ML20080D453
| ML20080D453 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | FitzPatrick  |
| Issue date: | 08/22/1983 |
| From: | Eisenhut D Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | POWER AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (NEW YORK |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20080D456 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8308300456 | |
| Download: ML20080D453 (4) | |
Text
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7590-01 UtilTEC STATES OF A!ER:CA fiUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSI0t; j
l -the Matter
)
Docket flo. 50-333
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~FL'ER AUTHORITY OF THE STATE
)
0F f(EW YORK
)
)
(James A. FitzPatrick ?!uclear
)
Power Plant)
)
EXEtiPTI0fl I.
The Power Authority of the State of New York (the licensee) is the holder of Facility Operating License No. DPR-59 (the license) which authorizes operation of the James A. FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant located in Oswego County, New York, at a steady state reactor core power level not -in excess of 2436 megawatts thermal. This license provides,
.among other things, that it is. subject to all rules, regulations and Orders of the Commission now or hereafter in effect.
II.
-On October 2,1980, the Commission proposed rulemaking on " Interim Requirements Related' to _ Hydrogen Control and Certain Degraded ^ Core Considera-tions. " ' The proposed amendments to 10 CFR Part 50 would improve hydrogen management in light-water reactor facilities and provide specific des'ign and
-other requirements to mitigate the consequences of accidents.
On January 4,1982, the proposed rule became effective and as part of the amendments, it required hydrogen recombiner capability to reduce the likelihood of venting radioactive gases foll'owing an accident.
The hydrogen recombiner capability applies to light-water nuclear power reactors that rely upon purge /repressurization systems a's the primary'means of hydrogen control.
8308300456 830822 PDR ADOCK 05000333 P
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Section 50.44(c)(3)(ii) of 10 CFR Part 50, requires that by the end of
- r.e first s:neduled outage after 5,1982 and of sufficient duration
- :ermit required modifications, each light-water power reactor, that relies upon a purge /repressurization system as the primary means for controlling combustible gases following a Loss-of-Coolant Accident, shall be provided with either an internal recombiner or the capability to install an external recombiner following the start of an accident.
III.
In a June 29, 1983 submittal, as supplemented by letter dated July 19,19S3, the licensee requested an exemption from the requirement of Section 50.44(c)(3)(il) fc provision of either an internal recombiner or the capability to install ar ex:ernal recombiner following the start of an accident.
The request was cased on SWR Owners Group studies of combustible gas control submitted for NRC review by letter dated June 21, 1982.
In the event that the Commission is unable to issue promptly its decision on request for exemption from the e:Jipment requirments of 50.44(c)(3)(ii), the licensee requested an extension of the schedule requirements of 10.CFR 50.44(c)(3)(ii).
We have very nearly completed our review of the BUR Owners Group studies on which the licensee's exemption request was based. We will be able to consider the licensee's request for permanent exemption following completion of that review.
During the interim period, with respect to combustible gas control in the event of a loss-of-collant accident, the FitzPatrick plant can use the existing containment atmosphere control systems, in conjunction with the standby gas. treatment systems, to avoid unacceptable combustible gas
2 concentrations.
The containment atmospnare syster m&intains an iner:
atmosphere during normal operation and :ne Containmen: Atmosphere Oiiu:icn
-(CAD) system is used to control combustible gas concentrations after an accident.
By means of the CAD system, hydrogen and oxygen concentrations are monitored as nitrogen is added to the containment atmosphere to dilute combustible gases.
In the unlikely prospect of high containment vessel
. pressure, the pressure may be relieved by venting through the standby gas treatment system.
A detailed procedure has been developed by the licensee, with operating personnel trained to use these systems in the control of combustible gases. We find these means of combustible gas control acceptable for interim operation of the James A. FitzPatrick fluclear Power Plant through December 31, 1983.
IV.
Accordingly, the Commission has determined that pursuant to 10 CFR 50.12, an exemption is authorized by law and will not endanger life or property or the common defense and security and is otherwi,se in the public interest.
Therefore, the Commission hereby approves the following exemption request.
Exemption,is granted from the schedular requirement of,Section 50.44 (c)(3)(ii) to extend the required date from "the end of the first scheduled Lutage beginning after July 5,1982 and of sufficient duration to permit modifictcions" to no later _than December 31, 1983, or, if the plant is shutdown on'that date, before the resumption of operation thereafter.
The Commission has determined that the granting of this exemption will not result.in.any'significant environmental impact and that, pursuant to
a
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10 CFR Sl.5(d)(4), an environmental imact statement or negative declaration and. environmental impact appraisai need not be prepared in connection with this action.
T FOR THE NUCLEAP, REGULATORY COMMISSION I
. L u LL9A1 takt LN Darrell G. Eisenhut, Director Division of Licensing Office of Nuclear, Reactor Regulation Dated at Bethesda, Maryland this t
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