ML18234A133
| ML18234A133 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | North Anna  |
| Issue date: | 08/15/2018 |
| From: | Mark D. Sartain Dominion Energy Virginia, Virginia Electric & Power Co (VEPCO) |
| To: | Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| References | |
| 18-161 | |
| Download: ML18234A133 (14) | |
Text
10 CFR 50.55a VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23261 August 15, 2018 United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission Serial No.18-161 Attention: Document Control Desk NRA/DEA RO Washington, D.C. 20555 Docket Nos.
- 50-338 50-339 License Nos. NPF-4 NPF-7 VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY (DOMINION ENERGY VIRGINIA)
NORTH ANNA POWER STATION UNITS 1 AND 2 ASME SECTION XI INSERVICE INSPECTION PROGRAM RELIEF REQUESTS N1-15-CMP-001 AND N2-15-CMP-001 PROPOSED ALTERNATIVE - USE OF PAUT IN LIEU OF RT In accordance with 10 CFR 50.55a(z)(2), Dominion Energy Virginia hereby requests Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRG) approval of proposed inservice inspection (ISi) relief requests N1-15-CMP-001 and N2-15-CMP-001 for North Anna Units 1 and 2. The request is for a proposed alternative to allow the use of phased array ultrasonic examination techniques (PAUT) in lieu of radiography (RT) for certain repair/replacement activities. The request for alternative is provided in Attachment 1.
Approval of the proposed alternatives is requested by September 1, 2019 to support the Unit 1 2019 Fall outage. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Diane E. Aitken at (804) 273-2694.
Sincerely,
~
Mark Sartain Vice President - Nuclear Engineering and Fleet Support
Attachment:
- 1. Relief Requests N1-15-CMP-001 and N2-15-CMP-001 for Proposed Alternative -
Use of Encoded Phased Array Ultrasonic Examination Techniques in Lieu of Radiography in Accordance with 10 CFR 50.55a(z)(1)
This letter contains no NRG commitments.
Serial No.18-161 Docket Nos.: 50-338, 50-339 RR N1-15-CMP-001 and N2-15-CMP-001 Proposed Alternative Page 2 of 2 cc: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region II Marquis One Tower 245 Peachtree Center Ave., NE, Suite 1200 Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1257 Mr. Marcus Harris Old Dominion Electric Cooperative Innsbrook Corporate Center 4201 Dominion Blvd.
Suite 300 Glen Allen, Virginia 23060 Mr. James R. Hall NRC Senior Project Manager U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission One White Flint North Mail Stop 08 B 1-A 11555 Rockville Pike Rockville, Maryland 20852 Ms. K. R. Cotton NRC Project Manager U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission One White Flint North Mail Stop 08 G-9A 11555 Rockville Pike Rockville, Maryland 20852-2738 NRC Senior Resident Inspector North Anna Power Station
Serial No.18-161 PAUT In Lieu Of RT Page1of12 ATTACHMENT 1 RELIEF REQUESTS N1-15-CMP-001 and N2-15-CMP-001 PROPOSED ALTERNATIVE USE OF ENCODED PHASED ARRAY ULTRASONIC EXAMINATION TECHNIQUES IN LIEU OF RADIOGRAPHY IN ACCORDANCE WITH 10 CFR 50.55A(Z)(1)
VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY (DOMINION ENERGY VIRGINIA)
Serial No.18-161 PAUT in Lieu of RT Attachment 1, Page 2 of 12 RELIEF REQUESTS N1-15-CMP-001 and N2-15-CMP-001 Use of Encoded Phased Array Ultrasonic Examination Techniques in Lieu of Radiography Proposed Alternative in Accordance with 10 CFR 50. 55a(z)(1)
-- Acceptable Level of Quality and Safety --
- 1. ASME Code Components Affected American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Boiler & Pressure Vessel (B&PV) Code,Section XI, ferritic and austenitic piping welds requiring radiography during repair/replacement activities.
