ML18052B183

Responds to NRC 870701 Request for Info Re Boraflex Neutron Absorbing Matl to Be Used for Criticality Control in Reracking of Facility Spent Fuel Pool.Installation of Region II Racks Containing Boraflex Not Irreversible

ML18052B183
Person / Time
Site:	Palisades, Point Beach, Quad Cities, 05000000
Issue date:	07/06/1987
From:	Smedley R CONSUMERS ENERGY CO. (FORMERLY CONSUMERS POWER CO.)
To:	NRC OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATION & RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (ARM)
References
NUDOCS 8707110013
Download: ML18052B183 (2)

Text

.,.., .

consumers Power POWERiNii

/llllCHlliAN'S PROliRESS General Offices: 1945 West Parnell Road, Jackson, Ml 49201 * (517) 788-0550 July 6, 1987 Nuclear Regulatory Commission Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555 DOCKET 50-255 - LICENSE DPR PALISADES PLANT -

SPENT FUEL POOL BORAFLEX NEUTRON ABSORBING MATERIAL An NRC letter of July 1, 1987 requested information pertaining to the Boraflex neutron absorbing material to be used for criticality control in the re-racking of the Palisades spent fuel pool. Our response to the NRC comments follows:

Comment 1 Based on the recent experience pertaining to degradation of Boraflex in spent fuel pools at Quad Cities and Point Beach nuclear power plants, provide justification to demonstrate the continued acceptability of Boraflex for application in the Palisades spent fuel pool.

Response

Studies concerning the Quad Cities racks have not been completed. The surveillance coupons at Point Beach were exposed to different conditions than was the Boraflex tested as referenced in the SAR included in our October 16, 1986 TSCR. Since the full length Boraflex sheet removed form the Point Beach fuel racks, after having been exposed to conditions of accelerated aging equivalent to 2o*years of use, was found to be totally functional and intact, Consumers Power Company concludes that the use of Boraflex in our proposed Region II racks is acceptable.

Comment 2 Based on the recent information, provide any changes to the inservice surveillance program for Boraflex neutron absorbing material and describe the frequency of examination and acceptance criteria for continued use. Provide the procedures for testing the Boraflex material and int*erpretation of test data.

r PDR I*

i.p 8707110013 eo~&b8~55\.; *..' .. *.*_*.. \

ADOCK ' . PDR l.__,.,,

OC0787-0098A-NL04

r;~ .

.\.4

- ¥~.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission 2 Palisades Plant SFP Boraf lex Neutron Absorbing Material July 6, 198Z

Response

Consumers Power Company plans to evaluate the use of full length Boraf lex surveillance coupons encapsulated similarly to the Boraflex in our fuel racks.

Details of that evaluation will be submitted later.

Comment 3 Describe the corrective actions to be taken if degraded Boraflex specimens or absorber is found in the spent fuel pool.

Response

Consumers Power Company will maintain the capability to replace the racks containing Boraflex if surveillance indicates replacement is required to maintain the design basis. Thus the installation of Region II racks containing Boraflex is not irreversible.

Richard W Smedley Staff Licensing Engineer CC Administrator, Region III, NRC NRC Resident Inspector - Palisades OC0787-0098A-NL04