ML033570127
| ML033570127 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Catawba  |
| Issue date: | 12/19/2003 |
| From: | Sean Peters NRC/NRR/DLPM/LPD2 |
| To: | Jamil D Duke Energy Corp |
| Peters S, NRR/DLPM, 415-1842 | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML033570134 | List: |
| References | |
| TAC MB8359, TAC MB8360 | |
| Download: ML033570127 (18) | |
Text
December 19, 2003 Mr. D. M. Jamil Vice President Catawba Nuclear Station Duke Energy Corporation 4800 Concord Road York, South Carolina 29745
SUBJECT:
CATAWBA NUCLEAR STATION, UNITS 1 AND 2 RE: ISSUANCE OF AMENDMENTS (TAC NOS. MB8359 AND MB8360)
Dear Mr. Jamil:
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued the enclosed Amendment No. 210 to Renewed Facility Operating License NPF-35 and Amendment No. 204 to Renewed Facility Operating License NPF-52 for the Catawba Nuclear Station, Units 1 and 2. The amendments consist of changes to the Technical Specifications (TS) in response to your application dated March 24, 2003, as supplemented by letters dated June 25 and October 15, 2003.
The amendments change the TS to relocate certain reactor coolant system cycle-specific parameter limits from the TSs to the Core Operating Limits Report (COLR), and revises the minimum allowable reactor coolant system flow rate.
A copy of the related Safety Evaluation is also enclosed. A Notice of Issuance will be included in the Commissions biweekly Federal Register notice.
Sincerely,
/RA BY R A Martin for/
Sean Peters, Project Manager, Section 1 Project Directorate II Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos. 50-413 and 50-414
Enclosures:
- 1. Amendment No. 210 to NPF-35
- 2. Amendment No. 204 to NPF-52
- 3. Safety Evaluation cc w/encls: See next page
Mr. D. M. Jamil December 19, 2003 Vice President Catawba Nuclear Station Duke Energy Corporation 4800 Concord Road York, South Carolina 29745
SUBJECT:
CATAWBA NUCLEAR STATION, UNITS 1 AND 2 RE: ISSUANCE OF AMENDMENTS (TAC NOS. MB8359 AND MB8360)
Dear Mr. Jamil:
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued the enclosed Amendment No. 210 to Renewed Facility Operating License NPF-35 and Amendment No. 204 to Renewed Facility Operating License NPF-52 for the Catawba Nuclear Station, Units 1 and 2. The amendments consist of changes to the Technical Specifications (TS) in response to your application dated March 24, 2003, as supplemented by letters dated June 25 and October 15, 2003.
The amendments change the TS to relocate certain reactor coolant system cycle-specific parameter limits from the TSs to the Core Operating Limits Report (COLR), and revises the minimum allowable reactor coolant system flow rate.
A copy of the related Safety Evaluation is also enclosed. A Notice of Issuance will be included in the Commissions biweekly Federal Register notice.
Sincerely,
/RA by Robert Martin for/
Sean Peters, Project Manager, Section 1 Project Directorate II Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos. 50-413 and 50-414 DISTRIBUTION:
PUBLIC CHawes ACRS
Enclosures:
PDII-1 R/F RMartin GHill (4)
- 1. Amendment No. to NPF-35 RHaag,RII WLyon JUhle
- 3. Safety Evaluation cc w/encls: See next page TS Pages: ML033580393 Package: ML033570134 ADAMS ACCESSION NO: ML033570127 *See previous concurrence OFFICE PDII-1/PM PDII-1/PM PDII-1/LA OGC* PDII-1/SC NAME RMartin Rmartin for: CHawes CMarco JNakoski SPeters DATE 12/19/03 12/19/03 12/16/03 12/12/03 12/19/03 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
DUKE ENERGY CORPORATION NORTH CAROLINA ELECTRIC MEMBERSHIP CORPORATION SALUDA RIVER ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.
