ML20245F374

Forwards Safety Evaluation Approving Util 881027 Request for Relief from ASME Code Section XI Insp Requirements Considered Impractical

ML20245F374
Person / Time
Site:	Arkansas Nuclear
Issue date:	04/25/1989
From:	Calvo J Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:	Tison Campbell ARKANSAS POWER & LIGHT CO.
Shared Package
ML20245F379	List: ML20245F374 ML20245F392
References
TAC-64146, NUDOCS 8905020364
Download: ML20245F374 (4)

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- / 4 UNITED STATES 8 f, NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

, E WASHINGTON. D. C. 20555

? I April 25, 1989 Docket No. 50-313 I Hr. T. Gene Campbell Vice President, Nuclear Operations Arkansas Power & Light Company Post Office Box 551 '

i Little Rock, Arkansas 72203 '

SUBJECT:

REACTOR COOLANT PUMP CASING WELD FLAW INDICATIONS - REQUEST i FOR RELIEF FROM ASME SECTION XI INSPECTION RE ARKANSAS NUCLEAR ONE, UNIT 1 (TAC NO. 64146) QUIREMENTS, Paragraph (g)(4)of10CFR50.5SarequiresthatASMECodeClass1,2,and3 components (including supports) of a pressurized water-cooled nuclear power facility meet the requirements set forth in Section XI, Rules for Inservice Inspection of Nuclear Power Plant Components, of the ASME Boiler and Pressure l_ Vessel Code except where specific written relief has been granted by the l Commission. B 27, 1988, Arkansas Power and Light Company (the licensee)yrequested letter dated October relief from specific ASME Code required inspections that were considered impractical. Additional supporting technical information Was supplied by letter dated huVember 15, 1988. The proposed relief request was also discussed at a meeting in Rockville, Maryland, on October 18, 1988. ,

During an inservice inspection in 1986 of the "A" reactor coolant pump (RCP) casing, the licensee detected a relatively long flaw indication using conventional radiographic techniques. This volumetric examination of the "A" pump casing was practical due to the removal of the RCP rotating assembly for other reasons.

To evaluate this indication, the licensee obtained the original fabrication radiographs for the "A" RCP casing and used computer technit as to enhance tho i radiographs in selected areas. Radiographs of the other three RCP casings were also examined. During this process, a linear indication that exceeded the fabrication acceptance standards was identified in a weld of the "A" RCP casing. This indication corresponded to the one noted above. In addition, a linear indication was identified in a weld in the "B" RCP casing. The licensee performed supplemental ultrasonic testing in the we d regions with the linear indications, for these two RCPs. A fracture mechanics evaluation was performed y by the licensee to assess the extent of flaw growth during the rest of plant l life. An analysis of the "A" RCP casing showed that the stresses met ASME Code Section III criteria. By letter dated December 11, 1986, the staff allowed the 1 licensee to delay inspection of the "B" RCP casing until the 1988 refueling  ;

outage, to allow time for the development of an improved ultrasonic testing j technique.

i Since the 1986 inspection, the licensee, with Babcock & Wilcox (B&W) assistance, ,

L completed a comprehensive program to develop an ultrasonic testing (UT) procedure  !

j. for the examination of the pump casing welds from the outside surface. An examination of the flaw indication in "A" RCP and the entire weld on "B" RCP was performed during the 1988 refueling outage. ,

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L.. l Mr. T. Gene Campbell ,

'Although, some indications were identified in the "B" RCP, the licensee determined they were not service induced. Also no growth was noted in the previously identified indications for either pump. The staff and the licensee discussed these examination results and the licensee's evaluation during an October 18, 1988 meeting. Subsequently, the staff and our consultant from Pacific Northwest Laboratories visited the B&W facility to evaluate the UT instrumentation.

By letter dated October 27, 1988,. the licensee requested relief from paragraphs IWB-2430 and IWB-2420 of ASME Section XI, 1980 Edition including Addenda through Winter 1981. Specifically, the licensee requested relief f rom performing additional volumetric examinations of "C" or "D" RCP, and from performing successive radiographic examinations of "A" or "B" RCP, which would necessitate disassembly of the pump.

