CFR 50.69(c)(1)(i) criteria be submitted as part of the application. Regulatory Guide (RG) 1.200, Revision 2, "An Approach for Determining the Technical Adequacy of Probabilistic Risk Assessment Results for Risk-Informed Activities," provides guidance for determining the technical adequacy of the PRA by reviewing it against relevant parts of the ASME/ANS Standard RA-Sa-2009 using a peer review process.

While the NRC staff found the information provided in the 50.69 LAR referenced above, regarding the internal events PRA quality, to be insufficient for detailed technical review, the staff noted that the licensee submitted PRA quality information in a relief request dated April 13, 2016 (ADAMS Accession No. ML16104A122), as supplemented on September 19, 2016 (ADAMS Accession No. ML16263A218), in response to the NRC's request for additional information. In the licensee's submittal pertaining to this relief request, the licensee stated that the 2005 peer review of the internal events PRA was a full-scope peer review against RG 1.200, Revision 0, and provided results of gap assessments to RG 1.200, Revision 2.

An overview of all changes to the internal events PRA performed after the 2005 peer review was also provided. This information was used to support the review of the internal events for this 50.69 LAR.

To support an effective licensing review and reduce unnecessary delays in the review, provide the following information:

a. The LAR states that a peer review of the internal flooding PRA was performed in 2008 against RG 1.200, Revision 1, and that gap assessments to RG 1.200, Revision 2, were conducted, but no information on these gap assessments were provided in the relief request. To support the LAR statement that the internal flooding PRA model meets the requirements of RG 1.200, Revision 2, provide the gap assessment of the internal flooding PRA against RG 1.200, Revision 2.

Response

As indicated in the NRC question, results of the gap assessment to Revision 2 of RG 1.200 were provided for the internal events PRA in the response to the request for

License Amendment Request Supplement Attachment Adopt 10 CFR 50.69 Page 2 of 26 Docket Nos. 50-352 and 50-353 additional information for the RI-ISI submittal (ADAMS Accession No. ML16263A218),

but the gap assessment results for the internal flooding PRA were not provided in that response since there was no impact from internal flood hazards on the RI-ISI analysis employed for Limerick. The results of the gap assessment for the Internal Flooding (IF)

Supporting Requirements (SRs) identified in NEI 05-04, Revision 3 (Reference 3), are provided below.

Supporting Requirements Requiring Re-evaluation SRs that require re-evaluation are those SRs that have changed significantly, including those with new issues identified in RG 1.200, Revision 2. The applicable IF SRs are identified in NEI 05-04, Revision 3 and their impact for Limerick and this application are provided in Table 1.

Table 1: IF SRs Requiring Gap Assessment Evaluation Supporting Comments from Impact on Limerick for this 50.69 Requirement NEI 05-04, Revision 3 Application Flooding SRs: These are new No impact. Limerick meets the current IFPP-B1, B2, B3, requirements for flooding Capability Category I/II/III requirements IFSO-B1, B2, B3, that expand on the original for these SRs.

IFSN-B1, B2, B3, SRs in the ASME/ANS PRA IFEV-B1, B2, B3, Standard. The Limerick Internal Flood Evaluation IFQU-B1, B2, B3 Summary Notebook (LG-PRA-012)

(Reference 4) provides the necessary documentation that facilitates PRA applications, upgrades, and peer reviews requirements for each of the IF*-B1 SRs.

The Limerick Internal Flood Evaluation Summary Notebook also provides the necessary documentation to meet each of the IF*-B2 SRs.

The sources of model uncertainty and related assumptions are documented in Appendix A of the Limerick Internal Events Summary Notebook and are based on the guidance provided in EPRI TR-1016737 (Reference 5), as endorsed in NUREG-1855 (Reference 6). This includes sources of flooding uncertainty.

Additionally, the Limerick Internal Flood Evaluation Summary Notebook was updated to include uncertainty and assumptions. Section 2.2 includes

License Amendment Request Supplement Attachment Adopt 10 CFR 50.69 Page 3 of 26 Docket Nos. 50-352 and 50-353 Table 1: IF SRs Requiring Gap Assessment Evaluation Supporting Comments from Impact on Limerick for this 50.69 Requirement NEI 05-04, Revision 3 Application assumptions and Appendix G includes uncertainty and sensitivity evaluations.

This information meets the intent of the IF*-B3 SRs.

IFSN-A6 RG 1.200, Revision 2, No impact. Now Met Capability Category provides clarification that II per RG 1.200 clarification.

should be evaluated.

As a part of the 2013 FPIE PRA Update, pipe whip effects were investigated and shown to not be a concern for piping containing moderate energy water sources. Jet impingement effects were also shown to not be a concern for piping encapsulated by aluminum lagging.

Although the explicit consideration of the other failure mechanisms might ultimately introduce a few additional scenarios, the approach which initially utilizes bounding assumptions regarding the failure of all equipment in the flood area for the initial CCDP determination would bound the potential risk increase associated with these low likelihood events. This is sufficient for meeting Capability Category II including the RG 1.200 clarification.

In summary, a gap assessment to the current standard, ASME/ANS RA-Sa-2009, and RG 1.200, Revision 2 has been performed. The gap assessment did not identify any deficiencies that were not identified by the peer reviews or were not previously self-identified with respect to the new standard, and the remaining open items are consistent with the 2016 independent review team conclusions. The results of the technical adequacy evaluation (including internal flooding) and their impact on this application were provided in Attachment 3 of the Limerick 50.69 LAR submittal (ADAMS Accession Number ML17179A161).

