ML072060666

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Analysis of EDO Response to ACRS Letter on Proposed NRC Staff and Industry Activities for Addressing Dissimilar Metal Weld Issues Resulting from the Wolf Creek Pressurizer Weld Inspection Results
ML072060666
Person / Time
Site: Wolf Creek Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation icon.png
Issue date: 04/26/2007
From: Hammer C
Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards
To: Shack W
Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards
Hammer C G
References
GT 210
Download: ML072060666 (1)


Text

April 26, 2007 MEMORANDUM TO: William J. Shack, Acting Chair Materials, Metallurgy, and Reactor Fuels Subcommittee FROM: Charles G. Hammer, Senior Staff Engineer /RA/

SUBJECT:

ANALYSIS OF EDO RESPONSE TO ACRS LETTER ON PROPOSED NRC STAFF AND INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES FOR ADDRESSING DISSIMILAR METAL WELD ISSUES RESULTING FROM THE WOLF CREEK PRESSURIZER WELD INSPECTION RESULTS Attached is a copy of the EDOs April 23, 2007 letter of response to the ACRS March 22, 2007 letter on the proposed NRC staff and industry activities for addressing dissimilar metal weld issues resulting from the Wolf Creek pressurizer weld inspection results. A copy of the Committees letter is also attached.

Committee Letter In its March 22, 2007 letter the ACRS supported the agreement reached between the staff and the industry on the resolution of dissimilar metal weld issues on pressurizer nozzles. The ACRS letter also stated that in the upcoming outages, the staff should encourage the industry to inspect all inspectable dissimilar metal welds on pressurizer nozzles before performing mitigation activities.

EDO Response The EDO response stated that the advanced finite element analysis efforts being performed by both the industry and staff are ongoing. The staff anticipates reaching conclusions by August 2007 on whether these efforts would provide reasonable assurance of detectable leakage well before rupture. The staff committed to keep the Committee informed of this issue as these analyses proceed.

The EDO response also stated that there are a small number of plants that are inspecting the pressurizer nozzle welds prior to mitigation activities. The NRC regulations do not require utilities to perform volumetric inspections prior to mitigation. However, the staff recognizes the value of inspecting these welds and have consistently encouraged utilities to perform pre-mitigation inspections where it is permitted.

Analysis The EDOs response is satisfactory.

Attachments: As stated cc: ACRS Members F. Gillespie S. Duraiswamy C. Santos