Text

Proposed Alternative to Utilize Code Case N-786, Alternative Requirements for Sleeve Reinforcement of Class 2 and 3 Moderate-Energy Carbon Steel
	ML13059A498
Person / Time
Site:	Dresden, Peach Bottom, Oyster Creek, Byron, Three Mile Island, Braidwood, Limerick, Clinton, LaSalle
Issue date:	02/27/2013
From:	Jesse M; Exelon Generation Co
To:	; Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response
References
	RA-13-020, RS-13-060, TMI-13-028
	Download: ML13059A498 (14)
	v • d • e

10 CFR 50.55a RS-13-060 RA-13-020 TMI-13-028 February 27, 2013 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Attn: Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555-0001 Braidwood Station, Units 1 and 2 Facility Operating License Nos. NPF-72 and NPF-77 NRC Docket Nos. STN 50-456 and STN 50-457 Byron Station, Units 1 and 2 Facility Operating License Nos. NPF-37 and NPF-66 NRC Docket Nos. STN 50-454 and STN 50-455 Clinton Power Station, Unit 1 Facility Operating License No. NPF-62 NRC Docket No. 50-461 Dresden Nuclear Power Station, Units 2 and 3 Renewed Facility Operating License Nos. DPR-19 and DPR-25 NRC Docket Nos. 50-237 and 50-249 LaSalle County Station, Units 1 and 2 Facility Operating License Nos. NPF-11 and NPF-18 NRC Docket Nos. 50-373 and 50-374 Limerick Generating Station, Units 1 and 2 Facility Operating License Nos. NPF-39 and NPF-85 NRC Docket Nos. 50-352 and 50-353 Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station Renewed Facility Operating License No. DPR-16 NRC Docket No. 50-219 Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Units 2 and 3 Renewed Facility Operating License Nos. DPR-44 and DPR-56 NRC Docket Nos. 50-277 and 50-278

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Proposed Alternative to Utilize Code Case N-786 February 27, 2013 Page2 Quad Cities Nuclear Power Station'; Units 1 and 2 Renewed Facility Operating License Nos. DPR-29 and DPR-30 NRC Docket Nos. 50-254 and 50-265 Three Mile Island Nuclear Station, Unit 1 Renewed Facility Operating License No. DPR-50 NRC Docket No. 50-289

Subject:

Proposed Alternative to Utilize Code Case N-786, "Alternative Requirements for Sleeve Reinforcement of Class 2 and 3 Moderate-Energy Carbon Steel Piping Section XI, Division 1"

Reference:

1) Letter from J. I. Zimmerman (U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission) to M. J. Pacilio (Exelon Generation Company, LLC), ML12121A637, dated May 10, 2012 In accordance with 10 CFR 50.55a(a)(3)(ii), Exelon Generation Company, LLC (Exelon) is requesting a proposed alternative to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code,Section XI, "Rules for lnservice Inspection of Nuclear Power Plant Components," on the basis that compliance with the specified requirements would result in hardship or unusual difficulty without a compensating increase in the level of quality and safety. Similar justification was provided for the Exelon fleet as discussed in the Reference 1 letter. Specifically, this proposed alternative concerns the use of repair sleeves in accordance with Code Case N-786, for mitigating damage caused from degradation mechanisms such as localized erosion, corrosion, cavitation, or pitting in Class 2 and 3 moderate-energy piping.

There are no commitments contained in this submittal.

We request your review and approval of this fleet request by February 27, 2014.

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(./ Michael D. J6se Director- Lite sing and Regulatory Affairs Exelon Generation Company, LLC Attachments: 1) Proposed Alternative to Utilize Code Case N-786

2) Code Case N-786 cc: Regional Administrator - NRC Region I Regional Administrator - NRC Region Ill NRC Senior Resident Inspector - Braidwood Station NRC Senior Resident Inspector- Byron Station

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Proposed Alternative to Utilize Code Case Nw 786 February 27, 2013 Page 3 cc (Cont'd)

