ML19309F171
| ML19309F171 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Columbia, 99902016  |
| Issue date: | 11/13/2019 |
| From: | Klos L Plant Licensing Branch IV |
| To: | Hanley T, Palm N, Rouse D Electric Power Research Institute, Exelon Corp |
| Klos L, 301-415-5136 | |
| References | |
| EPID L-2019-PMP-0050 | |
| Download: ML19309F171 (3) | |
Text
November 13, 2019 Mr. Tim Hanley BWRVIP Chairman, ATTN: Debbie Rouse Exelon Corporation 1300 West W.T. Harris Boulevard (Building 1)
Charlotte, NC 28262-8550 Mr. Nathan Palm BWRVIP Program Manager Electric Power Research Institute 1300 West W.T. Harris Boulevard (Building 1)
Charlotte, NC 28262-8550
SUBJECT:
COLUMBIA GENERATING STATION - DISPOSAL OF 300 DEGREE RECONSTITUTED SURVEILLANCE SPECIMENS (EPID L-2019-PMP-0050)
Dear Messrs. Hanley and Palm:
On July 11, 2019, the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and the BWR [Boiling Water Reactor] Vessel and Internals Project (BWRVIP) group documented a request to the U.S.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML19196A107) concerning the future disposal schedule of the BWRVIP Integrated Surveillance Program (ISP) (located at the 300 degree azimuth) capsule at Columbia Generating Station (Columbia) per Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 50, Appendix H, Reactor Vessel Material Surveillance Program Requriements,Section III(B.3), Surveillance Program Criteria.
The letter addresses the 300 degree surveillance capsule for Columbia, which currently resides in the Columbia spent fuel pool and requests NRC permission to dispose of the specimens in the future, in the event that a need should arise for Energy Northwest (the licensee) to dispose of them.
The BWRVIPs technical justification for the future disposal is that:
- 1.
It is not possible to repair or return the 300 degree specimens to the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) due to the mechanical failure of the specimen rod to basket interface, which occurred in 2017, although the specimens remain in the basket and are intact.
- 2.
Columbia is not a host plant under the ISP program and there are no current or future plans under the ISP to withdraw or test any surveillance capsules from the Columbia RPV, but the specimens are currently retained by the site without NRC approval for disposition.
- 3.
Two other surveillance capsules that were installed prior to plant startup still reside in the Columbia RPV and, should the need arise, are still available for testing. Inspections of
T. Hanley and Palm these two surveillance capsules were performed during the May 2017 refueling outage and no signs of wear, degradation, or movement were identified. Additionally, historical test data for the original 300 degree location specimen (completed in 1996) is retained and availablethe current 300 degree specimen in the spent fuel pool is a reconstituted sample that was established in 1997.
NRC staff has reviewed the letter, the stated technical justification, and finds that the EPRI BWRVIP request for disposal is acceptable and meets the requirements of 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix H Section III(B.3).
If you have any questions regarding this matter, I may be reached at (301) 415-5136 or via e-mail at John.Klos@nrc.gov.
Sincerely,
/RA/
L. John Klos, Project Manager Plant Licensing Branch IV Division of Operating Reactor Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket Nos: 99902016 and 50-397 cc: Mr. Bradley J. Sawatzke Chief Executive Officer Energy Northwest MD 1023 76 North Power Plant Loop P.O. Box 968 Richland, WA 99352 Listserv
ML19309F171 OFFICE NRR/DORL/LPL4/PM NRR/DORL/LPL4/LA NRR/DMLR/MVIB NRR/DORL/LPL4/BC NRR/DORL/LPL4/PM NAME JKlos PBlechman Dave Alley JDixon-Herrity JKlos DATE 11/5/2019 11/8/2019 10/10/2019 11/13/19 11/13/19