DOCKET NO. 50-413 CATAWBA NUCLEAR STATION, UNIT 1 AMENDMENT TO RENEWED FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE Amendment No. 210 Renewed License No. NPF-35
- 1. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) has found that:
A. The application for amendment to the Catawba Nuclear Station, Unit 1 (the facility)
Renewed Facility Operating License No. NPF-35 filed by the Duke Energy Corporation, acting for itself, North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation and Saluda River Electric Cooperative, Inc. (licensees), dated March 24, 2003, as supplemented by letters dated June 25, and October 15, 2003, complies with the standards and requirements of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (the Act), and the Commissions rules and regulations as set forth in 10 CFR Chapter I; B. The facility will operate in conformity with the application, the provisions of the Act, and the rules and regulations of the Commission; C. There is reasonable assurance (i) that the activities authorized by this amendment can be conducted without endangering the health and safety of the public, and (ii) that such activities will be conducted in compliance with the Commissions regulations set forth in 10 CFR Chapter I; D. The issuance of this amendment will not be inimical to the common defense and security or to the health and safety of the public; and E. The issuance of this amendment is in accordance with 10 CFR Part 51 of the Commissions regulations and all applicable requirements have been satisfied.
- 2. Accordingly, the license is hereby amended by page changes to the Technical Specifications as indicated in the attachment to this license amendment, and paragraph 2.C.(2) of Renewed Facility Operating License No. NPF-35 is hereby amended to read as follows:
(2) Technical Specifications The Technical Specifications contained in Appendix A, as revised through Amendment No. 210, which are attached hereto, are hereby incorporated into this license. Duke Energy Corporation shall operate the facility in accordance with the Technical Specifications.
- 3. This license amendment is effective as of its date of issuance and shall be implemented within 30 days of issuance.
FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
/RA/
John A. Nakoski, Chief, Section 1 Project Directorate II Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Attachment:
Technical Specification Changes Date of Issuance: December 19, 2003
DUKE ENERGY CORPORATION NORTH CAROLINA MUNICIPAL POWER AGENCY NO. 1 PIEDMONT MUNICIPAL POWER AGENCY DOCKET NO. 50-414 CATAWBA NUCLEAR STATION, UNIT 2 AMENDMENT TO RENEWED FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE Amendment No. 204 Renewed License No. NPF-52
- 1. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (the Commission) has found that:
A. The application for amendment to the Catawba Nuclear Station, Unit 2 (the facility)
Renewed Facility Operating License No. NPF-52 filed by the Duke Energy Corporation, acting for itself, North Carolina Municipal Power Agency No. 1 and Piedmont Municipal Power Agency (licensees), dated March 24, 2003, as supplemented by letters dated June 25, and October 15, 2003, complies with the standards and requirements of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (the Act), and the Commissions rules and regulations as set forth in 10 CFR Chapter I; B. The facility will operate in conformity with the application, the provisions of the Act, and the rules and regulations of the Commission; C. There is reasonable assurance (i) that the activities authorized by this amendment can be conducted without endangering the health and safety of the public, and (ii) that such activities will be conducted in compliance with the Commissions regulations set forth in 10 CFR Chapter I; D. The issuance of this amendment will not be inimical to the common defense and security or to the health and safety of the public; and E. The issuance of this amendment is in accordance with 10 CFR Part 51 of the Commissions regulations and all applicable requirements have been satisfied.
- 2. Accordingly, the license is hereby amended by page changes to the Technical Specifications as indicated in the attachment to this license amendment, and Paragraph 2.C.(2) of Renewed Facility Operating License No. NPF-52 is hereby amended to read as follows:
(2) Technical Specifications The Technical Specifications contained in Appendix A, as revised through Amendment No. 204, which are attached hereto, are hereby incorporated into this license. Duke Energy Corporation shall operate the facility in accordance with the Technical Specifications.
- 3. This license amendment is effective as of its date of issuance and shall be implemented within 30 days of issuance.
