ML090080800

PINGP Lr - FW: ML0832505910.doc

ML090080800
Person / Time
Site:	Prairie Island
Issue date:	12/02/2008
From:	Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:
References
Download: ML090080800 (3)

Text

PrairieIslandNPEm Resource From: Richard Plasse Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2008 2:49 PM To: Eckholt, Gene F.

Subject:

FW: ML0832505910.doc Attachments: ML0832505910.doc From: Richard Plasse Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2008 2:45 PM To: Richard Plasse

Subject:

ML0832505910.doc 1

Hearing Identifier: Prairie_Island_NonPublic Email Number: 248 Mail Envelope Properties (Richard.Plasse@nrc.gov20081202144800)

Subject:

FW: ML0832505910.doc Sent Date: 12/2/2008 2:48:55 PM Received Date: 12/2/2008 2:48:00 PM From: Richard Plasse Created By: Richard.Plasse@nrc.gov Recipients:

"Eckholt, Gene F." <Gene.Eckholt@xenuclear.com>

Tracking Status: None Post Office:

Files Size Date & Time MESSAGE 132 12/2/2008 2:48:00 PM ML0832505910.doc 42606 Options Priority: Standard Return Notification: No Reply Requested: No Sensitivity: Normal Expiration Date:

Recipients Received:

REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BORAFLEX NEUTRON ABSORBING MATERIAL IN SPENT FUEL POOL RACKS AND THE PROTECTIVE COATINGS PROGRAM PRAIRIE ISLAND NUCLEAR GENERATING PLANT UNITS 1 AND 2 DOCKET NUMBERS 50-282 AND 50-306 RAI 3.3.2.2.6-1 Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant (PINGP) Units 1 and 2 have Boraflex that is no longer credited for criticality in the spent fuel pools. There is no indication whether or not they still monitor the Boraflex for degradation. Past operating experience indicates that there can be blistering and bulging of the Boraflex material and the cladding surrounding the material. This can cause potential fuel handling safety issues.

Although Boraflex is not credited for criticality in the PINGP Unit 1 and 2 spent fuel pools, degradation of the material may impede safe handling of the spent fuel if blistering and/or bulging of the rack occurs. How will potential degradation of Boraflex material be identified and monitored during the proposed period of extended operation? If degradation of Boraflex is identified, what mitigation strategies will be employed?

RAI 2.1.1.4.3-1 NUREG 1801, Generic Aging Lessons Learned Report, Volume 2, Revision 1, (GALL) AMP XI.S8, Protective Coating Monitoring and Maintenance Program, is not credited for aging management in the licensees application. In the application it states that PINGP does not credit coatings inside containment to assure that the intended functions of coated structures and components are maintained. However, in addition to using the Protective Coating Monitoring and Maintenance Program to ensure the function of coated structures and components, the GALL Report states that Proper maintenance of protective coatings inside containment is essential to ensure operability of post-accident safety systems that rely on water recycled through the containment sump/drain system. Although the applicant does not credit the program for aging management, there needs to be adequate assurance that there is proper maintenance of the protective coatings in containment, such that they will not degrade and become a debris source that may challenge the Emergency Core Cooling Systems performance. Therefore the staff requires the following additional information:

Please describe in detail the coatings assessment program referenced in the supplemental response to Generic Letter 2004-02 (dated February 28, 2008). How will the program ensure that there will be proper maintenance of the protective coatings inside containment and ensure operability of post-accident safety systems that rely on water recycled through the containment sump/drain system in the extended period of operation? Also, describe the frequency and scope of the inspections, acceptance criteria, and the qualification of personnel who perform containment coatings inspections.

ENCLOSURE