NLS2002063, Clarification Regarding Inspections and Reports for Core Spray Sparger Piping for Cooper Nuclear Station

Clarification Regarding Inspections and Reports for Core Spray Sparger Piping for Cooper Nuclear Station

ML021620163
Person / Time
Site:	Cooper
Issue date:	06/02/2002
From:	Coyle M Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD)
To:	Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
References
NLS2002063
Download: ML021620163 (3)

Text

N Nebraska Public Power District Nebraska's Energy Leader NLS2002063 June 2, 2002 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Attention: Document Control Desk Washington, D.C. 20555-0001

Subject:

Clarification Regarding Inspections and Reports for Core Spray Sparger Piping Cooper Nuclear Station NRC Docket No. 50-298, DPR-46

References:

1. Letter No. NLS980181 to USNRC Document Control Desk from M. F. Peckham for John H. Swailes (NPPD) dated November 6, 1998, "Inspection of Reactor Vessel Internal Core Spray Piping"

2. Letter to Mr. J. H. Swailes (NPPD) from Lawrence J. Burkhart (USNRC) dated March 3, 2000, "Cooper Nuclear Station: Evaluation of the Revised Fracture Mechanics Methodology as Applied to Core Spray Piping Weld Flaws and Inspection of Reactor Vessel Internal Core Spray Piping (TAC No. MA4201)"

3. Letter No. NLS2001125 to U.S. NRC Document Control Desk from J. A. Hutton for David L. Wilson, dated December 22, 2001, "Notification of Core Spray Internals Flaw Detection"

4. Letter to Carl Terry, BWRVIP Chairman from Jack R. Strosnider (USNRC), dated December 2, 1999, "Final Safety Evaluation of BWR Core Spray Internals Inspection and Flaw Evaluation Guidelines (BWRVIP-18) (TAC No. M96219)"

5. Letter to Carl Terry, BWRVIP Chairman from USNRC, dated August 10, 2000, "Final Safety Evaluation of the BWRVIP Vessel and Internals Project, Internal Core Spray Piping and Sparger Replacement Design Criteria (BWRVIP- 16), and of the BWRVIP Vessel and Internals Project, Internal Core Spray Piping and Sparger Repair Design Criteria (BWRVIP-19)(TAC Nos. M98266 and M96539)"

6. BWRVIP-94, "BWR Vessel and Internals Project Program Implementation Guide," Final Report, August 2001 The purpose of this letter is to provide clarification regarding plant operation as it relates to inspections, evaluations and required reports for core spray piping. In Reference 1, Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) requested Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to review and Cooper Nuclear Station P.O. Box 98 / Brownville, NE 68321-0098 0\

Telephone: (402) 825-3811 / Fax: (402) 825-5211 http://www.nppd.com

NLS2002063 Page 2 of 2 approve a revised fracture mechanics evaluation for two flaw indications in the core spray sparger piping. In addition, NPPD requested NRC approval to continue operation based on the flaw evaluations through Cycle 21. NRC provided the requested approval and safety evaluation in accordance with NPPD's request in Reference 2. NRC indicated that operation to at least Refueling Outage 21 should be acceptable unless future inspections showed a dramatic increased growth rate. NRC also stated that future inspections should be performed in accordance with BWRVIP-18. In Reference 3, NPPD informed the NRC of Core Spray internals inspection results from Refueling Outage 20.

NPPD is using the guidance contained in BWRVIP- 18 for inspections and evaluations for core spray sparger piping. Reporting is accomplished per BWRVIP-94 (Reference 6). Corrective actions to ensure continued operation are taken per the CNS Corrective Action Program utilizing BWRVIP guidance (such as BWRVIP-16 and 19 as approved in Reference 5), where applicable.

Therefore operation for Cycle 22 and beyond, related to core spray sparger piping will be a function of inspections and evaluations in accordance with BWRVIP-18, as approved per Reference 4. If you have any questions regarding this clarification, or need additional information, please contact Paul Fleming, Acting Risk and Regulatory Affairs Manager, at 402 825-2774.

Sincerely, Michael T. Coyle Site Vice President

/dnm cc: Regional Administrator USNRC - Region IV Senior Project Manager USNRC - NRR Project Directorate IV-1 Senior Resident Inspector USNRC NPG Distribution Records

I ATTACHMENT 3 LIST OF REGULATORY COMMITMENTS Correspondence Number: NLS2002063 The followina table identifies those actions committed to by Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) in this document. Any other actions discussed in the submittal represent intended or planned actions by NPPD. They are described for information only and are not regulatory commitments. Please notify the NL&S Manager at Cooper Nuclear Station of any questions regarding this document or any associated regulatory commitments.

COMMITTED DATE COMMITMENT OR OUTAGE None N/A i

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