FOR THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
/RA/
John A. Nakoski, Chief, Section 1 Project Directorate II Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Attachment:
Technical Specification Changes Date of Issuance: December 19, 2003
ATTACHMENT TO LICENSE AMENDMENT NO. 210 RENEWED FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO. NPF-35 DOCKET NO. 50-413 AND LICENSE AMENDMENT NO. 204 RENEWED FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NO. NPF-52 DOCKET NO. 50-414 Replace the following pages of the Appendix A Technical Specifications and associated Bases with the attached revised pages. The revised pages are identified by amendment number and contain marginal lines indicating the areas of change.
Remove Insert 2.0-1 2.0-1 2.0-2 ---
B 2.1.1-2 B2.1.1-2 B 2.1.1-3 B 2.1.1-3 B 2.1.1-4 ---
3.3.1-18 3.3.1-18 3.3.1-19 3.3.1-19 B 3.3.1-18 B 3.3.1-18 3.4.1-1 3.4.1-1 3.4.1-2 3.4.1-2 3.4.1-4 3.4.1-4 B 3.4.1-1 B 3.4.1-1 B 3.4.1-2 B 3.4.1-2 B 3.4.1-3 B 3.4.1-3 B 3.4.1-4 B 3.4.1-4 5.6-3 5.6-3 5.6-4 5.6-4 5.6-5 5.6-5 5.6-6 5.6-6
SAFETY EVALUATION BY THE OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION RELATED TO AMENDMENT NO. 210 TO RENEWED FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NPF-35 AND AMENDMENT NO. 204 TO RENEWED FACILITY OPERATING LICENSE NPF-52 DUKE ENERGY CORPORATION, ET AL.
CATAWBA NUCLEAR STATION, UNITS 1 AND 2 DOCKET NOS. 50-413 AND 50-414
1.0 INTRODUCTION
By letter dated March 24, 2003, as supplemented June 25, and October 15, 2003, Duke Power Company, et al. (the licensee), submitted a request for changes to the Catawba Nuclear Station, Units 1 and 2, (Catawba) and to the McGuire Nuclear Station, Units 1 and 2, (McGuire)
Technical Specifications (TS). The TS affected by the application are as follows:
TS 2.1.1, "Reactor Core Safety Limits;"
TS Table 3.3.1-1, "Reactor Trip System Instrumentation;"
TS 3.4.1, "RCS Pressure, Temperature, and Flow Departure from Nucleate Boiling (DNB) Limits." This includes a change in the required minimum measured flow (MMF) for the reactor coolant system (RCS) from 390,000 gallons per minute (gpm) to 388,000 gpm for Catawba Unit 1 and for McGuire Units 1 and 2. The required MMF will be maintained at 390,000 gpm for Catawba Unit 2; and
TS 5.6.5, "Core Operating Limits Report".
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staffs original proposed no significant hazards consideration determinations was published in the Federal Register on September 18, 2003 (68 FR 54749). A second notice was published in the Federal Register on November 18, 2003 (68 FR 65090) because the supplemental letter of October 15, 2003, revised the MMF from previously specified values.
2.0 REGULATORY EVALUATION
2.1 Applicable Regulatory Requirements and Guidance Guidance on the relocation of cycle-specific TS parameters to the Core Operating Limits Report (COLR) was developed by the NRC staff and was provided to all power reactor licensees and applicants by Generic Letter (GL) 88-16, "Removal of Cycle-Specific Parameter Limits from Technical Specifications," dated October 3, 1988. In the GL, the NRC staff stated that license amendments were generally needed every refueling outage to update the cycle-specific
parameter limits in the TSs; however, methodologies developed for the licensee to determine these cycle-specific parameters have been reviewed and approved by the NRC staff. As a consequence, the NRC staff review of proposed changes to the TSs to update these parameter limits was primarily limited to the confirmation that the updated limits were calculated by the approved methodology and were consistent with the appropriate plant-specific safety analysis.
The COLR was created to allow inclusion of the NRC-approved methodologies in the TSs and thus allow licensees to make changes using these methodologies to update the parameter values without changing the TSs. The NRC staff addressed this in its Safety Evaluation for WCAP-14483-A, Generic Methodology for Expanded Core Operating Limits Report, as follows:
NRC Generic Letter 88-16 allows licensees to remove cycle-dependent variables from TS provided that the values of these variables are included in a COLR and are determined with NRC-approved methodology which is referenced in the TS. These variables are moved from TS to the COLR to avoid the need for frequent revision of TS to change the value of those operating limits which cannot be specified to reasonably bound several operating cycles without significant loss of operating flexibility.
