ML20137V852
| ML20137V852 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 04/16/1997 |
| From: | Vietticook A NRC OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY (SECY) |
| To: | Callan L NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO) |
| References | |
| REF-10CFR9.7 FACA, M970325, NUDOCS 9704170430 | |
| Download: ML20137V852 (2) | |
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'%& UNITED STATES
- 3 NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION f wasamoTon,o.c. sesss-ooot i g IN. RESPONSE, PLEASE i l % . gy , #g ^ '
April 16, 1997 REFER TO; . M970325
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MEMORANDUM TO: L. Joseph. Callan l ecutive Director for perations )
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nette L. VIetti f FROM: ook, Acting Secretary- !
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SUBJECT:
STAFF REQUIREMENTS - DRIEFING ON HIGH BURNUP FUEL ISSUES, 10:00 A.M., TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 1997, COMMISSIONERS' CONFERENCE ROOM, ONE 4 i WHITE FLINT NORTH, ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND (OPEN l 4 TO PUBLIC ATTENDANCE) i
! The Commission was briefed by the NRC staff on the issues and i concerns related to the use of high burnup fuel in U.S.
commarcial reactors. Since the impact of these issues crosses l numerous program offices, the staff should assign a primary point
- of ccntact with responsibility for integrating the related i I
i activities within the NRC. .
4 (EDO) (SECY Suspense: 4/25/97) l The staffLshould assess the effects of high burnup fuel on the p adequacy of the regulatory guidelines and licensing criteria.
This assessment should cover not only reactivity insertion I
accidents but the design basis accidents such as a loss of-coolant accident. The staff should identify the issues that 4 would need to be addressed associated with transportation,
] storage, and long-term geologic burial of higher burnup fuels.
t The staff should ensure'that the 10 CFR 50.59 and Millstone and lL Maine Yankee lessons learned recommendations related to licensing 4
bases are adequate to capture the.necessary issues related to l fuel design.
f (EDO) (SECY Suspense: 6/30/97)
\
, The fuel assembly structure was originally designed to withstand the loads ase.011ated with a loss of coolant design basis accident (double-ended guillotine rupture of a cold or hot leg pipe -
(LBLOCA)). The staff should identify plants, if any, which when concidering high burnup experience, can not meet design basis LBLOCA loads. Where these, design loads have been relaxed for the '
fuel assembly structure, provide the Commission the rationale for such relaxations, i (EDO) (SECY Suspense: 5/2/97) ()
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[2/I),-69 9704170430 970416 PDR PT9.7 10CFR PDR jj{J )
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The staff should continue its cooperation with the industry and in international research activities in order to establish appropriate limits for high burnup fuel in reactivity insertion accidents, and to ensure that NRC has the appropriate research and other tools in place to address emerging issues that relate to core and fuel designs and plant operations.
4 l cc: Chairman Jackson Commissioner Rogers l Commissioner Dicus Commissioner Diaz Commissioner McGaffigan I OGC CFO CIO OCA OIG Office Directors, Regions, ACRS, ACNW, ASLBP (via E-Mail)