ML20137K406

Application for Amend to License R-67,changing Tech Specs to Allow Uninterrupted Continuation of Thermionic (Direct Conversion Device) Experiment in Progress.Fee Paid

ML20137K406
Person / Time
Site:	General Atomics
Issue date:	11/26/1985
From:	Asmussen K GENERAL ATOMICS (FORMERLY GA TECHNOLOGIES, INC./GENER
To:	Harold Denton Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
67-8044, NUDOCS 8512030181
Download: ML20137K406 (2)

Text

l i

GATechnologies In Reply G A Technologies Inc.

Refer To: 67-8044

$N oIco.SuroRNIA 92138 26 November 1985 (619) 455-3000 Mr. Harold Denton Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555

Subject:

Docket 50-163: R-67; Request for Technical Specification Change (19 copies).

Dear Mr. Denton:

GA Technologies Inc. (GA) has need to make a change to the subject reac-tor technical specifications to allow the uninterrupted continuation of a thermionic (direct conversion device) experiment now in progress. Cur-rently, section 10.2.6 item (d) of the subject technical specifications limits the irradiation time for any one direct conversion device to not more than 10,000 hours0 days <br />0 hours <br />0 weeks <br />0 months <br />. We need to extend the irradiation time beyond 10,000 hours0 days <br />0 hours <br />0 weeks <br />0 months <br /> in order to further test the devices under conditions more closely approaching those for which they were designed to perform. There-fore, we hereby request that Section 10.2.6(d) of our subject technical specifications be amended to read:

10.2.6(d). The irradiation time for any one device shall not exceed 20,000 hours0 days <br />0 hours <br />0 weeks <br />0 months <br />.

The justification for amending the subject technical specifications to ex-tend the allowable irradiation time for direct conversion devices from 10,000 to 20,000 hours0 days <br />0 hours <br />0 weeks <br />0 months <br /> is the following:

1. Each thermionic device being tested meets all the specifications set forth in Sections 10.2.6(b) and (c). Further, all the reactor and facility specifications set forth in Sections 10.2.6(e) through (h) shall be met.

2. All modes of failure are very unlikely as attested by the GA exper-ience in the successful operation of many similar devices for well over ten thousand hours. Each device will be monitored as set forth in the Technical Specifications.

3. The major hazard from the fission product inventory involves the shorter half lives. The increase in their inventory is insignif-icant for irradiation times increased from 10,000 to 20,000 hours0 days <br />0 hours <br />0 weeks <br />0 months <br />.

. d G512030181 851i26 h PDH

' ADOCK 00000167 "un [$

,Nf0

\

j w%P g9 d\

10955 JOHN JAY HOPKINS OR . SAN Dd:GO CAUFORNI A 9.112 t

o .. .

Harold R. Denton 67-8044 4 Historically, GA's Mark III TRIGA reactor (R-100 License) was lic-ensed to allow individual thermionic device irradiation times of up to 20,000 hours0 days <br />0 hours <br />0 weeks <br />0 months <br /> and the simultaneous testing of as many as 15 de-vices.

GA concludes that there is no increase in the likelihood or consequences of hazards involved with the requested Technical Specification amendment.

Enclosed is a check for $150 to cover the administrative fee.

We look forward to receiving the requested Technical Specification amend-ment at your earliest convenience. Should you have any questions regard-ing this matter, please contact me at (619) 455-2823.

Very truly yours, ed#w Keith E. Asmussen Licensing Administrator KEA:he

Enclosure:

Check for $150.

cc: Dr. Cecil 0. Thomas, NRC Headquarters.

R. E. Carter, NRC Headquarters.

, - e