Exemption Granting Licensee 880219 Proposed Partial Exemption from 10CFR50,App J,Paragraph III.A.3 to Allow Use of Mass Point Method for Leak Rate Calculations W/Condition of 24 H Min Test Duration Until App ModifiedML20151Y148 |
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Site: |
Oyster Creek |
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Issue date: |
04/18/1988 |
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From: |
Varga S Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
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To: |
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References |
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NUDOCS 8805040362 |
Download: ML20151Y148 (5) |
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Category:GRANTS OF EXEMPTION FROM & EXTENSION TO NRC REQUIREME
MONTHYEARML20151Y1481988-04-18018 April 1988 Exemption Granting Licensee 880219 Proposed Partial Exemption from 10CFR50,App J,Paragraph III.A.3 to Allow Use of Mass Point Method for Leak Rate Calculations W/Condition of 24 H Min Test Duration Until App Modified 1988-04-18
[Table view] Category:LEGAL TRANSCRIPTS & ORDERS & PLEADINGS
MONTHYEARML20198A5111998-12-11011 December 1998 Comment Opposing Proposed Rule 10CFR50.65 Re Requirements for Monitoring Effectiveness of Maintenance at Nuclear Power Plants.Proposed Rulemaking Details Collaborative Efforts in That Rule Interjects Change ML20148R7581997-06-30030 June 1997 Comment on NRC Proposed Bulletin 96-001,suppl 1, Control Rod Insertion Problems. Licensee References Proposed Generic Communication, Control Rod Insertion, & Ltrs & 961022 from B&W Owners Group DD-97-14, Director'S Decision DD-97-14 Re Petitioner Request That NRC Direct Licensee to Shut Down Plant During Upcoming Planned Transfer of Fuel from Wet to Dry Storage.Petition Dismissed as Premature for Listed Reason1997-06-16016 June 1997 Director'S Decision DD-97-14 Re Petitioner Request That NRC Direct Licensee to Shut Down Plant During Upcoming Planned Transfer of Fuel from Wet to Dry Storage.Petition Dismissed as Premature for Listed Reason ML20136F3061997-03-12012 March 1997 Order.* Informs That Time within Which Commission May Take Sua Sponte Review of Memorandum & Order LBP-97-01 Extended to 970326.W/Certificate of Svc.Served on 970312 ML20134K5631997-01-31031 January 1997 Memorandum & order,LBP-97-01 (Ruling on Summary of Disposition Motion).* Gpun 961115 Motion for Summary Disposition Granted.W/Certificate of Svc.Served on 970131 ML20133E3601997-01-0303 January 1997 Memorandum (Oral Argument on Dispositive Motion).* Advises Parties That Board Will Not Hold Oral Argument Re Gpun Motion.W/Certificate of Svc.Served on 970103 ML20133E3641996-12-20020 December 1996 Licensee Reply to Petitioner Opposition to Motion for Summary Disposition.* Petitioner Response Raises No Legal Restrictions to Changing Ts.Petitioner Contention Should Be Dismissed & Licensee Motion Granted.W/Certificate of Svc ML20132F7711996-12-16016 December 1996 Affidavit of RB Eaton in Support of NRC Staff Response in Support of Licensee Motion for Summary Disposition ML20135F4411996-12-0606 December 1996 Petitioner Opposition to Gpun Motion for Summary Disposition.* Petitioners Argue That Gpun Seeks Amend to Permit Onsite Storage of Irradiated Fuel,Not Offsite Shipment.Motion Should Be Denied.W/Certificate of Svc ML20135F4681996-12-0606 December 1996 NRC Staff Response in Support of Licensee Motion for Summary Disposition.* Confirms That Intervenors Contentions Do Not Raise Any Issue of Law or Fact & Licensee Entitled to Summary Deposition as Matter of Law ML20135F5211996-12-0606 December 1996 Affidavit of H Walker in Support of NRC Staff Response in Support of Licensee Motion for Summary Disposition.* W/Certificate of Svc ML20134L5671996-11-15015 November 1996 Licensee Motion for Summary Disposition.* Petitioner Contention Should Be Dismissed ML20134L5791996-11-15015 November 1996 Licensee Statement of Matls Facts as to Which No Genuine Dispute.* Submits Listed Concise Statement of Matl Facts ML20134L5851996-11-15015 November 1996 Affidavit of Jc Fornicola.