ML20203D206

Application for Amend to License NPF-8 Requesting Emergency Tech Spec Change Deleting Max Fuel Rod U Weight Limit of 1,766 G.Fee Paid

ML20203D206
Person / Time
Site:	Farley
Issue date:	04/18/1986
From:	Mcdonald R ALABAMA POWER CO.
To:	Rubenstein L Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Shared Package
ML20203D210	List: ML20203D206 ML20203D212
References
TAC-61266, NUDOCS 8604220058
Download: ML20203D206 (3)

Text

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Maihng Addeves Altbama Power Company 600 North 18th Street Post Office Bos 2641 F Birmingnarn, Alabama 35291 Telephone 205 783-6090 R. P. Mcdonald

[ Sensor Vece President Fhntndge Budding /Milf)[lll);lNOWCf April 18,1986 Docket No. 50-364 Director, Nuclear Reactor Regulation U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Comission Washington, D.C. 20555 Attention: Mr.-L. S. Rubenstein  ;

Gentlemen:

Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant - Unit 2 Emergency Technical Specification Change Design Features Section 5.3.1, Fuel Assemblies, of the Technical Specifications identifies a maximum total fuel rod uranium weight of 1,766 grams. Recent improvements to the fuel design, including chamfered pellets with a reduced dish and a nominal density increase, have increased the fuel  ;

weight slightly. The weight increases have caused the maximun f uel rod l uranium weight to exceed the specified maximum value of 1,766 grams.

Alabama Power Cogany therefore proposes to delete the maximum fuel rod uranium weight limit of 1,766 grams from the Technical Specifications. The '

purpose of the change is to permit the use of assemblies with fuel rod uranium weight over the limit and also to reflect the relative ,

insensitivity of the safety analyses to this parameter. The anount that the maximum fuel rod uranium weight in an assembly exceeds the limit is approximately 1 percent. Although a number of areas in the safety analyses are indirectly affected by fuel uranium weight, the areas of safety significance have their own limits which are reflected in the Farley Nuclear Plant Final Safety Analysis Report Update and plant Technical Specifications.

The proposed change of fechnical Specifications Design Features Section 5.3.1 is the only reference to fuel rod uranium weight in the Technical Specifications. Attachment I lists the changed Technical Specification pages and includes the proposed changed pages.

The deletion of the maximum fuel rod weight limit in the Technical Specifications is proposed because the limit is not significant to the saf e operation of the Farley Nuclear Plant. Alabama Power Company has determined that the proposed change does not involve a significant hazards consideration. The required analysis, pursuant to 10CFR50.92, is provided as Attachment 2.

I 8604220058 860418 ADOCK 05000364 PDR

. g/, M S $ 2'00

Mr. L. S. Rubenstein April 18,1986 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Page 2 This application is being submitted on an emergency basis to support the return to power of the Farley Nuclear Plant Unit 2. In conversations conducted on April 17, 1986 with nembers of the NRC Staf f, it was indicated that this submittal could be processed within four days. This schedule would support the currently scheduled entry into MODE 4. Recent developments requiring core redesign to address post LOCA analyses considerations resulted in extended schedules for core design and reload safety analysis issuance. The Alabama Power Company formal review process was theref ore delayed beyond the normal schedule. The reload safety evaluation was supplied for Plant Operations Review Comittee review on April 10, 1986. The Plant Operations Review Conmittee review discovered the fuel rod uranium weight issue on April 15, 1986. The required evaluation and analyses were then initiated inmediately on an expeditious schedule.

Alabama Power Company's Plant Operations Review Comittee has reviewed this proposed change and the Nuclear Operations Review Board will review this proposed change at a future meeting. As requi red by 10CFR170.21, the License Amendment Application Fee of $150.00 is enclosed. In accordance with 10CFR50.90, three signed originals and f orty additional copies of the proposed change are enclosed. A copy of the proposed change has also been sent to Mr. Dan Turner, The Alabama State Designee, in accordance with 10CFR50.91(b)(1).

If there are any questions, please advise.

Respectfully submitted, ALABAMA POWE 'C5jP,ANY,

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, 0l A1 R. P. PicDonald SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME THISj AY OF (/ 1986 MmMLy q.db_

No to ry rt,,p E fly Co mission Expires: bN RPM / JAR: dst-T.S.

Enclosures .

1 cc: See Next Page 1

Mr. L. S. Rubenstela April 18,1986 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Page 3 cc: Mr. L. B. Long Dr. J. N. Grace Mr. E. A. Reeves Mr. M. S. Dunenfeld Mr. W. H. Bradford Mr. Dan Turner f

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