ML20092A339
| ML20092A339 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | LaSalle  |
| Issue date: | 01/30/1992 |
| From: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20092A335 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9202100067 | |
| Download: ML20092A339 (3) | |
Text
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UNITED STATES 5 ! T)'p) i NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
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SAFETY EVALUATION BY THE OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION RELATED TO AMENDMENT NO. 82 TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO. NPF-11 AND AMENDMENT NO. 66 TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO. NPF-18 COMMONWEALTH EDISON COMPANY LASALLE COUNTY STATION, UNITS 1 AND 2 DOCKET NOS. 50-373 AND 50-374
1.0 INTRODUCTION
By letter dated June 12, 1991, Commonwealth E/' son Company (Ceco, the licensee) submitted a Technical Specification (TS) amendment request to change the TS specific gravity limits for the engineered safety features (ESF) Division Ill 125 volt DC batteries for the LaSalle County Station, Units 1 and 2.
The request is due to the station's plans to replace their existing Division III batteries during each unit's next refueling outage with similar batteries made by another manufacturer.
The existing Division III batteries are Lead-Antimony type. The replacement batteries will be Lead-Calcium type. The manufacturer of the new batteries recommends maintaining a different electrolyte specific gravity than is currently maintained for the existing Division 111 batteries. The reason for the battery replacement is the station is having difficulty obtaining replacement cells for the existing batteries because the original manufacturer is no longer making them.
2.0 DISCUSSION CECO's submittal proposes to amend the specific gravity requirements listed in Table 4.8.2.3.2-1 for each unit.
The table provides the Category A (weekly) and Category B (quarterly) surveillance requirements for i
demonstrating operability of all three divisions of batteries. Category A surveillances are performed on designated pilot cells only. Category B l
surveillances are performed on all individual cells. The parameters which E
are monitored during the weekly and quarterly surveillances are electrolyte level, float voltage, and specific gravity of the battery electrolyte.
Verification of these battery characteristics is performed in order to ensure that the batteries are operable and capable of performing their I
safety function.
In addition, the table has an allowable value column which allows operation with a cell's parameter outside the normal Category A and Category B limits as long as the cell is within the allowable values and the parameter is restored within normal limits within 7 days.
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. Th' new Division III batteries have a nominal specific gravity of 1.215 at 77 degrees Fahrenheit versus the existing batteries which have a nominal specific gravity of 1.210 at 77 degrees Fahrenheit. The existing Division 1 and Division 11 batteries have a nominal specific gravity of 1.215 at 77 degrees Fahrenheit which is the san.e as the new Division 111 batteries.
The current battery specific gravity surveillance requirements in Table 4.8.2.3.2-1 are as follows:
1.
Divisions I and 11 Category A -
each designated pilot cell shall have a specific gravity nreater than or equal to 1.200 or the battery float charge current shall be less than 2 amperes.
Category B -
each connected cell shall have a specific gravity greater than or equal to 1.195 and the average of all connected cells shall be greater than 1.205.
Allowable -
no connected cell can have a specific gravity more than.020 below the average of all connected cells and either the average of all connected cells shall be greater than or equal to 1.195 or the battery float charge current shall be less than 2 amperes.
2.
Division 111 Category A -
each designated pilot cell shall have a specific gravity greater than or equal to 1.195 or the battery float charge current shall be less than 2 amperes.
Category B -
each connected cell shall have a specific gravity greater than or equal to 1.190 and the average of all cor-acted cells shall be greater than 1.200.
Allowable -
no connected cell can have a specific gravity more than.020 below the average of all connected cells and either the average of all connected cells shall be greater than or equal to 1.190 or the battery float charge current shall be less than 2 amperes.
The licensee's proposal is to remove the separate requirements for the Division III batteries and make the requirce:ents for the Division I and Division 11 batteries applicable to all three divislons.
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. 3.0 EVALUATION The nominal specific gra<ity for the new batteries being installed by the licensee is 1.215 at 77 degrees Fahrenneit versus the existing batteries which have a nominal specific gravity of 1.210 at 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
This means that the current specific gravity values specified in Table 4.8.2.3.2-1 for Category A limits, Category B limits, and for the allowable values for each connected cell are non-conservative since they are lower than will be required for maintaining an adequate charge in the new replace-ment batteries. As shown above, the Division I and Division 11 batteries (both are Lead-Calcium type) have identical requirements and the Division III batteries have a separate set of requirements. The new replacement Division 111 batteries have the same nominal specific gravity ratings and are the same type as the current Division I and Division 11 batteries.
Based on this, the staff finds the licensee's proposal to remove the separate requirements for the Division 111 batteries and make the require-ments the same for all three divisions to be acceptable.
4.0 STATE CONSULTATION
In accordance with the Commission's regulations, the Illinois State official was notified of the proposed issuance of the amendments. The State official had no comments.
5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATION
The amendments change a requirement with respect to the installation or use of a far.ility component located within the restricted area as defined in 10 CFR Part 20. The HRC 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 offsite, and that there is no significant increase in individual or cumulative occupational radiation exposure. 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 (56 FR 31431). Accordingly, the amendments meet 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 envirormental assessment need be prepared in connection with the issuance of the amendments.
6.0 CONCLUSION
The Commission has concluded, based on the considerations discussed above, that:
(1) there is reasonable assurance tnat the health and safety of the 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
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defense and security or to the health and safety of the public.
Principal Contributor:
R. Elliott Date: January 30, 1992
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