ML20217A521

Submits Request for Addl Info Re Autoclave Smoke Detection Sys for Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant

ML20217A521
Person / Time
Site:	Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant
Issue date:	03/19/1998
From:	Pierson R NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS)
To:	John Miller UNITED STATES ENRICHMENT CORP. (USEC)
References
TAC-L32045, NUDOCS 9803250098
Download: ML20217A521 (2)

Text

March 19, 1998-Mr. J;m:s H. Miller.

" <* ; Vic2 Pr:sid:nt, Production

' U. S. Enrichment Corporation

2 Democracy Centur 6.903 Rockledge Drive Bethesda, MD 20817

SUBJECT:

PORTSMOUTH CERTIFICATE AMENDMENT REQUEST - MINIMUM NUMBER OF AUTOCLAVE AREA SMOKE DETECTOR ALARM CIRCUlTS REQUIRED TO BE OPERABLE - REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (TAC NO. L32045)

Dear Mr. Miller:

This refers to your letter dated July 30,1997, for the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PORTS), requesting revision of TSR 2.1.3.11 entitled " Autoclave Smoke Detection System."

Our review of your request has identified additional information that is needed before final action can be taken. This involves the potential influence that convective wind currents may have on a UF6 release inside an autoclave facility, especially with the building side doors and/or crane hatches open. Please describe the negative effect, if any, a high

. atmospheric wind speed would have on the timely detection and alarm for a UF6 release inside the autoclave facility in the presence of these building openings. This concern applies more to X-343 and to a lesser extent to X-342 and X-344, where significant cross ventilation could occur under these conditions. Specifically, please provide a basis as to why the minimum operability requirement of a single detector head in one of two circuits covering an autoclave in X-343 under these conditions provides appropriate detection coverage. Please note that Mr. Yawar Faraz of my staff has already discussed this NRC staff concern, in detail, in conference calls on February 4,1998,~and March 2,1998, with .

Mr. Mark Smith of your staff and several PORTS personnel. Please reference the above TAC No in future correspondence related to this request.

Please provide the additional information within 30 days of this letter. If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact Mr. Yawar Faraz at (301) 415-8113.

Sincerely, g od Signed BY Robert C. Pierson, Chief i Special Projects Branch koch ho PDR 02 Division of Fuel Cycle Safety and Safeguards, NMSS fh C

Docket 70 7002 h Certificate GDP-2 Nfs0 RiE CHREB COPY 1 l

cc: Mr. Randall DeVault, DOE-OR , { y ],5 /; 1

~

' Mr. James Morgan, PORTS DISTRIBUTION: (Control No.190S)

Docket 70 7002 NRC File conter PU'suC

. KO'Brien, Hill NMSS r/f FCSS t/f SPB r/f PHiland, Rill CCox Wschw6nk, FCOS DHertland, Ritt G:\AMD11L2.POR

'Si e previous concurrence OPC - ~ SPB b A Ps S ' SPtL di NAM YFerer DHoodley .

rson DAfs 3/ f 9 /98 3/ 19 8 ' 3/ /98 3/ L 198 C == COVER E = COVER Si ENCLOSullE . N = NO COPY .

OPPICIAL RECORD COPY

t b Mr. Jam:s H. Mill r

• Vica Pr:sid:nt, Prcducti:n

. S. Enrichment Corporation 2 emocracy Center 690q Rockledge Drive Beth a, MD 20817 SUBJEC : PORTSMOUTH CERTIFICATE AMENDMENT REQUEST - MINIMUM NUMBER OF AUTOCLAVE AREA SMOKE DETECTOR ALARM CIRCUITS REQUIRED TO BE PERABLE - REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (TAC NO. L32045)

Dear Mr. Mille This refers to yourgletter dated July 30,1997, for the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PORTS), requestinh revision of TSR 2.1.3.11 entitled " Autoclave Smoke Detection System."

Our review of your req st has identified additionalinformation that is needed before final action can be taken. T ginvolves the potentialinfluence that convective wind currents j' may have on a UF6 releases inside an autoclave f acility, especially with the building side doors and/or crane hatches % pen. Please describe the negative effect, if any, a high atmospheric wind speed wouk have on the timely detection and alarm for a UF6 release inside the autoclave f acility in tige presence of these building openings. This concern applies more to X-343 and to a lesser ext nt to X-342 and X 344, where significant cross ventilation could occur under thes onditions. Please note that Mr. Yawar Faraz of my staff has already discussed this NRC taff concern, in detail, in conference calls on ,

February 4,1998, and March 2,1998, ith Mr. Muk Smith of your staff and several PORTS personnel. Please reference the a .ove TAC No, in future correspondence related to this request.

Please provide the additional information within ,0 days of this letter. If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact M) Yawar Faraz at (301) 415-8113.

Sincerely, i

Robert C. Pierson, h Special Projects Branc(ef hg j Division of Fuel Cycle Saf ty I and Safeguards, NMSS Docket 70-7002 Certificate GDP-2 l cc: Mr. Randall DeVault, DOE-OR Mr. James Morgan, PORTS l DISTRIBUTION: (Control No.190S)

Docket 70-7002 NRC File Center PUBUC KO'Bnen, Rlli NMSS r/f FCSS r/f SPBr/f PHiland, Rlll CCo WSchwink, FCoB DHertland, Rlli G:\AMD11L2.PoR

'See previous concurrence OFC SPB SPD b SPB ,, , FCll NAME YFarer I a'dley .

RP on DATE 3/ /98 3/ M/98 3/ /98 3/ h /98 '

C = COVER E = COVER & ENCLOSUF.E N = NO COPY '

OFFICIAL RECORD COPY