License Amendment Request Supplement Attachment Adopt 10 CFR 50.69 Page 4 of 26 Docket Nos. 50-352 and 50-353

b. Confirm that the peer review conducted in 2011 for the fire PRA was a full-scope peer review and followed Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) 07-12, "Fire Probabilistic Risk Assessment (FPRA) Peer Review Process Guidelines." If the review was not a full-scope peer review, please describe the review in detail and provide all earlier findings and observations from any previous peer reviews.

Response

The Limerick Fire PRA peer review conducted in 2011 was a full scope peer review in accordance with the guidance in NEI 07-12, Revision 1 (Reference 7).

c. Confirm that the fire PRA uses methods that have been formally accepted by the NRC staff. If there are any methods used in the fire PRA that have not been formally accepted, describe the method and provide adequate technical justification for the method.

Response

The Limerick Fire PRA uses methods that have been formally accepted by the NRC.

2. The guidance in Section 5 of NEI 00-04, "10 CFR 50.69, SSC Categorization Guideline," as endorsed by RG 1.201, Revision 1, "Guidelines for Categorizing Structures, Systems, and Components in Nuclear Power Plants According to Their Safety Significance," stipulates identification of any applicable sensitivity studies to be used during the categorization process that are associated with the licensee's choice of specific models and assumptions, as discussed in RG 1.174, "An Approach for Using Probabilistic Risk Assessment in Risk-Informed Decisions on Plant-Specific Changes to the Licensing Basis." The LAR states that PRA model-specific assumptions and sources of uncertainty for this application have been identified and dispositioned but did not provide a description of the evaluated uncertainties and their disposition.

Provide the technical justification to support the LAR conclusion that no additional sensitivity analyses are required for the categorization process.

Response

The baseline internal events PRA and fire PRA (FPRA) models document assumptions and sources of uncertainty and these were reviewed during the model peer reviews. The approach taken is, therefore, to review these documents to identify the items which may be directly relevant to the 50.69 Program calculations, to perform sensitivity analyses where appropriate, to discuss the results and to provide dispositions for the 50.69 Program.

The epistemic uncertainty analysis approach described below applies to the internal events PRA. Epistemic uncertainty impacts that are unique to FPRA are addressed following the internal events discussion.

License Amendment Request Supplement Attachment Adopt 10 CFR 50.69 Page 5 of 26 Docket Nos. 50-352 and 50-353 Assessment of Internal Events PRA Epistemic Uncertainty Impacts In order to identify key sources of uncertainty for 50.69 Program application, the internal events baseline PRA model uncertainty report, which was developed based on the guidance in NUREG-1855 and EPRI TR-1016737, was reviewed. As described in NUREG-1855, sources of uncertainty include parametric uncertainties, modeling uncertainties, and completeness (or scope and level of detail) uncertainties.

Based on following the methodology in EPRI TR-1016737 for a review of sources of uncertainty, the impact of potential sources of uncertainty on the 50.69 application is discussed in Table 2, which identifies those sources that have the potential to be key sources of uncertainty for the 50.69 program.

Table 2: Assessment of Internal Events PRA Epistemic Uncertainty Impacts Source of Uncertainty and 50.69 Model Sensitivity and Disposition Assumptions Impact The Loss of Offsite Power (LOOP) SSCs that The overall approach for the frequency and fail to recover offsite support LOOP LOOP frequency and fail to power probabilities are based on scenarios recover probabilities utilized is available industry data. consistent with industry practice and are representative of Limerick.

Therefore, this does not represent a key source of uncertainty and will not be an issue for 50.69 calculations.

Recovery of instrument air (IA) is SSCs that Given the diversity and assumed to be possible to support support redundancy of the IA systems at containment venting in loss of containment heat the site, credit for IA recovery containment heat removal scenarios. removal (e.g., by aligning to the opposite scenarios unit compressors) for success of containment venting in long term loss of decay heat scenarios is reasonable. A slight conservative bias slant is used for this recovery value such that the impact on 50.69 calculations is not unduly influenced. This does not represent a key source of uncertainty for the 50.69 application.

License Amendment Request Supplement Attachment Adopt 10 CFR 50.69 Page 6 of 26 Docket Nos. 50-352 and 50-353 Table 2: Assessment of Internal Events PRA Epistemic Uncertainty Impacts Source of Uncertainty and 50.69 Model Sensitivity and Disposition Assumptions Impact Continued injection from control rod SSCs that This approach provides a best drive (CRD) after containment failure is support estimate assessment for the site.

credited unless a gross rupture of containment heat Therefore, this does not containment (i.e., not leak before removal represent a key source of break) occurs. The probability of scenarios uncertainty and will not be an rupture is based on a detailed structural issue for 50.69 calculations.

analysis of the Mark II design.

The base PRA model includes an SSCs supporting This approach provides a best assumption that 2 emergency diesel scenarios in estimate assessment for the site.

generator (EDG) HVAC fans are which on-site AC Therefore, this does not required 25% of the time, and only 1 power is required represent a key source of EDG HVAC fan is required for the uncertainty and will not be an remaining 75% of the time. issue for 50.69 calculations.