NRC Senior Resident Inspector Clinton Power Station w

NRC Senior Resident Inspector- Dresden Nuclear Power Station NRC Senior Resident Inspector- LaSalle County Station NRC Senior Resident Inspector - Limerick Generating Station NRC Senior Resident Inspector- Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station NRC Senior Resident Inspector - Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station NRC Senior Resident Inspector- Quad Cities Nuclear Power Station NRC Senior Resident Inspector- Three Mile Island Nuclear Station, Unit 1 NRC Project Manager - Braidwood Station NRC Project Manager - Byron Station NRC Project Manager - Clinton Power Station NRC Project Manager wDresden Nuclear Power Station NRC Project Manager wLaSalle County Station NRC Project Manager - Limerick Generating Station NRC Project Manager wOyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station NRC Project Manager - Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station NRC Project Manager - Quad Cities Nuclear Power Station NRC Project Manager - Three Mile Island Nuclear Station, Unit 1

Attachment 1 Proposed Alternative to Utilize Code Case N-786

10 CFR 50.55a RELIEF REQUEST Revision 0 (Page 1 of 4)

Request to Use Code Case N-786 in Accordance with 10 CFR 50.55a(a){3)(ii)

1. ASME Code Component(s) Affected:

All ASME Class 2 and 3 moderate energy (i.e., less than or equal to 200°F (93°C) and less than or equal to 275 psig (1.9 MPa) maximum operating conditions) carbon steel piping systems.

2. Applicable Code Edition and Addenda

PLANT INTERVAL EDITION START END Braidwood Station, 2001 Edition, through 2003 July 29, 2008 July 28, 2018 Third Units 1 and 2 Addenda October 17, 2008 October 16, 2018 Byron Station, 2001 Edition, through 2003 Third January 16, 2006 July 15, 2016 Units 1 and 2 Addenda Clinton Power Station, Third 2004 Edition July 1, 2010 June 30,2020 Unit 1 Dresden Nuclear Power 2007 Edition, through 2008 Fifth January 20, 2013 January 19, 2023 Station, Units 2 and 3 Addenda LaSalle County Stations, 2001 Edition, through 2003 Third October 1, 2007 September 30,2017 Units 1 and 2 Addenda Limerick Generating 2001 Edition, through 2003 Third February 1, 2007 January 31, 2017 Station, Units 1 and 2 Addenda Oyster Creek Nuclear 2007 Edition, through 2008 Fifth January 15, 2013 . January 14, 2023 Generating Station Addenda Peach Bottom Atomic 2001 Edition, through 2003 Power Station, Fourth November 5, 2008 November 4, 2018 Addenda Units 2 and 3 Quad Cities Nuclear 2007 Edition, through 2008 Power Station, Fifth April 2, 2013 April1, 2023 Addenda Units 1 and 2 Three Mile Island Nuclear Fourth 2004 Edition April 20, 2011 April 19, 2022 Station, Unit 1

3. Applicable Code Requirement

ASME Code,Section XI, IWA-4400 of 2001 Edition through 2003 Addenda, 2004 Edition, and 2007 Edition through 2008 Addenda provides requirements for welding, brazing, metal removal, and installation of repair/replacement activities.

10 CFR 50.55a RELIEF REQUEST Revision 0 (Page 2 of 4)

4. Reason for Request

In accordance with 10 CFR 50.55a(a)(3)(ii), Exelon Generation Company, LLC (Exelon) is requesting proposed alternatives from the requirement for replacement or internal weld repair of wall thinning conditions resulting from degradation in Class 2 and Class 3 moderate energy carbon steel piping systems in accordance with IWA-4000. Such degradation may be the result of mechanisms such as localized erosion, corrosion, cavitation, and pitting, but excluded are conditions involving any form of cracking. IWA-4000 requires repair or replacement in accordance with the Owner's Requirements and the original or later Construction Code.

One reason for this request is to permit installation of technically sound temporary repairs, in the form of Type A or partial-structural Type B reinforcing sleeves, to provide adequate time for evaluation, design, material procurement, planning and scheduling of appropriate permanent repair or replacement of the defective piping, considering the impact on system availability, maintenance rule applicability, and availability of replacement materials.

The other reason for this request is to permit installation of long-term repairs, in the form of full-structural Type B reinforcing sleeves, for locally degraded portions of piping systems. The design, construction, and inservice monitoring of such sleeves provide a technically sound equivalent replacement for the segment of degraded piping that is encompassed.

5. Proposed Alternative and Basis for Use:

Exelon proposes to implement the requirements of ASME Code Case N-786, "Alternative Requirements for Sleeve Reinforcement of Class 2 and 3 Moderate-Energy Carbon Steel Piping Section XI, Division 1,"for repair of degradation in Class 2 and 3 moderate energy carbon steel piping systems resulting from mechanisms such as localized erosion, corrosion, cavitation, or pitting, but excluding conditions involving any form of cracking. These types of defects are typically identified by small leaks in the piping system or by pre-emptive non-code required examinations performed to monitor the degradation mechanisms. Code Case N-786, which is included as part of this relief request, is attached.

