ML043010387
| ML043010387 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Catawba  |
| Issue date: | 10/19/2004 |
| From: | Jamil D Duke Power Co |
| To: | Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| References | |
| Download: ML043010387 (13) | |
Text
Duke D.M. JAMIL rkPowere Vice President A Duke Energy Company Duke Power Catawba Nuclear Station 4800 Concord Rd. / CN01 VP York, SC 29745-9635 803 831 4251 803 831 3221 fax October 19, 2004 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Attention: Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555
Subject:
Duke Energy Corporation Catawba Nuclear Station, Unit 2 Docket No. 50-414 Second Ten Year Inservice Inspection Interval Steam Generator C Hot Leg Nozzle Welds On October 7, 2004, during the current End-of-Cycle 13 refueling outage, an inservice inspection (ISI) radiographic examination (RT) of the Steam Generator (SG) C inlet nozzle revealed a one inch long, circumferential, linear indication in the reactor coolant loop hot leg to SG nozzle connection. The configuration of this connection consists of a stainless steel (SS) buttered safe-end applied to the cast, low alloy steel steam generator channel head. After buttering of the nozzle, a field weld was made between the SS buttered safe-end and the cast austenitic SS piping. The indication was located near the interface between the safe-end and field weld at the bottom of the nozzle. Supplemental RT determined that the flaw was embedded at approximately 1.01 inches from the outside diameter surface of the pipe. Radiography suggests that the flaw is a result of a slag inclusion during initial fabrication. I Following additional investigation to determine the flaw location, a decision was reached on October 11, 2004 that the flaw exceeded the acceptance standards of ASME Code Sections III (1974 Edition with Summer 1974 addenda) and XI (1989 Edition with no addenda) and thus was a reportable indication. In lieu of repair or replacement, an analytical evaluation of this condition was performed in accordance with ASME Section XI, IWB-3132, Acceptance. qC\U4`7 www. dukepower. corn
Document Control Desk Page 2 October 19, 2004 Duke Energy Corporation concluded that this weld is acceptable based on the attached analytical evaluation performed in accordance with ASME Section XI, IWB-3600 rules.
Because the requirements of IWB-3600 have been satisfied, Duke Energy Corporation considers the affected SG and reactor coolant system piping to be fully operable and plans to return the unit to operation following completion of the current refueling outage.
Code Article IWB-2000, Examination and Inspection, requirements for post-flaw discovery were used to address additional examinations and successive inspections.
Additional examinations (sample expansion) were not required because all similar inspection items (eight SG nozzles) were examined by RT during the same outage.
Successive inspections at the flaw location will be conducted during the next three inspection periods.
IWB-3134 requires analytical evaluation results to be submitted to the regulatory authority having jurisdiction at the plant site. This letter submits the fracture mechanics analysis to the NRC (see attachment).
Enclosed is:
- 1. WCAP-15658-P, Rev. 0, "Flaw Evaluation Handbook for Catawba Unit 2 Steam Generator Primary Nozzle Weld Regions", September, 2004 (Proprietary)
Also enclosed is Westinghouse authorization letter CAW 1906, accompanying affidavit, Proprietary Information Notice, and Copyright Notice.
As Item 1 contains information proprietary to Westinghouse Electric Company LLC, it is supported by an affidavit signed by Westinghouse, the owner of the information. The affidavit sets forth the basis on which the information may be withheld from public disclosure by the Commission and addresses with specificity the considerations listed in paragraph (b)(4) of Section 2.390 of the Commission's
Document Control Desk Page 3 October 19, 2004 regulations.
Accordingly, it is respectfully requested that the information which is proprietary to Westinghouse be withheld from public disclosure in accordance with 10 CFR Section 2.390 of the Commission's regulations.
Correspondence with respect to the copyright or proprietary aspects of the items listed above or the supporting Westinghouse Affidavit should reference CAW-04-1906 and should be addressed to J.A. Gresham, Manager, Regulatory Compliance and Plant Licensing, Westinghouse Electric Company LLC, P.O. Box 355, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15230-0355.
If there are any questions concerning this information, please contact L.J. Rudy at (803) 831-3084.
Very truly yours, D.M. Jamil LJR/s Attachment
Document Control Desk Page 4 October 19, 2004 xc (with attachment):
W.D. Travers U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Regional Administrator, Region II Atlanta Federal Center 61 Forsyth St., SW, Suite 23T85 Atlanta, GA 30303 E.F. Guthrie Senior Resident Inspector (CNS)
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Catawba Nuclear Station S.E. Peters (addressee only)
NRC Project Manager (CNS)
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Mail Stop 0-8 G9 Washington, D.C. 20555-0001
ATTACHMENT FRACTURE MECHANICS ANALYSIS FOR STEAM GENERATOR C HOT LEG NOZZLE WELD
PROPRIETARY INFORMATION NOTICE Transmitted herewith are proprietary and/or non-proprietary versions of documents furnished to the NRC in connection with requests for generic and/or plant-specific review and approval.
