ML19341C676
| ML19341C676 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Big Rock Point File:Consumers Energy icon.png |
| Issue date: | 01/12/1981 |
| From: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19341C669 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8103030953 | |
| Download: ML19341C676 (2) | |
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8 UNITED STATES y,'e Pi NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
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,l-a s, v j SAFETY EVALUATICN 3Y THE OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION SUP00RTING AMENCMENT NO. 36 TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO. OPR-6 CONSUMERS POWER COMPANY BIG RF'X POINT PLA*iT COCKET NO. 50-155 1.0 INTR 000CTION By letter dated September 25, 1980, Consumers Power Company (the licensee) requested an amendment to Facility Ooerating License No. CPR-5 for the Big Rock Point Plant. This amendment would (1) allcw greater 'lexibility in fuel management by removing the restrictions on the allowable locations for auxiliary neutron sources, and (2) modi fy the physical description of the auxiliary neutron sources to allow the sources to be placed in the center of a fuel assembly rather than in the corner location previously used.
2.0 DISCUSSION AND EVALUATION Technical Specification 5.1.6 for the Big Rock Point Plant specifies the type, quantity and location of the initial and auxiliary neutron sources.
The present Technical Specifications restrict the location of auxiliary neutron sources in order to avoid locations near the start-up instrument channels (channel #6 and #7). However, the licensee has provided information which indicates that the startup channels will respond to fission neutrons rather than source neutrons even when the auxiliary neutron sources are placed very close to the start-up detectors. Thi s indicates that the restriction on the location of the fuel bundles with auxiliary neutron sources is unnecessary.
The physical description of the auxiliary neutron sources in the present Technical Specification restricts the auxiliary neutron sources in two additional ways. First, the source must be located in a corner position in the fuel assembly; and second, the source must be removable. The removable feature was originally provided to allow for the irradiation of cobalt targets. Since the cobalt 60 production program is being discontinued, the licensee has indicated that this feature is no longer needed.
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l In terms of changing the source location to the center of the fuel assembly, the licensee has performed analyses to demonstrate that i
there will be no reduction in safety margin associated with the thermal i
hydraulic, fuel design limits (minimum critical heat flux ratio) or the I
ECCS performance analyses (maximum allowable peak linear heat generation I
rate).
We have reviewed the licensee's proposed changes to Technical Specifi-cation 5.1.6 as well as the technical bases for tnese changes. The ~
l licensee has adeq;ately addressed all of the areas of potential concern and has proviced sufficient documentation of the results of their i
reviews and analyses. We, therefore, find the proposed Technical j
Specification change acceptable.
3.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATICN We have determined that the amendment does not authori:e a change in i
effluent types or total amounts nor an increase in power level and l
will not result in any significant environmental impact. Having made t
this determination, we have further concluded that tne amendment in-i volves an action which is insignificant from the standcoint of environ-j mental impact and prusuant to 10 CFR 551.5(d)(a) that an environmental i
impact statement or negative declaration and environmental impact acoraisal need not be prepared in connection with the issuance of this amendnent.
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4.0 CONCLUSION
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I We have concluded, based on the considerations discussed above, that: (1) because the amendment does not involve a significant increase in the pro-l l
bability or consequences of accidents previously considered and does not j
involve a significant decrease in a safety margin, the amendment does not involve a significant ha:ards consideration, (2) there is reasonable assurance that the health and safety of the public will not be endangered by operation in the proposed mar.aer, and (3) such activities will be con-ducted in compliance with the Ccmmission's regulations and the issuance of this amendment will not be inimical to the common defense and security or to the health and safety of the public.
Cate:
January 12',.1981 i
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