The licensee stated that its justification to expand the COLR is based on Westinghouse Owners Group (WOG) Technical Specifications Task Force (TSTF) TSTF-339, Relocate TS Parameters to the COLR Consistent with WCAP-14483, Revision 2. TSTF-339, Revision 2, approved changes to the Westinghouse Standard Technical Specifications (NUREG-1431) to relocate to the COLR (1) the TS 2.1.1 reactor core safety limits figure, (2) the values for TS 3.1.1, Notes 1 and 2 for overtemperature T (OTDT) and overpower T (OPDT) setpoint parameters for reactor trip instrumentation, and (3) the TS 3.4.1 DNB parameter limit values.
These are the changes for TSs 2.1.1, 3.3.1, and 3.4.1 that the licensee has proposed in its application. Further references to TSTF-339 in this Safety Evaluation refer to Revision 2 of the TSTF.
The methodology supporting these changes is described in the Westinghouse Energy Systems topical report WCAP-14483-A. The NRC staffs evaluation approving WCAP-14483-A as an acceptable method to relocate these TS requirements to the COLR consistent with GL 88-16 is provided in Reference 1. The topical report addresses the relocation of (1) the reactor core safety limits figure, (2) OTDT and OPDT setpoint parameter values for reactor trip instrumentation, and (3) DNB parameter limits in the TSs to the COLR. Therefore, the NRC staff has incorporated the generic methodology of WCAP-14483-A for expanding the COLR into NUREG-1431, the Improved Standard Technical Specifications for Westinghouse Plants, that is the standard that the Catawba TSs are based upon.
3.0 TECHNICAL EVALUATION
3.1 Revision of TS 2.1.1, Reactor Core Safety Limits (SLs)
TS 2.1.1, "Reactor Core Safety Limits," would be revised by relocating Figure 2.1.1-1, "Reactor Core Safety Limits," to the COLR and by replacing the figure with more specific safety limits for Departure from Nucleate Boiling Ratio (DNBR) and peak fuel centerline temperature. The licensees letter dated June 25, 2003, revised the proposed changes to TS 2.1.1. This evaluation addresses the proposed changes to TS 2.1.1 in the licensees revised submittals dated June 25 and October 15, 2003.
The licensee stated that it is necessary to relocate TS Figure 2.1.1-1 to the COLR since cycle-dependent changes to parameters upon which TS Figure 2.1.1-1 is based would require a license amendment request to revise the figure. The NRC staff finds that the necessity of requesting an amendment to the TS in order to change the TS is not in itself sufficient basis for relocating a TS to the COLR. The NRC staffs basis for its finding that TS Figure 2.1.1-1 may be relocated to the COLR was included in Reference 1 as follows:
The current TS figure (2.1.1-1) presents core limits on RCS temperature conditions (T-avg) as a function of pressurizer pressure and fractional rated thermal power. This figure was originally included in the Westinghouse TS to satisfy the requirements of 10 CFR 50.36 which states that Safety limits for nuclear reactors are limits upon important process variables that are found to be necessary to reasonably protect the integrity of certain of the physical barriers that guard against the uncontrolled release of radioactivity. However, the figure is not a complete representation of reactor core safety limits but is intended to provide the relationship between the process variables that are available to the operator (i.e., T-avg, pressurizer pressure, and thermal power) and the DNB design basis safety limit.
To ensure that the requirements of 10 CFR 50.36 are met, i.e., limits upon important process variable, the WOG has proposed to retain the requirement for a Reactor Core Limits figure in the Safety Limits TS, but relocate the actual figure to the COLR and replace it with the DNB design basis limit and the fuel centerline melt limit [ ]. Both of these limits are criteria that must be satisfied for normal operation and for [anticipated operational occurrences] AOOs to prevent overheating of the fuel cladding and possible cladding perforation which would result in the release of fission products to the RCS and are, therefore, the true safety limits. . . .