The base PRA model credits serial SSCs supporting Prior to implementation of the operation of high pressure coolant scenarios in 50.69 program, the PRA model injection (HPCI) and reactor core which on-site AC will be updated to explicitly isolation cooling (RCIC) to provide power is required account for load shedding when initial injection out to four hours in procedurally directed. Therefore, LOOP and Station Blackout (SBO) this does not represent a key scenarios without explicit source of uncertainty and will not representation of load shedding. be an issue for 50.69 calculations.

The postulated reactor pressure vessel SSCs supporting An alternative assumption would (RPV) overpressure failure mode is the LPI function be that such scenarios are assumed to be equivalent to the Large in RPV beyond the capabilities of the LPI LOCA success criteria. overpressure systems. Therefore, crediting LPI failure LOCA capabilities for these scenarios scenarios may provide a slight non-conservative bias on the 50.69 calculations. However, because RPV overpressure LOCA scenarios are very low frequency events, this does not represent a key source of uncertainty and will not be an issue for 50.69 calculations.

License Amendment Request Supplement Attachment Adopt 10 CFR 50.69 Page 7 of 26 Docket Nos. 50-352 and 50-353 Table 2: Assessment of Internal Events PRA Epistemic Uncertainty Impacts Source of Uncertainty and 50.69 Model Sensitivity and Disposition Assumptions Impact The pipe rupture frequencies in the SSCs that Prior to implementation of the internal flooding PRA are based on an support Internal 50.69 program, the internal flood older version of the EPRI pipe rupture Flood scenarios model will be updated so that the frequencies. Conversion to the most model uses the newer recent EPRI pipe rupture frequencies frequencies. Therefore, this does may increase internal flood CDF. not represent a key source of The internal flood model uses a pipe uncertainty and will not be an length approach per EPRI TR-1013141 issue for 50.69 calculations.

(Reference 8). Newer data is available.

Credit for core melt arrest in-vessel at SSCs that Core melt arrest in-vessel at high high RPV pressure conditions is taken support LERF pressure may not be possible in the current PRA model, but with a scenarios and therefore this could be a nominal failure probability of 0.9. source of model uncertainty. Use of the 0.9 factor compared to the alternative assumption of 1.0 would not have a meaningful impact on the 50.69 calculations.

However, prior to implementation of the 50.69 program, the PRA model will be updated to change this value to 1.0, such that this does not represent a key source of uncertainty for the 50.69 application.

License Amendment Request Supplement Attachment Adopt 10 CFR 50.69 Page 8 of 26 Docket Nos. 50-352 and 50-353 Table 2: Assessment of Internal Events PRA Epistemic Uncertainty Impacts Source of Uncertainty and 50.69 Model Sensitivity and Disposition Assumptions Impact Timely low pressure emergency core SSCs that This assumption precludes some cooling system (ECCS) restoration after support LERF of the low likelihood core damage is assumed to lead to a scenarios phenomenological contributors to condition where vessel failure is LERF from contributing to the avoided. overall results. However, it is judged reasonable that the availability of low pressure injection at the time of vessel failure (should it occur) will also greatly reduce the potential for a large early release from occurring.

Therefore, this assumption provides a reasonable best-estimate approach, and as such will have only a minor impact on the 50.69 calculations.

Therefore, this does not represent a key source of uncertainty for the 50.69 application.

If containment failure occurs prior to SSCs The values utilized provide a core damage in Anticipated Transient supporting reasonable best-estimate Without Scram (ATWS) scenarios that ATWS LERF approach, and as such will have could result in LERF, only injection from scenarios only a minor impact on the 50.69 residual heat removal service water calculations.

(RHRSW) is credited to provide core Therefore, this does not melt arrest in-vessel. Besides the represent a key source of failure modes of implementing RHRSW uncertainty for the 50.69 injection, additional failure modes are application.

included for harsh reactor building environment or piping failures due to containment failure.

Ex-vessel core melt progression SSCs that The values utilized provide a overwhelming vapor suppression is support LERF reasonable best-estimate considered in the LERF model with scenarios approach, and as such will have different values for low pressure RPV only a minor impact on the 50.69 failure sequences and high pressure calculations. Therefore, this does RPV failure sequences based on not represent a key source of available information. uncertainty for the 50.69 application.

License Amendment Request Supplement Attachment Adopt 10 CFR 50.69 Page 9 of 26 Docket Nos. 50-352 and 50-353 Table 2: Assessment of Internal Events PRA Epistemic Uncertainty Impacts Source of Uncertainty and 50.69 Model Sensitivity and Disposition Assumptions Impact ISLOCAs are dominant contributors to SSCs that The values utilized provide a LERF. Their assumed IE frequency support LERF reasonable best-estimate could influence the LERF FV and RAW scenarios approach, and as such will have values of all SSCs. only a minor impact on the 50.69 The detailed Interfacing System LOCA calculations. Therefore, this does (ISLOCA) analysis includes the not represent a key source of relevant considerations listed in IE-C14 uncertainty for the 50.69 of ASME/ANS PRA Standard RA-Sa- application.

2009 (Reference 9) and accounts for common cause failures and captures likelihood of different piping failure modes.