This code case invokes the design requirements of the original Construction Code or ASME Code, Section Ill. Reconciliation and use of editions and addenda of ASME Section Ill will be in accordance with ASME Section XI, IWA-4220, and only editions and addenda of ASME Section Ill that have been accepted by 10 CFR 50.55a may be used. The Code of Record for the specific 10-year lSI interval at each nuclear unit as identified under Section 2 above, will be used when applying the various IW A paragraphs of Section XI unless specific regulatory relief to use other editions or addenda is approved.

The alternative repair technique described in Code Case N-786 involves the application of Type A and Type B full encirclement sleeve halves welded together with full penetration longitudinal seam welds to reinforce structural integrity in the degraded area. In the case of Type B reinforcing sleeves, the ends are also welded to the piping in order to restore pressure integrity.

This repair technique will be utilized when it is determined that this repair method is suitable for the particular defect or degradation being resolved without flaw removal.

The Code Case requires that the cause of the degradation be determined and that the extent and rate of degradation in the piping be evaluated to ensure that there are no other unacceptable locations within the surrounding area that could affect the integrity of the repaired

10 CFR 50.55a RELIEF REQUEST Revision 0 (Page 3 of 4) p1p1ng. The area of evaluation will be dependent on the degradation mechanism present. If the cause of the degradation is not determined, the maximum permitted service life of any reinforcing sleeve shall be the time until the next refueling outage.

"Full-structural Type B" means that the sleeve and attachment welds alone maintain full capability to withstand structural (mechanical) and pressure loading for which the piping is presently designed without need for additional support or reinforcement, and without reliance on any piping that is encased by the sleeve. Type A and partial-structural Type B sleeves rely on the encased underlying piping to provide some structural (mechanical) and/or pressure retaining integrity.

Type B reinforcing sleeves may be applied to leaking systems by installing a gasket or sealant between the sleeve and the pipe as permitted by the Code Case, and then clamping the reinforcing sleeve halves to the piping prior to welding. Residual moisture is then removed by heating prior to welding. If welding of any type of sleeve occurs on a wet surface, the maximum permitted life of the sleeve shall be the time until the next refueling outage.

A baseline thickness examination will be performed for completed full-structural Type B reinforcing sleeves, attachment welds, and surrounding areas, followed by thickness monitoring during the first two refueling outages after installation and at least every fourth refueling outage thereafter.

Partial-structural Type B reinforcing sleeves and Type A reinforcing sleeves completely encompass the degraded areas. These sleeves are designed to accommodate predicted maximum degradation and must be removed at the next refueling outage. Accordingly, the Code Case does not require inservice monitoring for these sleeves. However, because of NRC concerns discussed in the May 10, 2012, NRC Safety Evaluation Report for the Exelon Generation Company, LLC sites concerning the approval to apply Code Case N-789 (ML12121A637), the following condition shall apply to the application of Code Case N-786:

Type A reinforcing sleeves and partial-structural Type B reinforcing sleeves shall be visually observed at least once per month to monitor for evidence of leakage. If the areas containing these sleeves are not accessible for direct observation, then monitoring will be accomplished by visual assessment of surrounding areas or ground surface areas above such sleeves on buried piping, or monitoring of leakage collection systems, if available.

When used on buried piping, the area of full-structural Type B reinforcing sleeves will need to be physically accessible for the examinations required by the Code Case, which could necessitate installation of removable barriers at the repair location in lieu of backfilling the pipe at that location. For Type A and partial-structural Type B reinforcing sleeves installed on buried piping, the monitoring will be based on visual assessment as discussed above.

Type A reinforcing sleeves and partial-structural Type B reinforcing sleeves shall have a maximum permitted service life of the time until the next refueling outage, when a permanent repair or replacement must be performed. Neither the Type A nor the partial-structural Type B reinforcing sleeve may remain in service beyond the end of the next refueling outage after they are installed, unless specific regulatory relief is obtained. This means that if such a repair is performed in mid-cycle (e.g., one month before the scheduled refueling outage) the reinforcing sleeve would be removed no later than the upcoming refueling outage (e.g., in one month) unless specific regulatory relief is obtained. Even if removal during the next scheduled refueling

10 CFR 50.55a RELIEF REQUEST Revision 0 (Page 4 of 4) outage becomes challenging (e.g., it is installed on a system required to be functional during the refueling outage), it would still need to be removed when theI system is not required to be functional and prior to the conclusion of the next scheduled refueling outage after it was installed.