In order to conform to the requirements of 10 CFR 2.390 of the Commission's regulations concerning the protection of proprietary information so submitted to the NRC, the information which is proprietary in the proprietary versions is contained within brackets, and where the proprietary information has been deleted in the non-proprietary versions, only the brackets remain (the information that w-as contained within the brackets in the proprietary versions having been deleted). The justification for claiming the information so designated as proprietary is indicated in both versions by means of lowver case letters (a) through (f) located as a superscript immediately following the brackets enclosing each item of information being identified as proprietary or in the margin opposite such information. These lower case letters refer to the types of information Westinghouse customarily holds in confidence identified in Sections (4)(ii)(a) through (4)(ii)(f) of the affidavit accompanying this transmittal pursuant to 10 CFR 2.390(b)(1).
COPYRIGHT NOTICE The reports transmitted herewith each bear a Westinghouse copyright notice. The NRC is permitted to make the number of copies of the information contained in these reports which are necessary for its internal use in connection weith generic and plant-specific reviews and approvals as wvell as the issuance, denial, amendment, transfer, renewal, modification, suspension, revocation, or violation of a license, permit, order, or regulation subject to the requirements of 10 CFR 2.390 regarding restrictions on public disclosure to the extent such information has been identified as proprietary by Westinghouse, copyright protection notwithstanding. With respect to the non-proprietary versions of these reports, the NRC is permitted to make the number of copies beyond those necessary for its internal use which are necessary in order to have one copy available for public viewing in the appropriate docket files in the public document room in Washington, DC and in local public document rooms as may be required by NRC regulations if the number of copies submitted is insufficient for this purpose. Copies made by the NRC must include the copyright notice in all instances and the proprietary notice if the original was identified as proprietary.
Westinghouse Westinghouse Electric Company Nuclear Services P.O. Box 3 55 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15230-0355 USA U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Direct tel: (412) 3744643 Document Control Desk Direct fax: (412) 3744011 Washington, DC 20555-0001 e-mail: grcshajaiwestinghouse.com Ourref CAW-04-1906 October 15, 2004 APPLICATION FOR WITHHOLDING PROPRIETARY INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC DISCLOSURE
Subject:
WCAP-15658-P, Rev. 0, "Flaw Evaluation Handbook for Catawba Unit 2 Steam Generator Primary Nozzle Weld Regions", September, 2004 (Proprietary)
The proprietary information for which withholding is being requested in the above-referenced report is further identified in Affidavit CAW-04-1906 signed by the owner of the proprietary information, Westinghouse Electric Company LLC. The affidavit, which accompanies this letter, sets forth the basis on which the information may be withheld from public disclosure by the Commission and addresses with specificity the considerations listed in paragraph (b)(4) of 10 CFR Section 2.390 of the Commission's regulations.
Accordingly, this letter authorizes the utilization of the accompanying affidavit by Duke Power Company.
Correspondence with respect to the proprietary aspects of the application for withholding or the Westinghouse affidavit should reference this letter, CAW-04-1906, and should be addressed to J. A. Gresham, Manager, Regulatory Compliance and Plant Licensing, Westinghouse Electric Company LLC, P.O. Box 355, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15230-0355.
Very truly yours, J. S. Galembush, Acting Manager Regulatory Compliance and Plant Licensing Enclosures cc: W. Macon, NRC E. Peyton, NRC A BNFL Group company
CAW-04-1906 AFFIDAVIT COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA:
ss COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY:
Before me, the undersigned authority, personally appeared J. S. Galembush, who, being by me duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that he is authorized to execute this Affidavit on behalf of Westinghouse Electric Company LLC (Westinghouse), and that the averments of fact set forth in this Affidavit are true and correct to the best of his knowledge, information, and belief:
° J. S. alembush, Acting Manager
'-0.tt#SS .Regulatory Compliance and Plant Licensing Sworn to and subscribed Notarial Seal Patricia L Crown, Notary Public before me this I OL day Monroeville Boro, Allegheny County My Commission Expires Feb. 7, 2005 of a° , 2004 MemberPennsylvanlaAssoclauonotNotanes Notary Public
2 CAW-04-1906 (1) I am Acting Manager, Regulatory Compliance and Plant Licensing, in Nuclear Services, Westinghouse Electric Company LLC (Westinghouse), and as such, I have been specifically delegated the function of reviewing the proprietary information sought to be withheld from public disclosure in connection with nuclear power plant licensing and rule making proceedings, and am authorized to apply for its withholding on behalf of Westinghouse.
(2) I am making this Affidavit in conformance with the provisions of 10 CFR Section 2.390 of the Commission's regulations and in conjunction with the Westinghouse "Application for Withholding" accompanying this Affidavit.
(3) I have personal knowledge of the criteria and procedures utilized by Westinghouse in designating information as a trade secret, privileged or as confidential commercial or financial information.