The NRC staff finds that the changes proposed by the licensee are consistent with the approved changes identified in WCAP-14483-A for relocating TS Figure 2.1.1-1 to the COLR, and the above reasoning applies to the requested change. The licensee stated in its letter dated October 15, 2003, that the methodology for determining the reactor core safety limits in TS Figure 2.1.1-1 are determined using the methods described in three Duke Power topical reports that have been reviewed and approved by the NRC staff. These reports are DPC-NE-2004P-A, Duke Power Company McGuire and Catawba Nuclear Stations Core Thermal-Hydraulic Methodology Using VIPRE-01; DPC-NE-2005P-A, Thermal Hydraulic Statistical Core Design Methodology; and DPC-NE-2009P-A, Westinghouse Fuel Transition Report.
These reports have been approved by the NRC staff and they are currently included in the list of NRC-approved analytical methods in TS Section 5.6.5.
Based on the above, the NRC staff concludes that the proposed changes to TS 2.1.1 to relocate the Reactor Core Limits Figure 2.1.1-1 to the COLR and to replace it with specific values of the DNB design basis limit and the fuel centerline melt limit are acceptable. In addition, the proposed changes are consistent with TSTF-339, Revision 2, and with the Westinghouse Standard Technical Specifications. Associated changes to the Bases were also proposed.
3.2 Revision of TS Table 3.3.1-1, Reactor Trip System Instrumentation Note 1 of TS 3.3.1, Table 3.3.1-1, "Reactor Trip System Instrumentation," would be revised to relocate the OTDT numerical values for the nominal average temperature at rated thermal power (RTP) and the nominal RCS operating pressure to the COLR. Note 2 of Table 3.3.1-1 would also be revised to relocate the numerical values of the nominal average temperature at RTP and the K5 and K6 constants in the equation for the nominal trip setpoint to the COLR.
The licensee indicated that relocating the numerical values of these parameters in Notes 1 and 2 to the COLR, while leaving the parameter in the TS, provides the licensee the flexibility of enhancing operating and core design margins without the need for cycle-specific license amendment requests. The licensee also indicated that the relocation of these values to the COLR will result in a more complete COLR containing cycle-specific operating conditions and core reload related parameters.
The NRC staff finds that the changes proposed by the licensee are consistent with the approved changes identified in WCAP-14483-A for relocating parameter values in the OTDT and OPDT equations in Table 3.3.1-1. The licensee stated in its letter dated October 15, 2003, that the methodology for determining the values of these parameters in TS Table 3.3.1-1 is contained in three Duke Power topical reports that have been reviewed and approved by the NRC staff. These reports are DPC-NE-3000P-A, Thermal Hydraulic Transient Analysis Methodology; DPC-NE-3001P-A, Multidimensional Reactor Transients and Safety Analysis Physics Parameter Methodology; and DPC-NE-3002-A, UFSAR Chapter 15 System Transient Analysis Methodology. These reports have been approved by the NRC staff and they are currently included in the list of NRC-approved analytical methods in TS Section 5.6.5.
Based on the above, the NRC staff concludes that the proposed changes to Notes 1 and 2 of TS Table 3.3.1-1 to relocate parameters to the COLR are acceptable. In addition, the proposed changes to TS Table 3.3.1-1 are consistent with TSTF-339, Revision 2, and with the Westinghouse Standard Technical Specifications. Associated changes to the Bases were also proposed.
3.3 Revision of TS 3.4, RCS Pressure, Temperature, and Flow Departure From Nucleate Boiling Limits TS 3.4.1, "RCS Pressure, Temperature, and Flow Departure from Nucleate Boiling (DNB)
Limits," would be revised to relocate values for pressurizer pressure, RCS average temperature (Tavg) and RCS flow rate to the COLR.
