ML20205J959

Application for Amends to Licenses NPF-37 & NPF-66, Facilitating Performance Testing of Essential Svc Water Cooling Towers.Fee Paid

ML20205J959
Person / Time
Site:	Byron
Issue date:	03/24/1987
From:	Ainger K COMMONWEALTH EDISON CO.
To:	Harold Denton Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Shared Package
ML20205J962	List: ML20205J959 ML20205K011
References
2834K, NUDOCS 8704010476
Download: ML20205J959 (3)

Text

i r

e4 \ Commonwealth EsNeOn

+ _ d One First National Plaza. Chica0o, Illinois m

g J Address Reply to: Post Omce Box 767 Nd Chicago, Illinois 60690 - 0767 March 24, 1987 Mr. Harold R. Denton, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555

Subject:

Byron Station Units 1 and 2 Application for Amendment to Facility Operating Licenses NPF-37 and NPF-66, Appendix A, Technical Specifications NRC Docket Nos. 50-454 and 50-455 References (a): November 3, 1986 letter from K.A. Ainger to H.R. Denton (b): January 14, letter from K.A. Ainger to H.R. Denton

Dear Mr. Denton:

Reference (a) described the predicted heat removal capability of the Byron essential service water cooling towers based on available preoperational testing data. Additional testing information is necessary to confirm the cooling towers perform as designed. Accordingly, a test program was planned and described in reference (b). Development of this cooling tower test program and detailed testing procedure has revealed the need for a revision to the Technical Specifications.

As a result, pursuant to 10 CFR 50.90, Commonwealth Edison is hereby  ;

applying for an amendment to Facility Operating Licenses NPF-37 and NPF-66, Appendix A, Technical Specifications. This amendment is being requested to l facilitate performance testing of the essential service water cooling towers.

The proposed change to Technical Specification 3/4.7.5d is contained in Attachment A of this letter. Information to explain the proposed technical specification change is contained in Attachment B.

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Mr. H. R. Denton March 24, 1987 The proposed technical specification change has been reviewed and approved by both On-site and off-site review in accordance with Commonwealth-Edison Company procedures. We have reviewed this amendment in accordance with 10 CPR 50.92(c) and determined that no significant hazards considerations exist. Our evaluation is documented in Attachment C.

Reference (b) outlined a schedule for conducting the cooling tower test program. That scheduled contemplated gathering operating data from the towers in the late April /early May time frame. Consequently, prompt NRC action regarding this amendment is necessary.

l Since the need to perform additional cooling tower testing was recog-nized in early November of 1986, Commonwealth Edison immediately initiated actions to procure the services of a cooling tower testing consultant. In late November of 1986, Commonwealth Edison received a proposal from the Environmental Systems Corporation (ESC) for services to performance test the l cooling towers. A contract was established with ESC on January 15, 1987. A meeting was held with ESC on January 28, 1987 to discuss a plan for testing i the cooling towers. Subsequently, all existing data and design information was transmitted to ESC for their review. A visit to the Byron Site was planned for early February to discuss potential modifications to plant systems that might be required for cooling tower test instrumentation.

At a meeting with Commonwealth Edison personnel and ESC on February 9, 1987, it was concluded that technical specification relaxation may be necessary to achieve conditions in the essential service water system such that conclusive data could be obtained. The exact nature of the changes could only be decided on after a draft test procedure was written. A general test procedure from ESC was received by Commonwealth Edison around February 13, 1987. At that time, a Byron Unit 2 startup test engineer began writing a detailed test procedure for the performance testing. A draft technical specification change was then written on March 4, 1987 based on a final draft of the specific test procedure. Subsequent review of the proposed technical

. specification change and the detailed test procedure has resulted in the need for the technical specification change described in Attachment A of this

letter. On-site approvnl of this proposed technical specification change took i place on March 13, 1987. Off-site approval of this proposed change was granted I

on March 17, 1987.

1 We b'elieve the chronology outlined above demonstrates this amendment was diligently pursued once the required technical specification change was

, identified. Therefore, prompt NRC action is requested to expedite issuance of  ;

this license amendment to support the testing schedule committed to in reference (b).

I

Mr. H. R. Denton March 24, 1987 Commonwealth Edison is notifying the State of Illinois of our application for this amendment by transmitting a copy of this letter and its attachments to the designated State Official.

In accordance with 10 CFR 170, a fee remittance in the amount of

$150.00 is enclosed.

Please direct any questions regarding this matter to this office.

Very truly yours, de A s- -p gr K. A. Ainger Nuclear Licensing Administrator 1m Enclosure Attachments (A): Proposed Technical Specification Change (B): Explanation of Proposed Technical Specification Change (C): Evaluation of Significant Hazards Considerations cc: Byron Resident Inspector L. N. Olshan - NRR M. C. Parker (State of Ill.)

Region III Office - RIII SUBSCRI ED AND Sg to befor th st F day of OA/ r[t ! , 1987 t dA11

~ Notary Public' 2834K