A similar situation exists with common cooling lines that require a dual unit outage in order to remove them from service. Unless a full-structural Type B reinforcing sleeve is installed, specific regulatory approval would need to be obtained in order to defer removal of a Type A or partial-structural Type B reinforcing sleeve beyond the next upcoming refueling outage of either unit.

Full-structural Type B reinforcing sleeves will be removed and an IW A-4000 repair or replacement will be performed prior to the time that inservice monitoring indicates that structural integrity could be impaired based on measured degradation between monitoring activities.

Additional requirements for design, installation, examination, pressure testing, and inservice examination of reinforcing sleeves are provided in Code Case N-786.

All other ASME Section XI requirements for which relief was not specifically requested and authorized by the NRC staff will remain applicable including third party review by the Authorized Nuclear lnservice Inspector.

Based on the above, the use of Code Case N-786 for full-structural Type B reinforcing sleeves and for Type A and partial-structural Type B reinforcing sleeves will apply when compliance with the specified Code requirements of ASME Section XI would result in hardship or unusual difficulty without a compensating increase in the level of quality and safety.

Code Case N-786 was approved by the ASME Board on Nuclear Codes and Standards on March 24, 2011; however, it has not been incorporated into NRC Regulatory Guide 1.147 "lnservice Inspection Code Case Acceptability, ASME Section XI, Division 1,"and thus is not available for application at nuclear power plants without specific NRC approval. Therefore, Exelon requests use of the alternative repair techniques described in the Code Case via this relief request.

6. Duration of Proposed Alternative:

The proposed alternative is for use of the Code Case for the remainder of each plant's 10-year inspection interval as specified in Section 2. Installation of reinforcing sleeves in accordance with this request cannot take place after the end of the 10-year lSI interval for the unit. Any Type A and partial-structural Type B reinforcing sleeves installed before the end of the 10-year inservice inspection interval will be removed during the next refueling outage, even if that refueling outage occurs after the end of the 10-year lSI interval.

7. Precedent:

A similar Exelon relief request, for Code Case N-789 (Reinforcing Pads for Class 2 and Class 3 Moderate Energy Raw Water Systems) was approved by NRC Safety Evaluation dated May 10, 2012, ADAMS Accession No. ML12121A637.

Attachment 2 Code Case N-786

CASE CASES OF ASME BOILER AND PRESSURE VESSEL CODE N-786 Approval Date: March 24, 2011 Code Cases will remain available for use until annulled by the applicable Standards Committee.

Case N-786 and configuration of degradation to be reinforced. The Alternative Requirements for Sleeve Reinforcement of adjacent area shall be examined to verify that the repair Class 2 and 3 Moderate-Energy Carbon Steel Piping will encompass the entire unacceptable area, and that the Section XI, Division l adjacent base material is of sufficient thickness to accom-modate the attachment welds at the edges of the sleeve.

Inquiry: As an alternative to replacement or internal (b) The cause and rate of degradation shall be deter-weld repair in accordance with IW A-4400, what require-mined. The extent and rate of degradation in the piping ments may be applied for wall reinforcement of Class 2 shall be evaluated to ensure that there will be no other and 3 moderate-energy carbon steel piping systems that unacceptable locations within the surrounding area that have experienced internal wall thinning from localized ero-could affect the integrity of the reinforced areas for the sion, corrosion, and cavitation or pitting?

life of the repair. The dimensions of the surrounding area Reply: It is the opinion of the Committee that, in lieu to be evaluated shall be determined by the Owner, based of IW A-4400, Class 2 and 3 moderate-energy [i.e., less on the type and rate of degradation present.

than or equal to 200°F (93°C) and less than or equal to (c) The effects of the reinforcing sleeve and attachment 275 psig (I. 9 MPa) maximum operating conditions] carbon welds on the piping and any remaining degradation shall steel piping experiencing internal wall thinning from local- be evaluated in accordance with IWA-4311.

ized erosion, corrosion, and cavitation or pitting may have the wall thickness reinforced by applying full-circumferen-tial reinforcing sleeves to the outside surface of the piping 3 DESIGN in accordance with the following requirements. Excluded 3.1 Types of Reinforcing Sleeves from these provisions are conditions involving any form (a) Type A reinforcing sleeves as shown in Fig. 1 may of cracking.

be used for structural reinforcement of thinned areas which are not expected to penetrate the wall and cause leakage.