In a manner similar to that discussed in the previous sections of this evaluation, the licensee has indicated that relocating the numerical values of these parameters to the COLR, while leaving the parameter in the TS, provides the licensee the flexibility of enhancing operating and core design margins without the need for cycle-specific license amendment requests. The licensee also indicated that the relocation of these values to the COLR will result in a more complete COLR containing cycle-specific operating conditions and core reload related parameters.
The NRC staff finds that the changes proposed by the licensee are consistent with the approved changes identified in WCAP-14483-A for relocating these parameter values to the COLR as indicated by the following statement in Reference 1:
The TS limits on the DNB parameters assure that pressurizer pressure, RCS flow, and the RCS T-avg will be maintained within the limits of steady-state operation assumed in the accident analyses. These limits must be consistent with the initial full power conditions considered in the FSAR safety analysis for normal operation and anticipated operational occurrences (AOOs) in which precluding DNB is the primary criterion. The DNB parameter limits are also based on initial conditions assumed for accidents in which precluding DNB is not a criterion.
The licensee stated in its letter dated October 15, 2003, that the methodology for determining the values of these parameters in TS Table 3.3.1-1 is contained in six Duke Power topical reports that have been reviewed and approved by the NRC staff. These reports are DPC-NE-3000P-A, DPC-NE-3001P-A, DPC-NE-3002-A, DPC-NE-2004P-A, DPC-NE-2005P-A, and DPC-NE-2009P-A. These reports have been approved by the NRC staff and they are currently included in the list of NRC-approved analytical methods in TS Section 5.6.5.
Although the limits for pressurizer pressure, RCS average temperature, and RCS total flow rate would be relocated from TS 3.4.1 to the COLR, the minimum RCS total flow rate of 388,000 gpm, would be retained in TS Table 3.4.1-1 to assure that an RCS total flow rate lower than that approved by the NRC will not be used. Because this minimum value is retained in the TSs, any reduction in the RCS flow rate below this value would have to be reviewed by the NRC as part of an amendment request. As noted above, the proposed changes to TS 3.4.1 are consistent with WCAP-14483-A.
The licensees submittal dated March 24, 2003, proposed a reduction in the minimum RCS flow value to 382,000 gpm. The NRC staff requested additional information on the basis for a reduction to 382,000 gpm. The licensee responded in its letter dated October 15, 2003, by attributing the principal reason for RCS flow reductions below 390,000 gpm in several of the McGuire and Catawba units to the increasing use of Westinghouse Robust Fuel Assembly (RFA) fuel. RFA fuel assemblies have a greater hydraulic flow resistance than the fuel previously utilized. The licensee also noted that changes in flow rates have been observed at McGuire, Units 1 and 2 and Catawba, Unit 1 due to corrosion and wear products within the RCS. The licensee indicated that these latter effects produced small but measurable hydraulic changes and that they were not the basis for its application to reduce flow rates below the value of 390,000 gpm. The NRC staff finds that the licensee has provided a reasonable explanation of the cause for the changes in RCS flow.
The NRC staff also requested additional information regarding the initially proposed minimum RCS flow value of 382,000 gpm with respect to whether it continues to be supported by current safety analyses for the operation of the plants. The NRC staff stated that its concern as An underlying assumption for the adequacy of this minimum limit for the RCS flow rate is that it is applicable to the current design of the plant and the current design basis analysis for the plant.
The licensee reiterated its position in its letter dated October 15, 2003, that its understanding of the approval granted in the safety evaluation for WCAP-14483 and of TSTF-339 may be based
on any previous NRC approved value for the plant and that current safety analyses supporting the value are not required.
The NRC staff notes that the Commissions regulations in 10 CFR 50.36, require that: The technical specifications will be derived from the analyses and evaluation included in the safety analysis report, and amendments thereto, submitted pursuant to § 50.34. The safety evaluation for WCAP-14483 also states: The minimum limit for total flow based on that used in the reference safety analysis [emphasis added] will be retained in the TS. Although no formal definition applies, the reference safety analysis is understood to refer to the currently applicable safety analysis of record as reflected in the Updated Final Safety Analysis Report.
