ML19309E699
| ML19309E699 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Bellefonte, 07002917  |
| Issue date: | 01/30/1980 |
| From: | Crow W, Delaney J NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19309E694 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8004240217 | |
| Download: ML19309E699 (2) | |
Text
O ran
-1AN 3 0 so SAFETY EVALUATION REPORT TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY (TVA)
APPLICATION DATED AUGUST 31, 1979, AND THE SUPPLEMENT THERET0 DATED JANUARY 8,1980, FOR A LICENSE FOR FUEL FOR THE BELLEFONTE NUCLEAR PLANT, UNIT 1 DOCKET 70-2917 The subject application requests a license to receive up to 3000 kilograms of U-235 contained in uranium enriched to up to 3.45% in the form of 205 fuel assemblies and up to 100 loose fuel rods. TVA advises that initially they require authorization to receive 144 assemblies and up to 100 loose fuel rods since only the new fuel storage vault, which holds 144 assemblies, will be available for fuel storage wnen fuel is scheduled for delivery.
Because of measurement and enrichment variations usually encountered, it is proposed that a maximum U-235 enrichment of 3.5% be authorized.
Further since only 14.4 of the 205 assemblies are to be received, it is proposed that the maximum U-235 possession limit be reduced proportionally from 3000 kilograms to 2110 kilograms.
The fuel. assemblies will be stored in their shipping containers and in the new fuel vault. The new fuel storage racks provide for a 21-inch center-to-center spacing between fuel assemblies. The safety of storage at 21-inch centers has previously been established.
Further, the fuel in the new fuel vault is to be stored dry. Uranium enriched to 3.5% in the U-235 isotope cannot be made accidentally '
critical unless a moderator such as water is present. A license condition has been added, restricting the storage of the 100 fuel rods to the shipping ' container in which they were received.
Conservative calculations by the staff have shown that two or more of these fuel assemblies are required in order to attain criticality. TVA has established controls to. assure that no more than one fuel assembly may be out of approved shipping containers or storage locations at any one time.
In addition, TVA has stated that plastic fuel assembly covers will be open at the bottom to allow for free draining of water in the event of flooding and subsequent draining of a storage area. When fuel handling operations are not being. performed and fuel is being stored, metal covers will be placed over the new fuel storage vault.
While this is primarily for the control of dust and foreign objects, it also serves to' prevent the entry of foam or mist.
It is the Staff's opinion that, under these conditions, TVA has established reasonable and satisfactory pre-cautions to avoid accidental criticality, i
The Division of Safeguards has. reviewed the applicant's proposed plans for pnysical protection of special nuclear material and has determined that the plans are acceptable. Accordingly, a license condition has been added as follows:
The licensee shall maintain and fully implement the physical protection measures ider<ified in the revised Section 1.2.5, Access Control, and the t
" Summary of Pnysical Security Arrangements for Initial Fuel Receipt at Bellefonte Wear Plant," enclosed with the application supplement dated January d, 1980.
800.4240217
JAN 3 01580 2.
The applicant has also descrned th6 basic aspects of its radiation safety l
control program, including a description of the training and experience of personnel responsible for administering the program.
The Staff has concluded that the applicant's radiation safety program and personnel are adequate to allow them to reasonably carry out the activities for which a license is requested.
L The applicant has requested, ' pursuant to 10 CFR 70.24(b), an exemption from the provisions of 10 CFR 70.24. Because of the inherent features associated with the storage and inspection of unirradiated fuel containing uranium enriched to l
less than 5% in the U-235 isotope when no fuel processing activities are to be performed, the Staff hereby determines that granting such an exemption will not endanger life or property or the common defense and security, and is in the public interest. This exemption is authorized pursuant to 10 CFR 70.14.
The N'RR Project Manager, Mr. Anthony Bornia, and Mr. R. W. Wright, Inspector, I&E, Region II, have stated that they have no objection to issuance of the license.
Conclusion Based.on the above statements, the Staff believes that the proposed activities can be performed without u'ndue risk to the health and safety of the public.
It i
has been determined by the Staff that the application fulfills the requirements of 10 CFR 70.23(a). Further, the issuance of this license is not a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment and thus, pursuant to 10 CFR 51.5(a)(4), no environmental impact statement, negative declaration, or environmental appr:aisal need be prepared.
Recommendation The Staff recommends approval of the application and of the exemption of the licensee from the requirements of 10 CFR 70.24.
(0
/ [AJ J. C. Delane Approved:
W. T. Crow i
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