ML110350630

Letter Request for Additional Information Related to the Review of the Seabrook Station License Renewal Application

ML110350630
Person / Time
Site:	Seabrook
Issue date:	03/17/2011
From:	Richard Plasse License Renewal Projects Branch 2
To:	Freeman P NextEra Energy Seabrook
Plasse, R, A., NRR/DLR, 415-1427
References
TAC ME4028
Download: ML110350630 (6)

Text

UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 March 17,2011 Mr. Paul Freeman Site Vice President clo Mr. Michael OKeefe NextEra Energy Seabrook, LLC P.O. Box 300 Seabrook. NH 03874

SUBJECT:

REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RELATED TO THE REVIEW OF THE SEABROOK STATION LICENSE RENEWAL APPLICATION (TAC NO. ME4028)

Dear Mr. Freeman:

By letter dated May 25. 2010. NextEra Energy Seabrook. LLC submitted an application pursuant to Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 54. to renew the Operating License NPF-86 for Seabrook Station. Unit 1, for review by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC or the staff). The staff is reviewing the information contained in the license renewal application and has identified, in the enclosure. areas where additional information is needed to complete the review.

The request for additional information was discussed with Mr. Rick Cliche. and a mutually agreeable date for the response is within 30 days from the date of this letter. If you have any questions, please contact me at 301-415-1427 or bye-mail at richard.plasse@nrc.gov.

Sincerely, Rtiproiect Manager Projects Branch 2 Division of License Renewal Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-443

Enclosure:

As' stated cc w/encl: Distribution via Listserv

Seabrook Station License Renewal Application Request for Additional Information Set 13 Follow-up RAI B.2.1.27 -1

Background:

By letter dated December 17, 2010, the applicant responded to RAI B.2.1.27 -1 and stated that Seabrook will perform testing of the containment liner plate for loss of material on the concrete side of the liner. The testing will be conducted in accordance with approved ASME Section XI, Subsection IWE methodology, and will be completed prior to the period of extended operation.

Issue:

The applicant has committed to performing testing of the containment liner plate for the loss of material on the side of the concrete; however, it is not clear how this testing will be performed.

Request:

Provide details regarding the testing to be performed to determine the loss of material on the concrete side of the liner plate. Include a description of the nondestructive testing methods and locations where thickness measurements will be obtained, and explain why the measurement locations will provide an adequate representation of liner plate locations that may be degraded.

Follow-up RAI B.2.1.27 -2

Background:

By letter dated December 17, 2010, the applicant responded to RAI B.2.1.27 -2 and stated that the liner plate around the fuel transfer tube has been identified in the lSI program for augmented inspection in accordance with the 1995 Edition with 1996 Addenda of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel (B&PV) Code,Section XI, Subsection IWE-2420(b) and (c).

Issue:

The ASME 1995 Edition with 1996 Addenda,Section XI, Subsection IWE-2420(b) and (c) states that reexamination of degraded areas is no longer required if these areas remains essentially unchanged for three consecutive inspection periods. However, it is not clear from the applicant's response if the containment liner plate around the fuel transfer tube is still exposed to the borated water leakage. Exposure to borated water can promote corrosion of the liner plate and adversely affect the ability of the liner to perform its intended function.

ENCLOSURE

- 2 Request:

Describe steps that are being taken to monitor the liner plate thickness around the transfer tube and/or efforts to address the leakage of borated water.

Follow-up RAI B.2.1.31-1

Background:

By letter dated December 17,2010, the applicant responded to RAI B.2.1.31-1 regarding concrete degradation due to groundwater in-leakage and explained that recent cores had shown significant reductions in concrete compressive strength and modulus of elasticity. The applicant stated that a prompt operability determination concluded the affected areas were in compliance with the design code and that an extent of condition investigation was ongoing. The applicant further stated that any necessary future remediation will be identified and conducted through the corrective action program.

The response lacked information regarding the extent of condition assessment including approximate completion dates and probable path forward.

Request:

Provide additional information regarding the extent of the condition investigation, including the following:

1. Any additional tests planned or results of investigations conducted since the initial RAI response was submitted.

2. An estimated timeframe for the extent of condition investigation.

3. A proposed path forward, including the location and timing of future tests as well as proposed remedial actions based on available information.

4. How the investigation I path forward will ensure the adequacy of the concrete during the period of extended operation.

Follow-up RAI B.2.1.31-2

Background:

By letter dated December 17, 2010, the applicant responded to RAI B.2.2.31-2 and explained that components affected by groundwater in-leakage are managed under the Structures Monitoring Program which implements the Structural Engineering Standard Technical Procedure issued in March 2010. The program covers "building structural steel" and instructs the inspectors to look for degradation such as corrosion, peeling paint, excessive deflection of members, etc.

- 3 Issue:

Although the procedure was updated in March 2010, the staff noted several areas of degradation due to in-leakage during walkdowns in October 2010. The staff needs more information on how this will be addressed during the period of extended operation.

Request:

Explain what actions will be taken when degradation is noted in areas prone to in-leakage and whether or not additional actions are taken to monitor these areas (e.g., more frequent inspections).

Follow-up RAI 8.2.1.31-4 Backqround:

By letter dated December 17, 2010, the applicant responded to RAI B.2.1.31-4 and explained that spent fuel pool leakage has migrated through the surrounding concrete in the past. The applicant further stated that the leakage was stopped in 2004 after the application of a nonmetallic liner to the spent fuel pool.

Issue:

The applicant did not provide adequate justification for its conclusion that the leakage has stopped and that no through-wall leakage is occurring. In addition, based on industry operating experience with failures of spent fuel pool nonmetallic coatings, the staff is not confident that the nonmetallic liner is an appropriate long-term fix.

Request:

1. Discuss what measures will be taken to ensure the adequacy of the concrete and rebars exposed to SFP leakage, including the possibility of core bores from known leakage locations prior to or during the period of extended operation.

2. Explain how the conclusion was reached that through-wall leakage is not occurring, especially in inaccessible areas. Include a discussion of any additional inspections that will be conducted during the period of extended operation to verify that leakage is not occurring.

3. If the nonmetallic liner is relied upon to stop leakage, explain what measures will be taken to ensure the adequacy of the liner during the period of extended operation.

ML110350630 OFFICE LA:DLR PM:RPB2:DLR OGC (NLO)

BC:RPB2:DLR PM:RPB2:DLR NAME YEdmonds RPlasse MSpencer DWrona RPlasse DATE 03/14/11 03/14/11 03/15/11 03/15/11 03/17/11

Letter to P. Freeman from R. Plasse dated March, 17, 2011

SUBJECT:

REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RELATED TO THE REVIEW OF THE SEABROOK STATION LICENSE RENEWAL APPLICATION (TAC NO. ME4028)

DISTRIBUTION HARDCOPY:

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