Therefore, the NRC staff finds that the minimum flow value to be retained in the TS must be supported by current safety analyses that demonstrate that the plant can meet safety analysis acceptance criteria at that flow rate and not some prior value that for reasons of changes in the plant or reactor core design may no longer provide adequate protection.
The licensee addressed the concern with the initial minimum value of 382,000 gpm by revising the value to 388,000 gpm and by providing extensive information showing that all applicable safety analyses either are not affected by the change or have been reanalyzed at the 388,000 gpm value. The NRC staff finds this to be an acceptable response and accordingly, finds that the revised minimum value of 388,000 gpm is acceptable for Catawba, Unit 1. The licensee does not propose a change in the 390,000 gpm flowrate value for Catawba, Unit 2.
Based on the above, the NRC staff concludes that the proposed changes to TS 3.4.1 are acceptable. In addition, the proposed changes to TS 3.4.1 are consistent with TSTF-339, Revision 2, and with NUREG-1431, "Standard Technical Specifications Westinghouse Plants."
The current TSs for the plant are based on NUREG-1431.
3.4 Revision of TS 5.6.5, Core Operating Limits Report TS 5.6.5.a, "Core Operating Limits Report," would be modified, consistent with the proposed changes to TS 2.1.1 and TS 3.4.1, by adding item 1, Illustration of Reactor Core Safety Limits for Specification 2.1.1, and item 9, Reactor Coolant System Pressure, Temperature, and Flow Departure From Nucleate Boiling (DNB) Limits for Specification 3.4.1" to the list of specifications for which core operating limits shall be established. A renumbered item 8, Overtemperature and Overpower Delta T setpoint parameter values for Specification 3.3.1, is currently included in TS 5.6.5.a, and therefore, does not need to be added.
As discussed above, TS 5.6.5.b currently includes the appropriate NRC-approved analytical methods used to determine the core operating limits listed in TS 5.6.5.a for TS 2.1.1, 3.3.1 and 3.4.1. Therefore, the NRC staff concludes that the approved NRC methodologies for the proposed additions to TS 5.6.5.a are contained in TS 5.6.5.b. Based on the above, the NRC staff concludes that the proposed addition of Specifications 2.1.1, and 3.4.1 to TS 5.6.5.a is acceptable.
TS 5.6.5.b, "Core Operating Limits Report," lists the references to the topical reports only by report number and title with a note that the COLR provides the complete identification of the report (i.e., report number, title, revision number, report date or NRC SER date, and any supplements). In an earlier evaluation (Reference 2) the NRC staff discussed a concern with specifying the topical reports in TS 5.6.5.b using only the report number and title in that the
NRC Safety Evaluation that approves the topical report may contain conditions on the use of the topical report that are not listed in the topical report. The NRC staff was concerned that the conditions in NRC safety evaluations for plant-specific topical reports could cease to be applied by the licensee if TS 5.6.5.b listed only the report number and title. This concern is met for the Duke Power Company topical reports discussed in this evaluation because the approved versions of the topical reports are issued containing a copy of the NRC safety evaluation; therefore, the NRC-approved topical report listed in the COLR will contain any conditions specified in the safety evaluation.
3.5 Conclusion The staff concludes that the cycle-specific RCS-related parameters in TSs 2.1.1, 3.3.1, and 3.4.1 are not required to be in the TSs under 10 CFR 50.36, and are not required to obviate the possibility of an abnormal situation or event giving rise to an immediate threat to the public health and safety. Accordingly, they may be relocated from the TSs to the COLR. The NRC staff has reviewed the proposed TS revisions, and finds them to be in conformance with WCAP-14483-A, and, therefore, acceptable. Based on this and the above evaluation, the NRC staff concludes that the proposed amendment is acceptable. In addition, the proposed changes to TSs 2.1.1, 3.3.1, and 3.4.1 are generally consistent with TSTF-339, Revision 2.
4.0 STATE CONSULTATION
In accordance with the Commissions regulations, the South Carolina State official was notified of the proposed issuance of the amendments. The State official had no comments.
