ML19309D389
| ML19309D389 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Oyster Creek |
| Issue date: | 02/29/1980 |
| From: | Ziemann D Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Finfrock I JERSEY CENTRAL POWER & LIGHT CO. |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8004100317 | |
| Download: ML19309D389 (3) | |
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-,I w AsHWGTON, D. C. 20666 February 29, 1980
%,4.....f Docket No. 50-219 Mr. I. R. Fi nf rock, J r.
Vice President - Generation Jersey Central Power & Light Conpany Madison Avenue at Punch Bowl Road Morristown, New Jersey 07960
Dear Mr. Finfrock:
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 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 V. 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 (n25,000 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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s Mr. I. R. Finf rock, J r. February 29, 1980 Inasmuch as you and/or the staff will be evaluating all future reloads against fuel 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, k&
Dennis L. Zieman, Chief Operating Reactors Branch #2 Division of Operating Reactors cc:
See next page
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. February 29, 1980 Mr. I. R. Fi nf rock, J r.
cc G. F. Trowbridge, Esquire Gene Fisher Shaw, Pittman, Potts und Trowbridge Bureau Chief 1800 M Street, N. W.
Bureau of Radiation Protection Washington, D. C.
20036 380 Scotts Road Trenton, New Jersey 08628 GPU Service Corporation ATTH: Mr. E. G. Wallace Mark L. First Licensing Manager Deputy Attore;y General 260 Cherry Hill Road State of New Jersey Parsippany, New Jersey 07054 Department of Law tad Public Safety Environmental Protection Section Anthony Z. Roisman 36 West State Street Natural Resources Defense Council Trenton, New Jersey 08625 917 15th Street, N. W.
Washington, D. C.
20006 Joseph T. Carroll, J r.
Plant Superintendent Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Steven P. Russo, Esquire Station 248 Washington Street P. O. Box 388 P. O. Box 1060 Forked River, New Jersey 08731 Toms River, New Jersey 08753 Joseph W. Ferraro, Jr., Esquire Director, Technical Assessment Deputy Attorney General Division State of New Jersey Of fice of Radiation Programs Department of Law and Public Safety (AW-459) 1100 Raymond Boulevard U. S. Environmental Protection Newark, New Jersey 07012 Agency Crystal Mall #2 Ocean County Library Arlington, Virginia 20460 Brick Township Branch 401 Chambers Bridge Road U. S. Environmental Protection Brick Town, New Jersey 08723 Agency Region 11 Office Mayor ATTN: EIS COORDINATOR Lacey Township 26 Federal Plaza P. O. Box 475 New York, New York 10007 Forked River, New Jersey 08731 Robert M. Lazo, Esq., Chairman Comni ssioner Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Department of Public Utilities U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission State of New Jersey Washington, D. C.
20555 101 Commerce Street Newark, New Jersey 07102
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Mr. 1. R. Fi nf rock, J r. February 29, 1980 CC Dr. Hugh C. Paxton, Member Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory P. O. Box 1663 Los Alamos, New Mexico 87544 Dr. Paul W. Purdom, Member Director, Center for Urban Research and Environmental Studies Drexel University 32nd and Chestnut Streets Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104 i
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