ML20087P768

Application for Amend to Licenses NPF-2 & NPF-8,changing Tech Specs to Increase Fuel Enrichments

ML20087P768
Person / Time
Site:	Farley
Issue date:	03/30/1984
From:	Clayton F ALABAMA POWER CO.
To:	Varga S Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Shared Package
ML20087P769	List: ML20087P768 ML20087P774 ML20087P782
References
NUDOCS 8404090354
Download: ML20087P768 (2)

Text

_m i

i Mailing Address

• . Allb:ma Power Company )

- 600 North 18th Street Post Office Box 2641 f Birmingham. Alabama 35291  ;

Telephone 205 783-6081 F. L Clayton, Jr, Senior Vice Presicent Flintridge Building AlabamaPower March 30, 1984 r* sceem ewmc s.stm l l

Docket Ncs. 50-348 50-364 Director, Naclear Reactor Regulation U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Connission Washington, D.C. 20555 Attention: Mr. S. A. Varga Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant - Units 1 and 2 Increased Fuel Enrichment Technical Specification Changes Gentlemen:

Alabama Power Company has completed an evaluation of utilizing reload fuel with enrichments greater than 3.5 weight percent U-235 up to the maximum enrichment of 4.3 weight percent. Alabama Power Company, therefore, requests that the proposed technical specification changes presented in Attachment 1 be incorporated for both Units 1 and 2.

Currently, Technical Specification 5.3.1 requires that reload fuel have a maximum enrichment of 3.5 weight percent U-235, and Technical Specification 5.6.1.2 requires that the new fuel pit storage racks be designed and maintained to store fuel with a maximum enrichment of 3.5 weight percent U-235. However, due to the implementation of 18 month fuel cycles and the energy constraints associated with the design of the fuel used in these fuel cycles, increases in the maximum reload fuel enrichment and in the maximum enrichment for new fuel storage are needed.

With reference to the change to Technical Specification 5.3.1, an evaluation of fuel in the reactor with enrichments greater than the current 3.5 weight percent limit will be made on a cycle-specific basis as a part of the reload safety evaluation process. An analysis of preliminary loading patterns for cycles 7 and 8 for Unit 1 indicate that the use of higher enrichment fuel will not violate the current plant operating limitations.

In support of the change to Technical Specification 5.6.1.2, a criticality analysis was performed on the new fuel storage racks.

This analysis is provided as Attachment 2. - The analysis demonstrates that all applicable design and licensing bases are met for a maximum

' fuel enrichment of 4.3 weight percent, justifying the storage of the higher enriched fuel in the new fuel storage racks.

8404090354 840'330 O PDR ADOCK 05000340 l 4 P PDR -

~Mr. S. A. Varga- . March 30, 1984

' -= .U. S. Nuclear. Regulatory Commission Page 2 4

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' Alabama Power Company requests that the proposed changes to the Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant - Units 1 and 2 Technical Specifications

<- ,be approved by October 1,1984 in order to allow receipt of new fuel for the Unit 1 sixth refueling outage. Currently, the receipt of new -

, fuel is scheduled to begin in January 1985.

The' proposed technical specification change is consist'ent with Item (vi)'of the " Examples of Amendments that Are. Considered Not Likely

- to Involve ~-Significant Hazards Considerations" listed on 'page 14870 of

. the April 6,1983 issue of the Federal Register, and therefore does not

-involve a significant hazards consideration as defined in 10CFR50.92.

The Plant Operations Review Committee has reviewed this proposed change 4

to the Technical Specifications. The Nuclear Operatio.is Review Board will, review this change at'a future meeting.

This change is considered to be Class III for Unit 1 and Class I for. Unit 2 in accordance with 10CFR170.22 requirements. A check in the amount $4,400.00 to cover the fees required is enclosed with this letter.-

In accordance with 10CFR50.90, three signed originals and forty additiona_1 copies of this proposed change is enclosed. A copy of this letter has been sent to Dr. I. L. Myers, the Alabama State Designee,-in accordance with 10CFR50.91(b)(1).

Yours very truly,p

/

Q. L. Clayton, Jt. -

FLCJr/CJS:grs-D34 SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME Attachments cc: Mr. R. A. Thomas THIS S0b DAY OF AD/C1.s 1984 Mr. J. P. O'Reilly - .-

'Mr. E. A. Reeves Mr. W. H. Bradford

. Oh6Ah

' Notary PubTic '"

.Dr.'I..L. Myers My Commission Expires: bl-lO-37 1

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