Given that conditions occur that would SSCs that Although the SRVs at Limerick allow uncontrolled flooding of the steam support are designed to pass water and lines, a probability is assigned that this scenarios that Appendix R models the RPV uncontrolled flooding permanently require High being flooded with water returned disables all of the SRVs precluding the Pressure to the Suppression Pool via the ability to depressurize the RPV through Injection SRVs, they are never tested in the SRVs. this fashion. A nominal failure probability is assigned to provide a slight conservative bias slant to the results such that the impact on 50.69 calculations is not unduly influenced. This does not represent a key source of uncertainty for the 50.69 application EDG repair probabilities employed in SSCs No credit for EDG repair is taken the PRA model are a potential source supporting in the current PRA model.

of uncertainty. scenarios in Therefore, this does not which on-site represent a key source of AC power is uncertainty and will not be an required issue for 50.69 calculations.

Residual heat removal (RHR), SSCs that No credit for RHR, RHRSW, or RHRSW, and emergency service water support ESW pump repair is taken in the (ESW) pump repair probabilities are a containment current PRA model. Therefore, potential source of uncertainty. heat removal this does not represent a key scenarios source of uncertainty and will not be an issue for 50.69 calculations.

License Amendment Request Supplement Attachment Adopt 10 CFR 50.69 Page 10 of 26 Docket Nos. 50-352 and 50-353 Table 2: Assessment of Internal Events PRA Epistemic Uncertainty Impacts Source of Uncertainty and 50.69 Model Sensitivity and Disposition Assumptions Impact Containment integrity following a vessel SSCs that The current model treatment rupture event (i.e., excessive LOCA) is support LERF results in addition of a constant not assured. There is model uncertainty scenarios adder to the CDF and LERF regarding the subsequent treatment results and as such will have only that increases the likelihood of LERF a minor impact on the 50.69 for this extremely rare event. calculations. Therefore, this does not represent a key source of uncertainty for the 50.69 application.

Digital feedwater control failure SSCs that The values utilized provide a probabilities are derived from the support reasonable best-estimate reliability values in the vendor study scenarios that approach, and as such will have (LG-PRA-005.04) (Reference 10) require High only a minor impact on the 50.69 demonstrating that the system Pressure calculations. Therefore, this does performance would result in less than Injection not represent a key source of 0.1 transients per year and these uncertainty for the 50.69 reliability values are used for the key application.

components of the system.

License Amendment Request Supplement Attachment Adopt 10 CFR 50.69 Page 11 of 26 Docket Nos. 50-352 and 50-353 Table 2: Assessment of Internal Events PRA Epistemic Uncertainty Impacts Source of Uncertainty and 50.69 Model Sensitivity and Disposition Assumptions Impact Uncertainties associated with the Potentially all Sensitivity cases performed using assumptions and method of calculation SSCs evaluated the base internal events PRA of Human Error Probabilities (HEPs) for during 50.69 (HEP values of 0.0 or use of the the Human Reliability Analysis (HRA) categorization 95th percentile value HEPs) may introduce uncertainty. indicate some sensitivity to Detailed evaluations of HEPs are human performance. Use of 95th performed for the risk significant human percentile HEPs for applications failure events (HFEs) using industry is not considered realistic given consensus methods. Mean values are the consistent use of a used for the modeled HEPs. consensus HRA approach.

Uncertainty associated with the mean The Limerick PRA model is values can have an impact on CDF and based on industry consensus LERF results. modeling approaches for its HEP calculations, so this is not considered a significant source of epistemic uncertainty.

However, as directed by the guidance to the 50.69 process, the 0 and 95th percentile values of the PRA HEPs are evaluated in the 50.69 PRA categorization sensitivity cases. These results are capable of driving a component and respective functions HSS and therefore the uncertainty of the PRA modeled HEPs are accounted for in the 50.69 application.

License Amendment Request Supplement Attachment Adopt 10 CFR 50.69 Page 12 of 26 Docket Nos. 50-352 and 50-353 Table 2: Assessment of Internal Events PRA Epistemic Uncertainty Impacts Source of Uncertainty and 50.69 Model Sensitivity and Disposition Assumptions Impact Dependent HEP values are developed Potentially all The Limerick PRA model is for significant combinations of HEPs SSCs evaluated based on industry consensus that have been demonstrated to appear during 50.69 modeling approaches for its together in the same cutsets. categorization dependent HEP identification and calculations, so this is not considered a significant source of epistemic uncertainty.

However, as directed by the guidance to the 50.69 process, the 0 and 95th percentile values of the PRA dependent HEPs are used in the 50.69 PRA categorization sensitivity cases.

These results are capable of driving a component and respective functions HSS and therefore the uncertainty of the PRA modeled HEPs are accounted for in the 50.69 application.

License Amendment Request Supplement Attachment Adopt 10 CFR 50.69 Page 13 of 26 Docket Nos. 50-352 and 50-353 Table 2: Assessment of Internal Events PRA Epistemic Uncertainty Impacts Source of Uncertainty and 50.69 Model Sensitivity and Disposition Assumptions Impact Common cause failure values are Potentially all The Limerick PRA model is developed using available industry SSCs evaluated based on industry consensus data. during 50.69 modeling approaches for its categorization common cause identification and value determination, so this is not considered a significant source of epistemic uncertainty.

Therefore, this does not represent a key source of uncertainty and will not be an issue for 50.69 calculations.

