ML20210P359
| ML20210P359 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Hatch  |
| Issue date: | 02/10/1987 |
| From: | Bernero R Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | James O'Reilly GEORGIA POWER CO. |
| References | |
| RTR-REGGD-01.099, RTR-REGGD-1.099 NUDOCS 8702130369 | |
| Download: ML20210P359 (3) | |
Text
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9 10 301
? Dockets'Nos. 50-366/321.
Mr. James P.'0'Reilly.
Senior Vice President -Nuclear Operations
. Georgia Power Company-
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Post Office Box'4545 Atlanta, Georgia 30302
Dear Mr. O'Reilly:
~Re:
Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear P1 ant, Units 1 and'2 In our letter of September 30, 1986, we stated that it would be acceptable to perform pressure testing on Hatch Unit 2,' on a one-time basis only, using.
nuclear heat.. This was granted to allow you to pursue an ASME Boiler ~and Pressure Vessel Code interpretation and to allow time for further information and comments to develop on the Draft Revision No. 2 to Regulatory Guide 1.99.
We now understand that the responsible Code Committees have responded to your inquiry by stating that "the Code does not address the issue of core critic-ality during pressure testing" and remaining silent on the issue. Absent a position by the Code, we therefore reaffirm the position stated in our letter of_May 5, 1986 that' pressure tests be performed prior to pulling control rods.
We understand your current. Technical Specification for at least one unit requires temperatures in excess of 200*F for pressure testing. We believe that you may obtain relief through the use of more appropriate shorter term pressure-temperature limit curves (e.g., 8-10 EFPY) instead of the very conserv-ative 16 EFPY curves now in your technical specification.
Further, the staff has developed a position on pressure testing after weld overlays which would significantly reduce the frequency of the need for hydro -
testing.
The staff has determined that the system pressure test that is
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routinely performed at each refueling outage is sufficient for those weld overlays applied over flaws that are not through-wall; system hydrostatic tests are only required for those flaws that have penetrated the reactor coolant pressure boundary and have been repaired by weld overlay.
This should minimize the need for hydrostatic testing and thus provide additional relief.
'1
' The staff is working with the BWROG on methods and procedures to mitigate the operational difficulties associated with Regulatory Guide 1.99 Rev. 2.
We will infonn you of the resolution of these issues.
Sincerely, N.
Robert M. Bernero, Director Division of BWR Licensing Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation cc See next page DISTRIBUTION gM, Glainas NRC PDR DRMuller Local PDR RBernero OGC-Bethesda EJordan BGrimes-JPartlow NThompson GRivenbark
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.6 Mr. J. P. O'Reilly Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Plant, Georgia Power Company Units Nos. I and 2 cc:
Bruce W. Chruchill, Esquire Mr. Terry Pickens Shaw, Pittman, Potts & Trowbridge BWR Owners Group 2300 N Street, N.W.
Northern States Power Company Washington, D.C.
20037 414 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401 Mr. L. T. Gucwa Engineering Department Georgia Power Company Post Office Box 4545 Atlanta, Georgia 30302 Mr. H. C. hix, 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 P.oute 1, Post Office Box 279 Daxley, Georgia 31513 Regional Administrator, Region II U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 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. Leonar: Ledbetter, Commissioner Department of Natural Resources 270 Washington Street, N.W.
Atlanta, Georgia 30334 Chairman Appling County Comissioners County Courthouse Baxley, Georgia 31513