2. Applicable Code Edition and Addenda
Plant Interval Edition Start End North Anna Power Station, Fifth 2013 May 1, 2019 April 30, 2029 Unit 1 North Anna Power Station December 14, December 13, Fourth 2004 Unit 2 2010 2020 North Anna Power Station, December 14, December 13, Fifth 2013 Unit 2 2020 2030
3. Applicable Code Requirement
The 2013 Edition of ASME Section XI, paragraph IWA-4221 requires that items used for repair/replacement activities meet the applicable Owner's Requirements and Construction Code requirements when performing repair/replacement activities.
IWA-4520(b) allows the Owner to authorize use of ultrasonic examination in place of radiographic examination if the conditions of IWA-4521 are met. 10 CFR 50.55a(b)(2)(xix) identifies the provisions in IWA-4520(b)(2) and IWA-4521 as not approved for use.
The 2004 Edition of ASME Section XI, paragraph IWA-4221 requires that items used for repair/replacement activities meet the applicable Owner's Requirements and Construction Code requirements when performing repair/replacement activities.
IWA-4520 requires that welded joints made for installation of items be examined in accordance with the Construction Code identified in the Repair/Replacement Plan.
4. Reason for Request
Replacement of piping is periodically performed in support of the Flow Accelerated Corrosion (FAC) program as well as other repair and replacement activities. The use of encoded Phased Array Ultrasonic Examination Techniques (PAUT) in lieu of
Serial No.18-161 PAUT in Lieu of RT Attachment 1, Page 3 of 12 radiography (RT) to perform the required examinations of the replaced welds would eliminate the safety risk associated with performing RT, which includes both planned and unplanned radiation exposure to plant workers. PAUT also minimizes the impact of performing RT on other outage activities such as limiting access to work locations. In addition, encoded PAUT is equivalent or superior to the code-required RT examination for ASME ferritic and austenitic piping repair/replacement welds for detecting and sizing critical (planar) flaws, such as cracks and lack of fusion. PAUT provides sizing capabilities for both depth and length dimensions of the flaw, which are required to apply the acceptance criteria of the applicable code case. RT does not provide depth sizing capabilities.
- 5. Proposed Alternative and Basis for Use The use of encoded PAUT is proposed in lieu of the code-required RT examination for ASME ferritic and austenitic piping repair/replacement welds. Similar techniques are being used throughout the nuclear industry for examination of dissimilar metal welds, overlaid welds, as well as other applications including B31.1 piping replacements. This proposed alternative request includes requirements that provide an acceptable level of quality and safety that satisfies the requirements of 10 CFR 50.55a(z)(1 ). The capability of the alternative technique is comparable to the examination methods documented in the ASME Code Sections Ill, VIII, and IX, and associated code cases (References 8.1, 8.3, 8.5, 8.6, 8.8, 8.9, 8.10, 8.11, 8.12, 8.13 and 8.14) using ultrasonic examination techniques for weld acceptance. The examinations will be performed using personnel and procedures qualified by performance demonstration in accordance with Section 5.1 below.
5.1 Proposed Alternative (a) Use of this alternative request is limited to welds made as part of a repair/replacement activity and is subject to review by the Authorized Inspection Agency.
(b) The welds to be examined shall be conditioned such that transducers properly couple with the scanning surface with no more than a 1/32 in. (0.8 mm) gap between the search unit and the scanning surface.
(c) Ultrasonic examination shall be performed using equipment, procedures, and personnel qualified by performance demonstration as described below.
(d) The examination volume shall include 100% of the weld volume and the weld-to-base metal interface.
(1) Angle beam examination of the complete examination volume for fabrication flaws oriented parallel to the weld joint shall be performed.
(2) Angle beam examination for fabrication flaws oriented transverse to the
Serial No.18-161 PAUT in Lieu of RT Attachment 1, Page 4 of 12 weld joint shall be performed to the extent practical. Scan restrictions that limit complete coverage shall be documented.
(3) A supplemental straight beam examination shall be performed on the volume of base metal through which the angle beams will travel to locate any reflectors that can limit the ability of the angle beam to examine the weld. Detected reflectors that may limit the angle beam examination shall be recorded and evaluated for impact on examination coverage. The straight beam examination procedure, or the straight-beam portion of the procedure, is required to be qualified in accordance with Section V, Article 4.