Additionally, as directed by the guidance to the 50.69 process, the 5th and 95th percentile values of the PRA CCF alpha factors are evaluated in the 50.69 PRA categorization sensitivity cases.

These results are capable of driving a component and respective functions HSS and therefore the uncertainty of the PRA modeled CCF probabilities are accounted for in the 50.69 application.

There are model uncertainties SSCs The water hammer basic events associated with modeling the supporting and values utilized provide a probability of the RHR pumps failing scenarios reasonable best-estimate from a rupture due to a water hammer requiring RHR approach and will have only a event given the RHR system is or RHRSW minor impact on the 50.69 operating in suppression pool cooling systems calculations. This does not mode at the time of the initiating event represent a key source of and the appropriate operator responses uncertainty for the 50.69 do not occur such that a potential water application.

hammer event can occur.

License Amendment Request Supplement Attachment Adopt 10 CFR 50.69 Page 14 of 26 Docket Nos. 50-352 and 50-353 Assessment of Fire PRA Epistemic Uncertainty Impacts The purpose of the following discussion is to address the epistemic uncertainty in the Limerick FPRA. The Limerick FPRA model includes various sources of uncertainty that exist because there is both inherent randomness in elements that comprise the FPRA and because the state of knowledge in these elements continues to evolve. The development of the Limerick FPRA was guided by NUREG/CR-6850 (Reference 11). The Limerick FPRA model used consensus models described in NUREG/CR-6850.

Limerick used guidance provided in NUREG/CR-6850 and NUREG-1855 to address uncertainties associated with FPRA for the 50.69 application. As stated in Section 1.5 of NUREG-1855:

Although the guidance does not currently address all sources of uncertainty, the guidance provided on the process for their identification and characterization and for how to factor the results into the decision making is generic and is independent of the specific source. Consequently, the process is applicable for other sources such as internal fire, external events, and low power and shutdown.

NUREG-1855 also describes an approach for addressing sources of model uncertainty and related assumptions. It defines:

A source of model uncertainty is one that is related to an issue in which no consensus approach or model exists and where the choice of approach or model is known to have an effect on the PRA (e.g., introduction of a new basic event, changes to basic event probabilities, change in success criterion and introduction of a new initiating event).

NUREG-1855 defines consensus model as:

A model that has a publicly available published basis and has been peer reviewed and widely adopted by an appropriate stakeholder group. In addition, widely accepted PRA practices may be regarded as consensus models. Examples of the latter include the use of the constant probability of failure on demand model for standby components and the Poisson model for initiating events. For risk-informed regulatory decisions, the consensus model approach is one that NRC has utilized or accepted for the specific risk-informed application for which it is proposed.

The potential sources of model uncertainty in the Limerick FPRA model were characterized for the 16 tasks identified by NUREG/CR-6850 in Table 3. This framework was used to organize the assessment of baseline FPRA epistemic uncertainty and evaluate the impact of this uncertainty on 50.69 calculations. Table 3 outlines sources of uncertainties by task and their disposition.

As noted above, the Limerick FPRA was developed using consensus methods outlined in NUREG/CR-6850 and interpretations of technical approaches as required by NRC. Further,

License Amendment Request Supplement Attachment Adopt 10 CFR 50.69 Page 15 of 26 Docket Nos. 50-352 and 50-353 appropriate cable impacts were identified for the systems modeled in the Internal Events PRA and were modeled in the Fire PRA. No systems were conservatively assumed to be failed for all FPRA scenarios. Fire PRA methods were based on NUREG/CR-6850, other more recent NUREGs (e.g., NUREG-7150), and published frequently asked questions (FAQs) for the FPRA.

In addition to the discussion of sources of model uncertainty in Table 3, the evaluation of sources of model uncertainty in the FPRA and associated sensitivity studies identified one modeling uncertainty that may be potentially significant for applications. See Table 4 for details.

License Amendment Request Supplement Attachment Adopt 10 CFR 50.69 Page 16 of 26 Docket Nos. 50-352 and 50-353 Table 3: Fire PRA Sources of Model Uncertainty Task # Description Sources of Uncertainty Disposition 1 Analysis This task establishes the overall spatial scope of Based on the discussion of sources of boundary and the analysis and provides a framework for uncertainly it is concluded that the methodology partitioning organizing the data for the analysis. The partitioning for the Analysis Boundary and Partitioning task features credited are required to satisfy established does not introduce any epistemic uncertainties industry standards. that would require sensitivity treatment.

Therefore, the 50.69 calculations are not impacted.

2 Component This task involves the selection of components to In the context of the FPRA, the uncertainty that is Selection be treated in the analysis in the context of initiating unique to the analysis is related to initiating event events and mitigation. The potential sources of identification. However, that impact is minimized uncertainty include those inherent in the internal through use of the BWROG Generic MSO list and events PRA model as that model provides the the process used to identify and assess potential foundation for the FPRA. MSOs.

Based on the discussion of sources of uncertainty and the discussion above, it is concluded that the methodology for the Component Selection task does not introduce any epistemic uncertainties that would require sensitivity treatment. Therefore, the 50.69 calculations are not impacted.

3 Cable Selection The selection of cables to be considered in the Based on the discussion of sources of uncertainty analysis is identified using industry guidance it is concluded that the methodology for the Cable documents. The overall process is essentially Selection task does not introduce any epistemic the same as that used to perform the analyses uncertainties that would require sensitivity to demonstrate compliance with 10 CFR 50.48. treatment. Therefore, the 50.69 calculations are not impacted.

