ML13157A301
| ML13157A301 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | San Onofre  |
| Issue date: | 05/30/2013 |
| From: | Tom Gurdziel - No Known Affiliation |
| To: | Macfarlane A NRC/Chairman |
| References | |
| LTR-13-0496 | |
| Download: ML13157A301 (3) | |
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Joosten, Sandy From:
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Good morning, Tom Gurdziel <tgurdziel@twcny.rr.com>
Thursday, May 30, 2013 9:33 PM CHAIRMAN Resource jicc; Uldis Vanags; Bridget Frymire; thenry; OPA4 Resource; ESTRONSKI@aol.com SONGS, Unit 2 Remaining Life Estimate CPUC 6.docx I hope to mail this letter next week.
Thank you, Tom Gurdziel 1
President Michael R. Peevey Public Utilities Commission 505 Van Ness Avenue San Francisco, CA 94102
Dear President Michael R. Peevey:
Saving Time 9 Twin Orchard Drive Oswego, NY 13126 May 30, 2013 I believe the possibility exists that some time may be saved related to determining the fitness for continued operation of SONGS Unit 2. Presently we feel the need to run Unit 2 for 5 months at 70% power to begin to determine its remaining operating life. (I have been in favor of this concept.) However, a thought came to mind just a day or two ago that we may already have the information we need, if we have three full sets of eddy current information on the Unit 2 replacement steam generators. I think that information exists.
I believe that I have read that eddy current tests were done on the Unit 2 replacement steam generators in Kobe, Japan. I think that eddy current tests were done sometime after arrival in the US and before installation at the plant. And, I think I have read that tests were done after approximately 2 years of operation at 100% (?) power.
So, here would be the plan. Hire a knowledgeable consultant to see if most of the damage occurred during shipping by comparing the results of the first two inspections. I suspect that this may be the case. If it is, it may be possible to calculate the reasonably remaining life of the Unit 2 replacement steam generators by comparing differences between the second and third eddy current results. If it turns out that the differences are relatively minor, probably they have a good bit of life left in them, even as they are today.
And if it turns out that they have been badly damaged by operation, we would probably know that a lot faster than waiting for NRC hearings, then, maybe, approval to run for 5 months, then endless study.
IN PO As I understand it, the Institute for Nuclear Power Operations was formed after the Three Mile Island accident to improve the reputation of the commercial nuclear industry by privately "encouraging" improvement out of the public eye before there was a need for the public monetary fines the NRC was using at the time. They, (IN PO), may be a valuable, if confidential, source of information to you.
Copy:
Commissioner Catherine J.K. Sandoval Commissioner Mark J. Ferron Commissioner Mike Florio Commissioner Carla J. Peterman Thank you, Tom Gurdziel Member, ASME