ML20079A099
| ML20079A099 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | MIT Nuclear Research Reactor |
| Issue date: | 02/22/1995 |
| From: | Bernard J, Lau E, Newton T NUCLEAR REACTOR LABORATORY |
| To: | NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM) |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9502280275 | |
| Download: ML20079A099 (5) | |
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igE' NUCLEAR REACTOR LABORATORY AN INTERDEPARTMENTAL CENTER OF MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY G K. HARLING 138 Abany Street, Cambridge, Mass. 02139-4296 J. A. dERNARD, JR.
Director Telefax No. (617)253-7300 Director sf Reactor Operations Telex No. 92-1473-MIT-CAM Tel. No. (617) 253-4211/4202 February 22,1995 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington,D.C. 20555 Aun: Document ControlDesk Subje - Surveillance Frequency Requirement for Testing of the Emergency Battery, License No. R-37, Docket No. 50-20 Gentlemen:
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology hereby submits an application to amend Facility Operating Ucense No. R-37. The requested amendment is for a modification from ,
weekly to monthly of the surveillance frequency requirement conceming measurement of >
the voltage and specific gravity of one cell of the emergency battery system. 'Ihe reason for the request is tnat the emergency battery was recently replaced in its entirety and the ;
proposed modification to the Technical Specifications is necessary in order to bring the ;
specification into compliance with the manufacturer's recommended surveillance fmquency.
This request has been reviewed and approved by the MIT Reactor Safeguards Committee. t
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Thomas . cwton, Jr., PE Edward S. Lau, NE Asst. Superintendent for Operations Asst. Superintendent for Emrineering MIT Reseamh Reactor MIT Research Reactor 9502280275 950222
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ohn A. Bernard, Ph.D.
DR ADOCK 050000 0 Director of Reactor Oper$tions MIT Research Reactor EI/gw
Enclosure:
Safety Review #0-95-4 a:: MITRSC (with enclosure)
USNRC- Senior Project Manager, NRR/ONDD USNRC- Region I- Project Scientist.
Effluents Radiation Protection Section (ERPS)
FRSSB/DRSS , 0(r$
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.s . *' i Safety Review #-0-95-4 s
' Dgscripfun of Channe The MIT Research Reacton's (MITR's) original emergency battery bank was replaced on Jantry 13,1995. The new emergency battery bank consists of sixty lead- I calcium storage cells. The battery bank is rated for 577 ampere-hours at an eight-hour discharge rate. It meets the minimum one-hour requirement to provide selected instrument and pump power following a loss of off-site electrical power as required by Technical -
Specification #3.7.3. ;
f MITR Technical Specification #4.3.5 requires that the voltage and specific gravity of one cell of the emergency battery bank be measured weekly. The. manufacturer of the ;
new battery bank recommends that such tests be performed monthly. A copy of the ,
manufacturen's specifications on maintenance of the batteries is attach i The manufacturer recommends against a more frequent testing because of (a) potential safety hazards, e.g., ,
acid spills that may cause damage to the battery system; and (b) the requirement for removal ,
of the protective cover of the battery bank each time such a test is performed. As a result, the weekly surveillance frequency requirement concerning measurement of t'ae voltage and l specific gravity of one cell of the emergency battery bank in Technical Specification #4.3.5 ;
is to be modified to monthly. The pmposed modification to the Technical Specifications is necessary in order to bring the specification into compliance with the manufacturer's -
recommended surveillance frequency. ,
Pmposed Wordine of Change j Technical Specification #4.3.5 in Appendix A of Facility Operating License No. !
R-37 should be amended to read: l
- 5. The voltage of the emergency batteries shall be measured weekly }
whenever the reactor is scheduled to operate any day of that j week. The voltage and specific gravity of one cell shall be !
measured monthly whenever the reactor is scheduled to operate !
any day of that month. Specific gravity of all batteries shall be !
measured at any time a significant change is noted in the pilot !
cell and at least every two years. Discharge tests shall be 1 performed once every two years. Operability of the inverter motor generator set and associated switches shall be verified quarterly. l All other provisions of Technical Specification #4.3 remain unchanged. l Saferv Analysis Safety is impmved because the testing frequency is brought into compliance with the manufacturer's recommendation.
