ML070870728
| ML070870728 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Dresden, Quad Cities  |
| Issue date: | 04/04/2007 |
| From: | William J NRC/NRR/ADRO/DORL/LPLIII-2 |
| To: | |
| Williams J, NRR/DORL/LPL3-2, 415-1470 | |
| References | |
| TAC MD2932, TAC MD2933 | |
| Download: ML070870728 (7) | |
Text
April 4, 2007 LICENSEE:
EXELON GENERATING COMPANY FACILITIES:
QUAD CITIES NUCLEAR POWER STATION, UNITS 1 AND 2 DRESDEN NUCLEAR POWER STATION, UNITS 2 AND 3
SUBJECT:
SUMMARY
OF MARCH 22, 2007, MEETING REGARDING RESOLUTION OF EXTENDED POWER UPRATE ISSUES (TAC NOS. MD2932 AND MD2933)
On March 22, 2007, a Category 1 public meeting was held between representatives of the U.S.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff and the Exelon Generating Company (Exelon).
The purpose of this meeting was to discuss Exelons actions to address issues arising from extended power uprate (EPU) operation at the Quad Cities Nuclear Power Station (Quad Cities), Units 1 and 2. The meeting fulfilled a commitment made by Exelon in a January 26, 2006, letter (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML060270526).
The meeting was conducted by video teleconference between NRC headquarters and the NRC Region III office. A list of meeting attendees is included as Enclosure 1. Two members of the public attended at NRC headquarters. Handouts provided by Exelon may be found at (ADAMS Accession No. ML070820012).
Exelon personnel reviewed the chronology of EPU issues. Problems with steam dryers and relief valve performance led to the licensee restricting both Quad Cities units to pre-EPU power levels in late 2003 (Unit 1) and early 2004 (Unit 2). After steam dryers were replaced, and returning to full EPU power in 2005, information regarding steam line vibration was gathered.
However, both units once again experienced relief valve problems leading to new power level restrictions. In 2006, Exelon made modifications to both units, mitigating vibration by installation of acoustic side branches (ASBs), and strengthening electromatic relief valves (ERVs), returning the reactors to full EPU power.
Exelon reviewed data that shows much lower vibration after installation of the ASBs. Exelon believes these data demonstrate that they have successfully addressed the cause of the dryer and ERV degradation, so long term operation at EPU power is acceptable.
Steam dryer replacements are complete at both Quad Cities units and Dresden Nuclear Power Station (Dresden), Unit 3. The Dresden, Unit 2 steam dryer will be replaced during its fall 2007 refueling outage.
Exelon plans to submit a letter in April 2007 documenting its ongoing EPU issues corrective actions commitments.
The NRC staff caucused after Exelons presentation. After the caucus, the NRC staff indicated that it has not identified any issues that prevent Exelon continuing full EPU operation at Quad Cities and Dresden. The staff requested that Exelon provide the following information in its upcoming letter:
- 1. Describe what actions will be taken if an operational event results in more ERV opening/closing cycles than has been reflected in the Exelon test program.
- 2. Provide information regarding inservice inspections that will be performed to ensure long term structural integrity of the ASB modifications.
The NRC staff also noted that it continues to be interested in organizational and safety culture issues which contributed to the difficulty in resolving the EPU issues.
A member of the public asked what followup activities the NRC plans. NRC staff responded that the staff has completed supplemental inspection for the White finding under the Reactor Oversight Process (ROP), with no issues identified. Any further issues will be identified and addressed as part of the baseline inspection program under current ROP inspection procedures.
Public meeting feedback forms were not received.
Questions regarding this meeting can be directed to me at 301-415-1470 or at jfw1@nrc.gov.
/RA/
Joseph F. Williams, Senior Project Manager Plant Licensing Branch III-2 Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket nos. 50-237, 50-249, 50-254, and 50-265
Enclosure:
List of Attendees cc w/encl: See next page
- 2. Provide information regarding inservice inspections that will be performed to ensure long term structural integrity of the ASB modifications.
The NRC staff also noted that it continues to be interested in organizational and safety culture issues which contributed to the difficulty in resolving the EPU issues.
A member of the public asked what followup activities the NRC plans. NRC staff responded that the staff has completed supplemental inspection for the White finding under the Reactor Oversight Process (ROP), with no issues identified. Any further issues will be identified and addressed as part of the baseline inspection program under current ROP inspection procedures.
Public meeting feedback forms were not received.
Questions regarding this meeting can be directed to me at 301-415-1470 or at jfw1@nrc.gov.
