ML19340D374

Requests NRC Response to 10 Questions Re Need for Reactor Vessel Level Instrumentation,Per Board 801217 Memorandum & Order Allowing Informal Discovery in Restart Hearing

ML19340D374
Person / Time
Site:	Three Mile Island
Issue date:	12/23/1980
From:	Baxter T SHAW, PITTMAN, POTTS & TROWBRIDGE
To:	Cutchin J NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE LEGAL DIRECTOR (OELD)
References
NUDOCS 8012300449
Download: ML19340D374 (5)

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. C James M. Cutchin, IV, Esquire O

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Office of the Executive Legal Director U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D. C. 20555 Re: TMI-l Restart, Docket No. 50-289

Dear Mac:

Pursuant to the Board's "Ma.morandum and Order on Inadequate Core Cooling Issue," December 17, 1980, which allows a period of informal discovery on the Staff's position on the need for reactor vessel level instrumentation, announced by Staff counsel at the hearing cn Decemi'er 17, 1980, Licensee requests that the Staff provide responses to the following questions:

! 1. The Staff states that the saturation meter does not distinguish between anomalous transients which can drain the pressurizer and cause primary loop saturation due to cooling and shrinkage of primary coolant versus a loss of coolant inventory which could lead to inadequate core cooling. What i need is there for the operator to distinguish between l such transients? Describe any differences in operator action which would be necessary in responding to these two types of transients. )

2. The Staff states that core exit thermo-couples do not detect the advent of inadequate core g 8012000 N . _. .

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SHAW, PITTMAN, POTTS & TROWBRIDGE cooling until the level has dropped into the core and fuel heatup has begun. Define " inadequate core cooling" as used by the Staff in its statement, and relate the definition to the limits of 10 CFR 50.46.

3. The Staff states that if level instrumentation were available, the effectiveness of HPI in recovering the system would provide valuable diagnostic infermation on the nature of the transient before the icvel drops into the core. What cdditional actions would the operator take, upon evaluating the effectiveness of HPI via level indication, apart from verifying that: the HPI pumps are operating; the valves are open; and design basis HPI flow is present?

4. What is the Staff's basis for the statement that the trend of level indication would provide valuable diagnostic information on the nature of the transient before the level drops into the core? Nould not a large LOCA also result in core uncovery?

5. What information for diag.aosing the effective-ness of core recovery actions would be provided by water level indication that is not provided by hot leg temperature, cold leg temperature, reactor coolant system pressure and temperature saturation margin? What would be done differently by the operator based on such information?

6. Describe the " unsafe operator actions" the Staff alleges could have occurred during the June 11, 1980 St. Lucie event, and provide the post-event evaluations '

upon which this statement is based.

7. Describe how vessel level indication could' prevent the unsafe operator actions described in your response to Question 6 above.

8. Describe the basis for the statement that vessel level indication is "important and possibly essential" to proper use of the reactor vessel head vent.

In particular, what actions would the operator take based upon vessel level indication which would be different than actions based upon information from available alternate instrumentation?

9. Has the Staff evaluated how water level varies with time for a spectrum of LOCA's, and determined at what point or under what conditions the operator should take new or different actions based on water level?

h SHAW, PITTMAN, POTTS & TROWBRIDGE

10. Does the Staff dispute the statement that one of the bases underlying its requirement for vessel level indication is the ability to use such information for post-accident evaluations?

We hope to receive your reply to these questions shortly, in order that we may evaluate whether supplemental testimony by Licensee is necessary. In view of the schedule establishad by the Board in its Memorandum and Order on this issue, Licensee requests that you advise us on or before January 6, 1981, of the status of your preparation of responses to these requests.

Very truly yours, 7

/n Thomas A. Baxter Counsel for Licensee ec: Service List attached e

I i UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION f

l BE[ ORE THE ATOMIC SAFETY AND LICENSING BOARD In the Matter of )

)

METROPOLITAN EDISON COMPANY ) Docket No. 50-289

) (Restart)

(Three Mile Island Nuclear )

Station, Unit No.1) )

1

. SERVICE LIST

• Ivan W. Snith, Esquire John A. Ievin, Esquize Chairnan Assistant Cbunsel Atanic Safety and Licensing Pennsylvania Public Utility Cbun'n B a d Panel Post Office Box 3265 U.S. Nuclear Pegulatory Ccmission Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120 Washingtm, D.C. 20555

• Karin W. Carter, Esquire

. Dr. Walter E. Jordan Assistant Attorney General Atanic Safety and Licensing 505 Executive House Board Panel Post Office Box 2357 881 West Outer Drive Harrisburg, Pe.wrylvania 17120

! Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830 John E. Minnicft

• Dr. Linda W. Little Osalman, Dauphin Cbunty hM Atanic Safety and Licensing of Cmmissicners .

Board Panel Daughin County Courthouse 5000 Hermitage Drive -

Frmt and Market Streets Baleigh, North Caro 13ma 27612 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17101

• Ja es R. Tburtellotte, Esquire Walter W. Cbhan, Esquire Office of the Executive Iagal Director Ocnsumer Advocate U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Ccmnissica Office of 0:msurer Advocate Weshingtcm, D.C. 20555 14th Floor, Strawberry Square Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17127 l Docketing and Service Secticn Office of the Secretary U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Ccanissicn Washington, D.C. 20555 l

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2-Jordan D. Cunningham, Esquire IN114 - S. Jordan, III, Esquire Attorney for Newberry 7tMnship Attorney far People Against Nuclear T.M.I. Steerity Q:::mittae Energy 2320 North Seccrd Street F a m m & Ide i as Barrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110 1725 Eye Street, N.W., suite 506 Denshingtm, D.C. 20006 W A. Ailer, Esquire t

Midoff Reager Selkowitz & Adlar R iert Q. Pollard l Post office Box 1547 609 W 14ar Street Ba. % , Pennsylvania 17105 Baltimore, Maryland 21218

• Ellyn R. Weiss, Esquire Chauncey Fepford l Attez:ney for the Union of Ctnoerned Judith H. Johnsrui Gcicatists Ihvimwnal Cbeliticm on Prl="

Barren & Weiss

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! 1725 Eye Street, N.W., Suita 506 433 orlando Avenue Washington, D.C. 20006 State College, Pennsylvania 16801 Steven C. Shelly Ma.% I. Imwis 304 South Market Street 6504 Bradford hrrace Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania 17055 Philadelf.ia, Pennsylvania 19149 Daniel M. Pell, Esquire Marjorie M. Am:cdt

. Anti-Nuclear Group Pepresenting York R. D. 5

- 32 South Beaver Street Coatesvilla, Pemsylvania 19320 Attorney General of New Jersey Gail Bradford Attn: Thomas J. Germine, Esq.

Anti-Nuclear Group Bepresenting Ycrk Deputy Attorney General-245 West Philadelphia Street Division of Law - Room 316 York, Pennsylvania 17404 1100 Raymond Boulevard l Newark, New Jersey 07102

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