ML20196J957

Forwards Safety Evaluation Re Third 10-year Interval Inservice Insp Plan Requests for Relief RI-27,rev 1 Conerning Alternative Exams of Vessel Nozzles

ML20196J957
Person / Time
Site:	Cooper
Issue date:	12/07/1998
From:	Hannon J NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned)
To:	Horn G NEBRASKA PUBLIC POWER DISTRICT
Shared Package
ML20196J962	List: ML20196J957 ML20196J964
References
TAC-MA3891, NUDOCS 9812110134
Download: ML20196J957 (4)

Text

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• WASHINGTON, D.C. 20666-0001

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'+9***** Decen6er 7,1998 Mr. G. R. Hom Sr. Vice President of Energy Supply Nebraska Public Power District 141415th Street Columbus, NE 68601

SUBJECT:

COOPER NUCLEAR STATION RELIEF REQUEST RI-27, REVISION 1 REGARDING ALTERNATIVE EXAMINATIONS OF VESSEL NOZZLES (TAC NO. MA3891)

Dear Mr. Horn:

l By letter dated November 17,1998, the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) requested relief, pursuant to 10 CFR 50.55a(a)(3)(ii), from the requirements of Section XI of the ASME Code, regarding additional reactor vessel nonle examinations during the current refueling outage. A flaw, believed to be a manufacturing defect, was discovered in main steam line nonte, N3A. The ASME Code requires the examination of all noules during the current i outage as was planned for the next outage, i.e., nine additional nonles. NPPD has provided I information to demonstrate the hardships of performing some of the additional examinations during the current outage without a compensating increase in safety. As an alternative, NPPD proposes to examine the nonles of similar materials and service during the current outage (two additional main steam nonles), reexamine the N3A nonle at the next outage to assure it does not have a service induced defect, and continue the inservice inspection as previously planned.  :

We have completed our review with the assistance of the Idaho Nuclear Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL). Our safety evaluation and the INEEL Technical Report are enclosed.

Based on our review, we have concluded that additional testing of nonles beyond the two l additional main steam line nonles, would result in hardship without a compensating increase in  ;

the level of quality and safety. As an alternative,1) NPPD has examined the two additional i main steam line nonles and found them free of any defects,2) NPPD will reexamine the one nonie, N3A, at the next refueling outage, and 3) nonle examination will resume at the next refueling outage in accordance with the inservice inspection plan and Code requirements.

Based on our review of the information provided by NPPD, we have determined that the alternative relief is acceptable. Therefore, pursuant to 10 CFR 50.55a(a)(3)(ii), Relief Request RI-27, Revision 1 is authorized for the Cooper Nuclear Station. t

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lI-l Mr. G. R. Horn 2 in the November 17,1998, letter, NPPD provided a fracture mechanics analysis of the flaw found in nozzle N3A. Our evaluation of the flaw and acceptance of the fracture mechanics analysis was transmitted to NPPD by letter dated November 23,1998, if there are any questions in this matter, please call David Wigginton at (301) 415-1301. This completes our efforts under TAC number MA3891.

Sincerely, ORIGINAL SIGNED BY:

. John N. Hannon, Director Project Directorate IV-1 Division of Reactor Projects lil/IV Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-298

Enclosure:

As stated cc w/ encl: See next page i

DISTRIBUTION:

, Docket File PUBLIC PD4-1 r/f GHill(2)

C. Hawes ACRS OGC (15B18)

T. Gwynn, RIV D. Wigginton E. Adensam (EGA1)

J.Hannon D.Lange T. Hanis (TLH3)

Document Name: COA 3891.REL ,aff l OFC PM/RDf-1 LA/PD4-1 OGh7 PDh4-1 NAME D nton/vw Chaw [" 47d#W) JHar)pon l DATE U7Lh98 ll/498 // /h7/98 /98 COPY (yES/NO YES/NO YES/NO / YF /hO V OFFICIAL RECORD COPY y/

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1 l' Mr. G. R. Hom 2 In the November 17,1998, letter, NPPD provided a fracture mechanics analysis of the flaw found in nozzle N3A. Our evaluation of the flaw and acceptance of the fracture mechanics  !

analysis was transmitted to NPPD by letter dated November 23,1998. If there are any questions in this matter, please call David Wigginton at (301) 415-1301. This completes our efforts under TAC number MA3891.

Sincerely, i

1 I

l l

John N. Hannon, Director i Project Directorate IV-1 Division of Reactor Projects til/IV Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-298

Enclosure:

As stated cc w/ encl: See next page  !

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Mr. G. R. Horn Nebraska Public Power District Cooper Nuclear Station cc:

Mr. John R McPhail, General Counsel Lincoln Electric System Nebraska Public Power District ,

ATTN: Mr. Ron Stoddard P. O. Box 499 1040 O Street Columbus, NE 68602-0499 Box 80869 Lincoln, NE 68501 Nebraska Public Power District ATTN: Mr. J. H. Swailes MidAmerican Energy Vice President of Nuclear Energy ATTN: Dr. William D. Leech, Manager-Nuclear P. O. Box 98 907 Walnut Street Brownville, NE 68321 P. O. Box 657 Des Moines, IA 50303-0657 Randolph Wood, Director Nebraska Department of Environmental Nebraska Public Power District Control ATTN: Mr. B. L. Houston, Nuclear P. O. Box 98922 Licensing & Safety Manager Lincoln, NE 68509-8922 P. O. Box 98 Brownville, NE 68321 Mr. Larry Bohlken, Chairman Nemaha County Board of Commissioners Nemaha County Courthouse 1824 N Street Auburn, NE 68305 Senior Resident inspector U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission P. O. Box 218 Brownville, NE 68321 Regional Administrator, Region IV U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 611 Ryan Plaza Drive, Suite 1000 Arlington, TX 76011 Ms. Cheryl Rogers, LLRW Program Manager Division of Radiological Health Nebraska Department of Health 301 Centennial Mall, South P. O. Box 95007 Lincoln, NE 68509-5007 Mr. Ronald A. Kucera, Department Director of Intergovernmental Cooperation Department of Natural Resources P.O. Box 176 Jefferson City, MO 65102

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