Text

NRC Bulletin 2003-02 Reactor Pressure Vessel Lower Head Penetrations Post Outage Inspection Results
	ML050350140
Person / Time
Site:	Turkey Point
Issue date:	01/27/2005
From:	Jones T; Florida Power & Light Co
To:	; Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
	BL-03-002, L-2005-014
	Download: ML050350140 (3)
	v • d • e

JAN 2 7 2005 FPL L-2005-014 10 CFR 50.4 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Attn: Document Control Desk Washington, D. C. 20555 Re: Turkey Point Unit 3 Docket No. 50-250 NRC Bulletin 2003-02 Reactor Pressure Vessel Lower Head Penetrations Post Outage Inspection Results On August 21, 2003, the NRC issued Bulletin 2003-02 requesting information on the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) lower head penetration inspection program, including plans for future inspections. NRC Bulletin 2003-02 also requested that within 60 days of plant restart following the next inspection of RPV lower head penetrations, the licensee submit a summary of the inspection performed. Florida Power and Light Company (FPL) hereby submits the RPV lower head penetration inspection results for Turkey Point Unit 3 (PTN-3) for the October 2004 refueling outage (PTN-3-CYC21).

The requested information is provided in the attachment to this letter. Please contact Walter Parker at (305) 246-6632 if there are any questions.

Very truly yours, Terry 0. Jones Vice President Turkey Point Nuclear Plant RLE Attachment cc: Regional Administrator, Region U, USNRC Senior Resident Inspector, USNRC, Turkey Point Plant p*cAni an FPL Group company

L-2005-014 Attachment 1 Page 1 of 2 NRC BULLETIN 2003-02: REACTOR PRESSURE VESSEL LOWER HEAD PENETRATIONS POST OUTAGE INSPECTION RESULTS FOR TURKEY POINT UNIT 3 On August 21, 2003, the NRC issued Bulletin 2003-02 ' requesting information on the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) lower head penetration inspection program, including plans for future inspections. NRC Bulletin 2003-02 also requested that within 60 days of plant restart following the next inspection of RPV lower head penetrations, the licensee submit a summary of the inspection performed. Florida Power and Light Company (FPL) hereby submits the RPV lower head penetration inspection results for Turkey Point Unit 3 (PTN-3) for the October 2004 refueling outage (PTN-3-CYC21).

Turkey Point Unit 3 October 2004 (PTN-3-CYC21) Post Outage Reactor Vessel Lower Head Inspection Results:

NRC Bulletin 2003-02 Request 2: Within 60 days of plant restartfollowing the next inspection of the RPV lower head penetrations, the subject PWR addressees should submit to the NRC a summary of the inspections performed, the extent of the inspections, the methods used, a description of the as-found condition of the lower head, any findings of relevant indications of throughwall leakage, and a sumtnmary of the disposition of anyfindings of boric acid deposits and any corrective actions taken as a result of indicationsfound.

FPL Response to NRC Request 2: The following provides a summary and the details of the Turkey Point Unit 3 RPV lower head penetration inspection performed during the PTN CYC21 refueling outage (RFO).

1. Examination Scope and Extent: An ultrasonic examination (UT) was performed on each of the 50 RPV lower head penetrations (referred to as bottom mounted instruments (BMI)). The examination included the volume of nozzle base material extending from a plane at least 2 inches below the lowest point of the weld root, to a plane at least 2 inches above the highest point of the weld toe, consistent with the NRC order for examination of CRDM nozzles. This examination volume was as identified in the FPL revised response to NRC Bulletin 2003-02.i

2. Methods Used: The UT examinations of the 50 BMI penetrations were performed by Framatome ANP, utilizing a rotating probe assembly containing two elements in a pitch/catch configuration. The UT examination method used the time of flight diffraction (TOFD) technique. The single probe assembly provided both axial and circumferential beam directions in the nozzle material. The vendor procedure used for the examinations has been demonstrated using the MRP (EPRI Material Reliability Program) protocol for demonstration of BMI ultrasonic examination procedures. All of the data analysis personnel were also involved in the data analysis for the procedure demonstration. The UT technique is demonstrated effective for detection and sizing of cracking in the nozzle wall.

_w L-2005-014 Attachment 1 Page 2 of 2

3. Description of the As-Found Condition of the LowerlHead: A boric acid walkdown inspection of the reactor cavity and underside of the reactor vessel, with the insulation in place, did not reveal any evidence of nozzle leakage. As identified in the revised response to Bulletin 2003-02, 'l the UT examination was performed in lieu of a bare metal visual examination due to the high dose associated with the bare metal visual inspection performed in the fall of 2003 at Turkey Point Unit 4.

4. Relevant indications of through wall leakage or crack like flaws in the nozzles: There were no crack-like indications identified in the RPV lower head nozzles.

5. Summary of the disposition of any findings of boric acid deposits: There was no evidence of boric acid leakage based on the boric acid walk down. The UT examination results indicated that there were no service induced degradation or crack-like indications that would lead to pressure boundary leakage from any of the 50 BMI nozzles.

6. Corrective Actions: No corrective actions were required.

7. Conclusion and Summary: The 50 Turkey Point Unit 3 RPV lower head penetrations were examined by the ultrasonic method, without limitation, to a volume that met or exceeded the committed examination volume. No service induced degradation or crack like indications were identified in the 50 penetrations. A boric acid walk down inspection of the cavity and underside of the reactor vessel, with the insulation in place, did not reveal any evidence of nozzle leakage.

Based on the UT results and boric acid walk down, FPL concluded that the 50 RPV Turkey Point Unit 3 lower head penetrations are not degraded and there are no concerns with their structural integrity. The implementation of the 100% UT examination of the RPV lower head nozzles satisfies the commitment documented in the FPL revised response to NRC Bulletin 2003-02 i for the Turkey Point Unit 3 October 2004 RFO.

'US NRC Bulletin 2003-02 (ADAMS Accession No. ML032320153), "Leakage from Reactor Pressure Vessel Lower Head Penetrations and Reactor Coolant Pressure Boundary Integrity Reactors," from Bruce A. Boger (NRC) to all Pressurized Water Reactor Licensees, August 21, 2003.

i FPL letter L-2004-144, "Florida Power and Light Company, Turkey Point Units 3 and 4, Docket Nos. 50-250 and 50-251, Revised Response to NRC Bulletin 2003-02, Leakage From Reactor Pressure Vessel Lower Head Penetrations and Reactor Coolant Pressure Boundary Integrity," J. A. Stall to NRC, July 27, 2004.