Regulatory Guide 1.49

Power Levels of Water-Cooled Nuclear Power Plants

ML12298A125
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Issue date:	05/31/1973
From:	Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research, US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)
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RG-1.049
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May 1973 U.S. ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION

REGULATORY

DIRECTORATE

OF REGULATORY

STANDARDS GUIDE REGULATORY

GUIDE 1.49 POWER LEVELS OF WATER-COOLED

NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

A. INTRODUCTION

It is the policy of the Atomic Energy Commission to encourage, support, and give priority consideration to activities leading to greater standardization of nuclear power plants. In a statement issued on March 5, 1973, implementing that policy, the Commission stated that the size of all new plants accepted for licensing review (both those proposed for review as standardized plants and those proposed for review in connection with a specific application for a construction permit) would be limited to power levels of less than 3,800 megawatts thermal.Section 50.34 of 10 CFR Part 50 requires that each application for a construction permit include a summary description and discussion of the facility with special attention to, among other things, the design and operating characteristics at the projected initial licensed power level. Section 50.34- also requires that the application include an analysis and evaluation of the major structures, systems, and components of the facility at the projected initial power level and at the ultimate power level which is contemplated by the applicant.

This guide describes acceptable maximum power levels for water-cooled nuclear power plants.

B. DISCUSSION

The power levels of water-cooled nuclear power plants have shown a continual increase from about 600 megawatts electric in 1965 to slightly above 1,300 megawatts electric in 1973. The continual increase in the size of these plants has resulted in plant design modifications and a large expenditure of' AEC staff review effort to assure the maintenance of a consistent level of safety. These numerous plant design variations, coupled with the rapidly increasing number of applications, have contributed to the steady growth in the required licensing ieview time to evaluate such applications.

Until sufficient experience is gained with the design, construction, and operation of the larger plants, the size of these plants should be limited to current levels.C. REGULATORY

POSITION The projected initial licensed power level of a water-cooled nuclear power. plant for which a construction permit application is filed pursuant to Section 50.34 of 10 CFR Part 50 should be limited to a reactor core power level of 3,800 megawatts thermal or less. The ultimate power level for which an analysis and evaluation ot the major structures, systems. and components is required should be limited to 4.100 megawatts thermal or les

s. USAEC REGULATORY

GUIDES Copies of published guides may be obtained by request indicating the divisions desired to the US. Atomic Energy Commission, Washington, D.C. 20545, Regulatory Guides are issued to describe and make available to the public Attention:

Director of Regulatory Standards.

Conments and suggestions for methods acceptable to the AEC Regulatory staff of implementing specific parts of improvements in these guides are encouraged and should be sent to the Secretary the Commission's regulations, to delineate techniques used by the staff in of the Commission, U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, Washington D.C. 20545, evaluating specific problems or postulated accidents, or to provide guidance to Attention:

Chief, Public Proceedings Staff.applicants.

Regulatory Guides are not substitutes for regulations and compliance with them is not required.

Methods and solutions different from those set out in The guides are issued in the following ten broad divisions:

the guides will be acceptable if they provide a basis for the findings requisite to the issuance or continuance of a permit or license by the Commission.

1. Power Reactors 6. Products 2. Research and Test Reactors 7. Transpcrtat,on

3. Fuels and Materials Facilities

8. Occupational Health Published guides will be revised periodically, as appropriate, to accommodate

4. Environmental and Siting 9. Antitrust Review comments and to reflect new information or experience.

5. Materials and Plant Protection

10. General