ML20211E726

Application for Amend to License DPR-3,changing Tech Spec to Clarify Table 4.3-1 Re Reactor Protective Sys Instrumentation Surveillance Requirements.Fee Paid

ML20211E726
Person / Time
Site:	Yankee Rowe
Issue date:	10/09/1986
From:	Heider L YANKEE ATOMIC ELECTRIC CO.
To:	Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Shared Package
ML20211E731	List: ML20211E726 ML20211E809
References
DCC-86-155, FYR-86-096, FYR-86-96, NUDOCS 8610230190
Download: ML20211E726 (4)

Text

I Tc'cpho"'(6")8'- 'oo YANKEE ATOMIC ELECTRIC COMPANY TWX 710-380-7619

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. 1671 Worcester Roact Framingham, Massachusetts 01701 DCC 86-155

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October, 9, 1986 FYR 86-096 PC #201 United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20555 Attention: Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

References:

(a) Licena No. EPR-3 (Docket No. 50-29)

(b) Letter, YAEC to USNRC dated January 3,1986 LER 50-29/85-07, Rev. 0 (c) Letter, USNRC to YAEC dated February 13, 1986 Inspection No. 50-29/85-24 (d) NUREG-0452, Revision 4, Standard Technical Specifications for Westinghouse Pressurized Water Reactors

Subject:

Proposed Change to Technical Specification Table 4 3-1

Dear Sir:

Pursuant to Section 50 59 of the Commission's Rules and Regulations, Yankee Atomic Electric Company (YAEC) hereby proposes the follouing amendment to Appendix A of the facility license.

PROPOSED CHANGE Reference is made to the Yankee plant Operating License No. DPR-3 We propose to modify the Technical Specifications as follous:

On Table 4.3-1, change the Functional Unit, No. 2, Power Range, Neutron Flux and Intermediate Power Range, Neutron Flux, Channel Calibration from a Quarterly to Refueling interval; and add Note (6), Lou trip setpoint verification excluded, to the Channel Functional' test requireuent.

This proposed change is in response to Reference (b), item 7.a. The reviaed Technical Specification pages are attached.

REASON AND BASIS FOR CHANGE This change provides clarification of the surveillance requiremer.cs for Technical Specification Table 4 3-1 based on our evaluation of the event reported in Reference (b) and the Resident Inspectors' discussion provided in Reference (c). Specifically, a ciore detailed itemization of the sur-veillance elements has been provided. This delineation and clarification N

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U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission October 9,.1986 Page 2 FYR 86-096 is necessary because of the original plant circuitry design that does not permit surveillance of the lou power setpoint circuitry at power, without a reactor trip resulting. This surveillance has been, and normally is, performed at refueling intervals.

The nuclear instrumentation at Yankee consists of eight channels. Channels No. 3, 4,.and 5 are the intermediate range power range (IRPR) and channels No. 6, 7 and 8 are the power range channels (PR). When'ooth the PR and IRPR switches are in the " coincidence" position a scram will result if two cut of six channels reach the scram setpoint. The low power scram operates on channels No. 6, 7 and 8 only. With the low power scram set relay in service and the PR switch in " coincidence" a scram will result when two out of three channels reach'the low.pouer trip setpoint. In order to test the low pouer scram setpoint the lou power scram set' relay suitch must be in the low power set position. During power operation, when above the low power setpoint, a scram would result when the switch was repositioned because three channels (one more than required) would then be above the trip setpoint.

Technical Specification Sections 1<9 and 1.11, provide definitions of Channel Calibration and Channel Functional Test and are stated as follows:

CHANNEL CALIBRATION 19 A CHANNEL CALIBRATION shall be the adjustment, as necessary,.

of the channel output such that it responds with the necessary range and accuracy to known values of the parameter which the channel monitors. The CHANNEL CALIBRATION shall encompass the entire channel including the alarm and/or trip functions, and shall in-clude the CHANNEL FUNCTIONAL TEST. The CHANNEL CALIBRATION may be performed by any series of sequential, overlapping or total channel steps such.that the entire channel is calibrated.

CHANNEL FUNCTIONAL TEST 1.11 A CHANNEL FUNCTIONAL TEST shall be the injection of a simulated signal into the channel as close to the primary sensor as practicable to verify OPERABILITY including alarm and/or trip functions.

These definitions have been made plant specific for the Yankee plant although the basis for the definitions are derived from the Standard Technical Spec-ification for Westinghouse Pressurized Water Reactors (STS) (Reference (d)).

However, the STS does not define the Channel Functional test. STS Table 4 3-1, requires channel calibration-for'the low setpoint on a refueling interval. It is_ recognized that channel calibration and functional test of the low setpoint during power operation will cause a reactor scram, which is the case at Yankee.

Channel calibrations per STS are required at various intervals, which notes detailing the required calibrations. Yankees' systems differ to the extent

.that the STS monthly and quarterly Channel Calibrations could not be per-

i U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission October 9, 1986.

Page 3 FYR 86-096 formed as described in the STS. Instead of the comparison of incore to excore axial flux Yankee requires the Functional Test on a monthly basis.

For the Yankee Plant, the Channel Functional test of the Power Range, Neutron Flux and Intermediate. Power Range, Neutron Flux (table 4.3-1, functional unit

2) performed by Procedure OP-4601, provides all the elements of a channel calibration that can be done at power. This procedure excludes the low setpoint calibration during power operation, a function that, if performed then, would cause a reactor scram.

Modification of the Technical Specification Table 4 3-1, will provide clarification of the surveillance requirements committed to in Reference (b) and discussed in Reference (c).

SAFETY CONSIDERATION

-This change has been evaluated and determined to involve no significant hazards. consideration. The proposed amendment does not:

Involve a significant increase in the probability or consequences of an accident previously evaluated. . The channels will continue,to be maintained in an operable condition by the daily monitoring and. monthly functional check.

This change is a clarification of practice and does not alter the safety analysis.

Create the possibility of a new or different kind of accident from any accident previously evaluated. This change is a clarification of the technical specification requirements and does not alter plant operations; therefore, it does not create the possibility of a new or different kind of accident.

Involve a significant reduction in a margin of safety. This change provides-uording that is closer to the STS, but remains plant specific. Our use of the Channel Functional Test provides assurance of channel operability that is at least as good as that provided by the STS. Since this change pro-vides clarification and not a change in practice there is not a significant i

reduction in the margin of safety.

Based on the considerations contained herein, it is concluded that there is

- reasonable. assurance that operation of the Yankee plant consistent with the proposed Technical Specifications will not endanger the health and safety of the public. This proposed change has been reviewed by the Nuclear Safety i Audit and Review Committee.

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U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission October 9, 1986 Page 4 FYR 86-096 FEE DETERMIUATION A payment of $150 is enclosed.in accordance with 10CFR170.21.

We trust that you will find this submittal satisfactory; however, should you desire additional information, please contact us.

Very truly yours,-

YANKEE ATOMIC ELECTRIC COMPANY

. H. Heider Vice President / Manager of Operations LHH/kmc Attachment COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS)-

)ss MIDDLESEX COUNTY )

Then personally appeared before me, L. H. Heider, who being duly sworn, did state that he is Vice President / Manager of Operations of Yankee Atomic Electric Company, that he is duly authorized to execute and file the foregoing document in the name and on the behalf of Yankee Atomic Electric Company and that the statements therein are true to the best of his knowledge and belief.

t 1 Robert H. Groce Notary Public My~ Commission Expires 8/29/91 i

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