ML20073C758

Forwards Application to Amend License DPR-50 Re TS Change Request 242 Concerning Control Rod Trip Insertion Time Testing

ML20073C758
Person / Time
Site:	Three Mile Island
Issue date:	03/22/1994
From:	Broughton T GENERAL PUBLIC UTILITIES CORP.
To:	NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM)
Shared Package
ML20073C763	List: ML20073C758 ML20073C770 ML20073C773
References
NUDOCS 9409260149
Download: ML20073C758 (3)

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GPU Nuclear Corporation G.. 1 Nuclear m::'a r Middletown. Pennsylvania 17057-0480 i

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(717)944-7621 l Writer's Direct Dial Nurnber:

l March 22, 1994 I C311-94-2039 l

l U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Att: Document Control Desk l Washington, DC 20555 l Att: Jose A. Calvo l

Assistant Director for Region I Reactors, NRR l

Subject:

Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station, Unit 1 (TMI-1)

Operating License No. DPR-50 Docket No. 50-289 Technical Specification Change Request (TSCR) No. 242 and .

Request for Enforcement Discretion Control Rod Trip Insertion Time Testing i

In accordance with 10 CFR 50.4(b)(1), enclosed is Technical Specification  !

Change Request (TSCR) No. 242.  !

1 Also enclosed is a Certificate of Service for this request, certifying service j to the chief executives of the township and county in which the facility is i located, as well as the designated official of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Bureau of Radiation Protection.

GPU Nuclear requests a Technical Specification Change Request to the Control Rod Trip Insertion Time Testing acceptance criterion for control rod drop time l

for the remainder of Cycle 10. It is requested that this TSCR be processed under exigent procedures to support the TMI-1 operating schedule. In order to allow the TMI-1 startup to proceed within the current Technical Specification requirements, considering the restrictions for an inoperable control rod, GPU Nuclear additionally requests that a Notice of Enforcement Discretion be issued allowing startup until the TSCR is approved. Enclosure 2 documents this request. GPU Nuclear understands that the Notice of Enforcement Discretion would be limited to the period prior to the issuance of the amendment approving this TSCR.

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9409260149 940322 PDR ADOCK 05000289

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l P PDR b GPU Nuclear Corporation is a subsidiary of General Public Utihties Corporation -

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C311-94-2039 Page 2 An analysis of the root cause of increased Control Rod Drive Mechanism (CRDM) drop times at TMI-1 and the planned actions to minimize the likelihood of exceeding the proposed Cycle 10 technical specification limit is contained in Enclosure 3. It is concluded that crud buildup in the area of CRDM thermal barriers and the ball check valves is the most likely cause. Planned actions to support startup are:

1. Performance of multiple drops of CRDMs with slow drop times to free up deposits and reduce as-left drop times. This action has been completed.

2. Increase lithium concentration in the RCS to raise pH to reduce the rate of corrosion

3. Increase the amount of CRDM exercise done periodically during the fuel cycle to reduce the likelihood of crud buildup in the gap between the lead screw and the thermal barrier bushing.

4. Initiate a special test program to verify CRDM drop times.

Initially, the drop times will be obtained within three months of reactor startup. Subsequent testing intervals will be based on the results.

5. During startup when plant power is between 0% and 25% FP, the high flux trip setpoint will be set at $50% to assure the FSAR acceptance criteria for the startup accident are met.

l Pursuant to 10 CFR 50.91(a)(1), enclosed is our analysis, applying the standards in 10 CFR 50.92 to make a determination of no significant hazards considerations. As stated above, pursuant to 10 CFR 50.91(a), we have provided a copy of this letter, the proposed change in Technical Specifications, and our analyses of significant hazards considerations to

, Robert J. Barkanic, the designated representative of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Sincerely, l

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T. G. Broughton A~

l Vice President and Director, TMI DJD/ pip

Enclosure:

1) Technical Specifications Change Request No. 242

2) Enforcement Discretion of TMI-1 Control Rod Trip Insertion Time

3) Root Cause Evaluation of Slow CRDM Drop Times at TMI-l

4) Certificate of Service for Technical Specification Change Request No. 242 cc: Region I Administrator (T. T. Martin)

TMI-1 Senior Project Manager (R. W. Hernan)

TMI Senior Resident Inspector (M. G. Evans)

Director, Project Directorate I-4 (J. F. Stolz)

Director, Division of Reactor Projects, Region 1 (W. D. Lanning)

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA j I

l NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION l l IN THE MATTER OF DOCKET NO. 50-289 GPU NUCLEAR CORPORATION LICENSE NO. DPR-50 i

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE This is to certify that a copy of Technical Specification Change Request No. 242 to Appendix A of the Operating License for Three Mile Island Nuclear Station Unit 1, has, on the date given below, been filed with executives of Londonderry Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania; Dauphin County, Pennsylvania; and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources, Bureau of Radiation Protection, by deposit in the United States mail, addressed as follows:

Mr. Darryl LeHew, Chairman Mr. Russell L. Sheaffer, Chairman Board of Supervisors of Board of County Commissioners Londonderry Township of Dauphin County l R. D. #1, Geyers Church Road Dauphin County Courthouse Middletown, PA 17057 Harrisburg, PA 17120 Director, Bureau of Radiation Protection PA. Department of Environmental Resources Fifth Floor, Fulton Building Third and Locust Streets P. O. Box 2063 l Harrisburg, PA 17120 Attn: Mr. Robert J. Barkanic GPU NUCLEAR CORPORATION BY:

• Vice President' and Director, TMI March 22, 1994 DATE:

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