(e) All detected flaws from (d)(1) and (d)(2) above shall be considered planar flaws and shall be compared to the preservice acceptance standards for volumetric examination in accordance with Article IWB-3000, IWC-3000, or IWD-3000, as applicable. Analytical evaluation for acceptance of flaws in accordance with IWB-3600, IWC-3600, or IWD-3600 is permitted for flaws that exceed the applicable acceptance standards and are confirmed by surface or volumetric examination to be non-surface-connected.
(f) Flaws exceeding the applicable acceptance standards and analytical evaluation has not been performed for acceptance, shall be reduced to an acceptable size or removed and repaired, and the location of the repair shall be reexamined using the same ultrasonic examination procedure that detected the flaw.
(g) The ultrasonic examination shall be performed using encoded UT technology that produces an electronic record of the ultrasonic responses indexed to the probe position, permitting off-line analysis of images built from the combined data. Where component configuration does not allow for effective examination for transverse flaws (e.g., pipe-to-valve, tapered weld transition, weld shrinkage), use of non-encoded UT technology may be used for transverse flaws. The basis for the non-encoded examination shall be documented.
(h) Awritten ultrasonic examination procedure qualified by performance demonstration shall be used. The qualification shall be applicable to the scope of the procedure, e.g., flaw detection or sizing (length or through-wall height),
encoded or non-encoded, single or dual-side access. The procedure shall:
(1) contain a statement of scope that specifically defines the limits of procedure applicability (e.g., minimum and maximum thickness, minimum and maximum diameter, scanning access)
(2) specify which parameters are considered essential variables, and a single value, a range of values or criteria for selecting each of the essential variables
Serial No.18-161 PAUT in Lieu of RT Attachment 1, Page 5 of 12 (3) list the examination equipment, including manufacturer and model or series (4) define the scanning requirements, such as beam angles, scan patterns, beam direction, maximum scan speed, extent of scanning, and access (5) contain a description of the calibration method (i.e., actions required to ensure that the sensitivity and accuracy of the signal amplitude and time outputs of the examination system, whether displayed, recorded, or automatically processed, are repeated from examination to examination)
(6) describe the method and criteria for discrimination of indications (e.g.,
geometric indications versus indications of flaws and surface versus subsurface indications)
(7) describe the surface preparation requirements (i) Performance demonstration specimens shall conform to the following requirements:
(1) The specimens shall be fabricated from ferritic or austenitic material, similar to the material being examined. Ferritic specimens shall be fabricated with the same inside surface cladding process, if applicable, with the following exceptions:
(-a) Demonstration with shielded metal arc weld (SMAW) single-wire cladding is transferable to multiple-wire or strip-clad proces*ses.
(-b) Demonstration with a multiple-wire or strip-clad process is considered equivalent but is not transferable to SMAW type
. cladding processes.
(2) The demonstration specimens shall contain a weld representative of the joint to be ultrasonically examined, including the same welding processes.
(3) The demonstration set shall include specimens not thicker than 0.1 in. (2.5 mm) more than the minimum thickness, nor thinner than 0.5 in. (13 mm) less than the maximum thickness for which the examination procedure is applicable. The demonstration set shall include the minimum, within 1/2 of the nominal outside diameter *(OD), and maximum pipe diameters for which the examination procedure is applicable. If the procedure is i applicable to piping of 24 in. (600 mm) OD or larger, the specimen set must include at least one specimen 24 in. (600 mm) OD or larger but need not include the maximum diameter.
(4) The demonstration specimen scanning and weld surfaces shall be representative of the surfaces to be examined.
Serial No.18-161 PAUT in Lieu of RT Attachment 1, Page 6 of 12 (5) The demonstration specimen set shall include geometric conditions that require discrimination from flaws (e.g., counterbore, weld root conditions, weld crowns) and limited scanning surface conditions for single-side access, when applicable.
(6) The demonstration specimens shall include both planar and volumetric fabrication flaws (e.g., lack of fusion, crack, incomplete penetration, slag inclusions) representative welding process or processes of the welds to be examined. The flaws shall be distributed throughout the examination volume.
