ML20216J588

PNO-78-141:on 780804,licensee Reported That Chemical Anaylsis of Reactor Vessel Weld Matl Performed by B&W Revealed That Silicon & Nickel Content Differed from That Specified

ML20216J588
Person / Time
Site:	Oconee
Issue date:	08/04/1978
From:	Nolan F, Sniezek J, Whitt K NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE)
To:
References
PNO-78-141, NUDOCS 9804210425
Download: ML20216J588 (1)

Text

pop o ,1 1 A % / l (1 I q v I b PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION

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- August 4, 1978 i PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUALPNO-78-141 OCCURRENCE This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of an event of POSSIBLE safety or public interest significance. The information presented is as initially received without verification or evaluation and is basically all that is known by IE staff as of this date.

FACILITY: Duke Power Company Oconee Unit No. 3 Docket No. 50-287 Oconee County, South Carolina

SUBJECT:

IMPROPER WELD MATERIAL USED ON REACTOR VESSEL WELDS The licensee reported that a chemical analysis of the reactor vessel weld material performed by B&W revealed that the silicon and nickel content differed from that specified. The nickel content was measured to be 0.1 percent, whereas 0.6 percent was specified. The silicon  !

content was measured to be 1 percent, whereas 0.5 percent was specified. t Three reactor vessel welds are involved: (1) the nozzle belt region weld; (2) 25 percent of the upper to lower shell weld and (3) the lower head to vessel weld.

Esai Use of incorrect weld material is believed to be generic to several B&W supplied reactor vessels. Oconee Unit Nos. I and 2 reportedly are not i affected. Unit 3 is operating at full power. The heatup and cooldown k

curves for the reactor vessel are being revised to be more restrictive than those presently being used. Preliminary evaluations indicate that  !

reactor operation need not be curtailed.

There has been no media interest. A news release is not planned at this time by the licensee nor NRC. The State of South Carolina has been notified.

1 Region II (Atlanta) received notification of this occurrence by telephone l from plant management at 1:40 p.m. on August 4. I

Contact:

K. W. Whitt, IE x28019; FJNolan, IE x28019; JHSniezek, IE x28019 Cistribution: Transmitted H St 5".'//

Chairman Hendrie Commissioner Bradford S. J. Chilk, SECY l Commissioner Kennedy Commissioner Ahearne C. C. Kammerer, CA l Commissioner Gilinsky'/4 (For Distribution)

Transmi.ited : MNBB.5". P Bldg 5.'/2 Region n, S ?//,

L. V. dossick, EDO H. R. Deaton, NRR S. H. Hanauer, ED0 j

J. J. Touchard, PA SS Bldg 5:/ e (MAIL) '

N. M. Haller, MPA C. V. Smith,'NMSS 0. G. Abston, 01A R. G. Ryan, OSP R. Minogue, SD H. K. Shapar, ELD o

9804210425 780804 PDR ILE PNO-78-141 PDR 3, . .

PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION j