ML19319B313

NRC-2018-000831 - Resp 2 - Interim - (NRC Perspective on Harvesting Experience and Lessons Learned) Part 6 of 10

ML19319B313
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Issue date:	11/13/2019
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FOIA, NRC-2018-000831
Download: ML19319B313 (5)

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NRC Perspective on Harvesting Experience and Lessons Learned NRC Staff March 8, 2017

NRC Harvesting Experience

• RPV materials

- Shoreham, Midland

• Reactor vessel head CRDM penetrations

- North Anna, Davis-Besse

• Pressurizer from St. Lucie

• Piping from VC Summer, NMP, Oconee

• Reactor internals from Zorita

- Joint harvesting and testing project with EPRI and international

• Neutron absorbers from Zion

- Harvesting coordinated with DOE and EPRI; Independent NRC testing

• Concrete from Zorita

• Cables from Zion and Crystal River 2

Previous Benefits of Harvesting

• Reduce unnecessary conservatism

- Flaw distributions and Master Curve information came from harvested materials to support PTS rule

• Understand in-service flaws

- Mockups for NDE qualification

- Leak rate methodology from studying in-service flaws

• Identify and better understand safety issues

- High-energy arc fault tests on aluminum electrical components 3

Technical Lessons Learned

• Harvesting can provide highly representative aged materials for research

- May be only practical source of representative aged materials, particularly if irradiation and temperature are important factors

• Achieving high fluence levels with representative irradiation conditions through other means is very challenging

- May be able to use limited harvested materials to validate larger accelerated aging data set

• Important to gain as much information as possible in advance before committing to specific harvesting project

- Ideally a bounding, yet realistic, material/environment

- Understand material information (CMTRs if available) and plant operating conditions 4

Logistical Lessons Learned

• Harvesting is an expensive, time-consuming effort

- Must balance cost with potential benefits carefully

- High technical relevance of materials is needed to ensure value

• Leveraging resources with other research organizations helps mitigate cost challenges

- Can introduce challenges for testing when aligning research priorities and interests of multiple organizations

- May be needed, particularly for expensive testing of irradiated materials

• Transporting irradiated materials, particularly internationally, is cumbersome and time-consuming

- Avoiding extra transport, especially between countries, is highly recommended 5