ML19305B254
| ML19305B254 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Maine Yankee |
| Issue date: | 02/25/1980 |
| From: | Reid R Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Groce R Maine Yankee |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8003190383 | |
| Download: ML19305B254 (2) | |
Text
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UNITED STATES l
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Of NUCLEAR REGULATORYCOMMISSION 3
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WASWNGTON, D. C. 20555
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February 25, 1980 Docket No. 50-309 Mr. Robert H. Groce Senior Engineer - Licensing Maine Yankee Atomic Power Company 25 Research Drive Westboro, Massachusetts 01581
Dear Mr. Groce:
During the last several years, data have begun to indicate that the fission gas-release rate from LHR fuel pellets is increased (enhanced) with burnup.
Many of the current fuel performance analyses do not consider the impact of burnup-enhanced release on safety.
By letters dated November 23, 1976, the NRC staff requested all LWR licensees to assess the higher fission gas release for fuel burnups above 20,000 Megawatt-day per metric ton (MWD /t).
Also, by NRC staff letter dated January 18. 1978, all U. S. LWR fuel suppliers were requested to revise their fuel performance analyses to include the enhancement of fission gas release at higher burnups.
All responses to the November 23, 1976 letters have been reviewed. We have concluded that no immediate licensing action is required for oper-ating reactors.
This conclusion is valid for typical reported LWR fuel bundle and batch burnups.
Any extension of these burnups or other factors which significantly affect fission gas release, LOCA PCT or fuel rod internal pressure is outside the scope of the conclusion.
The responses concerning Combustion Engineering (CE) and Exxon PWR fuel bundles demonstrated that neither was there an adverse effect on the ECCS evaluations nor did the internal fuel rod pressure exceed system pressure.
Therefore, no immediate licensing action is necessary on CF or Exxon fueled pWRs.
Inasmuch as you and/or the staff will be evaluating all future reloads using fuel vendors' revised fuel performance codes which acceptably pro-vide for an increase in fission gas release at higher burnups, we consider this a satisfactory resolution of this concern.
Sincerely,
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Ifo'bert W. Reid, Chief Operating Reactors Branch #4 Division of Operating Reactors cc: See next page 3003190 3%3
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Yankee Atomic Electric Company-cc:
E. W. Thurlow, President Mr. Robert R. Radcliffe flaine Yankee Atonic Power Compa..y Office of Energy Resources Edison Drive 55 Capitol Street Augusta, Naine 04336 Augusta, Maine 04330 Hr. Donald E. Vandenburgh Mr. Gustave A. Linenberger l
Vice President - Engineering Atomic Safety and Licensing Board i
Yankee Atonic Electric Company U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 20 Turnpike Road Washington, D. C.
20555 Westboro, flassachusetts 01581 Stanley R. Tupper, Esq.
John A. Ritsher, Esquire Tupper and Bradley Ropes and Gray 102 Townsend Avenue 225 Franklin Street Boothbay Harbor, Maine 04538 Boston,flassachusetts 02110 David Santee Miller, Esq.
fir. John 11. R. Paterson 213 Morgan Street, N. W.
Assistant Attorney General Washington, D. C.
20001 State of Maine Augusta, Maine 04330 Mr. Nicholas Barth Executive Director Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association, Inc.
P. O. Box 125 Alna, Maine 04535 Wiscasset Public Library Association
-High Street Wiscasset, Maine 04578 Mrs. L. Patricia Doyle, President SAFE POWER FOR MAINE Post Office Box 774 Camden, liaine 04843 Robert M. Lazo, Esq., Chairran Atomic Safety and Licensing Board U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D. C.
20555 Dr. Cadet H. Hand, Jr., Director Bedaga Marine Laboratory University of California P. O. Box 247 Bodega Bay, California 94923 i
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