ML20247P772
| ML20247P772 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Palisades  |
| Issue date: | 09/15/1989 |
| From: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20247P768 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8909280003 | |
| Download: ML20247P772 (3) | |
Text
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SAFETY EVALUATION BY THE OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION RELATED TO AMENDMENT NO.129 TO PROVISIONAL OPERATING LICENSE NO. DPR-20 CONSUMERS POWER COMPANY PALISADES PLANT 90CKET NO. 50-255
1.0 INTRODUCTION
By letter dated August 4, 1988, Consumers Power Company (the licensee) proposed to change the Technical Specifications (TSs) for the Palisades Plant.
The changes would npand the required operable range of the subcooling margin monitor (SMM), ano add for the first time specifications addressing operability and surveillance of the reactor vessel level monitoring system (RVLMS).
The proposed changes are to TS Tables 3.17.4 and 4.1.3 and affect only the SMM and RVLMS.
2.0 EVALUATION DISCUSSION In response to Generic Letter 82-28 and NUREG-0737, Item II.F.2, Consumers Power Company installed a system for detecting and monitoring inadequate core cooling (ICC) conditions at the Palisades Plant.
The system includes an upgraded SMM and a newly installed reactor RVLMS.
The SMM consists of two Class 1E monitors that continuously calculate and display the degrees F of primary coolant subcooling. The previous SMM configuration had an input span of 515'-615 F, while the temperature span of the upgraded system is 50'-700 F.
The RVLMS consists of two independent, physically separated and rcdundant channels.
Each channel includes eight sensors which consist of differentially connected thermocouple pairs.
Indication for the RVLMS is provided for each channel in the main control room.
The RVLMS was installed and tested during the 1988 refueling outage.
The licensee submitted information describing the SMM and RVLMS designs in letters dated June 11, July 25, and September 25, 1986.
The NRC staff reviewed the licensee's proposed design and concluded that the ICC system for Palisades is acceptable since it meets the requirements of Item II.F.2 of NUREG-0737.
This conclusion is documented in a letter dated i
8909280003 890915 PDR ADOCK 05000255 p
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January 12, 1987. The licensee subsequently submitted a report c'escribing the successful implementation of the RVLMS modification in a letter dated January 9, 1989.
i The Combustion Engineering Owners Group developed and submitted proposed generic technical specifications for the RVLMS on February 19, 1985. The NRC staff completed their review of the proposed specifications and documented their acceptance in a Safety Evaluation transmitted to the Owners Group on October 28, 1986. The staff review specifically addressed 1
the applicability of the specifications to RVLMS d2 signs employing the i
heated junction thermocouple system.
PROPOSED CHANGES TO TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION TABLE 3.17.4 The licensee proposes to change TS Table 3.17.4 in two respects:
a.
The permissible bypass condition associated with Item 12 Subcooling Margin Monitor, of the Table would be chan28d to read "Not required below 325'F."
b.
A new item would be added to the Table addressing operability requirements for the RVLMS. The minimum number of channels required operable and permissible bypass conditions would be listed.
In addition, Table Notes defining an operable channel and the actions required in the event that one or both channels become inoperable are included.
The licensee has modified the SMM to provide for the extended range required by NUREG-0737. Item II.F.2.
The existing TSs require SMM operability when temperature is above 515*F. The proposed change would expand the required operability range of the SMM, consistent with the upgraded system capability. The permissible bypass temperature of 325'F was chosen because the decay heat removal system is placed in operation at this point. Action requirements and the level of surveillance testing for the SMM are unchanged.
The addition of the RVLMS to Table 3.17.4 would establish minimum operability requirements for the newly installed system. The specifi-cations and associated action requirements are modeled after, and are consistent with the previously approved Combustion Engineering Owners Group Proposed Generic Technical Specifications. The definition of an operable RVLMS channel has been included in Table Note (1) and is in agreement with the staff's recommendation for heated junction thermo-couple systems.
The changes involve passive monitoring systems and their use does not create the possibility of a new accident, or increase the likelihood or consequences of a previously analyzed accident. Expansion of the required operable range for the SMM and addition of minimum operability require-i ments for the RVLMS will assure that plant operators are provided with this enhanced information reoarding the adequacy of core cooling.
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PROPOSED CHANGES TO TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION TABLE 4.1.3 The licensee proposes to add surveillance requirements for the RVLMS to TS Table 4.1.3.
These requirements include a monthly channel check and a once per 18 month instrument calibration. The type and frequency of the proposed surveillance requirements are consistent with the previously approved generic specifications for the RVLMS and should provide adequate assurance of continued operability.
3.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATION
This amendment involves changes to requirements with respect to the installation or use of a facility component located within the restricted area as defined in 10 CFR Part 20 or a change to a surveillance require-ment. The staff has detemined that the amendment involves 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 Comission has previously issued a proposed finding that this amendment involves no significant hazards consideration, and there has been no public comment on such finding. Accordingly, this amendment maets the eligibility criteria for categorical exclusion set forth in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(9). Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental impact state-ment nor environmental assessment need be prepared in connection with the issuance of this amendment.
4.0 CONCLUSION
The staff has concluded, based on the considerations discussed above, that:
(1) there is reasonable assurance that the health and safety of the will not be endangered by operation in the proposed manner, and (2) public such activities will be conducted in corrpliance with the Commission's regula-tions, and the issuance of this amendment will not be inimical to the common defense and security or to the health and safety of the public.
Principal Contributor:
J. Lyash Dated:
September 15, 1989
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