ML13197A095

Palo Verde, Units 1, 2, and 3 - 7/11/13 Meeting Slides - Implementation of STAR Program and Replacement of the 2/3 Cycle Mtc Measurement

ML13197A095
Person / Time
Site:	Palo Verde
Issue date:	07/11/2013
From:	Arizona Public Service Co
To:	Division of Operating Reactor Licensing
Rankin J K
References
TAC MF1932, TAC MF1933, TAC MF1934
Download: ML13197A095 (23)

Text

Implementation of STAR Program and Replacement of the 2/3 Cycle MTC Measurement Pre-Submittal Presentation to the NRC Date: 07/11/2013 Purpose Present and discuss with the NRC planned licensing changes -Implementation of the Startup Testing Activity Reduction (STAR) Program at PVNGS -Replacement of the 2/3 Cycle Moderator Temperature Coefficient (MTC) Measurement 2 Topics STAR Replacement of the 2/3 Cycle MTC Measurement Licensing Approach Conclusion and Discussion 3 STAR Objectives -Alternate method to validate core design -Minimize the time the plant is in an abnormal configuration 4 STAR Overview -Approved by NRC in WCAP-16011-P-A Participating plants only Successfully implemented at 8 CE units -Incorporated into Improved Standard TS NUREG-1432, Rev 4 TSTF 486 5 STAR Overview -Adds Credits Pre-Operational Checks New Beginning of Cycle (BOC) Hot Zero Power (HZP) MTC surveillance methodology Applicability Requirements -Replaces BOC HZP Isothermal Temperature Coefficient (ITC) Measurement CEA Worth Measurement 6 STAR Current Methodology -CEA worth measurement Require operation outside the normal TS LCOs Presents operational challenges -Unit 3 LER 2012-001 -Unit 1 LER 2011-005 -Measure ITC at HZP with use of reactivity computer 7 STAR Proposed Methodology -Replacement of CEA Worth Measurements Use applicability requirements Replacement will reduce the occurrence of problems associated with testing and minimize time in abnormal operating configuration 8 STAR Proposed Methodology (cont.) -Alternate MTC verification Adjust predicted HZP MTC based on measured Critical Boron Increase availability of the control channels Align PVNGS with Improved Standard TS 9 STAR Applicability Requirements -Found in Table 3-4 of WCAP-16011-P-A -Compliance evaluated on a reload cycle-specific basis -STAR only applied to cycles when compliance verified -Maintain the effectiveness of the STAR Program in problem identification 10 STAR Applicability Requirements (cont.) -Core design methods have a defined set of uncertainties based on a benchmark of predictions to actual plant measurements -Core, fuel, CEA design are similar to that of a benchmarked core -Cycle specific predictions independently verified by Comparison of 2 independent neutronics codes 11 STAR Applicability Requirements (cont.) -Implementation of CEA Lifetime Program Limit CEA life within operation experience base -Pre-operational checks verify core and CEA loading are consistent with design -CEA Coupling checks performed during reactor restack Many favorable PVNGS unique design feature 12 STAR Benefits -Minimize the time the plant is in an abnormal operating configuration -Increase the availability of the control channels -Operationally focused improvement 13 STAR WCAP 16011-P-A approach -Compare STAR Program to Generic Program Generic Program based on ANSI/ANS 19.6.1-1997 Identify set of core problems -Design Predictions -As-Built Core -Test Performance 14 STAR WCAP 16011-P-A approach (cont.) -Concluded STAR Program is as effective in detecting the Problems as the Generic Program -STAR is an NRC approved and implemented alternative to current testing methodology. 15 STAR PVNGS Application -Compared Design differences between PVNGS and original participating plants Differences in current PVNGS startup program and Generic Program Operating Experience since original STAR -NRC and INPO -PVNGS -Implementing plants 16 STAR Results of Evaluations -Contained in plant specific justification -CASMO/SIMULATE as applied at PVNGS is acceptable for STAR -The PVNGS STAR Program is as effective as the approved STAR Program and is an acceptable alternative to the current PVNGS startup testing program. 17 Replacement of 2/3 Cycle MTC Measurement Objective -To replace the 2/3 cycle MTC measurement with alternate verification Overview -Approved for all CE plants in CE NPSD-911-A and Amendment 1-A (TSTF 406) -No measurement at 2/3 cycle if 40 EFPD measurement is within acceptance criteria -Already implemented at many PWRs 18 Replacement of 2/3 Cycle MTC Measurement Current Topical only applicable for ROCS & ANC PVNGS will demonstrate applicability of SIMULATE Conclusions -SIMULATE is acceptable for use -Replacement of the 2/3 cycle MTC measurement is acceptable at PVNGS including STAR Cycles 19 Licensing Approach Submit one LAR -Application of STAR to PVNGS -Replacement of 2/3 cycle MTC Measurement 20 Licensing Approach Technical Specification 3.1.4 MTC -SR 3.1.4.1 (HZP verification) Add note allowing use of alternate BOC HZP MTC surveillance method (TSTF 486) -SR 3.1.4.2 (At power verifications) Add note allowing replacement of 2/3 cycle at power MTC Measurement (CE-NPSD-911 & TSTF 406) 21 Licensing Approach Proposed Schedule -Submit November 2013 -Requesting NRC Approval in November 2014 -First use in Spring of 2015 22 Conclusion and Discussion Acceptable to implement the STAR Program at PVNGS Acceptable to replace the 2/3 cycle at power MTC measurement Submit both under a single LAR November 2013 Requesting NRC approval November 2014 23