ML16137A748
| ML16137A748 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Oconee, Mcguire, Catawba, McGuire  |
| Issue date: | 05/28/1980 |
| From: | James O'Reilly NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION II) |
| To: | Parker W DUKE POWER CO. |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8007210449 | |
| Download: ML16137A748 (4) | |
Text
UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION REGION II 101 MARIETTA ST., N.W., SUITE 3100 ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303 MAY 28 1980 In Reply Refer To:
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W. 0. Parker, Jr.
Vice President, Steam Production P. 0. Box 2178 Charlotte, North Carolina 28242 Gentlemen:
The enclosed Circular No. 80-13, is forwarded to you for information.
If there are any questions related to your understanding of the suggested actions, please contact this office.
Sincerely, James P. O'Reilly Director
Enclosures:
- 1.
IE Circular No. 80-13
- 2.
List of Recently Issued IE Circulars 8 007210Wf
MAY 28 18 Duke Power Company
-2 cc w/encl:
J. W. Hampton, Station Manager Post Office Box 392 Clover, South Carolina 29710 D. G. Beam, Project Manager Post Office Box 223 Clover, South Carolina 29710 M. D. McIntosh, Plant Manager Post Office Box 488 Cornelius, North Carolina 28031 J. C. Rogers, Project Manager Post Office Box 33189 Charlotte, North Carolina 28242 J. E. Smith, Station Manager Post Office Box 1175 Seneca, South Carolina 29678
SSINS No.: 6830 Accessions No.:
UNITED STATES 7910250495 NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT~
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 May 28, 1980 IE Circular No. 80-13 GRID STRAP DAMAGE IN WESTINGHOUSE FUEL ASSEMBLIES Description of Circumstances:
During the refueling operation at Salem Unit 1, it was noted by the licensee that some of the assemblies that were removed had suffered grid strap mechanical damage. This was reported to the NRC in LER 79-44. Subsequent to this discovery all fuel assemblies were removed from the core for examination.
The degree of the damage to the grid straps was classified in three cate gories: small pieces missing (15 assemblies), grid material ripped and laid over (5 assemblies), larger sections missing and fuel pins exposed (11 assemb lies).
No damage to the fuel pins was observed. A total of 31 assemblies suffered some grid damage.
The damage appeared to be the result of corner to corner interaction of the grid straps of diagonally adjacent fuel assemblies during the vertical loading and unloading movements. No correlation of the damage to core location, grid strap elevation, or manufacturing and shipping batches has been identified.
The licensee and the fuel manufacturer established the following guidelines for reloading.damaged assemblies: (1) those assemblies with full width pieces missing will not be reloaded for cycle 2, (2) those assemblies with deformed edges and those with small pieces missing will be reloaded with special pro cedures to prevent further damage.
Salem Unit 1 is fueled with 17X17 Westinghouse assemblies. Similar grid problems have occurred at other facilities fueled with 14X14 and 15X15 Westinghouse assemblies; however, fewer assemblies were damaged in those instances.
Recommended Actions:
All licensees using 14X14, 15X15, or 17X17 Westinghouse assemblies are advised to:
(1) Visually inspect grid straps of those fuel assemblies which are discharged from the core as well as those assemblies which are moved to the spent fuel pool for control rod replacement and are subsequently returned to the core.
IE Circular No. 80-13 May 28, 1980 Page 2 of 2 (2) Review the fuel handling precautions recommended by Westinghouse at a meeting on May 25, 1979, with NRC and the licensee for Salem (Attachment 1).
Adopt those recommendations which are pertinent.
No written response to this Circular is required. If you require additional information regarding these matters, contact the Director of the appropriate NRC Regional Office.
Attachment:
Summary of Meeting Notice dated 5/30/79