ML18086B474

Advises That Cycle 4 Startup Physics Tests Completed on 820413 Using Rod Exchange Method & All Criteria of NRC 820409 Ltr.Rod Exchange Procedure Will Be Used for Future Reloads

ML18086B474
Person / Time
Site:	Salem
Issue date:	04/19/1982
From:	Liden E Public Service Enterprise Group
To:	Varga S Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
NUDOCS 8205110066
Download: ML18086B474 (4)

Text

e PS~G Public Service Electric and Gas Company P.O. Box 236 Hancocks Bridge, New Jersey 08038 Nuclear Department April 19, 1982 Director of Nuclear Reactor Regulation U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 7920 Norfolk Avenue Bethesda, MD 20014 Attention: Mr. Steven A. Varga, Chief Operating Reactors Branch 1 Division of Licensing Gentlemen:

SAFETY EVALUATION OF THE PSE&G ROD EXCHANGE MEASUREMENTS PROCEDURE FACILITY OPERATING LICENSES DPR-70 &

DPR-75 UNITS 1 AND 2 SALEM NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION DOCKET NOS. 50-272 AND 50-311 By letter dated April 9, 1982 you tr~nsmitted your comments regarding the PSE&G Rod Exchapge Methodology, which we have implemented for the startup of Unit 1, Cycle 4 in accordance with 10CFR 50.59. Your comments were a result of our meeting with the NRC staff in Bethesda on April 1, 1982, in which we agreed to the following interim criterion for the Cycle 4 specific test.

(a) Reference Bank Dilution Measurement (interim Cycle 4 only)

The maximum difference between the ratio of the difference between measured value [M] of integral worth of bank D at any particular step and the design (PSE&G) value [D] of the integral worth of bank D at any particular step to the design value should be~ 6%.. at each step in the region of inferencing, which is approximately from 100 steps to 228 steps.

M-D x 100% .$ 6%

D If criterion (a) is not met, then banks C, B, and A will be measured using the dilution method. In addition to the interim criterion (a) above, the following criteria and restrictions will apply to all applications of the PSE&G Rod Exchange Test .

95-2169 (4M) 3-82

Mr. Steven A. Varga 4/19/82 (b) The maximum difference between the total rod worth and that predicted by the RSE methods should be~ 10%.

(c) The maximum difference between the measured rod worth for individual banks and that predicted by the RSE methods should be~ 15%.

(d) The standard deviation between the measured and predicted "exchange mode" rod worths must be less than the minimum excess shutdown margin.

If criterion (b) is not met, banks D, C, B, and A will be measured by the boron dilution method. If criterion (c) is not met, the impact must be assessed by the licensee to his satisfaction before proceeding.

The consequences of meeting criterion (d) was not discussed during the April 1 meeting. However, our procedure requires that if criterion (d) is not met, then banks D, C, B, and A shall be measured by boron dilution.

The Cycle 4 Startup Physics Tests were successfully completed on Tuesday April 13, using the Rod Exchange Method and all criteria have been met. A summary of the Cycle 4 test results is enclosed for your information.

We are pleased with the results of the Cycle 4 T~st and it is our intent to continue to use the rod exchange procedure for future Salem reloads.

Very t;r;aly yours,

~-

/ ~

A. Liden, Manager

,/'Nuclear Licensing and Regulation cc: Mr. Leif Norrholm Senior Resident Inspector Mr. William Ross Licensing Project Manager Director of Nuclear Reactor Regulation U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Salem 1, Cycle 4 Dilution Mode Rod Worth Measurement Vendor PSE&G Calculation Calculation Bank (pcm) method (pcm)  % (pcm)  %

D 862 dilution 929 -7.2 847 +1. 8 c 804 exchange 808 -0.4 800 +0.5 B 522 592 -11.8 577 -9.5 A 1142 1137 +0.4 1123 +1.7 s 2766 3092 -10.5 2834 -2.4 Total 6096 6558 -7.0 6181 -1.4 Note: All data represent dilution mode conditions; ie, sequential, non-overlap insertion beginning with Bank D.

e/

Salem 1, Cycle 4 Exchange Mode Rod Worth Bank Critical Exchange x Positions Rod Worth Difference Meas .. Cale. Meas. Cale.

(steps) (steps) (pcm) (pcm) (pcm)  %

c 154 155.5 798 794 +4 0.5 B 112 120.5 452 500 -48 -9.6 A 210 210.5 731 719 +12 +l. 7 SD 96 105.5 345 413 16.5 SC 100 99 225 216 +9 +4.2 SB 158 163.5 556 569 -13 -2.3 SA 188 198 1055 1064 -9 -0.9 x = 595 611 -16 -3.3 s = 30 7.3 Note: All data represent exchange mode conditions; ie, the reference bank moving from initial critical position to final critical position in the presence of bank X.