ML20029E008

Application for Amend to License R-77,changing Section 5.0, Design Features, 5.4, Primary Coolant Conditions, Adding Section 3.4, Forced Convection Limitations & Changing Section 3.5, Primary Coolant Conditions

ML20029E008
Person / Time
Site:	University of Buffalo
Issue date:	05/10/1994
From:	Adams M BUFFALO MATERIALS RESEARCH CENTER
To:	Michaels T NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM)
References
NUDOCS 9405160042
Download: ML20029E008 (4)

Text

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s UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO fluf falo Materials Research Center 343sI[a$n sInd Y

STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK Buffakt New Yotk H214-3Wb (716) 829-2826 (f a s) (716) 829-20V Docket 5(1-57 License R-77 May 10,1994 US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555 A TTN.: Ted Michaels, MS Il-B-2l)

Dear Mr. Michaels:

The State University of New York @ Bullido, Buffalo Materials Research Center, requests amendment to License R-77, Appendix A," Technical Specifications," as follows:

Change #1 Section 5.(I[ksign Features 5.4 l'rimary Coolant Conditions Afler the first sentence, add.

"The heat exchanger may be replaced with an aluminum pipe,in which case operations will be restricted as described in section 3.4 ForcedConvection Limitations."

Change #2 Add Section

3. 4 Forced Convection Limitations Applicability These specifications apply to operation of the reactor in the forced convection cooling mode.

Objectives; The objective of this section is to specify the conditions and equipment requirements under which the reactor may be operated.

i Snecifications (1)

The reactor shall not be operated in forced convection mode unless a heat exchanger is installed.

Basig Specification 3.4(1) ensures that the reactor will not be operated above 250kW, the natural convection mode LSSS (limiting safety system setting), without the capacity to reject heat to the secondary cooling system.

9405160042 94o31o DR ADOCK 05000057 PDR k

Change #3 3.3 l'rimary Coolant Conditions Change 3.5 (2) to read i

"The resistivity of the primary coolant when the reactor is operating shall be no less that 0.2x10' O-cm, averaged over a period of 2 weeks.

npose of Changos Change #1 The reactor heat exchanger has been removed from the cooling system and shipped to a disposal facility. This creates an opening in the reactor primary cooling loop, which in turn precludes operation of the primary cooling pump.

An aluminum pipe will be installed in place of the heat exchanger so that the pump may be operated The pump will be operated to maintain proper mixing of the primary coolant. It will also prevent stagnation in the N-16 decay tank. This will facilitate optimum performance of the primary clean-up demineralizer system. It also is a convenient method to maintain the primary coolant at an elevated temperature which in turn reduces expansion and contraction stresses in the reactor tank welds.

Change #2 The purpose of change number two is to restrict operation of the reactor to natural convection mode when there is no heat exchanger installed. The reactor heat exchanger is not used in natural c(mvection mode,. and the primary pump is not operated.

Operation in natural convection mode will facilitate the performance of required reactor surveillance tests and measurements and conduct oflimited experimental programs.

Change #3 The unit of resistisity previously used in this specification was incorrectly reponed as

" ohms per centimeter " The correct unit of resistivity is O-cm.

TechnicalBasis Changes #1 and #2 A heat exchanger is necessary when operating the reactor at power levels above the natural convection mode !.SSS for lengths of time greater than about 20 minutes. The heat exchanger is not used in natural convection mode. In natural convection mode, the primary pump outlet valve (P-2), is left closed (see attached diagram) and the heat exchanger is essentially valved off This is done to ensure the proper reverse flow through the plenum with the flapper valve open and to enable the flapper and flow scrams associated with the natural convection mode. Therefore, operation of the reactor in the Page 2 of 3

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natural convection mode without a heat exchanger installed would be no difTerent than natural convection mode operation with a heat exchanger.

The teactor is equipped with adequate safety systems in the event that the reactor were operated in forced convection mode without a heat exchanger. The consequence of operation at high power would be increasing coolant inlet temperature. Eventually, the core outlet temperature annunciation would warn the reactor operators of the condition or the reactor would scram on high bulk pool temperature. This could also occur with a heat exchanger installed under several circumstances including failure of the cooling tower fan, failure of the secondary coolant pump, gross loss of tower (secondary) water, or simple failure by reactor operators to start the cooling tower fan or secondary pump upon start-up.

Conclusion Changes lli and //2 provide clarification of the Technical Specifications regarding the equipment necessary to operate the reactor in forced convection mode. Neither change raises safety concerns related to operation of the reactor in any mode.

Change ll3 simply clarines the units used in the specification.

If you have

.,y questions regarding these requested Technical Speci6 cations amendments, u

please call me.

Sincerely, Ot b. $hkv y'

fk 1

Mark S. Adams susan T. FERRY Operations Manager

""$dk'77e"""

MG/We

,, #-,,m s.cn t ern cc 1.ouis G. llenry. Director of Research Ser\\ ices Mark A Pierro, RSO j

Ilank Spector. Chairman, NSC l

Page 3 of 3

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wgv DATE:02/21/92

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