The staff approves the relief request, with the condition that the licensee conducts an augmented inservice inspection program as discussed in the ,

enclosed safety evaluation (page 7 of the enclosure). 'This augmented inspection '

program was agreed to by your staff in a telephone conversation on April 10, 1989. This relief is authorized by law and will not endanger life or property 'I or the common defense and security and is otherwise in the public interest given due consideration to the burden upon the licensee that could result if the requirements were imposed on the facility. Based on the approval of your ri. lief request, we consider this issue to be closed.

Sincerely, original signed by Kenneth Heitner for Jose A. Calvo, Director Project Directorate - IV Division of Reactor Projects - III, IV, V and Special Projects Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation i

Enclosure:

Safety Evaluation cc w/ enclosure:

See next page

. DISTRIBUTION '

Docket File -NRC PDR _

Local PDR PD4 Reading G. Holahan L. Rubenstein J. Calvo P. Noonan C. Harbuck OGC-Rockville E. Jordan B. Grimes ACRS (10) PD4 Plant file F. Hebdon DOCUMENT NAME: AN01 TAC 64146 g 72 )

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Mr. T. Gene Campbell '

Although, some indications were identified in the "B" RCP, the licensee determined they were not service induced. Also no growth was noted in the previously identified indications for either pump. The staff and the licensee n discussed these examination results and the licensee's evaluation during an October 18, 1988 meeting. ' Subsequently, the staff and our consultant from Pacific Northwest Laboratories visited the B&W facility to evaluate the UT L instrumentation.

By letter dated October 27, 1988, the licensee requested relief from paragraphs IWB-2430 and IWB-2420 of 'ASME Section XI,1980 Edition including Addenda through Winter 1981. Specifically, the licensee requested relief from performing additional volumetric examinations of "C" or "D" RCP, and from performing successive radiographic examinations of "A" or "B" RCP, which would r.ecessitate disassembly of the pump.

The staff approves the-relief request, with the condition that the licensee l conducts an augmented inservice inspection program as discussed in the a enclosed safety evaluation (page 7 of the enclosure). This augmented inspection program was ugreed to by your staff in a telephone conversation on April 10, 1989. This relief is authorized by law and will not endanger life or property or the common defense and security and is otherwise in the public interest-given due consideration to the burden upon the licensee that could result if the requirements were imposed on the f acility. Based on the approval of your relief request, we consider this issue to be closed.

Sincerely, w c.5m ,

Jose A. Calvo, Director Project Directorate - IV Division of Reactor Projects - III, IV, V and Special Projects Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulatir6

Enclosure:

Safety Evaluation cc w/ enclosure:

See next page

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Mr. T. Gene Campbell Arkansas Power & Light Company Arkansas Nuclear One, Unit 1 cc:

Mr. Dan R. Huward, Manager Licensics Arkansas Nuclear One P. O. Box 608 Russellville, Arkansas 72801 Mr. James M. Levine Executive Director Nuclear Operations Arkansas Nuclear One

.P. O. Box 608 Russellville, Arkansas 72801 Mr. Nicholas S. Reynolds Bishop, Cook, Purcell & Reynolds 1400 L Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20005-3502  ;

Mr. Rcbert B. Borsum Babcock & Wilcox

. Nuclear Power Generation Division 1700 Rockville Pike, Suite 525.

Rockville, Maryland 20852 Resident Inspector U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission I huclear Plant Road Russellville, Arkansas 72801 Regional Administrator, Region IV U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission l Office of Executive Director for Operations 611 Ryan Plaza Drive Suite 1000 Arlington, Texas 76011

• Honorable William Abernathy County Judge of Pope County Pope County Courthouse Russellville, Arkansas 72801 Ms. Greta Dicus, Director Division of Environmental Health Protection Arkansas Department of Health 4815 West Markam Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 l

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