(7) Specimens shall be divided into flawed and unflawed grading units as follows:
(-a) Flawed grading units shall be the actual flaw length, plus a minimum of 0.25 in. (6 mm) on each end of the flaw. Unflawed grading units shall be at least 1 in. (25 mm).
(-b) The number of unflawed grading units shall be at least 11/ 2 times the number of flawed grading units.
(8) Demonstration specimen set flaw distribution shall be as follows:
(-a) For thickness greater than 0.50 in. (13 mm); at least 20% of the flaws shall be distributed in the outer third of the specimen wall thickness, at least 20% of the flaws shall be distributed in the middle third of the specimen wall thickness, and at least 40% of the flaws shall be distributed in the inner third of the specimen wall thickness. For thickness 0.50 in. (13 mm) and less, at least 20% of the flaws shall be distributed in the outer half of the specimen wall thickness, and at least 40% of the flaws shall be distributed in the inner half of the specimen wall thickness.
(-b) At least 30% of the flaws shall be classified as surface planar flaws in accordance with IWA-3310. At least 40% of the flaws shall be classified as subsurface planar flaws in accordance with IWA-3320.
(-c) At least 50% of the flaws shall be planar flaws, such as lack of fusion, incomplete penetration, or cracks. At least 20% of the flaws shall be volumetric flaws, such as slag inclusions.
(-d) The flaw through-wall heights shall be based on the applicable acceptance standards for volumetric examination in accordance with IWB-3400, IWC-3400, or Article IWD-3000, as applicable. At least 30% of the flaws shall be classified as acceptable planar flaws, with the smallest flaws being at least 50% of the maximum allowable size based on the applicable a If aspect ratio for the flaw.
Serial No.18-161 PAUT in Lieu of RT Attachment 1, Page 7 of 12 Additional smaller flaws may be included in the specimens to assist in establishing a detection threshold, but shall not be counted as a missed detection if not detected. At least 30% of the flaws shall be classified as unacceptable in accordance with the applicable acceptance standards. Welding fabrication flaws are typically confined to a height of a single weld pass. Flaw through-wall height distribution shall range from approximately one to four weld pass thicknesses, based on the welding process used.
(-e) If applicable, at least two flaws, but no more than 30% of the flaws, shall be oriented perpendicular to the weld fusion line, and the remaining flaws shall be circumferentially-oriented.
(-f) For demonstration of single-side-access capabilities, at least 30%
of the flaws shall be located on the far side of the weld centerline and at least 30% of the planar flaws shall be located on the near side of the weld centerline. The remaining flaws shall be distributed on either side of the weld.
U) Ultrasonic examination procedures shall be qualified by performance demonstration in accordance with the following requirements.
(1) The procedure shall be demonstrated using either a blind or a non-blind demonstration.
(2) The non-blind performance demonstration is used to assist in optimizing the examination procedure. When applying the non-blind performance demonstration process, personnel have access to limited knowledge of specimen flaw information during the demonstration process. The non-blind performance demonstration process consists of an initial demonstration without any flaw information, an assessment of the results, and feedback of the performance provided to the qualifying candidate.
After an assessment of the initial demonstration results, limited flaw information may be shared with the candidate; as part of the feedback process, to assist in enhancing the examination procedure to improve the procedure performance. To maintain the integrity of the specimens for blind personnel demonstrations, only generalities of the flaw information may be provided to the candidate. Procedure modifications or enhancements made to the procedure, based on the feedback process, shall be applied to all applicable specimens, based on the scope of the changes.
(3) Objective evidence of a flaw's detection, length, and through-wall height sizing, in accordance with the procedure requirements, shall be provided to the organization administering the performance demonstration.
Serial No.18-161 PAUT in Lieu of RT Attachment 1, Page 8 of 12 (4) The procedure demonstration specimen set shall be representative of the procedure scope and limitations (e.g., thickness range, diameter range, material, access, surface condition).
(5) The demonstration set shall include specimens to represent the minimum and maximum diameter and thickness covered by the procedure. If the procedure spans a range of diameters and thicknesses, additional specimens shall be included in the set to demonstrate the effectiveness of the procedure throughout the entire range.
(6) The procedure demonstration specimen set shall include at least 30 flaws and shall meet the requirements of (i) above.
