ML20197G972

Informs That Univ of VA Is in Process of Preparing Response to NRC 981123 RAI Re Proposed Set of UVAR TS Amends Submitted on 980929.Listed Are Two UVAR TS Considerations That Are Being Brought to NRC Attention for Resolution

ML20197G972
Person / Time
Site:	University of Virginia
Issue date:	12/03/1998
From:	Mulder R VIRGINIA, UNIV. OF, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA
To:	Alexander Adams NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned)
References
NUDOCS 9812110092
Download: ML20197G972 (2)

Text

. _ .__

4 Usovrasary or Viaconis NuaEAR REACTOR FACHITY U.S. MAIL ADDRESS STREET ADDRESS PO. Box 3425 675 Old Reserwir Road University Station Charlottesville, VA 22903 Charlottesville, VA 22903 Telephone: 804-982-5440 Fax: 804-982-5473 December 3,1998 l

Mr. Alexander Adams, Jr.

Senior Project Manager Non-power Reactors and Decommissioning Project Directorate U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission M.S. 0-11-B-20 Rockville, MD 20852-2738

Subject:

Amendments to UVAR Technical Specifications (TS); University of Virginia Reactor, Docket No. 50-62, License R-66.

Dear Mr. Adams:

On September 29,1998 the University of Virginia submitted to NRC a proposed set of UVAR Technical Specifications amendments to permit the orderly evolution of the UVAR status from operable to permanently shutdown. On November 23 the NRC responded by letter requesting additional information from us (TAC No. MA3737). We are in the process of preparing a reply to this request. In the meantime, we would like to bring two UVAR TS considerations to the NRC's attention for resolution.

l 1) The NRC is aware that the University already has completed the first of three spent reactor fuel shipments. The first LEU clements shipped were control rod elements. [ Shipment of

. regular UVAR fuel elements with twice the uranium loading awaits approval by NRC of an amendment to the COC for the BMI-l cask.] Current UVAR Technical Specification 4.1.1 l requires shim rod drop times to be measured semiannually. The maximum time between semi-l annual surveillances is 7.5 months. The next UVAR shim rod drop time measurements are i required by December 25,1998. Ilowever, without the control rod elements this surveillance is l no longer possible (or needed).

2) Present UVAR Technical Specification 4.2.3 requires semiannual calibration of the reactor safety measuring channels. UVAR TS Table 3.1 lists primary coolant flow as a safety system channel with a 900 gpm (minimum) setpoint required for reactor operation in the forced convection mode. The surveillance to calibrate this minimum flow rate is due by March 8,1999, by the present TS. Since the UVAR is no longer loaded or operable, this primary coolant flow calibration no longer serves a useful purpose. g 9812110092 981203 I~

PTR ADOCK 05000062f-P 11 M S fDS l/O pop g

j (Letter to Mr. dams, page 2, cont.)

We note that the NRC did not pose any questions about these specific TS in its recent request for -

additional information. Therefore, we hereby request NRC to approve the immediate deletions of UVAR TS 4.1.1 and UVAR TS 4.23, or, while the NRC studies our prior proposed set of

amendments, a temporary release from these TS obligations. Please contact me at (804)_982-

- 5440, or by e-mail sent to rum @ Virginia.EDU. should you have need for additional information. ,

i Sincerel

. t l

-4 Robert U. Mulder, Director U.Va. Reactor Facility &  ;

' Assoc, Prof. of Nuclear Eng. j City / County of b ^ #

Cu,T ,w.;=ith of Virginia 1 hereby certify that the attached document is a true and l

exact copy of a _ - lr b  : presented before Cype of docume 3 I

me this day of Oge, fue ig M .

by S0$9efY'VYiuIbDf l l o - -. .c. .~,

] LP - YuCw >

G.,ea,e My commission expires '28_.__ [A/M- .

cc: Mr Craig Basset, NRC Region II, Atlanta, Ga.

[ Document Control Desk, NRC, Washington i