ML19354D900

Application for Amends to Licenses NPF-4 & NPF-7,to Incorporate Changes Into Design Features Section of Tech Spec,Allowing Use of Solid Stainless Steel or Zircaloy 4 Filter & Removing U Weight Limit of 1780 G

ML19354D900
Person / Time
Site:	North Anna
Issue date:	01/16/1990
From:	Stewart W VIRGINIA POWER (VIRGINIA ELECTRIC & POWER CO.)
To:	NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM)
Shared Package
ML19354D901	List: ML19354D900 ML19354D902
References
89-773, NUDOCS 9001230285
Download: ML19354D900 (3)

Text

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VIRGINIA ELI:CTRIC AND Pows:n CoMI'ANY RICilMoND, VikGINIA 23261 January 16, 1990 United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Serial No. .

89 773 Attention: Document Control Desk NO/DLDM:Jmj Washington, D.C. 20555 Docket Nos. 50 338 50 339 License Nos. NPF 4 NPF 7 Gentlemen:

VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY NORTH ANNA POWER STATION UNITS 1 AND 2 PROPOSED TECHNICAL SP10.lELCAT10BS_ CHANGES Pursuant to 10CFR50.90, the Virginia Electric and Power Company requests amendments, in the form of changes to the Technical Specifications, to Operating License Nos. NPF 4 and 7 for North Anna Power Station Units 1 and 2, respectively.

The purpose of the amendments is to incorporate changes into the Design Features Section of each Unit's Technical Specifications. The changes will allow the use of solid stainless steel or solid Zircaloy 4 filter rods in place of fuel rods that are known to be failed. Additionally, the changes will remove the rod uranium weight limit of 1780 grams.

The current Virginia Electric and Power Company practice Is to not reload assemblies with known failed rods. Failed rods are defined as fuel rods having cladding defects allowing fission products to be released to the coolant. By replacing failed rods with solid filler rods made from stainless steel or Zircaloy-4, costs may be recovered from fuel assemblies which may have been prematurely discharged because of the existence of failed rods. Currently, the Design Features Section of each Unit's Technical Specifications precludes the use of solid filler rods.

The same Design Features Section also identifies a limit on the total weight of uranium in each rod. Due to fuel pellet design improvements such as chamfered pellets with reduced dish size!and a nominal density increase, the fuel weight may increase slightly. The actual rod uranium weight has no bearing on the power limits, power operating level, or decay heat rate. The areas of safety analysis involving fuel uranium weight have their own limits which are reflected in the Final Safety Analysis Report design bases and Technical Specifications.

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This request has been reviewed by the Station Nuclear Safety and Operating Committee. It has been determined that this request does not involve any unreviewed safety questions as defined in 10CFR50.59 or a significant hazards consideration as defined in 10CFR50.92. The basis for the determination that no significant hazard consideration is involved is presented in Attachment 3, in accordance with 10CFR50.91(a) and the guidance provided in generic letter 86 03.

Very truly yours, b iAN W. L. Stewart Senior Vice President - Nuclear Attcchments:

1. Proposed Technical Specification Changes for North Anna Units 1 & 2

2. Safety Evaluation for Use of Filler Rods and Removal of the Rod Uranium Weight Limit

3. Significant Hazards Evaluation For Use of Filler Rods and Removal of the Rod Uranium Weight Limit cc: United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region ll 101 Marietta Street, N.W.

Suite 2900 Atlanta, GA 30323 Mr. J. L. Caldwell NRC Senior Resident inspector North Anna Power Station Commissioner Department of Health Room 400 109 Governor Street Richmond, Virginia 23219

COMMONWEALTHOFVIRGINIA )

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COUNTYOFHENRICO )

The foregoing document was acknowledged. before me, in and for .the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, today by W. L. Stewart who is Senior Vice President - Nuclear, of Virginia Electric and Power Company. He is duly authorized to execute and file the foregoing document in behalf of that Company, and the statements in the document are true to the best of his knowledge and belief.

Acknowledged before me this /6 Yday of ddwoom , 19 9o ,

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My Commission Expires: ~ / Assse M m / ,199e.

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Notary. Public (SEAL)