ML12298A037
| ML12298A037 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Indian Point  |
| Issue date: | 10/23/2012 |
| From: | Pickett D Plant Licensing Branch 1 |
| To: | Weaver C Natural Resources Defense Council |
| References | |
| 2.206, G20120253, OEDO-2012-0208, TAC ME8439 | |
| Download: ML12298A037 (3) | |
Text
1 NRR-PMDAPEm Resource From:
Pickett, Douglas Sent:
Tuesday, October 23, 2012 10:15 AM To:
Weaver, Jordan Cc:
Russell, Andrea; rwalpol@entergy.com; Prussman, Stephen G; Lubinski, John; Wilson, George; Gray, Mel
Subject:
Natural Resources Defense Council 2.206 Petition RE: Indian Point Unit 2 Mr. Weaver -
By email dated April 16, 2012, the Natural Resources Defense Council submitted a 2.206 petition requesting that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission order the Indian Point Unit No. 2 licensee to remove the passive autocatalytic recombiners (PARs) from the containment The petition provided the results of research into the behavior of PARs in environments containing elevated levels of combustible gas. The petition cited international studies conducted over the past decade where PARs became overwhelmed when combustible gas concentrations approached 8-10%. Rather than consistently act as hydrogen recombiners, PARs were observed to randomly act as ignition sources. The petition noted that the behavior of PARs in environments containing high concentrations of combustible gas was highly unpredictable and that ignitions could be the source of deflagrations or detonations. Furthermore, the petition cited limiting containment design pressures of Indian Point 2 and discussed the possibility of failure.
The NRDC, along with Mr. Mark Leyse, spoke to the NRCs Petition Review Board on June 14, 2012. You provided additional clarification that the concerns focus on severe reactor accidents and not on the NRCs design basis accident that IP2 is designed for.
On July 30, 2012, you were informed that the initial recommendation of the PRB was to reject the petition based on (1) the issues raised in the petition have previously been reviewed and resolved by the NRC staff, and (2) the petitioner identified deficiencies within NRC regulations.
On September 12, 2012, the NRDC along with Mr. Mark Leyse made their second presentation before the PRB. Mr. Leyse objected to the PRBs initial recommendation because the PRB did not address his research concerning PARs malfunctioning by having ignitions during testing under elevated hydrogen concentration.
Mr. Leyse stated that the PRB did not reference any document indicating that the NRC had reviewed and evaluated this scenario. Mr. Leyse referenced an IAEA report of July 2011 indicating that the PAR ignition problem has not been resolved.
On October 10, 2012, the PRB met to make its final recommendation. Based on further review, the PRB concluded that the NRC may not have considered the behavior of PARs in environments containing high concentrations of combustible gas which may be present during long-term severe accident conditions.
Therefore, the PRB has reversed its initial recommendation and has accepted your petition for further review pursuant to 10 CFR 2.206.
In addition to this email, an acknowledgment letter accepting your petition will be issued in the near future documenting the decision of the PRB. This email will be made publicly available in ADAMS.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Douglas V. Pickett, Senior Project Manager Indian Point Nuclear Generating Unit U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 301-415-1364 Email: douglas.pickett@nrc.gov
2
Hearing Identifier:
NRR_PMDA Email Number:
514 Mail Envelope Properties (Douglas.Pickett@nrc.gov20121023101500)
Subject:
Natural Resources Defense Council 2.206 Petition RE: Indian Point Unit 2 Sent Date:
10/23/2012 10:15:03 AM Received Date:
10/23/2012 10:15:00 AM From:
Pickett, Douglas Created By:
Douglas.Pickett@nrc.gov Recipients:
"Russell, Andrea" <Andrea.Russell@nrc.gov>
Tracking Status: None "rwalpol@entergy.com" <rwalpol@entergy.com>
Tracking Status: None "Prussman, Stephen G" <SPrussm@entergy.com>
Tracking Status: None "Lubinski, John" <John.Lubinski@nrc.gov>
Tracking Status: None "Wilson, George" <George.Wilson@nrc.gov>
Tracking Status: None "Gray, Mel" <Mel.Gray@nrc.gov>
Tracking Status: None "Weaver, Jordan" <jweaver@nrdc.org>
Tracking Status: None Post Office:
Files Size Date & Time MESSAGE 3058 10/23/2012 10:15:00 AM Options Priority:
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No Reply Requested:
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