ML17278A286

Application for Amend to License NPF-21,adding New Tech Spec, Neutron Flux Monitoring Instrumentation. Amend Allows for Single Loop Operation at Higher Power Subj to Addl Core Monitoring

ML17278A286
Person / Time
Site:	Columbia
Issue date:	07/17/1985
From:	Sorensen G WASHINGTON PUBLIC POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM
To:	Butler W Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Shared Package
ML17278A287	List: ML17278A286 ML17278A289
References
GO2-85-381, TAC-59235, NUDOCS 8507230109
Download: ML17278A286 (8)

Text

REGULATOR( INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION &STEM (RIDS)

ACCESSION NBR: 8507230109 DOC. DATE: 85/07/17 NOTARIZED:, YES DOCKET FACIL:50 397 WPPSS Nuclear Pr ojecti Unit 2'i washington Public Powe, 05000397 AUTH, NAME AUTHOR AFF ILI ATION SORENSENiGQC ~ Washington Public Power Supply System RECIP ~ NAME RECIPIENT AF F II IATION BUTLERiN~ RQ Licensing Branch'

SUBJECT:

Application for amend to License NPF 21iadding new Tech Speci "Neutron FLux Mon]toting Instrumentation," Amend allows= for single loop operation at highet power subj to addi'ore monitoring< ~n)

DISTRIBUTION CODE: A001D TITLE: OR COPIES RECEIVED:LTR Submittal: General Distribution

'IZE: Vga NOTES: 05000397 OL: 12/20/83 RECIPIENT COPIES RECIPIENT COPIES ID GOOK/NAME LTTR ENCL ID CODE/NAME LTTR ENCL' NRR LS2 BC 01 7 7 INTERNAL: ACRS 09 6 6 ADM/LFMB 0 ELD/HDS2 1 0 NRR/DE/MTEB 1 1-NRR/DL DIR 1 1 NRR/DL/ORAB 1 0 NRR/DL/TSRG 1 1 TB 1 1 NRR/DS I/RAB 1 1 REG IL 04 1 1 RGN5 1 1 EXTERNALS 24X 1 1 EG8G BRUSKEiS 1 LPDR 03 1 1 NRC PDR 02' 1 NSIC 05 1 1

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Oy Washington Public Power Supply System 3000George Washington Way P.O. Box968 Richland, Washington 99352-0968 (509)372-5000 July 17, 1985 G02-85-381 Docket No. 50-397 Director of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Attention: Mr. W. R. Butler, Chief Licensing Branch No. 2 Division of Licensing U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555

Subject:

NUCLEAR PLANT NO. 2 OPERATING LICENSE NPF-21, RE(VEST FOR TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION AMENDMENT UNDER EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES

Reference:

GE Service Information Letter (SIL) No. 380, Revision 1, dated February 10, 1984 Pursuant to 10 CFR 2. 101, 50.90 and 50.91(a)(5), the Washington Public Power Supply System hereby submits an amendment to the plant Technical Specifications for,WNP-2. The amendment would add a new Technical Specifi-cation Section 3/4.3. 10, entitled Neutron Flux Monitoring Instrumentation, and supporting licensing bases and would modify Technical Specification Section 3/4.'4.1 (Recirculation Loops) adopting the BWR Owners'roup Single Loop LCO related to SIL No.,380, Revision 1. This would allow for Single Loop Operation (SLO) at a higher power subject to additional core monitoring.

The referenced document provides an improved means acceptable to the NRC staff for maintaining.neutronic-thermal hydraulic stability and recommends that BWR operators moriitor the 'inherent flux signals to avoid or control abnormal neutron flux oscillations., The NRC, in its Safety Evaluation of GE Topical Report NEDE-24011, Amendment 8, has indicated that "Detect and Suppress"

.Technical Specifications is an acceptable method for controlling abnormal oscillations. Such Technical Specifications are requested in this amendment.

With the addition of "Detect and Suppress" Technical Specifications, the fifty percent limit on Rated Thermal Power during SLO is in our view no longer necessary.. Accordingly, the appropriate modification of Technical Specification Section 3/4.4. 1 is being requested. This amendment would permit WNP-2 to operate at' higher power level during SLO than is currently authorized while adding the additional moriitoring requirements needed to ensure safe operation.

