ML20012F263

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Summarizes Findings of AEOD Study on Thermal Stratification in Us & Foreign Operating Experience.Stratification Has Caused Cracks & Damaged Supports & Contributed to Thermal Fatigue in High Energy Piping
ML20012F263
Person / Time
Issue date: 03/29/1990
From: Novak T
NRC OFFICE FOR ANALYSIS & EVALUATION OF OPERATIONAL DATA (AEOD)
To: Floud S
BWR OWNERS GROUP, CAROLINA POWER & LIGHT CO.
References
NUDOCS 9004110036
Download: ML20012F263 (2)


Text

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MAR 20190

" Ar. St phen D. F1 cud, Chairman

  • BWR Owners Group Carolina Power and Light Company P.O. Box 155 Raleigh, NC 27602

SUBJECT:

AEOD STUDY ON THERMAL STRATIFICATION

Dear Mr. Floud:

We have recently completed a study of both U.S. and foreign operating experience associated vith thermal stratification and its effects. This report also provides a brief discussion of some of the corrective actions employed to reduce the potential of thermal stratification. Findings identified in the report include:

Thermal stratification has caused cracks, damaged supports, and contributed to thermal fatigue in high energy piping.

Some cracks have resulted in unisolable leaks of reactor coolant. Thermal stratification has occurred in pressurized-water reactors and boiling-water reactors.

As plants age, those locations susceptible to the effects of thermal stratification are subjected to an increasing number of thermal cycles; and the likelihood of cracks increases accordingly.

Interf acing system leakage has a potential to cause thermal stratification in system piping and leakage through check valves, block valves, and 1

isolation valves has been common. Thus, an approach to minimize the i

potential for thermal stratification in many locations is to implenent effective preventive and corrective maintenance of valves at system boundaries.

We believe that this report would be useful to engineering support organiza-tions at operating plants represented by the BWR Owners Group and the industry generic SCATS (striping, cycling, and thermal stratification) program.

If you have any questions regarding the enclosed study, or would like further discussions of the issues, please contact me at 301-492-4484 or Dr. Nelson Su of my staff at 301-492-4434.

Original sis:nea by:

Thomas M. Novak, Director Division of Safety Programs Office for Analysis and Evaluation of Operational Data i

Enclosure:

As stated 1

cc W/ enclosure-itr. Larry Gifford, General Electric, Rockville, FD Distribution:

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-(Spe,attachedlistforaddressee's)

MAR 9 9 1990

SUBJECT:

AE00 STUDY ON THERMAL STRATIFICATION Dear Mr.

We have recently completed a study of both U.S. and foreign oper in) experience associated with thermal stratification and its eff

s. Tais report also provides a brief discussion of some of the corrective ions employed to reduce the potential of thermal stratification. Findings entified in the report include:

Thermal stratification has caused cracks, da ed supports, and contributed to thermal fatigue in high ener piping. Some cracks have resulted in unisolable leaks of reactor c ant. Thermal stratification has occurred in pressurized-water react s and boiling water reactors. As plants age, those locations susceptib to the effects of thermal stratification are subjected to an creasing number of thermal cycles; and the likelihood of cracks incre es accordingly.

Interfacing system leakage has potential to cause thermal stratification in system piping and leakage rough check valves, block valves, and isolation valves has been ion.

Thus, an approach to minimize the potential for thermal str ification in many locations is to implement effective preventive an corrective maintenance of valves at system boundaries.

We believe that this port would be useful to engineering support organizations at op ating plants represented by the (

customized

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1 and the industry 4 neric SCATS (striping, cycling, and thermal stratification) 1 program.

If yo 1 ave any questions regarding the enclosed study, or would like i

further discus ons of the issues, please contact me at 301-492-4484 or Dr. Nelson 5 of Iqy staff at 301-492-4434 i

Thomas M. Novak, Director Division of Safety Programs Office for Analysis and Evaluation of Operational Data

Enclosure:

As stated Distribution:

PDR JRosenthal Central File EJordan ROAB R/F Dross DSP R/F TNovak NSu GLanik

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ROAB:DSP:A R0 P:AEOD

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