ML20154H846

Application for Amend to License NPF-68,allowing Operation W/Slightly Positive Moderator Temp Coefficient Below 100% Power.Fee Paid

ML20154H846
Person / Time
Site:	Vogtle
Issue date:	05/19/1988
From:	Mcdonald R GEORGIA POWER CO.
To:	NRC OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATION & RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (ARM)
Shared Package
ML20154H849	List: ML20154H846 ML20154H857 ML20154H874
References
SL-4682, NUDOCS 8805260086
Download: ML20154H846 (4)

Text

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Gemg a Ptmer Cemcany 333 P<edmont Ave- A Aparts, Georg a 30208 Teephone 404 526 6526 Maeg Aatess Post OM c0 BOY 4546 AN.m Georg:a 303C2 R. P. Mcdonald tre southem eK1r c system Esecutae V,ce Pres dent Octear Ocerabons SL-4682 0934m X7GJ17-V600 May 19, 1988 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ATTN: Document Control Desk Hashington, D.C. 20555 PLANT V0GTLE - UNIT 1 NRC DOCKET 50-424 OPERATING LICENSE NPF-68 REOUEST TO REVISE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Gentlemen:

In accordance with the provisions of 10 CFR 50.90 as required by 10 CFR 50.59(c)(1), Georgia Power Company (GPC) hereby proposes to amend the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant Unit 1 Technical Specifications, Appendix A to Operating License NPF-68.

It is GPC's objective to operate Plant Vogtle in the safest and most efficient manner possible. To achieve this objective, we are requesting Technical Specification changes to support more efficient fuel cycles.

The requested changes fall into two categories: (1) positive moaerator temperature coefficient (MTC); and (2) a chhnge in shutdown margin requirements.

1 The first proposed change allows operation with a slightly positive MTC below 1001. power. The current HTC Technical Specification requires a non-positive value at all power levels. The primary benefit of a positive MTC is the reduced burnable poison rods required to control peaking during the early portion of each cycle. A resultant benefit of l the reduced burnable poison rods is the capability for longer fuel l cycles. This is particularly important to GPC since the second operating l cycle for Vogtle Unit I will be an 18 month cycle. Additionally, the reduced number of burnable poison rods will reduce handling requirements and the resultant problems associated with~,torage s and disposal of spent burnable poison rods, pooI ii w } check fly 503 8805260086 880519 PDR ADOCK 05000424 M

P DCD r

I Georgia Power d U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission May 19,1988 Page Two The second category of changes concerns revisions to shutdown margin l requirements as specified in Sections 3.1 and 3.5 of the Technical l Sputrications. Increases are proposed for the refueling water storage tank (RHST) and accumulator boron concentrations. The present limits are between 2000 and 2100 ppm for the RHST and between 1900 and 2100 pm for the accumulators. The proposed limits are between 2400 and 2600 ppm for the RHST and between 1900 and 2600 ppm for the accumulators. As a result of planned core designs utilizing positive HTC and 18 month core loadir.g ,

patterns, the increased boron concentration is necessary to assure subcriticality requirements would be met following a postulated LOCA.

l Also proposed is an increase in the minimum RHST water volume requirement for Modes 5 and 6. Additional changes are proposed to the shutdown margin curves for Modes 3, 4, and 5, and the high flux at shutdown alarm i setpoint. These changes are necessary to meet subcriticality requirements for boron dilution events. l Hestinghouse has performed the necessary accident and transient evaluations and analyses to ensure that the results remain within all  ;

applicable design and safety criteria. The Hestinghouse analysis, which  !

is provided as Enclosure 1 to this letter, provides detailed descriptions of the proposed changes and their bases, and shows that toe applicable design and safety criteria are met. l l

The effect of less negative HTCs on anticipated transient without scram (ATHS) mitigation is currently being evaluated by the Westinghouse Owners Group (H0G) in response to an NRC staff request. The H0G program was described in letter OG-88-08, dated March 4, 1988. GPC is a participant in the Owners Group effort and will take appropriate action to resolve any plant-specific issues which may arise.

Enclosure 2 details the basis for our determination that the proposed Technical Specification changes do not involve significant hazards considerations.

Enclosure 3 provides instructions for incorporation of the proposed amendment into the Technical Specifications. The proposed revised pages follow Enclosure 3.

In accordance with 10 CFR 170.12, a check in payment of the $150.00 license amendment filing fee is enclosed.

Georgia Power d U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission l May 19, 1988 l

Page Three i GPC requests approval of the proposti amendment by September 15, ,

1988. Future cycle designs, including Unit 1, Cycle 2, are dependent I upon approval of the requested changes. If approval is not granted by September 15, 1988, the necessary action to redesign the core and secure the required burnable poison rods to meet the current Technical Specifications could become a critical path acti/ity which could delay the scheduled restart of Unit 1. The Unit 1, end of Cycle 1 shutdown date is currently scheduled for September 19, 1988. In order to allow for orderly implementation of the changes during the refueling outage, we request that the amendment be issued with an allwable implementation period of 60 days following the date of issuance.

In accordance with 10 CFR 50.91, Mr. J. L. Ledbetter of the Environmental Protection Division of the Georgia Department of Natural  !

Resources will be sent a copy c? this letter and all applicable  !

enclosures.

Mr. R. P. Mcdonald states that he is Executive Vice President of Georgia Power Company and is authorized to execute this oath on behalf of Georgia Power Company, and that to the best of his knowledge and belief, the facts set forth in this letter and enclosures are true.

GEORGIA' OWER COMPANY l

By: _ b#

R. P. Mcdonald (

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 19th day of May, 1988.

o -

(((u u . N Oil Notary Public JH/lm Notary PutA Fuhm_ g

Enclosures:

1. Positive Moderator Temperature Coefficient and RHST/ Accumulator Boron Concentration Increase Licensing Report for VEGP Units 1 and 2.

2. 10 CFR 50.92 Evaluation

3. Instructions for Incorporation

4. Check for filing fee c: (see next page)

l Georgia Power d U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission May 19, 1988 Page Four l

c: Georaia Power Comoany

{

Mr. P. D. Rice l Mr. G. Bockhold, Jr.

GO-NORMS l

U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Dr. J. N. Grace, Regional Administrator Mr. J. B. Hopkins, Licensing Project Manager, NRR (2 copies)

Mr. J. F. Rogge, Senior Resident Inspector-0perations, Vogtle l

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