ML19309D384
| ML19309D384 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Big Rock Point File:Consumers Energy icon.png |
| Issue date: | 02/29/1980 |
| From: | Ziemann D Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Hoffman D CONSUMERS ENERGY CO. (FORMERLY CONSUMERS POWER CO.) |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8004100312 | |
| Download: ML19309D384 (3) | |
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February 29, 1980 Docket No. 50-155 Mr. David P. Hoffman Nuclear Licensing Administrator Consumers Power Comany 212 West Michigan Avenue Jackson, Michigan 49201
Dear Mr. Hoffman:
During the last several years, data have begun to indicate that the fission gas release rate from LWR fuel pellets is increased (enhanced) with burnup.
Many of the current fuel performance analyses do not consider the igact 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 (MIO/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 enhance-ment 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 operating reactors.
This conclusion is valid for typical reported LWR fuel bundle and batch burn-ups.
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 effect of enhanced release on BWR ECCS performance has been discussed with General Electric (GE). GE has pointed out that because of operational restric-tions and physical limitations, the LOCA analysis is not limiting in high burn-up fuel (s25,000 MWD /t).
High burnup fuel generally cannot achieve linear power densities near the LOCA limit for a typical BWR operating conditions. Typically, BWRs are LOCA limited early in cycle.
The limiting fuel bundle is usually in its second cycle of reactor operations where burnup levels are below =20,000 MWD /t. Late in a BWR fuel cycle, there is less axial power peaking reducing the feasibility for any given axial location to exceed LOCA linear power density limits, and the fuel bundle power is generally limited by MCPR considerations.
Thus, it is unlikely that a high burnup bundle can exceed the ECCS performance criteria in case of a LOCA. The argument is appropriate for Exxon fuel bundle design also based on the review of Exxon analyses for operating BWRs. Therefore, no immediate licensing action is necessary on operating BWRs.
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- l-Mr. David P. Hof fman February 29, 1980 g
Inasmuch as you and/or the staff will be evaluating all future reloads against feel vendors' revised fuel performance codes which provide for increase in fission gas release at higher burnups, we consider this a satisfactory resolution of this concern.
Sincerely,
.s!
G r*w v.A.
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Dennis L. Ziema
, Chief Operating Reactors Branch #2 Division of Operating Reactors cc:
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Mr. David P. Hoffman
-3 1 February 29, 1980 CC Mr. Paul A. Perry, Secretary U. S. Environmental Protection Consumers Power Co@any Agency
~212 West Michigan Avenue Federal Activities Branch Jackson, Michigan 49201 Region V Office ATTN:
EIS COORDINATOR Judd L. Bacon, Esquire 230 South Dearborn Street Consumers Power Company Chicago, Illinois 60604 212 West Michigan Avenue Jackson, Michigan 49201 Herbert Grossman, Esq., Chairman Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Hunton & Williams U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Comission George C. Freeman, Jr., Esquire Washington, D. C.
20555 P. O. Box 1535 Richmond, Virginia 23212 Dr. Oscar H. Paris Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Peter W. Steketee, Esquire U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Comission 505 Peoples Building Washington, D. C.
20555 Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503 Mr. Frederick J. Shon Sheldon, Harmon and Weiss Atomic Safety and Licensing Board 1725 I Street, N. W.
U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Comission Suite 500 Washington, D. C.
20555 Washington, D. C.
20006 Big Rock Point Nuclear Power Plant Mr. John O'Neill, !!
ATTN:
Mr. C. J. Hartman Route 2, Box 44 Plant Superintendent Maple City, Michigan 49664 Charlevoix, Michigan 49720 Charlevoix Public Library Christa-Maria 107 Clinton Street Route 2, Box 108C Charlevoix, Michigan 49720 Charlevoix, Michigan 49720 Chai rman County Board of Supervisors Charlevoix County Charlevoix, Michigan 49720 Office of the Governor (2)
Room 1 - Capitol Building Lansing, Michigan 48913 Director, Technical Assessnent
. Division Office of Radiation Programs (AW-459)
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency Crystal Mall #2 Arlington, Virginia 20460 l
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