1 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS The piping longitudinal stresses shall meet the require-(a) Installation of the reinforcing sleeve shall be in ments of the Construction Code. Type A reinforcing accordance with a Repair/Replacement Plan satisfying the sleeves shall have a maximum service life of the time until requirements of IW A-4150. the next refueling outage. 1 (b) The design, materials, and installation shall meet (b) Type B reinforcing sleeves as shown in Fig. 2 may the requirements of the Construction Code and IWA-4000, be used for pressure plus full- or partial-structural rein-except as stated in this Case. forcement of thinned areas that penetrate, or are expected (c) If the minimum required thickness of reinforcing to penetrate the wall and cause leakage.

sleeve necessary to satisfy the requirements of 3 is greater (I) Full-structural reinforcement is designed to than 1.4 times the nominal thickness for the size and accommodate pressure plus axial and circumferential schedule of the piping, this Case may not be used. design loadings at the location for the design life of the (d) Additional reinforcement or repair is not permitted repair without taking credit for any portion of the degraded on top of an existing reinforcing sleeve. segment. Full-structural reinforcement sleeves shall be (e) This Case may be applied only to piping not required removed and the piping repaired or replaced in accordance to be ultrasonically examined for inservice inspection. with IWA-4000 no later than the end of the design life of the repair.

2 INITIAL EVALUATION (a) The material beneath the surface to which the rein- 1 If a Type A or partial-structural Type B reinforcing sleeve is installed forcing sleeve is to be applied shall be ultrasonically mea- during a refueling outage, the maximum permitted service life is one fuel sured to establish the existing wall thickness and the extent cycle, until the next refueling outage.

The Committee's function is to establish rules of safety, relating only to pressure integrity, governing the construction of boilers, pressure vessels, transport tanks and nuclear components, and inservice inspection for pressure integrity of nuclear components and transport tanks, and to interpret these rules when questions arise regarding their intent. This Code does not address other safety issues relating to the construction of boilers, pressure vessels, transport tanks and nuclear components, and the inservice inspection of nuclear components and transport tanks. The user of the Code should refer to other pertinent codes, standards, laws, regulations or other relevant documents.

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CASE (continued)

N-786 CASES OF ASME BOILER AND PRESSURE VESSEL CODE FIG. 1 TYPE A REINFORCING SLEEVE Type A Sleeve ~

Full-penetration longitudinal seam FIG. 2 TYPE B REINFORCING SLEEVES Full penetration longitudinal seam 1 , ........ -,,~ : : , ...... -:,.. :

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Full-structural (2) Partial-structural reinforcement is designed to (c) The minimum width of reinforcing sleeves shall be accommodate design loadings at the segment being rein- 4 in. (100 mm).

forced, taking partial credit for the degraded segment after (d) The thickness of the reinforcing sleeve shall be suf-factoring in predicted degradation over the life of the repair. ficient to maintain required thickness for the predicted life Partial credit is considered taken if the design relies on of the repair.

any portion of the segment of piping beneath the sleeve, (e) The following factors shall be considered, as appli-other than the base metal beneath the attachment welds, cable, in the design and application of the sleeves:

to provide structural or pressure integrity. Partial-structural ( 1) all loading the sleeve is expected to encounter reinforcing sleeves shall have a maximum service life of (2) shrinkage effects, if any, on the piping the time until the next refueling outage. (3) stress concentrations caused by installation of the 3.2 General Design Requirements - Type A and B reinforcing sleeve or resulting from existing and predicted Sleeves piping internal surface configuration (a) The design of reinforcing sleeves shall be in accor- (4) effects of welding on any interior coating dance with the requirements of (NC-3100 and ND-3100 (5) differential thermal expansion between reinforc-or NC-3600 and ND-3600, and Section III, Appendix II). ing sleeve, the attachment welds, and the pipe (b) Material for reinforcing sleeves shall be ferritic, with (6) potential for loose debris in the system from con-welds of compatible weld filler metal. tinued degradation of the reinforced area of the piping NC- SUPP. 5 2 (N-786) PDF RELEASE Copyright © 2011 by the American No reproduction may be made of this mate

CASE (continued)

CASES OF ASME BOILER AND PRESSURE VESSEL CODE N-786 FIG. 3 TYPE A AND B SLEEVE LONGITUDINAL sleeve, weld metal, piping, and any exterior coating that SEAMS is not removed from the piping.

