ML19339C509
| ML19339C509 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Dresden  |
| Issue date: | 09/03/1980 |
| From: | Weeks J BROOKHAVEN NATIONAL LABORATORY |
| To: | Conrad H Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| References | |
| FOIA-80-550 NUDOCS 8011180512 | |
| Download: ML19339C509 (2) | |
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BROOKHAVEN NATIONAL LABORATORY ASSOCIATED UNIVERSITIES. INC.
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Upton. New Ycrk 11973 (516) 345-September 3, 1980 Mr. Herbert Conrad U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Mail Stop P-1000 Washington, D.C.
20555
Subject:
Rinsing of the.Dresden Unit 1 Primary System Following Decontamination
Dear Herb:
In my letter to J. Strosnider of May 5,1980, I discussed the concerns about residual corrosion that might occur in crevices in Dresden Unit i following decontamination as a result of residual NS-1 acidic solvent there and stated as follows:
"In view of the long period of shutdowr. anticipated, I reco=end that an extremely thorough rinsing procedure be established and concurred to by the NRC, and that if technically feasible, the traces of residual olvent be decomposed in some manr.er during or subsequent to this rinsing process." On August 27, 1980, via conference call with Jerry White of Co =onwealth Edison and William Walker of General Electric I discussed this I was reminded by Walker and White that the following cleaning and concern.
rinsing and cleaning procedure is planned:
1.
Decontamination with the NS-1 solvent at a pH of 3.5 followed by draining.
2.
A copper rinse procedure which consists of reffiling the vessel and piping with a dilute NS-1 solution neutralized with ammonia to a pH of 9.5, and with hydrogen peroxide added.
The copper rinse is anticipated to run for about six hours, followed again by draining.
3.
A demineralized water rinse for about two hours, during which approximately 99% of the residual material not removed by the copper would be removed.
4.
A second demineralized water rinse also for a period of about two hours, followed by draining.
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Mr. Herbert Conrad September 3, 1980
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5.
A third demineralized water rinse, if needed, depending on the quantity of radioactivity and the pH and the conductivity of the rinse solution from the second demineralized water rinse.
This series of rinses and in particular the high pH during the six hour copper rinse, reduces substantially ray concerns that acidic crevices might remain in the system.
This is a long enough tine and high enough pH to neutralize the vast majority of the solutions remaining in any of these crevices.
Following the last demineralized water rinse, whether it be the second or third (and I personally think the third would be desirable but perhaps not necessary), the unit will be left in wet or dry layup.
The procedure and condition for this have not yet been detennined by the Commonwealth Edison Co.
They feel that this comes rather in the vein of routine operation and is not necessarily subject to review by NRC, but they saw no problem in advising us of ethat they propose to do once they have made this decision.
The alternatives include wet layup, simply draining and flooding with air, draining and attempting to dry the system, followed by either air or nitrogen blanketing.
There are obviously numerous pros and cons in operating under each of these conditions.
From the point of view of possible corrosion of the materials, I think the first option, that is draining but leaving wet and flooding with air is probably the least desirable.
It should not, h owever, pose significant problems with stainless steels.
In other Commonwealth plants where there is a significant amount of carbon steel in the system, i.e. in fossil plants, the drying and nitrogen layup procedure has been used by the utility.
Conclusions The concern raised by me at earlier dates about corrosion continuing in residual acid crevices has been substantially reduced as a result of my current understanding (unexpected) problemsof the full proposed cleaning and rinsing procedu Should any significant develop they would be determined by the inservice inspection program to ba perfonned before the unit is returned to service.
Sin
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W Johk R. Weeks, Leader JRW:ob cc:
W.Y. Kato Corr'osion Science Group W.J. Walker J. Wnite P. O'Connor F. Witt
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