* Supports Licensee Motion for Summary Disposition in Proceeding ML20134L5361996-11-14014 November 1996 Notice of Hearing (Application to Approve TS Change).* Informs of 961107 Finding That Proposed TS Change Involves No Significant Hazards Consideration & License Amend Issued.Certificate of Svc Encl.Served on 961114 ML20129K2681996-11-0808 November 1996 Order (Corrections to LBP-96-23).* Changes Listed.W/ Certificate of Svc.Served on 961108 ML20129J5881996-10-25025 October 1996 Memorandum & Order (Ruling on Intervention Petition).* NRC Denies Citizens Awareness Network & Oyster Creek Nuclear Watch Request & Petition to Intervene Seeking to Challenge Proposed TS Change.W/Certificate of Svc.Served on 961025 ML20117N8161996-09-0909 September 1996 Petition Status Rept to GP Bollwerk,P Lam & C Kelber Re Gpun .* Petitioners Cannot Accept as Acceptable Settlement in Lieu of Decision by ASLB Re 960807 Prehearing.W/Certificate of Svc ML20116N6321996-08-15015 August 1996 Petitioners Communication to GP Bollwerk,P Lam & C Kelber Re Settlement W/Gpun.* Petitioners Request Board Decision on Standing & Merit of Contention.W/Certificate of Svc ML20129A9551996-08-0707 August 1996 Applicant Exhibit A-1,consisting of Figure 1 Re Cask Drop Protection Sys Top Plate ML20129A9601996-08-0707 August 1996 Applicant Exhibit A-2,consisting of Figure 2 Re Cask Drop Protection Sys (Showing Steel Guide Cylinder & Dashpot) ML20129A9771996-08-0707 August 1996 Applicant Exhibit A-3,consisting of Drawing 2118-1013 ML20129B0091996-08-0707 August 1996 Intervenor Exhibit I-NIRS-1,consisting of Comments Before ASLB Prehearing Conference on Behalf of Petitioners Nirs, Ocnw & Can.Sumitted by Petitioner ML20129A9881996-08-0707 August 1996 Applicant Exhibit A-5,consisting of Diagram ML20129A9821996-08-0707 August 1996 Applicant Exhibit A-4,consisting of Diagram ML20116G7101996-07-29029 July 1996 Gpun Answer to Supplemental Petition of Nuclear Info & Resource Svc,Oyster Creek Nuclear Watch & Citizens Awareness Network.* Gpun Opposes Petition.W/Certificate of Svc ML20116A9101996-07-18018 July 1996 Petitioners Reply to NRC Staff & Gpun Answer Opposing Request for Hearing & Petition for Intervention of Nuclear Info & Resource Svc,Oyster Creek Nuclear Watch & Citizens Awareness Network.* W/Certificate of Svc ML20116A9211996-07-18018 July 1996 Supplemental Petition of Nuclear Info & Resources Svc,Oyster Creek Nuclear Watch & Citizens Awareness Network.* Petitioners Assert That NUREG-0612 Can Be Relied on to Support Allegations.W/Certificate of Svc ML20115B9891996-07-0202 July 1996 Motion for Leave to Reply.* Petitioners Can Be Prepared to Submit Reply by 960712.W/Certificate of Svc ML20113D3121996-06-28028 June 1996 Notice of Appearance for Nuclear Info & Resource Svc.* Notifies That P Gunter Will Appear on Behalf of Members of Nuclear Info & Resource Svc Including Member W Decamp. W/Certificate of Svc ML20115B9581996-06-28028 June 1996 Notice of Appearance for Plant.* Informs W Decamp Will Enter Appearance in Proceeding Re License Amend for Movement of Heavy Loads.W/Certificate of Svc ML20114E6431996-06-21021 June 1996 Gpun Answer Opposing Request for Hearing & Petition for Intervention of Nuclear Info & Resource Svc,Oyster Creek Nuclear Watch & Citizens Awareness Network.W/Certificate of Svc.Served on 960624 ML20113D1611996-06-10010 June 1996 Notice of Appearance for Citizen Awareness Network.* Informs That Katz Will Appear on Behalf of Members of Citizens Awareness Network Including Streeter ML20112J9541996-06-0707 June 1996 Affidavit.* Affidavit of M Szczech Re Request by Gpu to Continue Active Operation of Facility While Heavy Load Fuel Rods Are Being Removed,On Health,Safety & Properties of Residents of Ocean Township ML20112J8151996-06-0606 June 1996 Nirs,Oyster Creek Nuclear Watch & Citizens Awareness Network Request for Hearing & Petition to Intervene on Gpu Nuclear License Amend Request for Plant.* ML20112J8651996-06-0505 June 1996 Affidavit.* Affidavit of D Katz Re Effects of Experimental Transfer of Fuel at Plant While Reactor Operational Into Dry Cask Storage ML20112J8441996-06-0505 June 1996 Affidavit.