ML043430212
| ML043430212 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Comanche Peak  |
| Issue date: | 12/02/2004 |
| From: | Thadani M NRC/NRR/DLPM/LPD4 |
| To: | Blevins M TXU Power |
| Thadani M, NRR/DLPM, 415-1476 | |
| References | |
| BL-03-002, TAC MC0530, TAC MC0531 | |
| Download: ML043430212 (4) | |
Text
December 2, 2004 Mr. M. R. Blevins, Senior Vice President and Principal Nuclear Officer TXU Power ATTN: Regulatory Affairs P.O. Box 1002 Glen Rose, Texas 76043
SUBJECT:
COMANCHE PEAK STEAM ELECTRIC STATION, UNITS 1 AND 2 -
RESPONSE TO NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION BULLETIN 2003-02, LEAKAGE FROM REACTOR PRESSURE VESSEL LOWER HEAD PENETRATIONS AND REACTOR COOLANT PRESSURE BOUNDARY INTEGRITY (TAC NOS. MC0530 AND MC0531)
Dear Mr. Blevins:
On August 21, 2003, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued NRC Bulletin 2003-02, Leakage from Reactor Pressure Vessel Lower Head Penetrations and Reactor Coolant Pressure Boundary Integrity, to the industry. This bulletin informed addressees that current methods of inspecting the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) lower heads may need to be supplemented with bare-metal visual inspections in order to detect reactor coolant pressure boundary leakage. The bulletin also requested these addressees to provide the NRC with information related to inspections that have been performed to verify the integrity of the RPV lower head penetrations.
The bulletin requested that addressees provide a description of the RPV lower head penetration inspection program that would be implemented at their respective plants during the next and subsequent refueling outages. This description was to include the extent of the inspection, the inspection methods to be used, the qualification standards for the inspection methods, the process used to resolve the source of findings of boric acid deposits or corrosion, the inspection documentation to be generated, and the basis for concluding that their plant satisfied applicable regulatory requirements related to the structural and leakage integrity of the RPV lower head penetrations.
By letter dated September 19, 2003, TXU Generation Company LP (TXU Power) provided its response to this request. As part of its response, TXU Power committed to perform a bare-metal visual inspection of all 58 bottom-mounted instrumentation penetrations, including 100 percent of the circumference of each penetration as it enters the RPV lower head, during the spring 2004 and fall 2003 refueling outages at Comanche Peak Steam Electric Station (CPSES), Units 1 and 2, respectively. For subsequent CPSES refueling outages beyond the fall 2003 and spring 2004 outages, TXU Power committed to performing a bare-metal visual examination of all 58-bottom mounted instrumentation penetrations, 100 percent of the circumference of each penetration as it enters the RPV lower head. TXU Power stated that this
M. R. Blevins inspection regime will be completed at least every third refueling outage or every five years, whichever occurs first, until CPSES and industry experience provides sound basis for a change in the inspection frequency or method. As such, TXU Power is requested to notify the NRC staff in writing of any changes to this commitment prior to implementation.
The bulletin also requested that addressees provide a summary of the RPV lower head penetration inspection that was performed at their plants, the extent of the inspection and the methods used, a description of the as-found condition of the lower head, any findings of relevant indications of through-wall leakage, and a summary of the disposition of any findings of boric acid deposits and any corrective actions taken as a result of indications found.
By [[letter::CPSES-200302701, 60 Day Response Regarding NRC Bulletin 2003-02, Leakage from Reactor Pressure Vessel Lower Head Penetrations and Reactor Coolant Pressure Boundary Integrity and Report on RCS Conoseal Leakage|letter dated December 18, 2003]], TXU Power provided a summary of its inspection results at CPSES, Unit 2. TXU Power reported it had performed a 360-degree bare-metal visual examination on all 58 RPV lower head penetrations. TXU Power did not observe any evidence of RPV lower head penetration leakage.
By letter dated July 2, 2004, TXU Power provided a summary of its inspection results at CPSES, Unit 1. TXU Power reported it had performed a 360-degree bare-metal visual examination on all 58 RPV lower head penetrations. TXU Power did not observe any evidence of RPV lower head penetration leakage.
Based on its review of TXU Powers responses to NRC Bulletin 2003-02, the NRC staff finds that TXU Power has met the reporting requirements of the bulletin. Accordingly, TAC Nos. MC0530 and MC0531 are closed for CPSES, Units 1 and 2, respectively.
Sincerely,
/RA/
Mohan Thadani, Senior Project Manager, Section 1 Project Directorate IV Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos. 50-445 and 50-446 cc: See next page
ML043430212 OFFICE PDIV-1/PM PDIV-1/LA LPM EMCB PDIV-1/SC(A)
NAME MThadani DJohnson SMonarque ESullivan MWebb DATE 11/22/04 11/22/04 12/2/04 11/29/04 12/2/04
October 2004 Comanche Peak Steam Electric Station cc:
Senior Resident Inspector U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission P. O. Box 2159 Glen Rose, TX 76403-2159 Regional Administrator, Region IV U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 611 Ryan Plaza Drive, Suite 400 Arlington, TX 76011 Mr. Fred W. Madden, Director Regulatory Affairs TXU Generation Company LP P. O. Box 1002 Glen Rose, TX 76043 George L. Edgar, Esq.
Morgan Lewis 1111 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20004 County Judge P. O. Box 851 Glen Rose, TX 76043 Environmental and Natural Resources Policy Director Office of the Governor P. O. Box 12428 Austin, TX 78711-3189 Mr. Richard A. Ratliff, Chief Bureau of Radiation Control Texas Department of Health 1100 West 49th Street Austin, TX 78756-3189 Mr. Brian Almon Public Utility Commission William B. Travis Building P. O. Box 13326 1701 North Congress Avenue Austin, TX 78701-3326 Ms. Susan M. Jablonski Office of Permitting, Remediation and Registration Texas Commission on Environmental Quality MC-122 P. O. Box 13087 Austin, TX 78711-3087 Terry Parks, Chief Inspector Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation Boiler Program P. O. Box 12157 Austin, TX 78711