5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATION
The amendments change requirements with respect to installation or use of a facility component located within the restricted area as defined in 10 CFR Part 20 and changes surveillance requirements. The NRC staff has determined that the amendments involve no significant increase in the amounts and no significant change in the types of any effluents that may be released offsite and that there is no significant increase in individual or cumulative occupational radiation exposure. The Commission has previously issued a proposed finding that the amendments involve no significant hazards consideration, and there has been no public comment on such finding (68 FR 65090). Accordingly, the amendments meet the eligibility criteria for categorical exclusion set forth in 10 CFR 51.22(c)(9). Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.22(b), no environmental impact statement or environmental assessment need be prepared in connection with the issuance of the amendments.
6.0 CONCLUSION
The Commission has concluded, based on the considerations discussed above, that: (1) there is reasonable assurance that the health and safety of the public will not be endangered by operation in the proposed manner, (2) such activities will be conducted in compliance with the Commissions regulations, and (3) the issuance of the amendments will not be inimical to the common defense and security or to the health and safety of the public.
7.0 REFERENCES
- 1. Letter, T. H. Essig, NRC, to A. Drake, Westinghouse Owners Group, Acceptance for Referencing of Licensing Topical Report WCAP-14483, Generic Methodology for Expanded Core Operating Limits Report, dated January 19, 1999. (ADAMS ML020430092)
- 2. Letter, J. Donohew, NRC, to O. Maynard, Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation, transmitting Amendment No. 144 for the Wolf Creek Generating Station, dated March 28, 2002. ADAMS ML020180190.
Principal Contributors: R. Martin W. Lyon K. Kavanagh Date: December 19, 2003
Catawba Nuclear Station cc:
Lee Keller North Carolina Electric Membership Regulatory Compliance Manager Corporation Duke Energy Corporation P. O. Box 27306 4800 Concord Road Raleigh, North Carolina 27611 York, South Carolina 29745 Senior Resident Inspector Ms. Lisa F. Vaughn U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Duke Energy Corporation 4830 Concord Road Mail Code - PB05E York, South Carolina 29745 422 South Church Street P.O. Box 1244 Henry Porter, Assistant Director Charlotte, North Carolina 28201-1244 Division of Waste Management Bureau of Land and Waste Management Anne Cottingham, Esquire Department of Health and Environmental Winston and Strawn Control 1400 L Street, NW 2600 Bull Street Washington, DC 20005 Columbia, South Carolina 29201-1708 North Carolina Municipal Power Mr. Michael T. Cash Agency Number 1 Manager - Nuclear Regulatory 1427 Meadowwood Boulevard Licensing P. O. Box 29513 Duke Energy Corporation Raleigh, North Carolina 27626 526 South Church Street Charlotte, North Carolina 28201-1006 County Manager of York County York County Courthouse Saluda River Electric York, South Carolina 29745 P. O. Box 929 Laurens, South Carolina 29360 Piedmont Municipal Power Agency 121 Village Drive Mr. Peter R. Harden, IV Greer, South Carolina 29651 VP-Customer Relations and Sales Westinghouse Electric Company Ms. Karen E. Long 6000 Fairview Road Assistant Attorney General 12th Floor North Carolina Department of Justice Charlotte, North Carolina 28210 P. O. Box 629 Raleigh, North Carolina 27602 Mary Olson Director of the Southeast Office NCEM REP Program Manager Nuclear Information and Resource Service 4713 Mail Service Center 729 Haywood Road, 1-A Raleigh, NC 27699-4713 P. O. Box 7586 Asheville, N. C. 28802
Catawba Nuclear Station cc:
Mr. T. Richard Puryear Owners Group (NCEMC)
Duke Energy Corporation 4800 Concord Road York, South Carolina 29745 Richard M. Fry, Director Division of Radiation Protection North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources 3825 Barrett Drive Raleigh, North Carolina 27609-7721 Mary Olson Director of the Southeast Office Nuclear Information and Resource Service 729 Haywood Road, 1-A P.O. Box 7586 Asheville, North Carolina 28802