ML19290B653
| ML19290B653 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Haddam Neck, Millstone File:Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Co icon.png |
| Issue date: | 12/07/1979 |
| From: | Counsil W NORTHEAST UTILITIES |
| To: | Harold Denton Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7912130455 | |
| Download: ML19290B653 (1) | |
Text
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December 7, 1979 Docket Nos. 50-213 50-245 50-336 Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Attn:
Mr. H. R. Denton, Director U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D. C.
20555
References:
(1)
W. G. Counsil letter to D. G. Eisenhut dated October 18, 1979.
(2)
W. G. Counsil letter to H. R. Denton dated November 21, 1979.
(3)
D. G. Eisenhut letter to All Operating Nuclear Power Plants, dated September 13, 1979.
(4)
H. R. Denton letter to All Operating Nuclear Power Plants, dated October 30, 1979.
Gentlemen:
Haddam Neck Plant Millstone Nuclear Power Station, Unit Nos. 1 and 2 Improved In-Plant Iodine Instrumentation Under Accident Conditions In References (1) and (2), Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power Company (CYAPCO) and Nor thea st Nuclear Energy Company (NNECO) responded to References (3) and (4),
by indicating that both organizations were committed to comply with the intent of Recommendation 2.1.8.c, Improved In-Plant Iodine Instrumentation Under Accident Conditions.
This was to be originally accomplished by the use of existing procedures and equipment.
The reason for this position was that portable samples could be taken and then counted on Ge(Li) spectrometers for accurate iodine identification. Alternate Ge(L1) spectrometers were available within a 40-minute drive if onsite Ge(Li) systems were rendered useless due to background radiation or for some other consideration.
Subsequent verbal discussions with the Staf f indicated that this technique was not responsive due to time considerations.
In certain locations, such as the control room, it is critical to avoid unnecessary respiratory protection require-ments as respiratory equipment increases the complications associated with control room operations under emergency conditions.
Therefore, it is beneficial to have rapid indication of the extent of airborne iodine concentrations.
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The Staf f indicated that taking a sample to a laboratory for counting would not fulfill the intent of this requirement.
CYAPC0 and NNECO fully agree with this clarification for critical areas such as the control room and the onsite technical support center.
For other plant areas, such as the auxiliary building, the operator actions and time require-ments are not as critical for safe operation of the plant.
Therefore, for these areas, the standard operating practice of using laboratory analysis as presented in Reference (2) complies with the intent of References (3) and (4).
It is recognized that there would also be benefits for these areas in the development of improved portable iodine sampling techniques.
For these reasons, the following actions are being taken:
(1) Air monitors will be located in the control room area at each site.
These monitors will contain an iodine collection device that minimizes the effects of the presence of noble gases. A detector system will be provided to immediately obtain data on iodine concentrations. The monitors will be portable to the extent that they can be moved to various areas of the control room (both units at Millstone) or the interim onsite Technical Support Center.
These monitors will be installed by January 1, 1980.
(2) Work has been initiated to develop an improved portable system for rapid iodine identification in the other less critical locations of the plant.
If such a system is determined to be practical, it will be implemented promptly.
We trust you find the above information saf ficient to concur with our determination tha t the above actions constitute full compliance with Requirement 2.1.8.c of References (3) and (4).
Very truly yours, CONNECTICU1 YANKEE ATOMIC POWER COMPANY NORTilEAST NUCLEAR ENERGY COMPANY
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W. G. Counsil Vice President 1553 146