License Amendment Request Supplement Attachment Adopt 10 CFR 50.69 Page 17 of 26 Docket Nos. 50-352 and 50-353 Table 3: Fire PRA Sources of Model Uncertainty Task # Description Sources of Uncertainty Disposition 4 Qualitative Qualitative screening was performed; however, In the event a structure (location) which could Screening some structures (locations) were eliminated from result in a plant trip was incorrectly excluded, its the global analysis boundary and ignition sources contribution to CDF would be small (with a CCDP deemed to have no impact on the FPRA (based on commensurate with base risk). Such a location industry guidance and criteria) were excluded from would have a negligible risk contribution to the the quantification based on qualitative screening overall FPRA.

criteria. The only criterion subject to uncertainty is the potential for plant trip. However, such locations Based on the discussion of sources of uncertainty would not contain any features (equipment or cables and the discussion above, it is concluded that the identified in the prior two tasks) and consequently methodology for the Qualitative Screening task are expected to have a low risk contribution. does not introduce any epistemic uncertainties that would require sensitivity treatment. Therefore, the 50.69 calculations are not impacted.

5 Fire-Induced The internal events PRA model was updated to add The identified source of uncertainty could result in Risk Model fire specific initiating event structure as well as the over-estimation of fire risk. In general, the additional system logic. The methodology used is FPRA development process would have reviewed consistent with that used for the internal events significant fire initiating events and performed PRA model development as was subjected to supplemental assessments to address this industry Peer Review. possible source of uncertainty.

The developed model is applied in such a fashion Based on the discussion of sources of uncertainty that all postulated fires are assumed to generate a and the discussion above, it is concluded that the plant trip. This represents a source of uncertainty, as methodology for the Fire-Induced Risk Model task it is not necessarily clear that fires would result in a does not introduce any epistemic uncertainties trip. In the event the fire results in damage to cables that would require sensitivity treatment. Therefore, and/or equipment identified in Task 2, the PRA the 50.69 calculations are not impacted.

model includes structure to translate them into the appropriate induced initiator.

License Amendment Request Supplement Attachment Adopt 10 CFR 50.69 Page 18 of 26 Docket Nos. 50-352 and 50-353 Table 3: Fire PRA Sources of Model Uncertainty Task # Description Sources of Uncertainty Disposition 6 Fire Ignition Fire ignition frequency is an area with inherent Based on the discussion of sources of Frequency uncertainty. Part of this uncertainty arises due to uncertainty, it is concluded that the methodology the counting and related partitioning methodology. for the Fire Ignition Frequency task does not introduce any epistemic uncertainties that would However, the resulting frequency is not particularly require sensitivity treatment. Consensus sensitive to changes in ignition source counts. The approaches are employed in the model.

primary source of uncertainty for this task is Therefore, the 50.69 calculations are not associated with the industry generic frequency impacted.

values used for the FPRA. This is because there is no specific treatment for variability among plants along with some significant conservatism in defining the frequencies, and their associated heat release rates. Limerick uses the ignition frequencies in NUREG-2169 (Reference 12) along with the revised heat release rates from NUREG 2178 (Reference 13).

7 Quantitative Other than screening out potentially risk significant The Limerick FPRA did not screen out any fire Screening scenarios (ignition sources), this task is not a scenarios based on low CDF/LERF contribution.

source of uncertainty. That is, quantified fire scenarios results are retained in the cumulative CDF/LERF.

Based on the discussion of sources of uncertainty and the discussion above, it is concluded that the methodology for the Quantitative Screening task does not introduce any epistemic uncertainties that would require sensitivity treatment. Therefore, the 50.69 calculations are not impacted.

License Amendment Request Supplement Attachment Adopt 10 CFR 50.69 Page 19 of 26 Docket Nos. 50-352 and 50-353 Table 3: Fire PRA Sources of Model Uncertainty Task # Description Sources of Uncertainty Disposition 8 Scoping Fire The framework of NUREG/CR-6850 includes two See Task 11 discussion.

Modeling tasks related to fire scenario development. These two tasks are 8 and 11. The discussion of uncertainty for both tasks is provided in the discussion for Task 11.

9 Detailed Circuit The circuit analysis is performed using standard Circuit analysis was performed as part of the Failure Analysis electrical engineering principles. However, the deterministic post fire safe shutdown analysis.

behavior of electrical insulation properties and the Refinements in the application of the circuit response of electrical circuits to fire induced failures analysis results to the FPRA were performed on a is a potential source of uncertainty. This case-by-case basis where the scenario risk uncertainty is associated with the dynamics of fire quantification was large enough to warrant further and the inability to ascertain the relative timing of detailed analysis. Hot short probabilities and hot circuit failures. The analysis methodology assumes short duration probabilities as defined in NUREG failures would occur in the worst possible 7150, Volume 2 (Reference 14), based on actual configuration, or if multiple circuits are involved, at fire test data, were used in the Limerick Fire PRA.

whatever relative timing is required to cause a The uncertainty (conservatism) which may remain bounding worst-case outcome. This results in a in the FPRA is associated with scenarios that do skewing of the risk estimates such that they are not contribute significantly to the overall fire risk.

over-estimated.