Hardenable filler 3.3 Specific Requirements - Type A Sleeves Type A sleeves in moist environments shall have edges sealed, but not seal welded, to prevent moisture intrusion and corrosion.

3.4 Specific Requirements - Type B Sleeves (a) If permitted by the design, suitable gasket material may be applied inside the sleeve to prevent moisture during welding (see Fig. 2).

(b) Hardenable filler and gasket material shall be com-patible with the system fluid.

(c) Partial-structural sleeves shall be designed to with-stand the design pressure.

(d) Partial-structural sleeves may be attached by fillet welds in accordance with the requirements of 3.2(a).

No backing strip Backing strip Backing strip (e) Unless otherwise established by analysis in accor-with recess without recess dance with the requirements of 3.2(a), the sleeves shall be attached by partial-penetration welds (see Fig. 5) that extend for a distance of at least s in each axial direction (f) Longitudinal seam welds shall be full penetration.

beyond the area predicted, over the design life of the repair, Backing may be applied to prevent bum-through of the to infringe upon the required thickness. 2 pipe. If full contact between sleeve and pipe is required, any backing shall be recessed into the underside of the sleeve, or hardenable filler shall be used to fill the void, S ~ 0.75 jRtnom as indicated in Fig. 3.

where (g) Longitudinal seam joint efficiency of 0.8 shall be used, except that I 00% joint efficiency is permitted if the R = D/2 = outer radius of the component S = I in. (25 mm), minimum longitudinal seam is volumetrically examined.

tnom = nominal wall thickness of the component (h) Fatigue evaluation shall be performed if required for the original pipe, or if thermal gradients exceed l00°F The thickness of the partial-penetration attachment (56°C), or if lesser thermal gradients will occur during welds shall equal the thickness of the sleeve, and the outer more than 200 heatup and cool-down cycles over the life edges of the welds shall be tapered to the piping surface of the repair. at a maximum angle ("a' in Fig. 5) of 45 deg.

( i) If flexibility analysis was required by the original (j) If flexibility analysis was required by the original Construction Code, the effect of the reinforcement shall Construction Code, and unless a lower stress intensification be reconciled with the original analysis. factor (SIF or i) is established, an SIF (i) of 2.1 shall be (j) Final configuration of the attachment welds shall applied for attachment fillet welds and tapered edges of permit the examinations and evaluations required herein, partial-penetration attachment welds on straight pipe and including any required preservice or inservice examina- at adjacent welds. Also, a stress multiplier of 1.7 shall be tions of attachment or adjacent welds. applied to the SIF (i) for sleeves enclosing standard elbows,

( k) The predicted maximum degradation of the carrier and an SIF (i) of 2.1 shall be applied for sleeve attachments base metal and reinforcing sleeve over the design life of on tees and branch connections provided the toe of the the reinforcement shall be based on in-situ inspection and J fillet or tapered edge is not less than 2.5 Rtnom from any established data for similar base metals. branch reinforcement. (See Fig. 5.)

(l) Weld seams encompassed by the sleeve shall be ground flush. Alternatively, bulges may be rolled or formed 4 WATER-BACKED APPLICATIONS in the sleeves to accommodate such obstructions. Refer to (a) Manual welding of reinforcing sleeves on water-Fig. 4. backed piping shall use the SMA W process and (m) Sleeves shall closely match the outside surface of low-hydrogen electrodes. 3 the carrier piping. If required by design, gaps shall be filled 2 Design thickness as prescribed by the Construction Code.

with hardenable filler. 3 Testing has shown that piping with areas of wall thickness less than (n) Hardenable filler shall be suitable for the system the diameter of the electrode may burn through during welding on water-operating conditions, and shall be compatible with the backed piping.

