ML20209C468

Safety Evaluation Supporting Amend 27 to License R-38

ML20209C468
Person / Time
Site:	General Atomics
Issue date:	04/10/1987
From:	Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
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ML20209C412	List: ML20209C405 ML20209C429 ML20209C450 ML20209C468
References
NUDOCS 8704280687
Download: ML20209C468 (2)

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3 st,# Kf G UNITED STATES

. [ g NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION I 5 .[ WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555

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SAFETY EVALUATION BY THE OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION SUPPORTING AMENDMENT NO. 27 TO FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO. R-38 GA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

DOCKET NO. 50-89

1.0 INTRODUCTION

In' a letter dated February 26, 1987, GA Technologies, Inc. (GA) requested a change to Facility Operating License No. R-38 and to the Technical Specifications Appendix A. To make the license condition more complete, Paragraph 2.C.(1) was amended to add the maximum reactivity insertion

allowed in the pulse mode. This limit has always existed but was not stated explicitly in Paragraph 2.C.(1). Also, a change to Technical Specification 7.1 was made to eliminate an inconsistency between the license condition for the maximum power level at which the reactor may

{ operate ard the Technical Specification for the maximum operating power i

level and testing of the reactor over-power trip setpoint. This action follows similar changes that were made to GA's other TRIGA research reactor, a Mark F (Docket 50-163, Amendment 37).

2.0 EVALUATION 2.1 Addition of the Maximum Reactivity insertion Limit to the Operating License The purpose of this change is to bririg the Facility Operating License into conformity with current practice by stating in the body of the

license both the maximum themal power level and the maximum reactivity l insertion pemitted in pulsing mode. The maximum reactivity insertion limit was previously stated only in the Technical Specifications. This I change is editorial in nature and does not modify any actual license conditions.

2.2 Inconsistency in Maximum Thermal Power Level Between the Facility Oper6 ting

} License and the Technical Specifications, Appendix A Technical Specification 7.1 -viously permitted steady-state thermal i

power to reach a maximum c' ' for purposes of testing the full power j scram safety circuits. T' .nconsistent with the license condition-that limited power to 250 kw. sesting of these safety circuits can be accomplished by other methods. GA. tests these safety circuits by the i

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!s introduction of an electrical signal. To achieve consistency, the _

maximum operating power level under any conditions will be restated in the Technical Specifications to be 250 kW. This does not constitute a change in the authorized licensed power limit.

3.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATION

We have determined that these changes are in the category of recordkeeping,

reporting, and administrative procedures and requirements. Accordingly, ,

this amendment meets the eli set forth.in 10 CFR 51.22(c)gibility (10). Pursuant criteriatofor10categorical exclusion CFR 51.22(b), no Environmental Impact Statement or 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) because the amendment does not involve a significant increase in the probability or consequences of accidents previously evaluated, or create the possibility of a new or different kind of accident from any accident previously evaluated, and does not involve a significant reduction in a margin of safety, the amendment does not involve a significant hazards consideration, (2) there is reasonable assurance that' the health and safety of the public will ?pt be endangered by the

proposed activities, and (3) such act'ivities will be conducted in i compliance with the Commission's regulations and the issuance of this t amendment will not be inimical to the connon defense and security or the health and safety of the public.

Principal Contributor: Alexander Adams, Jr.

Da ted: April 10, 1987 -

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