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~e W. R. Butler Page Two Julv 17, 1985 RE(OEST FOR TECH. SPEC. AMENDMENT UNDER EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES The NRC published guidance in the Federal Receister (48 Fed. Reg. 14870, April 6, 1983) concerning examples of amendments that are not likely to involve significant hazards consideration. The addition of "Detect and Suppress" Technical Specifications is similar to example (ii), "a change that constitutes an additional limitation, restriction, or control not presently included in the technical specifications...", and does not in our view involve a significant hazards consideration. Removal of the fifty percent limit on Rated Thermal Power while in SLO is, we believe, similar to example (vi), "a change which either may result in some increase to the probability or consequences of a previously analyzed accident or may reduce in some way a safety margin, but where the results of the change are clearly within all acceptable criteria". Therefore, removal of the fifty percent limitation does not involve a significant hazards consideration.

Similar technical specification changes have previously been approved for the Duane Arnold Power Station.

Under normal ci rcumstances, this amendment request would be submitted in a routine fashion as contemplated by 10 CFR 50.91(a)(2). However, because of the need to shut down Recirculation Pump B due to a mechanical problem that can not be repaired for several months, plant operation is limited by Technical Specification Section 3/4.4.1 to fifty percent Rated Thermal Power. By granting the requested amendment, plant operation could be increased to approximately seventy-two percent rated power. This difference in power ratings is a partial derating within the meaning of Section 50.91(a)(5) and justifies processing the requested amendments on an emergency basis.

Moreover, as a result of the below average rainfall/snow melt this year in the Pacific Northwest, the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) has reduced stored water levels to an undesirably low level in order to fulfill its firm power obligations and is relying on the power generated by WNP-2 to satisfy those obligations. As a result of the current Rated Thermal Power limitation on the operation of WNP-2,'BPA is required to purchase power to replace that which is not being supplied by WNP-2 but which was anticipated. BPA power requirements are such that a shutdown to repair the pump (estimated to take up to 8 weeks} is not acceptable until late September 1985. As mentioned above, the requested amendment will allow the Supply System to operate in SLO 'at the higher power level, thereby offsetting some of this deficit.

The Supply System has,evaluated this request in accordance with the criteria set forth in 10 CFR 170.21 and has included a warrant fo} One hundred fifty dollars ($ 150.00) as initial payment for this application for amendment.

In accordance with 10 CFR 50.91, the State of Washington has been provided a copy of'his. letter.

~y W. R. Butler Page Three July 17, 1985 RE(VEST FOR TECH. SPEC. AMENDMENT UNDER EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES The Supply System has reviewed this change per 10 CFR 50.59 and determined that no unreviewed safety questions will result from this amendment.

The requested Technical Specification changes have been reviewed and approved by the WNP-2 Plant Operations Committee (POC) and the Supply System Corporate Nuclear Safety Review Board (CNSRB). Should you have any questions, please contact Mr. P. L. Powell, Manager, WNP-2 Licensing.

Very truly yours, G. C. Sorensen, Manager Regulatory Programs HLA/tmh Attachments cc: JO Bradfute - NRC WS Chin - BPA C Eschels - EFSEC JB Martin - NRC RV E Revell - BPA NS Reynolds BLCPSR AD Toth NRC Site

REQUEST FOR TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION AMENDMENT UNDER EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES STATE OF WASHINGTON

Subject:

County of Benton )

I, G. C. SORENSEN, being duly sworn, subscribe to and say that I am the Manager Regulatory Programs for the WASHINGTON PUBLIC POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM the applicant herein; that I have full authority to execute this oath; that I have reviewed the foregoing; and that to the best of my knowledge, information GATE /7 m, and belief the statements made in 1985 it are true.

rensen, anager Regulatory Programs On this day personally appeared before me G. C. Sorensen to me known to be the individual who executed the foregoing instrument and acknowledge that he signed the same as his free act and deed for the uses and purposes therein mentioned.

Vtu GIVEN under my hand and seal this ~/ da f , 1985.

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