LR-N11-0035, Refueling Outage R16 Steam Dryer Inspection Results

Refueling Outage R16 Steam Dryer Inspection Results

ML110400116
Person / Time
Site:	Hope Creek
Issue date:	02/01/2011
From:	Jamila Perry Public Service Enterprise Group
To:	Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
LR-N11-0035
Download: ML110400116 (5)

Text

PSEG P.O. Box 236, Hancocks Bridge, NJ 08038-0236 0 PSEG NuclearLLC FOL Condition 2.C.(22)5 FEB 0 1 2011 FOL Condition 2.C.(22)6 LR-N11-0035 U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ATTN: Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555-0001 Hope Creek Generating Station Facility Operating License No. NPF-57 NRC Docket No. 50-354

Subject:

Refueling Outage R16 Steam Dryer Inspection Results This letter provides information in accordance with Hope Creek Generating Station Facility Operating License (FOL) Conditions 2.C.(22)5 and 2.C.(22)6.

Refueling outage R16 (Fall 2011) was the second scheduled refueling outage after reaching full extended power uprate (EPU) conditions. During R16, a visual inspection was conducted of all accessible, susceptible locations of the steam dryer in accordance with BWRVIP-139 inspection guidelines.

The attached report provides a summary of the inspection results. The indications identified during the inspection have been entered into the PSEG Nuclear Corrective Action Program.

The inspection identified no damage that would adversely affect the steam dryer's structural integrity and no damage resulting from EPU. The detailed results are available for inspection.

With transmittal of this letter, the actions required by the FOL Conditions cited above are complete. There are no new regulatory commitments contained in this submittal.

Should you have any questions regarding this submittal, please contact Mr. Paul Duke at 856-339-1466.

Sincerely,

/John F. Perry Site Vice President - Hope Creek LAp

LR-N 11-0035 Page 2 Attachment

1. Steam Dryer Inspection Results cc: W. Dean, Regional Administrator - NRC Region I R. Ennis, Project Manager - USNRC NRC Senior Resident Inspector - Hope Creek P. Mulligan, Manager IV, NJBNE L. Marabella, Corporate Commitment Tracking Coordinator P. Duca, Hope Creek Commitment Tracking Coordinator LR-N11-0035

.Hope Creek Generating Station Facility Operating License No. NPF-57 NRC Docket No. 50-354 Steam Dryer Inspection Results

Steam Dryer Inspection Results from the Second Refueling Outage Following Implementation Of Extended Power Uprate General Steam Dryer Inspection Results A visual inspection was conducted during refueling outage RF16 (October 2010) of all accessible, susceptible locations of the Hope Creek steam dryer in accordance with Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) Technical Report 1018794, "BWR Vessel and Internals Project, Steam Dryer Inspection and Flaw Evaluation Guidelines" (BWRVIP-139-A). The re-baseline inspection included the exterior of outer and inner bank hoods, end plates, cover plates, tie bars, drain channels, support ring, and lifting rods; over 200 locations were inspected. This was the second refueling outage following full implementation of extended power uprate (EPU) and the second re-baseline inspection following full EPU implementation.

The plant had operated over seven months at full EPU conditions prior to the first re-baseline inspection and over an additional 17 months prior to the second re-baseline inspection. Both inspections identified no damage that would adversely affect the steam dryer's structural integrity and identified no damage resulting from EPU.

Prior Steam Dryer Indications Prior to RF1 6, ten (10) steam dryer indications were identified as a result of inspections. Nine (9) indications were evaluated as acceptable for continued operation. Eight (8) indications had no discernable changes observed during the RF16 inspection. One (1) indication was not inspected in RF16 because it is'not a required BWRVIP-1 39A inspection location (per BWRVIP-1 39A, section 5.3.3.3).

One of the prior identified indications required corrective action. A lifting rod bracket was found severed and the bracket was removed in April 2003.

Newly Identified Indication from the RF16 Inspection One new indication was found during the RF16 steam dryer inspection. All other locations were inspected and no reportable indications were found. The new indication was evaluated and determined to be acceptable for continued operation.

This will be inspected again during the next refueling outage.

The new indication was found on a tack weld on the 320 degree lifting rod. Small cracks were found at both ends of the tack weld in the heat affected zone. Based on location and industry experience, the cracks are most likely caused by inter-granular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC). This indication is similar to a previously found indication on the 140 degree lifting rod. An evaluation was prepared to justify continued operation and it concluded that the indication can be left as is. Since the

other tack weld on this lifting rod is intact, the anti-rotational function is maintained.

Even with the potential for these cracks to propagate inward 1/8 inch over a small area, there is insignificant impact to the 3-inch diameter rod's lifting or holddown function. The propagation of the crack was most likely caused by IGSCC and not by EPU operation. The lifting rod was not impacted by EPU operation.

Conclusion A complete re-baseline inspection of the Hope Creek steam dryer was performed during refueling outage RF1 6. The re-baseline included all portions of the steam dryer specified in BWRVI P-1 39-A inspection guidelines for the Hope Creek curved hood design. This was the second re-baseline inspection of the steam dryer following full implementation of EPU. The RF16 inspections did not find any impact to the Hope Creek steam dryer structural integrity due to EPU operations. The previously identified indications "and the newly identified indication ere evaluated and none challenge the structural integrity or function of the steam dryer. This inspection completes the steam dryer inspections required by the Hope Creek's Operating License following implementation of EPU.