ML022940545

Summary of October 2, 2002, Conference Call Regarding Virginia Electric and Power Company'S Proposal to Replace the Reactor Vessel Head

ML022940545
Person / Time
Site:	North Anna
Issue date:	10/21/2002
From:	Stephen Monarque NRC/NRR/DLPM/LPD2
To:	John Nakoski NRC/NRR/DLPM/LPD2
Monarque S, NRR/DLPM, 415-1544
References
Download: ML022940545 (4)

Text

October 21, 2002 MEMORANDUM TO: John A. Nakoski, Chief, Section 1 Project Directorate II Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation FROM: Stephen R. Monarque, Project Manager, Section 1 /RA/

Project Directorate II Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

SUMMARY

OF OCTOBER 2, 2002, CONFERENCE CALL REGARDING VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANYS PROPOSAL TO REPLACE THE REACTOR VESSEL HEAD AT NORTH ANNA POWER STATION, UNIT 2 On October 2, 2002, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff held a telephone conference call with the staff of Virginia Electric and Power Company (VEPCO) and Framatome ANP to discuss the option of replacing the reactor vessel head at North Anna Power Station, Unit 2. The list of conference call participants is attached. This call was conducted as a result of VEPCO identifying recent reactor vessel head degradation while conducting inspections in accordance with NRC Bulletin 2002-02, Reactor Pressure Vessel Head and Vessel Head Penetration Nozzle Inspection Programs.

During the call, the licensee stated that they were exploring the option of replacing the reactor vessel head at North Anna, Unit 2 with a reactor vessel head that was manufactured in France by Framatome ANP. The recent inspections of the currently installed reactor vessel head had caused VEPCO to become concerned about the financial costs of repairing reactor vessel head penetrations. VEPCO indicated there was a reactor vessel head in France that could possibly be used at North Anna, Unit 2. This head was originally constructed to French standards. As such, VEPCO and the staff discussed various methods for reconciling a component designed and fabricated using French standards to the ASME Code, which is used by the NRC. VEPCO explained that it had identified two major technical differences at this time between this proposed replacement reactor vessel head and the reactor vessel head currently installed at North Anna, Unit 2. The Framatome head uses smaller J-groove welds and utilizes a friction weld on the control rod drive mechanism. VEPCO requested to implement Generic Letter 89-09, ASME Section III Component Replacements to support the reactor vessel head replacement. The staff replied that this issue would have to be examined and agreed to conduct another conference call to address the technical aspects of this project. The staff recommended the licensee contact the ASME Code committee for technical assistance in reconciling the French standards to the ASME Code.

Docket No. 50-339

Attachment:

As stated

October 21, 2002 MEMORANDUM TO: John A. Nakoski, Chief, Section 1 Project Directorate II Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation FROM: Stephen R. Monarque, Project Manager, Section 1 /RA/

Project Directorate II Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

SUMMARY

OF OCTOBER 2, 2002, CONFERENCE CALL REGARDING VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANYS PROPOSAL TO REPLACE THE REACTOR VESSEL HEAD AT NORTH ANNA POWER STATION, UNIT 2 On October 2, 2002, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff held a telephone conference call with the staff of Virginia Electric and Power Company (VEPCO) and Framatome ANP to discuss the option of replacing the reactor vessel head at North Anna Power Station, Unit 2. The list of conference call participants is attached. This call was conducted as a result of VEPCO identifying recent reactor vessel head degradation while conducting inspections in accordance with NRC Bulletin 2002-02, Reactor Pressure Vessel Head and Vessel Head Penetration Nozzle Inspection Programs.

During the call, the licensee stated that they were exploring the option of replacing the reactor vessel head at North Anna, Unit 2 with a reactor vessel head that was manufactured in France by Framatome ANP. The recent inspections of the currently installed reactor vessel head had caused VEPCO to become concerned about the financial costs of repairing reactor vessel head penetrations. VEPCO indicated there was a reactor vessel head in France that could possibly be used at North Anna, Unit 2. This head was originally constructed to French standards. As such, VEPCO and the staff discussed various methods for reconciling a component designed and fabricated using French standards to the ASME Code, which is used by the NRC. VEPCO explained that it had identified two major technical differences at this time between this proposed replacement reactor vessel head and the reactor vessel head currently installed at North Anna, Unit 2. The Framatome head uses smaller J-groove welds and utilizes a friction weld on the control rod drive mechanism. VEPCO requested to implement Generic Letter 89-09, ASME Section III Component Replacements to support the reactor vessel head replacement. The staff replied that this issue would have to be examined and agreed to conduct another conference call to address the technical aspects of this project. The staff recommended the licensee contact the ASME Code committee for technical assistance in reconciling the French standards to the ASME Code.

Docket No. 50-339

Attachment:

As stated DISTRIBUTION:

PUBLIC JNakoski GEdison PDII-1 R/F SMonarque Accession Number: ML022940545 OFFICE PDII-1/PM PDII-2/LA SC: PDII-1 NAME SMonarque EDunnington JNakoski DATE 10/16/02 10/16/02 10/21/02

OFFICIAL RECORD COPY CONFERENCE CALL ON OCTOBER 2, 2002 LIST OF PARTICIPANTS NRC REGION II John Zwolinski, NRR Mark Lesser Richard Barrett, NRR Kerry Landis Stephen Monarque, NRR Jim Canady Gordon Edison, NRR Dale Thatcher, NRR Ted Quay, NRR Mike Marshall, NRR John A. Nakoski, NRR Terance Chan, NRR Travis Tate, NRR Bill Reckley, NRR Stephanie Coffin, NRR Rich McIntyre, NRR Allen Hiser, NRR VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY Leslie Hartz Dave Heacock Dave Sommers Bill Corbin Tom Shaub Jay Leberstein Jack Davis FRAMATOME Dennis Lane Bill Carpentar Attachment