ML20141D654
| ML20141D654 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Salem  |
| Issue date: | 06/24/1997 |
| From: | NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned) |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20141D638 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9706270296 | |
| Download: ML20141D654 (3) | |
Text
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t UNITED STATES f
y NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 2
WASHINGTON. D.C. 20eeM201
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SAFETY EVALUATION BY THE OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION RELATED TO AMENDMENT NOS. 197 AND 180 TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NOS. DPR-70 AND DPR-75 PUBLIC SERVICE ELECTRIC & GAS COMPANY PHILADELPHIA ELECTRIC COMPANY DELMARVA POWER AND LIGHT COMPANY ATLANTIC CITY ELECTRIC COMPANY SALEM NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION. UNIT NOS 1 AND 2 DOCKET NOS. 50-272 AND 50-311 s
1.0 INTRODUCTION
By letter dated April 11, 1997, the Public Service Electric & Gas Company (the licensee) submitted a request for changes to the Salem Nuclear Generating Station, Units 1 and 2, Technical Specifications (TSs).
The licensee's amendment request would revise TS 3/4.6.2.3, " Containment Cooling System," and the associated Bases section, to ensure that the TS properly tests the containment fan cooling units' post-accident mode of operation.
2.0 EVALUATION Currently the licensee's containment cooling fan TS surveillance requirement 4.6.2.3 states:
Each containment cooling fan shall be demonstrated OPERABLE:
At least once per 31 days by:
a.
1.
Starting (unless already operating) each fan from the control room.
2.
Verifying that each fan operates for at least 15 minutes.
3.
Verifying a cooling water flow rate of greater than or equal to 700 gpm to each cooler.
b.
At least once per 18 months by verifying that on a safety injection test signal:
1.
Each fan starts automatically on low speed.
2.
The automatic valves and dampers actuate to their correct positions and that the cooling water flow rate to each cooler is greater than or equal to 2500 gpm.
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Regarding the purpose of this surveillance requirement, the licensee's applicable TS Bases states:
The OPERABILITY of the containment cooling system ensures that 1) the containment air temperature will be maintained within limits during normal operation, and 2) adequate heat removal capacity is available when operated in conjunction with the containment spray systems during post-LOCA conditions.
The licensee found that the current TS surveillance requirement 4.6.2.3 does not adequately test the containment fan cooling units' post-accident speed (i.e., low speed) operation and performs an unnecessary test of the containment fan cooling units' normal cooling function.
To correct these shortcomings, the licensee is proposing to revise the TS wording to read as follows (changes are in italics):
Each containment cooling fan shall be demonstrated OPERABLE:
?
a.
At least once per 31 days by:
1.
Starting (unless already operating) each fan from the control room in low speed.
2.
Verifying that each fan operates for at least 15 minutes in low speed.
3.
Verifying a cooling water flow rate of greater than or equal to 2550 gpm to each cooler.
b.
At least once per 18 months by verifying that on a safety injection test signal:
1.
Each fan starts automatically in low speed.
2.
The automatic valves and dampers actuate to their correct positions and that the cooling water flow rate to each cooler is greater than or equal to 2550 gpm.
The licensee found that the requirement to test the normal cooling function is more appropriately verified through TS surveillance requirement 4.6.1.5 which requires verification of the average containment temperature once every 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> in Modes 1 through 4.
Therefore, the licensee proposed to revise the TS wording to ensure that the cooling water flow rate and fan speed being verified is representative of the containment fan cooling units' post-accident mode of operation and to delete the requirement to test the normal cooling operation. The staff agrees that since TS surveillance requirement 4.6.1.5 verifies average containment temperature once every 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br />, in Modes 1 through 4, there is no' need to verify the normal operation of the containment fan cooling units every 31 days (if the cooling units were not working properly, the containment temperature would rise).
Additionally, the licensee's proposed TS revision tests the low speed operation of the containment fan cooling units on a 31-day interval, which is a conservative improvement over the 18-month interval that the current TS
i 4
requires. Also, the current 18-month surveillance that tests each fan in low j
speed specifies a nonconservative minimum flow rate of 2500 gpm.
The licensee found that a value of 2550 gpm (which accounts for an additional 50 gpm flow for cooling the fan motor) is a more appropriate minimum flow rate value. The staff agrees that the licensee's addition of the 50 gpm for cooling the fan mctor provides for a more conservative minimum flow test requirement.
Based on the above discussion, the staff finds that the li:.emee's proposed TS wording provides for an enhanced test of the post-accident mode of containment fan cooling unit operation and is therefore acceptable.
Also, the licensee proposed to change the related TS Bases section to delete the statement that operability of the containment fan cooling units ensures that the containment air temperature is within limits during normal operation.
The licensee's proposed TS wording deletes this operability test from TS surveillance requirement 4.6.2.3.
Therefore, the licensee's proposed TS Bases change accurately reflects the bases of the proposed TS surveillance requirement and is acceptable.
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3.0 STATE CONSULTATION
I In accordance with the Commission's regulations, the New Jersey State official was notified of the proposed issuance of the amendments.
The State official 4
had no comments.
4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATION
The amendments 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 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 (62 FR 4
27799). Accordingly, the amendments meet the eligibility criteria for 4
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
]
j The Commission has concluded, based on the considerations discussed above, that:
(1) there is reasonable assurance that the health and safety of the
- public will not be endangered by operation in the proposed manner, (2) such j
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:
S. Dembek Date: June 24, 1997 2
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