ML18044A845

Tech Spec Change Request for License DPR-20 to Reduce Level Setpoint of Boric Acid Storage Tank & Increase Boric Acid Concentration

ML18044A845
Person / Time
Site:	Palisades
Issue date:	05/05/1980
From:	Dewitt R CONSUMERS ENERGY CO. (FORMERLY CONSUMERS POWER CO.)
To:
Shared Package
ML18044A844	List: ML18044A842 ML18044A845 ML18044A846
References
NUDOCS 8005080331
Download: ML18044A845 (2)

Text

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• 80050803$/

1 p CONSUMERS POWER COMPANY Docket 50-255 Request for Change to the Technical Specifications License DPR-20 For the reasons hereinafter set forth, it is requested that the Technical Specifications contained in the Provisional Operating License DPR-20, Docket 50-255, issued to Consumers Power Company on October 16, 1972, for the Palisades Plant be changed as described in Section I below:

I. Changes A. Change Section 3.2.2.c to read:

"c. The twq concentrated boric acid tanks shall contain a minimum of 115 inches of a 6.4 percent to 10 percent by weight boric acid solution at a temperature of at least 25°F above.saturation temperature for the concentration present in the tank."

B. Change Section 3.2.3.b to read:

"b. One*concentrated boric acid tank may be out of service provided a minimum of 115 inches of 6.4 percent to 10 percent by weight boric acid solution at a temperature of at least 25°F above saturation temperature is contained in the operable tank and provided that the tank is restored to operable status within 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br />."

C. Change the 3.2 Basis Section a to read as follows:

"a. The boric acid transfer pump.s can deliver the concentrated boric acid tank contents to the charging pumps."

D. Charige the 3.2 Basis Section to read as follows:

"Each concentrated boric acid tank containing 115 inches of 6.4 weight percent boric acid has sufficient boron to bring the plant to a cold shutdown condition. Boric acid pumps are each of sufficient capacity to feed all three charging pumps at their maximum capacity.

The concentrated boric acid storage tank is sized for 6.4 weight percent boric acid solution and is capable of.storing solution up to 12 weight percent."

II. Discussion The boric acid storage tank low level alarm is a fixed mechanism to the tank itself. The alarm actuation set point is 118 inches. The Technical Specifications limit is a minimum level of 118 inches at 6.25 weight percent,boric acid concentration. This is the sufficient amount

2 of boric acid concentration needed to bring the plant to a cold shutdown condition.

Past experience has demonstrated that the present set point (118 inches) may drift, approximately 1 inch prior to the next recalibration, thus causing a potential violation of the present Technical Specifications.

The design of the fixed low level alarm mechanism prevents a simple modification to be made to raise this s~t point. To alleviate this problem, a new Technical Specifications minimum level of 115 inches with a minimum boric acid concentration of 6.4 weight percent is needed.

This change allows for normal drift of the low level alarm mechanism as well as provides the same amount of capacity to bring t~e reactor to a cold shutdown condition.

III. Conclusion Based on the foregoing, both the Palisades Plant Review Committee and the Safety and Audit Review Board have reviewed these changes and find them acceptable.

CONSUMERS POWER COMPANY Jd?1:3 {J~w d R B DeWitt,: Vice President Nuclear Operations Sworn and subscribed to before me this 5th day of May 1980 .

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. Linda K Carstens, Notary Public Jackson County, Michigan My commission expires June 10, 1981.