ML043490418

(Ccnpp 1 and 2), RAI, Incorporating Core Operating Limits Analytical Methodology References Into Technical Specifications (Tac Nos. MC4019 and MC4020)

ML043490418
Person / Time
Site:	Calvert Cliffs
Issue date:	12/14/2004
From:	Richard Guzman NRC/NRR/DLPM/LPD1
To:	Vanderheyden G Calvert Cliffs
Guzman R, NRR/DLPM 415-1030
References
TAC MC4019, TAC MC4020
Download: ML043490418 (5)

Text

December 14, 2004 Mr. George Vanderheyden, Vice President Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, Inc.

Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant 1650 Calvert Cliffs Parkway Lusby, MD 20657-4702

SUBJECT:

CALVERT CLIFFS NUCLEAR POWER PLANT, UNIT NOS. 1 AND 2 (CCNPP 1 AND 2) - REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RE:

INCORPORATING CORE OPERATING LIMITS ANALYTICAL METHODOLOGY REFERENCES INTO TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS (TAC NOS. MC4019 AND MC4020)

Dear Mr. Vanderheyden:

In reviewing your submittal of July 15, 2004, concerning the subject request for amendment to incorporate the references to the list of approved core operating limits analytical methods in the Technical Specifications for CCNPP 1 and 2, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff has determined that additional information contained in the enclosure to this letter is needed to complete its review. The NRC staff discussed the issue with your staff on December 1, 2004.

As agreed to by your staff, we request you respond within 30 days of the date of this letter.

If you have any questions, please contact me at 301-415-1030.

Sincerely,

/RA/

Richard V. Guzman, Project Manager, Section 1 Project Directorate I Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos. 50-317 and 50-318

Enclosure:

As stated cc w/encl: See next page

ML043490418 OFFICE PDI-1/PM PDI-1/LA SRXB/SC PDI-1/SC NAME RGuzman SLittle JUhle RLaufer DATE 12/06/04 12/13/04 12/06/04 12/14/04 REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (RAI) CONCERNING AMENDMENT REQUEST TO INCORPORATE METHODOLOGY REFERENCES INTO THE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS CALVERT CLIFFS NUCLEAR POWER PLANT UNIT NOS. 1 AND 2 (CCNPP 1 AND 2)

DOCKET NOS. 50-317 AND 50-318

1. In Attachment 3 to the July 15, 2004, letter, which provides supplemental information to demonstrate the applicability of the Westinghouse nuclear physics code package to CCNPP 1 and 2, Table 2.2-3 provides comparisons between the measurements and predictions (using the Phoenix-P/ANC codes) of the CCNPP Unit 2 Cycles 13 and 14 control rod worth. These comparisons show that the differences between measured and predicted values are as large as -6.9% and 7% for control element assembly (CEA) groups 2 and 5, respectively.

Provide justification for using the Westinghouse nuclear physics package to CCNPP 1 and 2 in light of these large differences.

2. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has approved WCAP-16072-P-A, Implementation of Zirconium Diboride Burnable Absorber in CE Nuclear Power Fuel Assembly Designs, with conditions and limitations specified in Section 4.0 of the Safety Evaluation (SE). In referencing WCAP-16072-P-A for the use of Zirconium Diboride (ZrB2) in the CCNPP 1 and 2 integral fuel burnable absorber design, the licensee states (in Section 4 of Attachment 1 to the July 15, 2004, letter) that it agrees to all conditions and limitations in the SE that approved the Zirconium Diboride Topical. The licensee also states that it will update staff training and procedures for the operating strategy that may result in the peak positive moderator temperature coefficient occurring after the beginning of the fuel cycle.

Provide a regulatory commitment for the conditions and limitations specified in the SE on WCAP-16072, including actions committed by Calvert Cliffs, the types of actions (either one-time action or continuing compliance) and scheduled completion dates if required.

3. Section 4 of Attachment 1 states that Calvert Cliffs will confirm that the peak positive hot full power (HFP) moderator temperature coefficient (MTC) is within the Technical Specification limits at the highest Reactor Coolant System soluble boron concentration predicted during full power operation. The peak positive HFP MTC will be determined by adjusting the HFP MTC measured at beginning of cycle to the maximum HFP soluble boron concentration expected during the fuel cycle. However, Condition 3 in the NRC staffs SE for WCAP-16072-P-A states that, in order to ensure a conservative adjustment, a direct measurement of MTC is required at the highest reactor coolant system soluble boron concentration predicted during full power operation. This direct measurement is only required for the first application of ZrB2 IFBA in a Combustion Engineering 14x14 or 16x16 fuel assembly design.

Enclosure

Since CCNPP 1 and 2 may be the first application of ZrB2 IFBA in a CE 14x14 fuel assembly design, provide justification or a regulatory commitment to include that a direct measurement of MTC at the peak soluble boron concentration will be performed.

Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, Unit Nos. 1 and 2 cc:

President Patricia T. Birnie, Esquire Calvert County Board of Co-Director Commissioners Maryland Safe Energy Coalition 175 Main Street P.O. Box 33111 Prince Frederick, MD 20678 Baltimore, MD 21218 James M. Petro, Esquire Mr. Loren F. Donatell Counsel NRC Technical Training Center Constellation Energy 5700 Brainerd Road 750 East Pratt Street, 17th floor Chattanooga, TN 37411-4017 Baltimore, MD 21202 Jay E. Silberg, Esquire Shaw, Pittman, Potts, and Trowbridge 2300 N Street, NW Washington, DC 20037 Lou Larragoite Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant 1650 Calvert Cliffs Parkway Lusby, MD 20657-4702 Resident Inspector U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission P.O. Box 287 St. Leonard, MD 20685 Mr. R. I. McLean, Administrator Radioecology Environ Impact Prog Department of Natural Resources Nuclear Evaluations 580 Taylor Avenue Tawes State Office Building Annapolis, MD 21401 Regional Administrator, Region I U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 475 Allendale Road King of Prussia, PA 19406 Kristen A. Burger, Esquire Maryland People's Counsel 6 St. Paul Centre Suite 2102 Baltimore, MD 21202-1631