ML20203H721

Forwards Safety Evaluation Accepting Topical Rept BAW-2328, Blended Uranium Lead Test Assembly Design Rept, for Allowing Insertion of Lead Test Assemblies in Plant,Unit 2 Cycle 10 Core.Rept Acceptable with Listed Conditions

ML20203H721
Person / Time
Site:	Sequoyah
Issue date:	02/18/1999
From:	Hernan R NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned)
To:	Scalice J TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY
Shared Package
ML20203H727	List: ML20203H721 ML20203H738
References
TAC-MA3403, NUDOCS 9902230083
Download: ML20203H721 (4)

Text

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M k UNITED STATES a

y NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 30805 4001 i February 18, 1999 Mr; J. A. Scalice Chief Nucinr Officer and Executive Vice President Tennessee Valley Authority 6A Lookout Place 1101 Market Street Chattanooga,TN 3i402-2801

SUBJECT:

TOPICAL Re. PORT FOR THE INSERTION OF LEAD TEST ASSEMBLIES CONTAINING URA.NIUM-236 INTO THE UNIT 2 CORE OF THE SEQUOYAH NUCLEAR PLANT (TAC NO. MA3403)

Dear Mr. Scalice:

~

By letter osted August 7,1998, as supplemented by letter dated November 5,1998, the

. Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) submitted a request for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to review a topical report for allowing the insertion of lead test essemblies (LTAs) in the Sequoyah Unit 2 cycle 10 core. The proposed topical report, BAW-2328, ' Blended

' Uranium Lead Test Assembly Design Report," contains geometric, chemical, and neutronic information of the fuel isotopic composition and core reload pattem proposed for use. The isotopic composition contains higher amounts of uranium-234 and uranium-236 than specified per American Society for Testing and Materials Standard C996-96 for commercial grade

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uranium hexafluo%.

The NRC staff has reviewed Topical Report BAW-2328 as requested and has prepared the  !

enclosed safety evaluation. Based on our review, the NRC staff concludes that tne proposed j

. topical report for the addition of a limited number of LTAs containing biended uranium fuel is '

acceptable for Sequoyah unit 2 because the changes introduced from the addition of the LTAs to the core are mostly introduced from the higher uranium 235 enrichment of the fuel. The changes directly related to the higher content of uranium 234 and 236 are bounded by the original safety analysis parameters. This acceptance is subject to the following conditions:

'1. . The downblended uranium lead test assemblies may not be the most limiting fuel assemblies in the core at any time during their; use in the core.

2. A final core operating limits evaluation must be performed prior to core reload to verify that the fuel design criteria and specified acceptable fuel design limits are met for the lead test assemblies for the anticipated specific in-core conditions.

3' l The use of these lead test assemblies must be included in the plant technical specifications.

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.1 Mr. J. Al S'calice February 18, 1999-

4. The use of this topical report is valid for the insertion of a maximum of four lead test assemblies into the core at any time during their residence in the core as described in the supplementary letter from WA on November 5,1998.

Please direct any questions you or your staff should have to me at (301) 415-2010.

Sincerely, Ori-i=1 signed by:

Ronald W. Heman, Senior Project Manager Project Directorate ll-3 Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No.' 50-328

Enclosure:

Safety Evaluation cc w/ enclosure: See next page i Distribution (w/ enclosure):

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B, Clayton' SQN r/f C. Norsworthy (e-mailSE)(RCN)

P. Fredrickson, Ril - J. Zwolinski ACRS OGC R. Heman: R.' Caruso '

R. Ingram .

Document Name: G;\SQN\ SEA 3403.wpd To receive a copy of this document, ind:cais in the box:

"C" = Copy without attachment / enclosure ."E' -= Copy with attachment / enclosure "N" = No copy OFFICE PDll-3/PM l PDil-3/L.A : l PpH$3/D, lA/

NAME: RHernan fe/2/ BClayton ,Au MT)dna(

DATE 2/ /6 /09 '

2/ lL./99 ' 2U '7/99

. OFFICIAL RECORD COPY I

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Mr. J. A. Scalice l 4. The use of this topical report is valid for the insertion of a maximum of four lead test assemblies into the core at any time during their residence in the core as described in the supplementary letter from TVA on November 5,1998.

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Please direct any c,uestions you or your staff should have to me at (301) 415-2010. ,

l Sincerely, i

e. %

Ronald W. Heman, Senior Project Manager l Project Directorate 11-3 Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation ,

l Docket No. 50-328

Enclosure:

Safety Evaluation cc w/ enclosure: See next page i

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Mr. J. A. Scalice SEQUOYAH NUCLEAR PLANT Tennessee Valley Authority cc:

Senior Vice President Mr. Pedro Salas, Manager Nuclear Operations Licensing and Industry Affairs Tennessee Valley Authority Sequayah Nuclear Plant 6A Lookout Place Tenno.see Valley Authority 1101 Market Street P.O. Box 2000 Chattanooga, TN 37402-2801 Soddy Daisy, TN 37379 Mr. Jack A. Bailey Mr. D. L. Koehl, Plant Manager Vice President Sequoyah Nuclear Plant Engineering & Technical Services Tennessee Valley Authority Tennessee Valley Authority P.O. Box 2000 6A Lookout Place Soddy Daisy, TN 37379 1101 Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37402-2801 Mr. Melvin C. Shannon Senior Resident inspector Mr. Masoud Bajestani Sequoyah Nuclear Plant Site Vice President U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Sequoyah Nuclear Plant 2600 Igou Ferry Road Tennessee Valley Authority Soddy Daisy, TN 37379 P.O. Box 2000 Soddy Daisy, TN 37379 Mr. Michael H. Mobley, Director TN Dept. of Environment & Conservation General Counsel Division of Radiological Health Tennessee Valley Authority 3rd Floor, L and C Annex ET 10H 401 Church Street 400 West Summit Hill Drive Nashville, TN 37243-1532 Knoxville,TN 37902 County Executive Mr. Raul R. Baron, General Manager Hamilton County Courthouse Nuclear Assurance Chattanooga, TN 37402-2801 Tennessee Valley Authority SM Lookout Place 1101 Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37402-2801 Mr. Mark J. Burzynski, Manager Nuclear Licensing Tennessee Valley Authority 4X Blue Ridge 1101 Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37402-2801

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