Based on the discussion of sources of uncertainty and the discussion above, it is concluded that the methodology for the Detailed Circuit Failure Analysis task does not introduce any epistemic uncertainties that would require sensitivity treatment. Therefore, the 50.69 calculations are not impacted.

License Amendment Request Supplement Attachment Adopt 10 CFR 50.69 Page 20 of 26 Docket Nos. 50-352 and 50-353 Table 3: Fire PRA Sources of Model Uncertainty Task # Description Sources of Uncertainty Disposition 10 Circuit Failure One of the failure modes for a circuit (cable) given The use of hot short failure probability and Mode Likelihood fire induced failure is a hot short. A conditional duration probability is based on fire test data and Analysis probability and a hot short duration probability are associated consensus methodology published in assigned using industry guidance published in NUREG 7150, Volume 2.

NUREG 7150, Volume 2. The uncertainty values specified in NUREG 7150, Volume 2 are based on Based on the discussion of sources of uncertainty fire test data. and the discussion above, it is concluded that the methodology for the Circuit Failure Mode Likelihood Analysis task does not introduce any epistemic uncertainties that would require sensitivity treatment. Therefore, the 50.69 calculations are not impacted.

11 Detailed Fire The application of fire modeling technology is used Consensus modeling approach is used for the Modeling in the FPRA to translate a fire initiating event into a Detailed Fire Modeling.

set of consequences (fire induced failures). The performance of the analysis requires a number of The methodology for the Detailed Fire Modeling key input parameters. These input parameters task does not introduce any epistemic include the heat release rate (HRR) for the fire, the uncertainties that would require sensitivity growth rate, the damage threshold for the targets, treatment. Therefore, the 50.69 calculations are and response of plant staff (detection, fire control, not impacted.

fire suppression).

The fire modeling methodology itself is largely empirical in some respects and consequently is another source of uncertainty. For a given set of input parameters, the fire modeling results (temperatures as a function of distance from the fire) are characterized as having some distribution (aleatory uncertainty). The epistemic uncertainty

License Amendment Request Supplement Attachment Adopt 10 CFR 50.69 Page 21 of 26 Docket Nos. 50-352 and 50-353 Table 3: Fire PRA Sources of Model Uncertainty Task # Description Sources of Uncertainty Disposition arises from the selection of the input parameters (specifically the HRR and growth rate) and how the parameters are related to the fire initiating event.

While industry guidance is available, that guidance is derived from laboratory tests and may not necessarily be representative of randomly occurring events.

The fire modeling results using these input parameters are used to identify a zone of influence (ZOI) for the fire and cables/equipment within that ZOI are assumed to be damaged. In general, the guidance provided for the treatment of fires is conservative and the application of that guidance retains that conservatism. The resulting risk estimates are also conservative.

12 Post-Fire The human error probabilities used in the FPRA The human error probabilities were obtained using Human were adjusted to consider the additional challenges the EPRI HRA calculator and included the Reliability that may be present given a fire. The human error consideration of degradation or loss of necessary Analysis probabilities were obtained using the EPRI HRA cues due to fire. The impact of any remaining Calculator (Reference 15) and included the uncertainties is expected to be small.

consideration of degradation or loss of necessary cues due to fire. Given the methodology used, the Except as noted in Table 4, it is concluded that the impact of any remaining uncertainties is expected to methodology for the Post-Fire Human Reliability be small. Analysis task does not introduce any epistemic uncertainties that would require sensitivity treatment. Therefore, the 50.69 calculations are not impacted.

License Amendment Request Supplement Attachment Adopt 10 CFR 50.69 Page 22 of 26 Docket Nos. 50-352 and 50-353 Table 3: Fire PRA Sources of Model Uncertainty Task # Description Sources of Uncertainty Disposition 13 Seismic-Fire Since this is a qualitative evaluation, there is no The qualitative assessment of seismic induced Interactions quantitative impact with respect to the uncertainty fires should not be a source of model uncertainty Assessment of this task. as it is not expected to provide changes to the quantified FPRA model.

Based on the discussion of sources of uncertainty and the discussion above, it is concluded that the methodology for the Seismic-Fire Interactions Assessment task does not introduce any epistemic uncertainties that would require sensitivity treatment. Therefore, the 50.69 calculations are not impacted.

14 Fire Risk As the culmination of other tasks, most of the The selected truncation was confirmed to be Quantification uncertainty associated with quantification has consistent with the requirements of the PRA already been addressed. The other source of Standard.

uncertainty is the selection of the truncation limit.

However, the selected truncation was confirmed to Based on the discussion of sources of uncertainty be consistent with the requirements of the PRA and the discussion above, it is concluded that the Standard. methodology for the Fire Risk Quantification task does not introduce any epistemic uncertainties that would require sensitivity treatment. Therefore, the 50.69 calculations are not impacted.

15 Uncertainty and This task does not introduce any new The methodology for the Uncertainty and Sensitivity uncertainties. This task is intended to address Sensitivity Analyses task does not introduce any Analyses how the fire risk assessment could be impacted epistemic uncertainties that would require by the various sources of uncertainty. sensitivity treatment. Therefore, the 50.69 calculations are not impacted.