/RA/
Joseph F. Williams, Senior Project Manager Plant Licensing Branch III-2 Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket nos. 50-237, 50-249, 50-254, and 50-265
Enclosure:
List of Attendees cc w/encl: See next page Distribution:
PUBLIC TLiu, NRR RidsRgn3MailCenter LPL3-2 R/F ABoland, NRR TScarbrough, NRR RidsNrrDorlLpl3-2 CGratton, NRR KStoedter, NRR RidsNrrPMJWilliams DHills, NRR MThorpe-Kavanaugh, NRR RidsNrrLAEWhitt MKurth, NRR SWest, NRR RidsOgcRp MRing, NRR JWu, NRR RidsAcrsAcnwMailCenter TBloomer, EDO Accession Number: ML070870728 NRC-001 OFFICE LPL3-2/PM LPL3-2/LA LPL3-2/BC NAME JWilliams:mw EWhitt RGibbs DATE 4/04/2007 4/04/2007 4/04/2007 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY
Dresden and Quad Cities Nuclear Power Stations cc:
Site Vice President - Dresden Nuclear Power Station Exelon Generation Company, LLC 6500 N. Dresden Road Morris, IL 60450-9765 Plant Manager - Dresden Nuclear Power Station Exelon Generation Company, LLC 6500 N. Dresden Road Morris, IL 60450-9765 Manager Regulatory Assurance - Dresden Exelon Generation Company, LLC 6500 N. Dresden Road Morris, IL 60450-9765 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Dresden Resident Inspectors Office 6500 N. Dresden Road Morris, IL 60450-9766 Chairman Grundy County Board Administration Building 1320 Union Street Morris, IL 60450 Regional Administrator, Region III U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Suite 210 2443 Warrenville Road Lisle, IL 60532-4352 Illinois Emergency Management Agency Division of Disaster Assistance & Preparedness 110 East Adams Street Springfield, IL 62701-1109 Document Control Desk - Licensing Exelon Generation Company, LLC 4300 Winfield Road Warrenville, IL 60555 Senior Vice President Operations Support Exelon Generation Company, LLC 4300 Winfield Road Warrenville, IL 60555 Vice President - Regulatory Affairs Exelon Generation Company, LLC 4300 Winfield Road Warrenville, IL 60555 Director - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Exelon Generation Company, LLC 4300 Winfield Road Warrenville, IL 60555 Associate General Counsel Exelon Generation Company, LLC 4300 Winfield Road Warrenville, IL 60555 Manager Licensing - Dresden and Quad Cities Exelon Generation Company, LLC 4300 Winfield Road Warrenville, IL 60555 Site Vice President - Quad Cities Exelon Generation Company, LLC 22710 206th Avenue N.
Cordova, IL 61242-9740 Plant Manager - Quad Cities Exelon Generation Company, LLC 22710 206th Avenue N.
Cordova, IL 61242-9740 Regulatory Assurance Manager - Quad Cities Exelon Generation Company, LLC 22710 206th Avenue N.
Cordova, IL 61242-9740 Quad Cities Resident Inspectors Office U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 22712 206th Avenue N.
Cordova, IL 61242 David C. Tubbs MidAmerican Energy Company One River Center Place 106 E. Second, P.O. Box 4350 Davenport, IA 52808-4350
Dresden and Quad Cities Nuclear Power Stations cc:
Senior Vice President - Midwest Operations Exelon Generation Company, LLC 4300 Winfield Road Warrenville, IL 60555 Vice President - Law and Regulatory Affairs MidAmerican Energy Company One River Center Place 106 E. Second Street P.O. Box 4350 Davenport, IA 52808 Chairman Rock Island County Board of Supervisors 1504 3rd Avenue Rock Island County Office Bldg.
Rock Island, IL 61201 Attendees NRC Meeting With Exelon Generating Company Quad Cities Extended Power Uprate March 22, 2007 Name Affiliation Steve Boline Exelon Guy DeBoo Exelon Jim Ellis Exelon Roman Gesior Exelon Randy Gideon Exelon David Gullott Exelon Tim Hanley Exelon Keith Jury Exelon Bruce Rash Exelon Thomas Roddey Exelon Amir Shahkarami Exelon Patrick Simpson Exelon Joseph Sipek Exelon Brian Strub Exelon Tim Tulon Exelon Michelle Yun Exelon Patricia Campbell General Electric David Tubbs MidAmerican Energy Anne Boland NRC Chris Gratton NRC David Hills NRC Name Affiliation Michael Kurth NRC Mark Ring NRC Thomas Scarbrough NRC Karla Stoedter NRC Meghan Thorpe-Kavanagh NRC Steve West NRC Joe Williams NRC John Wu NRC Steven Dolley Platts/Inside NRC