ML20079H749
| ML20079H749 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Crystal River  |
| Issue date: | 09/30/1991 |
| From: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20079H750 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9110140063 | |
| Download: ML20079H749 (2) | |
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8 SAFETY EVALUATION BY THE OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION EXEMPTION FROM APPENDIX J, 10 CFR PART 50 FLORIDA POWER CORPORATION, ET AL, CRYSTAL RIVER UNIT NO. 3 flVCLEAP GEt;ERATING PLANT DOCKET NO. 50-302
1.0 INTRODUCTION
By letter dated January 31, 1991, as supplemented on l'ay 16, 1991, Florida Power Corporation (FPC, the licensee) requested a one-tirle exemption from Sections Ill.D.2(a) and 111.0.3 of Appendix J to 10 CFR Part 50 for the Crystal River Unit 3 Nuclear Generating Station (CR-3). The proposed exemption would defer testing of 114 containment isolation valves (CIVs) and their associated containment penetrations, and electrical penetrations, until prior to startup from Refuel 8, currently scheduled to begin in April 1992 and end in June 199?.
The local leak rate testing (LLRT) for these containment penetrations, and valves _ and Technical Specification (TS) 4.6.1.2.d would begin to become overdue in March 1992.
By letter dated June 20, 1991, the licensee also requested an amendment to Facility Operating License No. DPR-72 for the CR-3.
The proposed amendment would extend the interval for Type B and C LLRT on a one-time basis for containment penetrations and containment isolation valves (CIVs) until the eighth refueling outage, currently scheduled to begin April 30, 1992.
2.0 DISCUSSION Sections III.D.2(a) and 111.D.3 of 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix J require that Type B and C. tests be performed at intervals r.o greater than 24 months.
Historically, FPC Type B and C LLRT leakage has not been a source of significant "as-found" leakage as verified by the staff's review of FPC's 1989/1990 leak rate test results of containment penetrations and CIVs.
The TS change and exerption to Appendix J are necessary to avoid an otherwise unnessary extension of the midcycle shutdewn and to allow for leak rate tests to be performed during the eighth refueling outage (Refuel S), scheduled for April 30, 1992.
At that time, the containment penetrations and CIVs would exceed the 2-year testing interval requirement by approximately 2 months.
Therefore, FPC requests e fcotnote change to the TS and an exemption to allow for this extension for leak rate testing of containment penetrations and CIVs.
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. 3.0 EVALUATION TS 4.6.1.2(d) requires LLRTs (Type B and C) on primary CIVs and containment penetrations to be performed at intervals no greater than 24 nonths.
The Commission's regulations (10 CFR Part 50, Appendix.1, Section Ill.D 2(a) and 111.D.3) require LLRTs (Type B and C tests) to be performed during each reactor shutdown for refueling, but in no case at intervals greater than 2 years. The licensee has requested that the 24-month testing interval for electric 31 penetrations and 114 ClYs and their associated containment penetrations identified in FPC letter dated May 16, 1991 he extended on a one-time basis until the eighth refueling outage, presently scheduled to begin April 30, 1992.
These valves would otherwise become overdue for testing between March 1992 and May 1992.
The staff reviewed the 1989/1990 leak rate testing results of CIVs and their containment penetrations at CR-3, submitted with the licensee's letter of May 16, 1991. The results of this review indicate that the "as found" and "as left" leak rate condition of CIVs and containment penetrations were significantly below the leak rate limit acceptance criteria. The review of leak rate test results also indicated that FPC performed preventive maintenance to further reduce the leakage rate of CIVs and containment penetrations in the "as left" condition.
The 24-month interval requirement for Type B and C penetrations is intended to be often enough to prevent significant deterioration from occurring and long enough to permit LLRTs to be performed during plant outages. The requested one-time extension would add approximately 2 months to the testing interval for penetrations and CIVs.
The condition of the components is not expected to change significantly during this short extension period. Testing prior to the refueling outage would require an additional outage for this purpose only, or significant extention of the mid-cycle maintenance outage.
4.0 CONCLUSION
Based on the short one-time extension requested, the previnus satisfactory leak rate test results, and the small likelihood of significant degradation during the extension period, the NRC staff concludes that extending the surveillance testing interval for Type B and C tests until Refuel 8, as requested, provides reasonable assurance that the proposed exemption will present no undue risk to public health and safety, and is, therefore, acceptable.
Principal Contributors:
F. Talbot H. Silver-Date: September 30, 1991 l