ML20206T534
| ML20206T534 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Hatch  |
| Issue date: | 09/30/1986 |
| From: | Bernero R Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Beckham J GEORGIA POWER CO. |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8610070003 | |
| Download: ML20206T534 (3) | |
Text
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s Docket Nos.: 50-321/366 Mr. J. T. Beckham, Jr.
SEP 3019BS Vice President - Nuclear Generation
-Georgia Power Company Post Office Box 4545 Atlanta, Georgia 30302
Dear Mr. Bcckham:
By letter dated May 5,1986, we responded to Georgia Power Company's (GPC)
April-30, 1986 request for temporary. relief from an NRC position which in sumary, requires that pressure tests be performed prior to pulling control rods and that the tests be performed with the system completely filled with
. water (watersolid).
In our response we concluded that it would be acceptable for GPC, on a one-time basis, to perform the required pressure tests on Hatch Unit I using nuclear heat as has been done for a number of years. One of the tactors leading to this conclusion was a GPC agreement to seek an ASME Code Interpretation, and a commitment that if it is unable to get a code interpretation in time for Hatch Unit 2 restart, GPC would prepare procedures for, and use pump heat for the required Hatch Unit 2 pressure tests. Most, if not all, other BWR plants currently perform these-tests in this manner.
GPC submitted a request for a code interpretation to the Secretary, ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Comittee by letter dated June 16, 1986. We understand that the Special Inquiry Comittee reviewed the request and forwarded it to the Subcomittee on Inservice Inspection for further consideration. We also under-stand that the Subcomittee tabled the request and referred it to a Subgroup tor consideration. Therefore, it is not likely that your inquiry will be con-sidered in time for a scheduled November restart of Hatch Unit 2 following the current refueling outage.
We understand, based on recent conversations with your staff, that GPC does not now want to fulfill its commitment to prepare procedures for using pump heat for the required pressure tests during this restart if it is unable to get a code interpretation in time for this restart. While we believe that GPC has made a reasonable effort to obtain this code interpretation, we stand by our letter of May 5, 1986 with respect to this issue. However, there is another activity underway at the NRC that has a bearing on this issue. Recent information has shown that radiation damage to BWR reactor vessels is more severe than originally predicted. Therefore, the nil-ductility transition temperatures have increased resulting in changes to the pressure temperature limits for operation and pressure testing. Regulatory Guide 1.99, Revision 1, " Effects of Residual Elements on Predicted Radiation Damage to Reactor Vessel Materials" is being changed to su Te88R M8@p P
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account for shift changes from some residual elements that differ from those considered significant in Revision 1 of the Guide. Convents on Draft Revision 2 to this Guide are currently being considered and are expected to be resolved within the next four to six months.
It is possible that the code interpretation, the resolution of Regulatory Guide 1.99 coments, and the adjunctive issues of radiation dose to plant personnel and reactor vessel beltline inspection may impact our position.
In view of our desire to consider any new information that may have a bearing on this issue, we agree that if GPC chooses not to fulfill its connitment to use pump heat for pressure testing during the current outage, it will be acceptable to perform the required pressure tests on Unit 2, on a one-time basis only, using nuclear heat as has been the GPC practice for a number of years.
Sincerely, kistmal saamed atn [ g,
.bmers a. w f
Robert M. Bernero, Director Division of BWR Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation cc: See next page Distribution
! Docket File.
E. Jordan NRC'& LPDRs J. Partlow Plant Files D. Muller UGC-Bethesda G. Lainas ACRS B. D. Liaw S. Norris R. Bernero D. Vassallo R. Heman
- Previous concurrence on file with DBL:PD#2
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' 9 /10 /86 UATE :9/25/86
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- 9/25/86
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- Q/f0/86 s-0FFICIAL RECORD COPY
Mr. J. T. Beckham, Jr.
Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Plant, Georgia Power Company Units Nos. I and 2 cc:
Bruce W. Chruchill, Esquire Shaw, Pittman, Potts & Trowbridge 2300 N Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.
20037 Mr. L. T. Gucwa Engineering Depcrtment Gecrgia Power Company Post Office Box 4545 Atlanta, Georgia 30302 Mr. H. C. Nix, Jr., General Manager Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Plant Georgia Power Company Post Office Box 442 Baxley, Georgia 31513 Mr. Louis B. Long Southern Company Services, Inc.
Post Office Box 2625 Birmingham, Alabama 35202 Resident Inspector U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Comission Route 1, Post Office Box 279 Baxley, Georgia 31613 Regional Administrator, Region II U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Comission, 101 Marietta Street, Suite 2900 Atlanta, Georgia 30303 Mr. Charles H. Badger Office of Planning and Budget Room 610 270 Washington Street, S.W.
Atlanta, Georgia 30334 Mr. J. Leonard Ledbetter, Comissioner Department of Natural Resources 270 Washington Street, N.W.
Atlanta, Georgia 30334 Chairman l
Appling County Comissioners l
County Courthouse Baxley, Georgia 31513
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