RS-12-034, Introduction of Lead Test Assemblies

Introduction of Lead Test Assemblies

ML12059A346
Person / Time
Site:	Quad Cities
Issue date:	02/27/2012
From:	Gullott D Exelon Nuclear, Exelon Generation Co
To:	Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
RS-12-034
Download: ML12059A346 (2)

Text

ExelonGeneration Exelon Generation Company, Company,LLC LLC www.exeloncorp.com www.exeloncorp.com 4300 Winfield 4300 Winfield RoadRoad Nuclear Nucl e ar Warrenville, IL Warrenville, 60555 IL 60555 RS-1 2-034 RS-12-034 February 27,2012 February 27, 2012 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory U. Regulatory Commission ATTN:

A Document Control TIN: Document Control Desk Desk Washington,DC Washington, DC 20555-001 Quad Cities Nuclear Power Station, Unit 2 Quad Renewed Facility Operating License Renewed license No. DPR-30 DPR-30 NRC Docket No. 50-265 NRC

Subject:

Introduction of Lead Test Assemblies

References:

1. Topical Report CENPD-287-P-A, "Fuel "Fuel Assembly Assembly Mechanical Mechanical DesignDesign Methodology for Boiling Water Reactors"

2. Topical Report WCAP-15942-P-A, WCAP- 15942- P-A, "Fuel Assembly Mechanical Design Methodology for for Boiling BoilingWater Water Reactors Reactors Supplement Supplement 1 to CENP-287" CENP-287'

3. Topical Report WCAP-15942-P-A Supplement Supplement 1, 1,Revision Revision0,0,"Material "Material Changes Changesfor for SVEA-96 SVEA-96 Optima2 Fuel Assemblies" The purpose purpose of of this this letter letter is is to to notify notify the U.S. Nuclear Nuclear Regulatory Regulatory Commission Commission of of the the use use of Lead Test Assemblies (LTA) (LT A) as asstated stated inin Reference Reference 1. 1. Westinghouse WestinghouseElectric Electric Company LLC LLC (Westinghouse) and and Exelon Exelon Generation GenerationCompany, Company,LLC, LLC, have have collaborated to introduce an advanced advancedalloy alloy channel channel material material inin the the Quad QuadCities CitiesNuclear Nuclear Power Station, Unit Unit 2 Cycle 22, scheduled scheduled to to begin begin operation operationininApril April 2012. The The advanced advancedalloy alloymaterial materialisisa zirconium-based a zirconium-based alloy, LowLow alloy, TinTin ZIRLOTM.

ZIRLOTM. Low LowTinTin ZIRLOTM ZIRLO' as as aachannel channelmaterial materialisisnot notspecifically specificallyidentified identified inin the the Westinghouse Westinghouselicensinglicensingtopical topical report (Reference 2). Therefore, Therefore, the theuse useof ofthese thesechannels channelsrequires requiresthe theapplication applicationofof the the LTA provision of LTA provision of Reference Reference 11 requiring requiring thethe NRC NRC to to be benotified notified on on the thefirst first application application of new fuel designs designsprior prior to to loading loading intointo aareactor.

reactor.

In accordance with In accordance with Reference Reference 1, 1, the theelements elementsof ofan anapproved approvedlicensing licensingprocess processfor forLTA LTA programs include the programs include the following:following:

• • All new designs All new designs and designdesign features featureswill will be be evaluated evaluatedwith with the the methodology methodology accepted acceptedby bythe the NRC NRC relative relative to the approved design design bases; bases;

• • Significant Significant new design design features featureswillwill be betested testedprior priortotofull full reload reloadapplication; application;

February 27, 2012 27,2012 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission U.

Page 2

• The NRC NRC will be notified of the first application of new will be new fuel fuel designs designsprior priorto to loading loading into into aa reactor. New fuel reactor. New fuel designs designs and anddesign designfeatures featureswill will be be provided provided toto the NRC NRC for information informationas as supplements supplements to to this this topical topical report; and

• Sufficient, post-irradiation Sufficient, post-irradiation surveillance programprogram will will be performed to to confirm confirm that the fuel, including fuel fuel, including fuel assemblies assemblies withwith new design design features, features, are are operating operating asas expected.

Evaluation of the Low Low Tin ZIRLOTM ZI RLO' channels was was completed completed using using the the methodology methodology accepted by by the NRC, NRC, and the channels were demonstrated to meet the the acceptance acceptance criteria criteria for foruse. Theuse use. The useofofthe theZIRLOTM ZIRLO' channel channel in in place currently licensed place of the currently licensed Zircaloy-2 channel material material will willbebe limited limitedtotoeight eightfuelfuelassemblies.

assemblies. The The features features ofofthe the channel design design were were provided provided to the NRC in in September September 2010 in in Reference 3 (ADAMS (ADAMS Accession No.

Accession No. ML102590064).

ML102590064). Westinghouse Westinghouseplans plansa asurveillance surveillanceprogram program on on the the LTAs LTAs to confirm confirm that thatthethefuel fuelisis operating operating as as expected.

expected.

There are no regulatory commitments contained in in this this letter.

letter.

Should you Should you have any questions concerning concerning this letter, letter, please contact contact Joseph JosephA. A. Bauer Bauer atat (630) 657-2804.

Respectfully, 7214':1`

David M. Gullott Manager - Licensing Licensing Exelon Generation Company, LLC cc: NRC Regional Administrator, Region Region III III NRC Senior NRC Senior Resident Inspector - Quad QuadCities Cities Nuclear Nuclear PowerPower Station Station NRR NRR Project Project Manager -- Quad Quad Cities Cities Nuclear Nuclear PowerPower Station