ML18101A709
| ML18101A709 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Salem, Hope Creek  |
| Issue date: | 05/05/1995 |
| From: | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML18101A708 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 9505190380 | |
| Download: ML18101A709 (3) | |
Text
UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555--0001 SAFETY EVALUATION BY THE OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION REQUEST TO WELD SA-351, GRADE CD4MCu MATERIAL FOR PUBLIC SERVICE ELECTRIC & GAS COMPANY CPSE&Gl SALEM AND HOPE CREEK GENERATING STATIONS DOCKET NOS. 50-272, 50-311. AND 50-354
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The staff has reviewed and evaluated the licensee's request and supporting information to adopt this alternative to the Code requirements for the Salem and Hope Creek Generating Stations.
10 CFR 50.55a(a)3 states that alternatives to the requirements of paragraph (e) may be used, when authorized by the NRC, if (i) the proposed alternatives would provide an acceptable level of quality and $afety.
The licensee has determined that a contradiction exists between the welding repair requirements identified in Table 1-7.2 (APPENDICES) of the 1989 Edition of the ASME Code and those found in SA-351 (Section II of the Code). This contradiction resides in the fact that NOTE #5 of Table 1-7.2 (APPENDICES) states for Grade CD4MCu material:
"No welding is permitted on these
. materials". Contrary to this NOTE, Specification SA-351/SA-351M of Section II allows weld repairs on all the types and grades of the material in the specification.
2.0 EVALUATION
ALTERNATIVES TO THE WELDING RESTRICTIONS ON SA-351. GRADE CD4MCu MATERIAL - 1989 ASME CODE Component Identification ASME Class 3 Service Water Pumps ASME Code Section III Requirements Table 1-7.2 (APPENDICES) of the 1989 Edition of the ASME Code restricts the use of welding processes on SA-351, Grade CD4MCu material with the following
- NOTE #5:
"No welding is permitted on these materials."
ASME Code Section II Requirements ASME Section II, Specification SA-351/SA-351M, Section 10, Repair by Welding, allows weld repairs on this class of materials if these repairs are made using procedures and ~elders qualified under Section IX of the ASME Code.
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9505190380 950505 PDR ADOCK 05000272 p
- Licensee's Basis for Request Public Service Electric & Gas Company (PSE&G), hereby requests relief from restrictions for welding on SA-351 material contained in the 1989 ASME Boiler and Pressure Code Section III. This relief is requested to remove the welding restrictions contained in ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel 1989 Code, Table 1-7.2 for SA-351 material, Grade CD4MCu.
The 1989 restriction states:
"No welding is permitted on these materials."
However, the 1989 ASME Code Section II is in conflict with this welding restriction. Repairs by welding are permitted for all grades of SA-351.
In 1994, the ASME proposed to correct the error by the deletion of the welding restriction for SA-351, Grade CD4MCu.
By letter dated July 7, 1994, Item 94-137 recommended approval of the following change:
"SA-351, Type CD4MCu (cast material) is a weldable material, so deletion of note B2: (5), which does not permit welding, is appropriate."
- . ASHE letter dated August 9, 1994, states that the change is approved.
The weldfng restriction will be deleted from the next (1994) Edition of the ASHE Code.
3.0 Evaluation/Conclusions The staff has reviewed the licensee's request for relief to use an alternative pursuant to 10 CFR 50.55a(a)(3)(i).
Discussions with and input from the licensee have provided the following information regarding the relief request:
- 1.
The SA-351, Grade CD4MCu material will be used for the pump bowls and impellers for the Salem Unit 1 and 2 and the Hope Creek service water pumps. The PSE&G Design Specification for the pumps requires a visual examination of the castings in addition to a penetrant examination of all mac~ined and high stress areas.
- 2.
No rep*a i rs wi 11 be performed at the site. A 11 repairs wi 11 be performed at the-manufacturer's facilities where the parts can be solution heat treated after repa-ir.
- 3. -
Ferrite content will be controlled using approved (by the licensee) procedures and administrative controls.
- 4.
The design conditions for these parts (at Salem) are 90 degrees
- Fahrenheit at 220 psig so thermal embrittlement is not a concern.
t..
- The staff finds that the licensee's use of the prov1s1ons of Section II of the 1989 Edition of the ASME Code, allowing weld repair of SA-351 material, constitutes a reasonable, safe alternative to the existing requirements contained in the 1989 Edition of Section III of the ASME Code.
This is based upon the fact that the material specification for the alloy SA-351 (Section II of the ASME Code) allows welding repairs on all grades of the alloy and that repairs of the all.oy are routinely performed by qualified vendors.. Properly performed weld repairs of this material will provide material of equal strength to the base material with no compromise of structural integrity. The staff also notes that the ASME Code Committee has recognized this conflict in
.the Code and has taken steps to resolve the discrepancy. Therefore, pursuant to 10 CFR 50.55a(a)(3)(i), use of the licensee's proposed alternative for repair weldin~ of SA-351, Grade CD4MCu material for the service water pumps at the Salem and Hope Creek plants is authorized as requested in that it provides an acceptable level of quality and safety.
Principal Contributor:
C. Czajkowski Date:
May 5, 1995