(4) Pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (b)(4) of Section 2.390 of the Commission's regulations, the following is furnished for consideration by the Commission in determining whether the information sought to be withheld from public disclosure should be withheld.
(i) The information sought to be withheld from public disclosure is owned and has been held in confidence by Westinghouse.
(ii) The information is of a type customarily held in confidence by Westinghouse and not customarily disclosed to the public. Westinghouse has a rational basis for determining the types of information customarily held in confidence by it and, in that connection, utilizes a system to determine when and whether to hold certain types of information in confidence. The application of that system and the substance of that system constitutes Westinghouse policy and provides the rational basis required.
Under that system, information is held in confidence if it falls in one or more of several types, the release of which might result in the loss of an existing or potential competitive advantage, as follows:
(a) The information reveals the distinguishing aspects of a process (or component, structure, tool, method, etc.) where prevention of its use by any of
3 CAW-04-1906 Westinghouse's competitors without license from Westinghouse constitutes a competitive economic advantage over other companies.
(b) It consists of supporting data, including test data, relative to a process (or component, structure, tool, method, etc.), the application of which data secures a competitive economic advantage, e.g., by optimization or improved marketability.
(c) Its use by a competitor would reduce his expenditure of resources or improve his competitive position in the design, manufacture, shipment, installation, assurance of quality, or licensing a similar product.
(d) It reveals cost or price information, production capacities, budget levels, or commercial strategies of Westinghouse, its customers or suppliers.
(e) It reveals aspects of past, present, or future Westinghouse or customer funded development plans and programs of potential commercial value to Westinghouse.
(f) It contains patentable ideas, for which patent protection may be desirable.
There are sound policy reasons behind the Westinghouse system which include the following:
(a) The use of such information by Westinghouse gives Westinghouse a competitive advantage over its competitors. It is, therefore, withheld from disclosure to protect the Westinghouse competitive position.
(b) It is information that is marketable in many ways. The extent to which such information is available to competitors diminishes the Westinghouse ability to sell products and services involving the use of the information.
(c) Use by our competitor would put Westinghouse at a competitive disadvantage by reducing his expenditure of resources at our expense.
4 CANV-04-1906 (d) Each component of proprietary information pertinent to a particular competitive advantage is potentially as valuable as the total competitive advantage. If competitors acquire components of proprietary information, any one component may be the key to the entire puzzle, thereby depriving Westinghouse of a competitive advantage.
(e) Unrestricted disclosure would jeopardize the position of prominence of Westinghouse in the world market, and thereby give a market advantage to the competition of those countries.
(f) The Westinghouse capacity to invest corporate assets in research and development depends upon the success in obtaining and maintaining a competitive advantage.
(iii) The information is being transmitted to the Commission in confidence and, under the provisions of 10 CFR Section 2.390, it is to be received in confidence by the Commission.
(iv) The information sought to be protected is not available in public sources or available information has not been previously employed in the same original manner or method to the best of our knowledge and belief.
(v) The proprietary information sought to be withheld in this submittal is that which is appropriately marked in WCAP-15658-P, Rev. 0, "Flaw Evaluation Handbook for Catawba Unit 2 Steam Generator Primary Nozzle Weld Regions", September, 2004 (Proprietary), being transmitted by Duke Power Company letter and Application for Withholding Proprietary Information from Public Disclosure, to the Document Control Desk. The proprietary information as submitted for use by Westinghouse for Catawvba Unit 2 is expected to be applicable for other licensee submittals in response to certain NRC requirements for justification of the use of fracture mechanics analyses to support continued safe operation of Catawba Unit 2 with the presence of a crack in a steam generator primary nozzle weld.
5 CAW-04-1906 This information is part of that which will enable Westinghouse to:
(a) Determine the allowable time of safe operation if cracks are found.
(b) Assist the customer to obtain NRC approval.
Further this information has substantial commercial value as follows:
(a) Westinghouse plans to sell the use of similar information to its customers for purposes of meeting NRC requirements for licensing documentation.
(b) Westinghouse can sell support and defense of continued safe operation with the presence of cracks in a steam generator primary nozzle wveld.
(c) The information requested to be withheld reveals the distinguishing aspects of a methodology which w"as developed by Westinghouse.
Public disclosure of this proprietary information is likely to cause substantial harm to the competitive position of Westinghouse because it would enhance the ability of competitors to provide similar calculations and licensing defense services for commercial power reactors without commensurate expenses. Also, public disclosure of the information would enable others to use the information to meet NRC requirements for licensing documentation without purchasing the right to use the information.
The development of the technology described in part by the information is the result of applying the results of many years of experience in an intensive Westinghouse effort and the expenditure of a considerable sum of money.
In order for competitors of Westinghouse to duplicate this information, similar technical programs would have to be performed and a significant manpower effort, having the requisite talent and experience, would have to be expended.
Further the deponent sayeth not.