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CASE (continued)

N-786 CASES OF ASME BOILER AND PRESSURE VESSEL CODE FIG. 4 BULGE TO ACCOMMODATE GIRTH WELD FIG. 5 DESIGN DETAILS - TYPE B FULL-STRUCTURAL SLEEVES r--

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CASE (continued)

CASES OF ASME BOILER AND PRESSURE VESSEL CODE N-786 (b) For piping materials other than P-No. I Group I, longitudinal seam welds may be examined in accordance the surface examination of welds. required in 6 shall be with 6(d), in lieu of volumetric examination.

performed no sooner than 48 hr after completion of (d) Partial-penetration attachment welds (Fig. 2) shall welding. be volumetrically examined when full-penetration girth welds in the carrier piping are required by the Construction 5 INSTALLATION Code to be volumetrically examined. Where configuration (a) The circumference of the base material in the area does not permit meaningful volumetric examination, and to be welded or to provide backing for welding shall be for Class 3 longitudinal seam welds requiring volumetric cleaned to bare metal. The entire area shall be cleaned, if examination [see 6(c)], the first layer, each ~in. thickness required for application of hardenable filler. of weld deposit, and final surface shall be examined in (b) The sleeve shall be fitted tightly around the pipe. accordance with 6(a), in lieu of volumetric examination.

Preheating the sleeve to achieve a shrink fit, or use of (e) When volumetric examination is required, the full mechanical or hydraulic clamping, draw bolts, or other volume of the attachment weld, excluding the tapered edges devices may be used to ensure fit. but including the volume of base metal required for the (c) If hardenable filler is used, it may be applied prior service life of the reinforcing sleeve, shall be examined in to sleeve installation or pumped into the annulus between accordance with the Construction Code or Section III using the sleeve and base metal after the sleeve is in place. If either the ultrasonic or radiographic method, and shall, to pumped into the annulus, provisions shall be made to pre- the depth at the surface of the piping, satisfy the acceptance vent over-pressurization and intrusion of the hardenable criteria for weldments of the Construction Code or Section filler into the system. III (NC-5300, ND-5300). Any volume of the piping (d) Means shall be provided to isolate or divert leakage beneath the reinforcing sleeve that is taken credit for in to eliminate moisture during welding. If welding is per- the design shall satisfy the volumetric acceptance criteria formed on a wet surface, the maximum permitted life of the of NC-5320 and ND-5320 or NC-5330 and ND-5330, as reinforcing sleeve shall be the time until the next refueling applicable.

outage.

(e) Weld metal shall be deposited using a groove-welding procedure qualified in accordance with Section IX and the Construction Code. 7 PRESSURE TESTING (f) Fillet weld leg length shall be increased by the In lieu of IWA-4540, a system leakage test of the repair/

amount of fit-up gap. Care shall be exercised to avoid sharp replacement activity shall be performed in accordance with discontinuities that could cause stress risers at the toes of IW A-5000 prior to, or as part of, returning to service.

fillet welds or tapered edges of partial-penetration attach-ment welds.

(g) Provision for venting during the final closure weld or pressure testing shall be made if necessary. 8 INSERVICE EXAMINATION (h) The surfaces of all welds shall be prepared, if neces-(a) Preservice and inservice examination of Type B full-sary, by machining or grinding, to permit performance of surface and volumetric examinations required by 6. For structural reinforcing sleeve welds shall be performed in ultrasonic examination, a surface finish of 250 RMS or accordance with IWC-2000, IWD-2000, as required.

better is required. [See l(e).]

(b) The Owner shall prepare a plan for thickness moni-6 EXAMINATION toring of full-structural reinforcing sleeves and their attach-ment welds, using ultrasonic or direct thickness (a) All welds shall be examined using the liquid pene-measurement, to verify that minimum design thicknesses trant or magnetic particle method and shall satisfy the surface examination acceptance criteria for welds of the as required by the Construction Code or Section III are Construction Code or Section III (NC-5300, ND-5300). not violated in the sleeve or at the attachment welds includ-(b) Except for the tapered edges, partial-penetration ing the underlying base metal over the life of the reinforce-attachment welds, including the piping base metal upon ment. The frequency and method of monitoring shall be which they are applied, shall be examined ultrasonically determined based on an evaluation of the degradation to verify and record baseline wall thickness. mechanism. Monitoring activities shall be performed dur-(c) Longitudinal seam welds in the sleeve shall be ultra- ing the first two refueling outages after installation, and at sonically or radiographically examined in accordance with least every fourth refueling outage thereafter.

the Construction Code or Section III if longitudinal seam (c) If the cause of the degradation is not determined, welds in the piping require volumetric examination. If the the maximum permitted service life of any reinforcing design does not permit a joint efficiency of 0.8, Class 3 sleeve shall be the time until the next refueling outage.

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