ML20086R774
| ML20086R774 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | South Texas  |
| Issue date: | 07/24/1995 |
| From: | NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20086R770 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9507310277 | |
| Download: ML20086R774 (3) | |
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UNITED STATES j.. '2p. j NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION f
WASHINGTON, D.C. 2055Mo01 f
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SAFETY EVALUATION BY THE OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION RELATED TO AMENDMENT NOS.77 AND 65 T0 i
FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NOS. NPF-76 AND NPF-80 HOUSTON LIGHTING & POWER COMPANY
[ITY PUBLIC SERVICE BOARD OF SAN ANTONIO
[ENTRAL POWER AND LIGHT COMPANY CITY OF AVSTIN. TEXAS DOCKET N05. 50-498 AND 50-499 SOUTH TEXAS PROJECT. UNITS 1 AND 2
1.0 INTRODUCTION
By application dated April 27, 1995, as supplemented by letters dated May 4 and 25, 1995, Houston Lighting & Power Company, et.al., (the licensee) requested changes to the Technical Specifications (TSs) (Appendix A to Facility Operating License Nos. NPF-76 and NPF-80) for the South Texas Project, Units I and 2 (STP).
The proposed changes would revise the tables associated with TS 3/4.3.3.5, Remote Shutdown System, to eliminate the requirement for core exit thermocouples (CETs).
The amendments would also revise the tables associated with TS 3/4.3.3.6, Accident Monitoring Instrumentation, to require two operable channels of CETs, where each channel is required to have at least two operable CETs per core quadrant.
Each channel would also required to have at least four operable CETs in at least one quadrant to support the operability of the subcooling margin monitors.
In addition, the actions related to TS 3/4.3.3.6 would be changed to require that a report be submitted if one CET channel in a quadrant is inoperable for more than 30 days, and require a plant shutdown if both CET channels in a quadrant are inoperable for more than 7 days. Changes to the associated Bases were also proposed.
2.0 EVALUATION 2.1 TS 3/4.3.3.5. Remote Shutdown System The basis for the remote shutdown TS is to assure the operability of equipment required to shut down the reactor in the event that a fire makes the control room uninhabitable. An auxiliary shutdown panel in each of the STP units provides a remote location for the controls and instrumentation required to effect a shutdown from outside the affected unit's main control room.
CETs are currently listed as one of the remote shutdown instruments in Table 3.3-9, Remote Shutdown System, and Table 4.3-6, Remote Shutdown Monitoring 9507310277 950724 PDR ADOCK 05000498 P
Instrumentation Surveillance Requirements. The proposed changes are to eliminate CETs from these two Tables.
This is acceptable since the CETs are primarily accident monitoring instrumentation, and they are appropriately governed by TS 3.3.3.6, Accident Monitoring Instrumentation.
2.2 TS 3/4.3.3.6. Accidcot Monitorina Instrumentation The CETs, Item 15 in Table 3.3-10 of the current TSs, are described in a footnote "** A total of 50 thermocouples are provided with 25 thermocouples on each of two trains.
...No ACTION is required as long as each quadrant has 4 thermocouples per train OPERABLE." The proposed change for the footnote "**"
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is that a channel is operable if at least two CETs per core quadrant are operable, and at least one quadrant has at least four operable CETs.
The staff has reviewed the proposed change for the definition of a channel and its operability and found it acceptable since there are two channels, and each channel has two CETs per core quadrant with the capability of indicating the radial temperature gradient. This meets the guidance in Generic letter (GL) 83-37 (NUREG-0737 Technical Specifications Guidance).
The current Action Statement 42 states that:
"a. With the number of OPERABLE channels less than 4 thermocouples per quadrant per train, restore these thermocouples to OPERABLE status within 31 days, or be in at least H0T
{
SHUTDOWN within the next 12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />.";
"b. With the number of OPERABLE channels i
less than 6 thermocouples per quadrant, restore these thermocouples to OPERABLE status within 7 days, or be in at least HOT SHUTDOWN within the next 12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />.";
and "c. With the number of OPERABLE channels less than 4 thermocouples per quadrant, restore these thermocouples to OPERABLE status within 48 hours5.555556e-4 days <br />0.0133 hours <br />7.936508e-5 weeks <br />1.8264e-5 months <br />, or be in at least HOT SHUTDOWN within the next 12 hours1.388889e-4 days <br />0.00333 hours <br />1.984127e-5 weeks <br />4.566e-6 months <br />."
The proposed changes are as follows:
"a. With one required channel inoperable, restore the required channel to OPERABLE status within 30 days; otherwise, a report shall be prepared and submitted in accordance with Specification 6.9.2 within the next 14 days. The report shall outline the preplanned alternate method of monitoring, the cause of the inoperability, and the plans and schedule for restoring the instrumentation channels to OPERABLE status."; and "b. With two required channels inoperable, restore one required channel to OPERABLE status within 7 days; otherwise, be in HOT STANDBY within 6 hours6.944444e-5 days <br />0.00167 hours <br />9.920635e-6 weeks <br />2.283e-6 months <br />, and in HOT SHUTDOWN in the next 6 hours6.944444e-5 days <br />0.00167 hours <br />9.920635e-6 weeks <br />2.283e-6 months <br />."
The staff has reviewed proposed Action Statement 42 and found it acceptable since the proposed action statement corresponds to the proposed definition of a channel and its operability, which meets the guidance in GL 83-37.
The staff also notes that the proposal is consistent with guidance specified in NUREG-1431, " Standard Technical Specifications - Westinghouse Plants."
2.3 Bases 3/4.3.3.6. Accident Monitorina Instrumentation The proposed revision to the associated Bases correspond to the proposed changes for the CET action statement and the definition of a channel and its operability.
The staff also notes that it is consistent with the guidance specified in NUREG-1431. Therefore, the proposed revision is acceptable.
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3.0 STATE CONSULTATION
1 In accordance with the Commission's regulations, the Texas State official was notified of the proposed issuance of the amendments. The State official had no comments.
4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATION
The amendments change a requirement with respect to installation or use of a 1
facility component located within the restricted area as defined in 10 CFR Part 20 and change surveillance requirements. The NRC staff has determined that the amendments involve no significant increase in the amounts, and no significant change in the types, of any effluents that may be released 1
offsite, and that there is no si occupational radiation exposure.gnificant increase in individual or cumulative The Commission has previously issued a proposed finding that the amendments involve no significant hazards consideration, and there has been no public comment on such finding (60 FR 32366).
Accordingly, the amendment meets the eligibility criteria for categorical exclusion set forth in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(9). Pursuant-to 10 CFR 51.22(b) no environmental impact statement or environmental assessment need be prepared in connection with the issuance of the amendments.
5.0 CONCLUSION
The Commission has concluded, based on the considerations discussed above, that:
(1) there is reasonable assurance that the health and safety of the e
public will not be endangered by operation in the proposed manner, (2) such activities will be conducted in compliance with the Commission's regulations, and (3) the issuance of the amendments will not be inimical to the common defense and security or to the health and safety of the public.
Principal Contributor:
T. Huang Date: July 24, 1995 I
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