* Affidavit of W Decamp Re License Amend for Movement of Heavy Loads Over Fuel Pool ML20112J9771996-06-0505 June 1996 Affidavit.* Affidavit of SR Schmidt Re License Amend for Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station Movement of Heavy Loads ML20112J9861996-06-0505 June 1996 Affidavit.* Affidavit of J Burnett Re License Amend for Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station Movement of Heavy Loads ML20087B3151995-06-28028 June 1995 Comment on Proposed Generic Communication Re Testing of safety-related Logic Ciruits.Five Areas of Concern,Including Tracking of Contact testing,non-technical Specs Required Sys & Define Sys to Be Reviewed,Listed for Review ML20084H9251995-06-0202 June 1995 Comment Opposing Proposed Change in State Cooperative Agreements Program Concerning NRC Intention to Reduce Scope of Work.Believes That NRC Should Maintain Environ Monitoring Program & Find Other Ways to Reduce Duplicative Svcs ML20078H0431995-02-0101 February 1995 Comment Opposing Proposed Rule 10CFR50 Re Shutdown & Lowpower Operations for Nuclear Reactors ML20078A0281995-01-12012 January 1995 Comment Requesting Extension to Comment Period on Proposed Amend by Util to Change TS to Allow Use of Addl 45 Existing Existing Spent Fuel Storage Locations in Spent Fuel Pool ML20071L2561994-07-12012 July 1994 Comment Opposing Proposed Rule 10CFR26 Re Random Drug Testing for Employees Working at NPP ML20059H2161993-11-0909 November 1993 Order Directing Licensee to Pay Civil Penalty in Amount of $25,000 within 30 Days of Date of Order ML20096A0841992-04-29029 April 1992 Comment Supporting BWROG Comments on Draft NUREG-1449, Shutdown & Low Power Operation at Commercial Nuclear Power Plants in Us ML20066J3031991-01-28028 January 1991 Comment Supporting SECY-90-347, Regulatory Impact Survey Rept ML20248B6381989-07-25025 July 1989 Comment on Proposed Rules 10CFR50,72 & 170, Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel in NRC-Approved Storage Casks at Nuclear Power Reactor Sites. Suggests That Scope of Proposed Rule Be Broadened to Include All Forms of Dry Storage Modules ML20246K4221989-07-0505 July 1989 Comment Opposing Proposed Rule 10CFR50, Acceptance of Products Purchased for Use in Nuclear Power Plant Structures,Sys & Components. Industry on-going Improvement Efforts Should Be Given Opportunity to Resolve Issues ML20246Q2971989-05-15015 May 1989 Comment Opposing Proposed Rule 10CFR50 Re Ensuring Effectiveness of Maint Programs for Nuclear Power Plants 1998-12-11
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\. .* )b$ A M
%)'f' 7590-01 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NUCLEAR RECULATORY COMMISSION In the Matter of q GPU NUCLEAR CORPORATION AND 1 Docket No. 50-219 JERSEY CENTRAL POWER AND LIGHT COMPANY l (OysterCreekNuclearGenerating i Station)
EXEMPTION I.
The CPU Nuclear Corporation and Jersey Central Power A Light Company (the licensee) are the holders of Provisional Operating License No. DPR-16, which authorizes operation of the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station, (the facility) at steady state reactor core power levels not in excess of 1930 megawatts thennal. The license provides, among other things, that Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station is subject to all rules, regulations, and
, Orders of the Commission now or hereafter in effect.
The plant is boiling water reactor (BWR) located at the licensee's site in Ocean County, New Jersey.
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The Code of Federal Regulations, 10 CFR 50.54(o), specifies that primary reactor containments for water-cooled power reactors shall comply with Appendix J, "Primary Reactor Containment Leakage Testing for Water-Cooled Power Reactors." Paragraph III.A.3 of Appendix J incorporates by reference
- the American National Standard ANSI N45.4-1972, "Leakage Wate Testing of (
Containment Structures for Nuclear Peactors." This standard requires *. hat 1
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containment leakage calculations for Containment Integrated Leakage Rate Tests l (CILRTs) be performed using either the point-to-point method or total time -
method.