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SR#-0-95-4 FEB 221995 l
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i RS-966 CHARTER POWER SYSTEMS
- CONDENSED INSTALLATION AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS C&D STANDBY BATTERIES (FLOODED)
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l lo NOTE: This manual is a condensed version of installation the user us c ns12-800, S n y attery,'
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- 6. M AINTENANCE O\ Proper maintenance will prolong the life of a battery Operational characteristics and will aid in ensuring it is capable of satisfying its Battery performance is rated at 77F (25C). Operation esign requirements. A good battery maintenance at higher temperature will increase capacity but program will serve as a valuable aid in determining the reduces life approximately 50 percent for every 15F I need for battery replacement. (-9C) rise. Operation at lower temperatures reduces Monthly battery inspection should include the following: capacity but extends life. ,
.
- charge voltage measured at battery terminal During the last half of the battery service life, capacity ;
- general appearance and cleanliness of battery, will begin to fall slowly at first, then with increasing !
battery rack and battery area rapidity. Lead-acid batteries have reached the end of
- charger output current and voltage their useful life when capacity has fallen to 80 percent
- electrolyte leve's of published ratings. l
- cmks in the celi container or leakage of electrolyte NOTE: Frequent charge / discharge cycles accelerate a any em ence of corrosion at terminals, connectors ca acity degradation.
et rary
- ambmt temperature and condition of ventilation To insure adequate performance it is recommended a equWent battery be sized with additional margin for operation
- pilot-cell voltage, specific gravity and electrolyte at minimum expected temperature and for loss of ;
temperature capacity as the battery ages.
- recorded findings with clear, dated copies Quarterly bcttery inspection should include: Environmental requirements
- specific gravity of each cell Recommended operating temperature: 60F (15C) ;
- voltage of each cell and battery terminal voltage minimum,90F (32C) maximum; 77F (25C) yearly
- temperatu"es of electrolyte in representative cell average Annual battery inspection should include the following: Operating temperature limits: 32F (OC) minimum, >
120F (49C) maximum; pressure = atmospheric >
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- detailed inspection of the appearance of the battery e integrity of the battery rack Ventilation: Flooded lead-acid batteries generate i
e intercell/interunit connection integrity explosive gas (hydrogen), which is vented to the ;
f e recorded findings with clear, dated copies environment. Although normal ventilation is sufficient for dispersion, accumulation must be limited to 2 .
NOTE: If the battmy has experienced an abnormal percent or less of room volume.
cond;Uon, such as severe discharge or over-charge, an inspection should be made to NOTE: This manual is a condensed version of installa- ,
ensure the battery has not been damaged. tion and operation instructions. For specific
. Instructions, the user must consult 12-800, Periodic inspections, as outlined above, and the Standby Battery, Flooded Cell, Installation subsequent corrective actions are intended to provide and Operating Instructions, which is packed a properly maintained battery that will meet its with the battery.
performance requirements. In addition, yearly perfor-mance tests can be used to demonstrate the adequacy of the maintenance practices. Et:h of these inspec-tions and tests should be used as best suited for the particular needs of the application. It is the user's responsibility to format a maintenance inspection and testing program to optimize the benefit available.
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plenum monitor, a.
- b. stack monitor,
- c. particulate monitor,
- d. water monitor,
- e. area monitor.
- 5. The voltage of the emergency batteries and the voltage and specific gravit.y of one cell shall be measured weekly.
Specific gravity of all batteries shall be measured at any time a significant change is noted in the pilot cell and at least every two years. Discharge tests shall be performed once every two years. Operability of the inverter motor generator set and associated switches shall be verified quarterly.
Bases An MITR operating cycle begins with an initial startup and closes with shutdown procedure. Each time before startup of the reactor, scrams and important safety devices and interlocks are checked in accordance with a startup checklist. The shutdown checklist turns off all instruments not needed for shutdown cooling and safety parameters. Since some instrumenta-tion is deenergized and other instrumentation may drift over a shutdown of several days, it is deemed prudent to apply the specification above.
The 16-hour limit is estah]1shed to permit restart after a shutdown for maintenance without the necessity to recalibrate all of the instru-l ments. The limit of 16 hours1.851852e-4 days <br />0.00444 hours <br />2.645503e-5 weeks <br />6.088e-6 months <br /> was chosen on the basis of experience which l indicates that the instrumentation used does not drift significantly or malfunction during that period if icft energized and operating. In view I
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