ML17313A273
| ML17313A273 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Palo Verde  |
| Issue date: | 03/16/1998 |
| From: | NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML17313A272 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9803230388 | |
| Download: ML17313A273 (6) | |
Text
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UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 2055&4001 B
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D 109 T ILITY LICEN E'N
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~OU By application dated December 17, 1997, the Arizona Public Service Company (APS or the licensee) requested changes to,the Technical Specifications (Appendix A to Facility Operating License Nos. NPF41, NPF-51, and NPF-74, respectively) for the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, Units 1, 2, and 3. The Arizona Public Service Company submitted this request on behalf of itself, the Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District, Southern California Edison Company, El Paso Electric Company, Public Service Company of New Mexico, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and Southern California Public Power Authority. The proposed changes would modify the technical specifications (TS) to remove the reference to Exide batteries with a generic reference to low specific gravity cell batteries.
The proposed amendment would allow replacement of the existing AT&Tround cell, Class 1E, 125V dc cells with low specific gravity cells that are manufactured by vendors other than those specified in the current specifications.
The proposed amendment would also delete a footnote referring to one-time deferral of the battery service test on Unit 3 that is no longer applicable.
2.0 The Class 1E, 125V dc power system at Palo Verde consists of two independent and redundant electrical power subsystems (Trains A and B). Each train consists of two 125V dc channels (Channels A and C for Train A, and Channels B and D for Train B). Each 125V dc channel is formed by one battery bank, one battery charger, one inverter, and the associated distribution system.
Each train of 125V dc power is provided with a backup battery charger that may be manually connected to either dc channel in that train. The backup battery charger is configured such that it may be connected to only one dc channel in its respective train at a time.
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The proposed amendment is necessary because the licensee plans to replace the existing high
, specific gravity round cell batteries manufactured by AT8Twith conventional low specific gravity rectangular cell batteries.
The batteries are being replaced as a preventive measure due to recent industry and PVNGS experience with the high specific gravity round cell betteries.
The high specific gravity round cell batteries are experiencing premature capacity loss. The specifications for both the low specific gravity rectangular cell and high specific gravity round cell batteries willbe maintained in the TS to allow plant operation with both types of batteries during the replacement sequence of the battery banks.
This flexibilityis required to ensure one train of Class 1E, 125V dc power source is maintained operable during the replacement of the battery banks of the other train.
The proposed amendment maintains the same performance criteria and cell parameters for the Class 1E 125V dc sources that are defined in the current TS for each unit. The replacement batteries willcontinue to meet the design criteria of IEEE 485-1978 for the design basis load profiles for each 125V dc channel, and for capacity margin at the end of their service life. No new or common mode failures are being created by replacing the existing high specific gravity round cell batteries with low specific gravity rectangular cell batteries.
In addition, the new batteries willrequire replacement of the existing battery racks. The new battery racks have been designed to IEEE 344-1975 standards for seismic design.
Replacing the high specific gravity round cell batteries, which have experienced premature capacity loss, with low specific gravity rectangular cell batteries that have extensive industry experience, can enhance the overall reliability and performance of the Class 1E, 125V dc systems.
Based on the above considerations, the staff finds that the TS change to be acceptable.
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T In accordance with the Commission's regulations, the Arizona State officialwas notified of the proposed issuance of the amendments.
The State official had no comments.
4.0 The amendments change a requirement with respect to the installation or use of a facility component located within the restricted area as defined in 10 CFR Part 20 and change surveillance requirements.
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 consideration, and there has been no public comment on such finding (63 FR 2272). Accordingly, the amendments meet the eligibilitycriteria 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.
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5.0 The Commission has concluded, based on the considerations discussed above, that (1) there is reasonable assurance that the health and safety of the public willnot be endangered by operation in the proposed manner, (2) such activities willbe conducted in compliance with the Commission's regulations, and (3) the issuance of the amendments willnot be inimical to the common defense and security or to the health and safety of the public.
Principal Contributors:
D. Nguyen S. Saba J. Clifford Date:
March 16, 1998
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