(7) Procedure performance demonstration acceptance criteria
(-a) To be qualified for flaw detection, all flaws in the demonstration set that are not less than 50% of the maximum allowable size, based on the applicable a /f aspect ratio for the flaw, shall be detected. In addition, when performing blind procedure demonstrations, no more than 20% of the non-flawed grading units may contain a false call. Any non-flaw condition (e.g., geometry) reported as a flaw shall be considered a false call.
(-b) To be qualified for flaw length sizing, the root mean square (RMS) error of the flaw lengths estimated by ultrasonics, as compared with the true lengths, shall not exceed 0.25 in. (6 mm) for NPS 6 (DN 150) and smaller, and 0.75 in. (18 mm) for larger than NPS 6 (DN 150).
(-c) To be qualified for.flaw through-wall height sizing, the RMS error of the flaw through-wall heights estimated by ultrasonics, as compared with the true through-wall heights, shall not exceed 0.125 in. (3 mm).
(-d) RMS error shall be calculated as follows:
- RMS = i=1In [min-t*,)1/2]
[
Where:
mi= measured flaw size n = number of flaws measured t; = true flaw size
Serial No.18-161 PAUT in Lieu of RT Attachment 1, Page 9 of 12 (8) Essential variables may be changed during successive personnel performance demonstrations. Each examiner need not demonstrate qualification over the entire range of every essential variable.
(9) Expansion of a procedure, demonstrated in accordance with U), to include an additional material type (i.e. ferritic or austenitic) shall meet the following:
(-a) The procedure expansion may be performed during successive personnel performance demonstrations, performed in accordance with (k)(1), with the exception that all flaws must be detected.
(-b) The examination technique is the same, e.g. wave modes, angles, V-path, access, etc. Any changes to the examination technique shall be performed in accordance with U).
(-c) The demonstration set must include the minimum and maximum diameter and thickness range of the new material being demonstrated.
(-d) Personnel using the expanded procedure shall demonstrate the additional material type in accordance with (k).
(k) Ultrasonic examination personnel shall be qualified in accordance with IWA-2300. In addition, examination personnel shall demonstrate their capability to detect and size flaws by performance demonstration, using the qualified procedure, in accordance with the following requirements:
(1) The personnel performance demonstration shall be conducted in a blind fashion (flaw information is not provided).
(2) The demonstration specimen set shall contain at least 10 flaws and shall meet the flaw distribution requirements of (i)(8) above, with the exception of (i)(8)(-e). When applicable, at least one flaw, but no more than 20% of the flaws, shali be oriented perpendicular to the weld fusion line, and the remaining flaws shall be circumferentially oriented.
(3) Personnel performance demonstration acceptance criteria:
(-a) To be qualified for flaw detection, at least 80% of the flaws in the demonstration set shall be detected and no more than 20% of the grading units shall contain a false call. Any non-flaw condition (e.g., geometry) reported as a flaw shall be considered a false call.
(-b) To be qualified for flaw length sizing, the RMS error of the flaw lengths estimated by ultrasonics, as compared with the true
Serial No.18-161 PAUT in Lieu of RT Attachment 1, Page 10 of 12 lengths, shall not exceed 0.25 in. (6 mm) for NPS 6 (ON 150) and smaller, and 0.75 in. (18 mm) for larger than NPS 6 (ON 150).
(-c) To be qualified for flaw through-wall height sizing, the RMS error of the flaw through-wall heights estimated by ultrasonics, as compared with the true through-wall heights, shall not exceed 0.125 in. (3 mm).
(I) Dominion Energy is responsible for reviewing the procedure and demonstration results to validate that the ranges of the essential variables in the procedure were included in the demonstration.
(m) Documentation of the qualifications of procedures and personnel shall be maintained by Dominion Energy. Documentation shall include identification of personnel, NOE procedures, equipment, and specimens used during qualification, .and results of the performance demonstration.
