ML19324C315

Informs of Change in Vendor Plans for Inspecting Fuel Rods Containing Fuel Pellets Supplied by Ge.Ultrasonic Insp of Fuel Rods at Oconee 1 Found No Failed Rods in three-cycle, Discharged Fuel Assemblies

ML19324C315
Person / Time
Site:	Oconee, Arkansas Nuclear, 05000000
Issue date:	02/20/1989
From:	Taylor J BABCOCK & WILCOX CO.
To:	Calvo J Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
JHT-89-33, NUDOCS 8911160117
Download: ML19324C315 (2)

Text

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Babcock & Wilcox  % ci.,,,,,,,,,o u ,n a McDermott company 3316 Old Forest Road P.O. Box 10935 Lynchburg. VA 24506 0935 (804) 385 2000 i

February 20, 1989 JHT/89-33 Mr. Joco A. Calvo, Director Project Directorate IV Division of Reactor Projects-III/IV/V and Special Projects Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D. C. 20555 i

Reference:

J. H. Taylor to J. F. Stolz, " Fuel Pellet Vendor Change," September 17, 1984.

Daar Mr. Calvos The purpose of this latter is to inform the NRC of a change in  !

the B&W Fuel Company plans for inspecting fuel rods containing fuel pellets supplied by General Electric.

In the referenced letter, B&W described plans to change fuel pellet vendors from B&W to General Electric. Item 5 in the L reference detailed an inspection plan for a minimum of four _

l demonstration rods filled with the new vendor's pellets, which i I

were being irradiated in the Arkansas Power and Light ANO-1. The .

! inspection program outlined in the letter consisted of a visual  ;

I examination. The reference also stated that a full batch of fuel i l- containing General Electric pellets was to go in the D tke Power i Oconee Unit I cycle 9. The operation of ANO-1 and Oconee 1 has ,

boon such that both the demonstration rods from ANO-1 and the i full batch from oconee 1 became available for inspection near the same time.

Of the 177 fuel assemblies from Oconee 1 cycle 11, 176 had fuel pellets su pplief by General Electric. The three-cycle fuel from ,

oconee 1 ..s comparable to the demonstration rods from ANO-1. t The burnups of each is calculated to be 36.7 GWd/mtU for the demonstration rods, and 36.6 GWd/mtU for the discharged batch.

Visual examinations were performed on the demonstration rods at o ANO-1 at the end of the first and second cycles of irradiation.

These rods were found to be in good condition.  ;

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As a part of a separate project, the B&W Fuel Conpany performed an ultrasonic inspection of all fuel assemblies in the Oconee 1 i cycle 11 core and found no failed fuel rods in the three-cycle, discharged fuel assemblies. This inspection was much more '

detailed than that planned at ANO-1 and the fuel from both reactors is comparable in both supplier and burnup. These inspection results demonstrate satisfactory performance of fuel  ;

rods containing General Electric pellets. The final visual exam at ANO-1 is no longer required and will not be performed.

If there are any questions concerning this information, please contact C. F. McPhatter at (804) 385-2401.

Ve truly yours, ,

/fN .iff

. James H. Tayl6r Manager, Licensing Services cc: R. B. Borsum "

T. L. Baldwin f

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