SALEM
SALEM STUDY SYSTEM
Systems > Refueling

Refueling

⚠️ DRAFT

Refueling

Function

Covers refueling operations including fuel movement, cavity flooding, and mode transitions for refueling.

Fuel Handling Crane Interlocks

Exam — 2020 Q23
2R32A (Fuel Handling Crane area radiation monitor) alarm/failure to alarm setpoint: ONLY crane hoist-up operation is prevented. Lowering is still allowed to return the assembly to the spent fuel location for increased water shielding. No BYP INT pushbutton exists. Crane trolley operation is NOT affected. 2R5 and 2R9 (FHB area rad monitors) swap FHB exhaust to HEPA plus Charcoal but do NOT interlock the crane.
Exam — 2022 Q62
Overload Cutoff prevents crane travel with loads in excess of 2200 pounds over the fuel assemblies. Slack Cable interlock only prevents downward motion of the hoist.
Exam — 2020 Q82
Fuel handling incident during core reload (containment): per AB.FUEL-0001, a fuel assembly in the mast tube approaching the core is placed into the core in its designated location or the emergency location P-10, whichever is closer. Emergency safe locations differ by building: P-10 = containment, X-3 = Fuel Handling Building.

MODE 6 Entry Requirements

Exam — 2020 Q94
Per IOP-7, before de-tensioning the first Rx Head Stud (entering MODE 6):
• Two source range neutron detectors OPERABLE (NIS source range or Gamma-Metrics) — TS 3.9.2.2
• Unborated water source isolation valves verified secured closed — TS 3.9.2.1 (completion of S2.OP-ST.ZZ-0007(Q))
168 hours subcritical (TS 3.9.3) and continuous CR-refuel-floor communications are NOT required for de-tensioning — the former applies to irradiated fuel movement, the latter to core alterations.
Exam — 2018 Q34
Fuel Transfer Cart interlocks: two conditions must be met for cart movement — upender must be in the horizontal position AND the Fuel Transfer Tube Gate Valve must indicate open (via the open limit switch). With a failed limit switch (no open indication), the cart can be moved MANUALLY ONLY (not electrically). The Fuel Transfer Tube Gate Valve can NOT be fully closed with the cart in the Fuel Handling Building — the cart must be inside containment. Administrative verification that the gate valve is open does NOT satisfy the electrical interlock. If the limit switch fails, the electrical interlock prevents electrical cart movement even though the valve is physically open.
Exam — 2019 Q68
Canal gate valve mechanical interlock: the valve can ONLY be FULLY closed when the fuel transfer cart is inside containment. Per AB.FUEL-0001, the canal gate valve will be closed during any fuel handling incident. The interlock requires the cart to be inside containment — not in the Fuel Handling Building — for the valve to fully close.

Connections