ML102950607
| ML102950607 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Salem  |
| Issue date: | 04/08/2010 |
| From: | Darrell Roberts NRC Region 1 |
| To: | Casto C NRC Region 4 |
| References | |
| FOIA/PA-2010-0334 | |
| Download: ML102950607 (1) | |
Text
Roberts, Darrell From:
'Roberts, Darrell Sent:
Thursday, April 08, 2010 8:59 PM To:
Casto, Chuck Cc:
Nelson, Robert; Evans, Michele; Lew, David; Collins, Sam; Dapas, Marc; Wilson, Peter
Subject:
Salem Unit 1 AFW buried pipe degradation Chuck, below is a brief summary of an issue developing at Salem Unit 1 involving buried AFW piping. We've been following the licensee's actions as indicated below. Note: While we don't believe there is a direct connection to the charter for the Groundwater Contamination Task Force based on what we know to date, we wanted to make you aware of this issue. Sam intends to inform Bruce Mallett of this issue on Friday.
As of April 8, 2010, PSEG has confirmed through UT that some sections of the Salem Unit 1 AFW buried piping that was initially found degraded by the non-qualified guided wave technique are indeed below minimum wall thickness requirements. Salem Unit 1 is in Refueling Mode right now (part of core offloaded), so AFW is not required to be operable. Extent of condition is being conducted for piping in the operating Unit 2, but PSEG's preliminary determination is that Unit 2's buried pipe sections are in a better condition based on evaluation of pictures taken during the most recent excavation (late-'90s) and differences in soil conditions associated with Unit 1 'nd Unit 2's piping. Region I/DRS (working with NRR/DCI) has technical lead for inspection/resolution of known degradation on Unit 1 as well as the licensee's past-operability/structural integrity determination, while DRP has lead for any operational implications on Unit 2. Region I staff's initial assessment is that licensee's preliminary determination of no immediate safety concern for Unit 2 is reasonable. Region I will continue to monitor and assess, and management will engage PSEG management early on 4/9 if Unit 2's final operability determination is not thoroughly/timely completed.
While none of the AFW pipe in question has been determined to be "leaking," this issue has potential implications on the agency's previous stance on the inspection of buried/underground piping, which to this point had not seriously impacted safety-related systems or caused a loss of function or TS operability. We will engage NRR management on Friday, 4/9, given the broader regulatory implications.
- thx, DJR I~