ML20236G662
| ML20236G662 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Wolf Creek  |
| Issue date: | 06/30/1998 |
| From: | Muench R WOLF CREEK NUCLEAR OPERATING CORP. |
| To: | NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM) |
| References | |
| ET-98-0048, ET-98-48, NUDOCS 9807060325 | |
| Download: ML20236G662 (3) | |
Text
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W$LF CREEK NUCLEAR OPERATING CORPORATION Richard A.Muench Vice President Engineering JUN 3 01998 ET 98-0048 U.
S. Nuclear Regulrtory Commission ATTN:
Document Control Desk Mail Station Pl-137 Washington, D. C.
20555
Reference:
- 1) Letter ET 98-0009, dated March 20,
- 2) Letter ET 98-0041, dated May 28,
- 1998, from R. A. Muench to USNRC
]
- 3) Letter dated June 4,
1998 to O.
L.
Maynard from j
{
Subject:
Docket No. 50-482:
Response to Request for Additional Information (RAI)
Related to Proposed Revision to Increase the Spent Fuel Pool Storage. Capacity
)
Gentlemen:
Attached is Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation's (WCNOC) response to Reference 3,
NRC request for additional information (RAI). Reference 1
/
f provided the original submittal of an amendment request to revise the Wolf Creek Generating Station (WCGS) technical specifications to support modification to increase the spent fuel pool capacity at WCGS.
Reference 2 transmitted revisions to original submittal Chapters 4 and 5 of the Licensing Report to reflect a re-assessment of the proprietary classification of proprietary verst s nor proprietary material.
The Attachment to this letter
.provides WCNOC's respct.se to the RAI.
()O If you have any questions concerning this response, please contact me at (316) 364-8831, extension 4034, or Mr. Michael.J. Angus, at extension 4077.
Very truly yours, N
Richa A. Muench Attachment RAM /rlr
.cc:
V. L. Cooper (KDDHE), w/a W. D. Johnson (NRC), w/a E.'W.
Merschoff (NRC), w/a J.
F. Ringwald (NRC), w/a K. M. Thomas (NRC), w/a i
9907060325 900630 PDR ADOCK 05000482 p
PDR P.O. Box 411/ Burlington, KS 66839 / Phone: (316) 364-8831 An Equal Opponuruty Employer WFMCNET
).
)- 'SS COUNTf OF COFFEY
)
Richard A..Muench,'of lawful age,lbeing first duly sworn upon oath says that he'is Vice. President Engineering of Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating' Corporation; that he has. read the -foregoing document and knows the contenc thereof; that-
' he l has ! executed that same for - and on behalf of said. Corporation with full power and-authority to do so; and that the facts therein stated are true and correct to the best'of his knowledge, information and belief.
By
' k/
vicePre[sident' Richard. Muench Engineering SUBSCRIBED and sworn to before me this
' day of
/) 6, 1998.
( ' Mi f
h Notary l'ic 1
{ JUUE A. DALE NotaryPublic State of Kansas j
Expiration Date
!O 20Ihh A Appt. Empiru /0/20/97
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- Attachment to ET 98-0048
- L.
- Page 1 of 1 Response to Request for Additional Information (RAI)
~ Question:
Although ' _ Boral neutron absorbers are not expected to exhibit significant corrosion in the spent fuel ' pool environment, some corrosion will occur.
This corrosion will be especially pronounced for the fresh Boral panels, when they are still unprotected by the aluminum oxide film.
How does Wolf Creek plan to 9nsure that the neutron absorbing capability of the Boral panels will
,not be degraded after exposure to borated water in the spent fuel pool?
Response
Boral-is a hot-rolled cermet of aluminum and boron carbide, clad in aluminum.
Boral is strong, stable,_and highly corrosion resistant. A strongly adhering film of impervious hydrated aluminum oxide passivates the surface of the aluminum typically within a few days of being placed in water (either borated or demineralized). The corrosion layer only penetrates the surface of the aluminum cladding a'few microns during this passivation process.
There is no
~
net loss of aluminum cladding during the passivation process.
The neutron absorbing property of Boral is due to the Boron-10 isotope in the boron carbide. As noted above, the boron carbide is clad in aluminum.
Corrosion of Boral affects only the aluminum.
The neutron absorbing capability.of Boral (i.e., the boron carbide) is not affected by the corrosion process. The boron carbide in the central matrix of the cermet is chemically stable in either borated or demineralized water, and exhibits no corrosion.
Boral' coupons that have been exposed to spent fuel pool environments have not exhibited any degradation in the neutron absorbing capability. Therefore, no special. corrosion measures are necessary to protect the neutron absorbing capability of the Boral panels after exposure to borated water in the' spent fuel pool.
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