ML12121A703

Relief Request - Proposed Alternative - Use of Alternate ASME Code Case N-770-1 Baseline Examination - ME8492

ML12121A703
Person / Time
Site:	Palisades
Issue date:	04/27/2012
From:	Mahesh Chawla Plant Licensing Branch III
To:	Gustafson O, Erickson J Entergy Nuclear Operations
Chawla M
References
TAC ME8492
Download: ML12121A703 (1)

Text

From: Chawla, Mahesh Sent: Friday, April 27, 2012 12:47 PM To: ERICKSON, JEFFREY S; GUSTAFSON, OTTO W Cc: Collins, Jay; Wallace, Jay; Audrain, Margaret; Alley, David; Jones, Donald; Hills, David; Giessner, John; Lerch, Robert; Taylor, Thomas; Scarbeary, April; Sanchez Santiago, Elba; Frankl, Istvan

Subject:

Palisades - Relief Request - Proposed Alternative - Use of Alternate ASME Code Case N-770-1 Baseline Examination - ME8492 Jeff, With reference to the subject verbal relief request, the NRC staff would like you to provide the following additional information. Please provide this information in a timely manner keeping in mind the final goal of issuance on May 2, 2012. Also, please set up the teleconference for Monday 4/27/12 from 2.00 to 4.00 pm EDT and invite the folks on cc. Moreover, there may be other RAIs since the NRC staff is still in the process of reviewing your application.

Thanks OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION USE OF ALTERNATE ASME CODE CASE N-770-1 BASELINE EXAMINATION ENTERGY NUCLEAR OPERATIONS, INC.

PALISADES NUCLEAR PLANT DOCKET NO. 50-255 By letter dated April 26, 2012, Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession Number ML XXXXX (TBD), Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc., (the licensee) submitted the proposed alternative Use of Alternate ASME Code Case N-770-1 Baseline Examination for U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission review and acceptance. The request proposed an alternative to the requirements of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (Code) Case N-770-1, as required and conditioned by Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 50 (10 CFR 50) paragraph 55a(g)(6)(ii)(F)(3).

Specifically, the licensee states that obtaining the required examination coverage of essentially 100 percent is unattainable due to limitations imposed by design and geometry, and requests relief from the required baseline examination coverage on the basis that compliance with the requirements would be a hardship without a compensating increase in the level of quality or safety, per 10 CFR 50.55a(a)(3)(ii). In order to complete our review, the Piping and NDE Branch requests additional information.

1. Please provide more detailed diagrams than those in Figures 3 through 7 in Attachment 1 of the relief request. Please clearly identify the weld material and provide axial and circumferential scan diagrams for each weld configuration that has actually been scanned.

2. Please provide additional information for the 4 PORV weld clearly identifying the materials of construction, weld repair history, and the geometry of the components. Especially important are the onlay weld thickness and number and order of weld passes, any post-weld machining details and wall thickness of the various sections, including the dissimilar metal butt weld.

3. Due to the limited coverage and elevated temperatures of the pressurizer, and in accordance with question 29 of the July 12, 2011 Code Case N-770-1 public meeting summary (ADAMS Accession Number ML112240818), we request that a PWSCC flaw evaluation of the 4 PORV weld welds mitigated by Alloy 52 inlay be performed. As a result of this flaw evaluation, please provide a basis for reasonable assurance of structural integrity and leaktightness for the interval for which relief is requested. We have provided recommended crack growth rate improvement factors in the answer portion to question 29. Please provide this information as soon as possible, preferably no later than April 30, 2012. The NRC staff has previously performed a similar flaw analysis of Alloy 52 inlayed dissimilar metal butt welds. This information can be found in ADAMS under Accession Number ML101260554.

file:///Cl/...20-%20Use%20of%20Alternate%20ASME%20Code%20Case%20N-770-1%20Baseline%20Examination%20-%20ME8492.htm[4/30/2012 6:12:38 PM]