A more recent standard, ANSI /ANS 56.8-1981, "Containment System Leakage Testing Requiremer ts," which was intended to replace ANSI N45.4-1972, specifies the use of the ness point niethod to the exclusion of the two older nethods.
A proposed revision to Appendix J, which has been published for public concent (53 FR 5985, February P.9.1988) would parmit the use of the mass point niethod provided it is used with a test duration of at least 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br />. Pending approval of the revision to Appendix J, ifcensees who wish to use the mass point technique must submit an application for partial exemption from the requirement that Appendix J test calculations for CILRTs will conform with ANSI N45.4-1972.
III.
By letter dated February 19, 1988, the licensee requested a partial exen:ption from 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix J. Paragraph III.A.3, which requires that all CILRTs be performed in accordance with ANSI N45.4-1972, "Leakage Rate Testing of Containment Structures for Nuclear Reactors." ANSI N45.4-1972 requires that leakage calculations be performed using either the total time method or the point-to-point method. The licensee has stated in support of the application for exemption from Appendix J that the mass point niethod is a more accurate nrethod of calculating containn:ent leakage.
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2 It has been recognized by the professional constnity that the mass point methcd is superior to the two other methods, point-to-point and total tine, which are referenced in ANSI N45.4-1972 and endorsed by the present regulations.
The mass point nethod calculates the air mass at each point in tin;e, and plots it against time. A linear regression line is plotted through the mass-time points using a least square fit. The slope of this line is the leakage rate.
In addition to the nethod of calculation, consideration of the length of the test should also be included in the overall program. In accordance with Section 7.6 of ANSI N45.4-1972, a test duration less than 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> is only allowed if approved by the NRC, and the only currently approved methodology for such a test is contained in Bechtel Topical Report BN-TOP-1, Revision 1, "Testing Criteria for Integrated Leakage Rate Testing of Primary Containnent Structures for Nuclear Power Plants," dated November 1, 1972. This approach only allows use of the total tin:e method. Therefore, the staff will condition the exenption to require a minin:um test duration of 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> when the mass point nethod is used.
The licensee's letter also submitted infomation to identify the special circumstances for granting this exenption for Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station pursuant to 10 CFR 50.12. The purpose of Appendix J to 10 CFR Part 50 is to assure that containment leak-tight integrity can be verified periodically throughout the service lifetin.e so as to maintain containntent leakage rate within the limit specified in the plant technical specifications. The underlying purpose of the rule specifying particular nethods for calculating leakage rates l
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is to assure that accurate and conservative methods are used to assess the 1
results of containnent leakage rate tests. As set forth above, the mass point 1
n.ethod has been a widely used method providing accurate results and the staff has determined that this nethod of calculating leakage rate satisfies the purpose of the rule.
Based on the above discussion, the licensee's proposed partial exemption from paragraph III.A.3 of Appendix J, to allow use of the mass point method as requested in the submittal dated February 10, 1988, is acceptable with the condition of 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br /> minimum test duration, until such provision of .\ppendix J is modified. The exemption applies only to the method of calculating leakage rate by use of the nass point method and not to any other aspects of the tests.
IV.
Accordingly, the Concission has determined that, pursuant to 10 CFR Part 50.1?, this exemption is authorized by law, will not present an undue risk to the public health and safety, and is consistent with the comon defense and j security. The Comission has further detemined that special circumstances, as set forth in 10 CFR 50.12(a)(?)(ii), are present justifying the exemption, nan,ely that the application of the regulation in the particular circumstances l is not necessary to achieve the underlying purpose of the rule. Accordingly, l the Comission hereby grants an exemption as described in Section III above from Paragraph III.A.3 of Appendix J to the extent that the mass point niethod i
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may be used for containment leakage rate calculations, provided it is used with a minimum test duration of 24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br />. The exemption is granted until such provision of Appendix J is modified. The exemption applies only to the method of calculating leakage rate by use of the mass point n.ethod and not any other aspects of the tests.
Pursuant to 10 CFR 51.32, the Commission has determined that the granting of this exemption will have no significant inipact on the environment (53 FR.12617 April 15, 1988). ;
l This exemption is effective upon issuance. l l
F0f THE NUCLfAR GULATORY COPFISSION p [ r A t d d.)\ l
- ven . rga, Dire r Division of Reactor P oj cts-I/II -
Office of Nuclear Reac r Regulation j l
Dated at Rockville, Maryland this April 18,1988
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