ML20114D832

Informs of Plans to Utilize urania-gadolinia Fuel (Gd) Fuel in Next Fuel Cycle (Cycle 10).Understands That SE Approving Topical Rept BAW-10180 Completed & That Approval of Rev 1 to Subj Rept Re Use of Gd Fuel Will Be Completed by Sept 1992

ML20114D832
Person / Time
Site:	Crane
Issue date:	09/01/1992
From:	Devine J GENERAL PUBLIC UTILITIES CORP.
To:	NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM)
References
5000-92-3063, C311-92-2116, NUDOCS 9209090399
Download: ML20114D832 (2)

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One Upper Pm3 Road Parsippany, New Jersey o7054 201 316-7000 TELEX 1?6 482 Writer's D: rect Dial Number September 1, 1992 C311-92-2116 5000-92-3063 U. 3. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Attention: Document Control Desk

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Washington, D.C.

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Gentlemen:

Subject:

Three Mile Island Nue'. ear Generating Station, Unit 1 (TMI-1)

Operating License No. DPR-50 Docket No. 50-289 Cycle 10 Core Reload Design - Urania-Gadolinia Fuel The purpose of this letter i-to inform the NRC that GPUN is planning to utilize q

urania-gadolinia (Gd) fuel in the next fuel cycle at TMI-1.

The use of the Gd integral burnable poison is needed to maintain conservative core operating' limits in future cycles

e avoiding undue restrictions on plant operating flexibil i ty.

B&W Fuel Company (BWFC) and GPUN are now performing the fuel cycle design for Cycle 10, which is scheduled to startup in October 1993.

This design incorporates reload fuel that contains urania-gadolinia.

Use of this type of fuel will require changes to the plant Technical Specifications. These changes will need to be supported by approval of BWFC topicci reports on reload design methods revisions that account for the Gd effects in the analyses; i.e.,

BAW-10180, Revision 1, "NEMO - Nodal Expansion Method Optimized" and BAW-10184P, "GDTAC0 - Urania Gadolinia Fuel Pin Thermal Analysis Code". To ensure that no delays occur to reload analyses, fuel manufacturing and plant startup schedules approval of these topicals is needed by April 1,1993.

- We understand that the safety evaluation approving BAW-10180 (NU40 ccJe without Gd) has been completed and that approval of-Revision 1 to that topical incorporating nuclear design calculations with the u e of Gd will be completed by September 1992.

This schedule supports the TMI-l Cycle 10 Gd reload.

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BAW-10184P was submitted by udFC for NRC review on Apnl 30, 1992, 1 H. Taylor l

to USNRC, JHT/92-90. This res rt describes the GDTACO code that wil be used to perform the thermal analysis calculations for fuel containing Gd. At the B&W/NRC topical report review meeting, May 6,1992, NRC indicated that review priorities i

i for GOTACO could be adjusted to support the implementation of urania-gadolinia in TMI-l Cycle 10. We therefore request that NRC confirm that the present status -

c. review and concurrence of BAW-10184P will support completion by April 1,1993 1

in order to enable finalization of the TMI-l Cycle 10 reload design.

4 We would appreciate such verbal or documented confirmation by September 15, 1992.

Very tr y urs,

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C. n vi%, Jr.

e Vice President, Technical functions JCD/0JD/amk Attachments cc: TMl-1 Senior Project Manager Region I, Administrator TMl Senior Resident inspector B&W - James Taylor l

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