5.2 Basis for Use The *basis for this proposed alternative is that encoded PAUT is equivalent or superior to RT for detecting and sizing critical (planar) flavys. In this regard, the basis for the proposed alternative was developed from numerous codes, code cases, associated industry experience, articles, and the results of RT and encoded PAUT examinations. The examination procedure and personnel performing examinations are qualified using representative piping conditions and flaws that demonstrate the ability to detect and size flaws that are both acceptable and unacceptable to the defined acceptance standards. The demonstrated ability of the examination procedure and personnel to appropriately detect and size flaws provides an acceptable level of quality and safety alternative as allowed by 10 CFR 50.55a(z)(1 ).
- 6. Duration of Proposed Alternative This alternative request will be applied for the North Anna Unit 1 fifth inservice inspection interval (May 1, 2019 to April 30, 2029). This alternative request will be applied for the remainder of the North Anna Unit 2 fourth inservice inspection interval (December 14, 2010 to December 13, 2020) and all of the fifth inservice inspection interval (December 14, 2020 to December 13, 2030).
- 7. Precedents 7.1 Millstone Power Station, Units 2 and 3; North Anna Power Station, Units 1 and 2; and Surry Power Station, Units 1 and 2; Proposed Alternative for the Use of Encoded Phased Array Ultrasonic Examination, dated June 29, 2017 (ML17188A379). NRC approval dated January 24, 2018 (ML18019A195).
' Serial No.18-161 PAUT in Lieu of RT Attachment 1, Page 11 of 12
- 8. References 8.1. ASME Section Ill Code Case N-659-2, "Use of Ultrasonic Examination in Lieu of Radiography for Weld Examination Section Ill, Divisions 1 and 3," dated June 9, 2008.
8.2. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Report PNNL-19086, "Replacement of Radiography with Ultrasonics for the Nondestructive Inspection of Welds -
Evaluation of Technical Gaps - An Interim Report," dated April 2010.
8.3. ASME 831.1, Case 168, "Use of Ultrasonic Examination in Lieu of Radiography for 831. 1 Application," dated June 1997.
8.4. ASME Sections Ill and XI, 2004 Edition, No Addenda.
8.5. ASME Section Ill, Code Case N-818, "Use of Analytical Evaluation Approach for Acceptance of Full Penetration Butt Welds in Lieu of Weld Repair," dated December 6, 2011.
8.6. ASME Code Case 2235-9, 2005; "Use of Ultrasonic Examination in Lieu of Radiography Section I,Section VIII, Divisions 1 and 2, and Section XII," dated October 11, 2005.
8.7. Journal of Pressure Vessel Technology, "Technical Basis for ASME Section VIII Code Case 2235 on Ultrasonic Examination of Welds in Lieu of Radiography;" Rana, Hedden, Cowfer and Boyce, Volume 123, dated August 2001.
8.8. ASME Code Case 2326, "Ultrasonic Examination in Lieu of Radiographic Examination for Welder Qualification Test CouponsSection IX," dated January 20, 2000.
8.9. ASME Code Case 2541, "Use of Manual Phased Array Ultrasonic Examination Section V," dated January 19, 2006.
8.10. ASME Code Case 2558, "Use of Manual Phased Array E-Scan Ultrasonic Examination Per Article 4 Section V", dated December 30, 2006.
8.11. ASME Code Case 2599, "Use of Linear Phased Array E-Scan Ultrasonic Examination Per Article 4 Section V," dated January 29, 2008.
8.12. ASME Code Case 2600, "Use of Linear Phased Array S-Scan Ultrasonic Examination Per Article 4 Section V," dated January 29, 2008.
8.13. ASME Section XI, Code Case N-713, "Ultrasonic Examination in Lieu of Radiography," dated November 10, 2008.
Serial No.18-161 PAUT in Lieu of RT Attachment 1, Page 12 of 12 8.14. ASME Section XI, Code Case N-831, "Ultrasonic Examination in Lieu of Radiography for Welds in Ferritic Pipe," dated October 20, 2016.
8.15. US NRC, NUREG/CR-7204, "Applying Ultrasonic Testing in Lieu of Radiography for Volumetric Examination of Carbon Steel Piping" (ML15253A674).
8.16. Technical Basis for Substituting Ultrasonic Testing for Radiographic Testing for New, Repaired, and Replacement Welds for ASME Section XI, Division 1, Stainless Steel Piping. EPRI, Palo Alto, CA: 2017. 3002010297.