License Amendment Request Supplement Attachment Adopt 10 CFR 50.69 Page 23 of 26 Docket Nos. 50-352 and 50-353 Table 3: Fire PRA Sources of Model Uncertainty Task # Description Sources of Uncertainty Disposition 16 FPRA This task does not introduce any new The methodology for the FPRA documentation uncertainties to the fire risk as it outlines task does not introduce any epistemic Documentation documentation requirements. uncertainties that would require sensitivity treatment. Therefore, the 50.69 calculations are not impacted.

License Amendment Request Supplement Attachment Adopt 10 CFR 50.69 Page 24 of 26 Docket Nos. 50-352 and 50-353 Table 4: Treatment of Specific Fire PRA Epistemic Uncertainty Impacts Source of Uncertainty and Assumptions 50.69 Impact Model Sensitivity and Disposition Uncertainties associated with the Potentially all SSCs evaluated during The fire risk importance measures assumptions and method of calculation of 50.69 categorization. indicate that the results are somewhat HEPs for the Human Reliability Analysis sensitive to HRA model and parameter (HRA) may introduce uncertainty. values. The Limerick FPRA model HRA is based on industry consensus modeling Detailed evaluations of HEPs are approaches for its HEP calculations, so performed for the risk significant human this is not considered a significant source failure events (HFEs) using industry of epistemic uncertainty.

consensus methods. Mean values are used for the modeled HEPs. Uncertainty However, as directed by the guidance to associated with the mean values can the 50.69 process, the 0 and 95th have an impact on CDF and LERF percentile values of the PRA independent results. and dependent HEPs are evaluated in the 50.69 PRA categorization sensitivity cases. These results are capable of driving a component and respective functions HSS and therefore the uncertainty of the PRA modeled HEPs are accounted for in the 50.69 application.

License Amendment Request Supplement Attachment Adopt 10 CFR 50.69 Page 25 of 26 Docket Nos. 50-352 and 50-353 REFERENCES

1. Letter from J. Barstow (Exelon Generation Company, LLC) to U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Application to Adopt 10 CFR 50.69, Risk-Informed Categorization and Treatment of Structures, Systems, and Components (SSCs) for Nuclear Power Plants,"

dated June 28, 2017 (ADAMS Accession No. ML17179A161).

2. Letter from V. Sreenivas (U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission) to B. C. Hanson (Exelon Generation Company, LLC), "Limerick Generating Station, Units 1 and 2, - Supplemental Information Needed for Acceptance of Requested Licensing Action RE: Adoption of Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations Section 50.69 (CAC Nos. MF9873 and MF9874),"

dated July 31, 2017 (ADAMS Accession No. ML17207A077).

3. NEI 05-04, Revision 3, Process for Performing Internal Events PRA Peer Reviews Using the ASME/ANS PRA Standard, November 2009.
4. LG-PRA-012, Revision 2, "Limerick Generating Station Internal Flood Evaluation Summary Notebook, January 2014.
5. EPRI TR-1016737, Treatment of Parameter and Model Uncertainty for Probabilistic Risk Assessments, Electric Power Research Institute, Final Report, December 2008.
6. NUREG-1855, Guidance on the treatment of Uncertainties Associated with PRAs in Risk-Informed Decision Making, Main Report, March 2009.
7. NEI 07-12, Fire Probabilistic Risk Assessment Peer Review Process Guidelines, Rev. 1, June 2010.
8. EPRI TR-1013141, Pipe Rupture Frequencies for Internal Flooding PRAs, Rev. 1, Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto, CA, 2006.
9. ASME/ANS RA-Sa-2009, Standard for Level 1/Large Early Release Frequency Probabilistic Risk Assessment for Nuclear Power Plant Applications, Addendum A to RAS-2008, ASME, New York, NY, American Nuclear Society, La Grange Park, Illinois, February 2009.
10. LG-PRA-005.04, Revision 2, Limerick Generating Station Condensate and Feedwater (COND/FW) System Notebook, Appendix E, January 2014.
11. NUREG/CR-6850 (also EPRI 1011989), "Fire PRA Methodology for Nuclear Power Facilities," September 2005, with Supplement 1 (EPRI 1019259), September 2010.
12. Nuclear Power Plant Fire Ignition Frequency and Non-Suppression Probability Estimation Using the Updated Fire Events Database, United States Fire Event Experience Through 2009, NUREG-2169/EPRI 3002002936, U.S. NRC and Electric Power Research Institute, January 2015.

License Amendment Request Supplement Attachment Adopt 10 CFR 50.69 Page 26 of 26 Docket Nos. 50-352 and 50-353

13. "Refining and Characterizing Heat Release Rates from Electrical Enclosures During Fire (RACHELLE-FIRE), Volume 1: Peak Heat Release Rates and Effect of Obstructed Plume, NUREG-2178 Vol. 1/ EPRI 3002005578, U.S. NRC and Electric Power Research Institute, Draft Report for Comment, April 2015.
14. Joint Assessment of Cable Damage and Quantification of Effects from Fire (JACQUE-FIRE), Volume 2: Expert Elicitation Exercise for Nuclear Power Plant Fire-Induced Electrical Circuit Failure, Final Report, NUREG/CR-7150, Vol. 1, EPRI 3002001989, U.S.

NRC and Electric Power Research Institute, May 2014.

15. EPRI HRA Calculator Software Users Manual, Version 4.21, EPRI, Palo Alto, CA, and Scientech, a Curtiss-Wright Flow Control Company, Tukwila, WA: 2011. Software Product ID #: 1022814.