NRC Generic Letter 77-06, Enclosing Questionaire Relating to Steam Generators

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December 9, 1977

TO ALL PWR FACILITY LICENSES

Gentlemen:

The NRC staff has recently been engaged in a series of discussions with reactor vendors, EPRI, and the Steam Generator Owners Groups concerning steam generator operational problems. Central to these discussions is an accurate assessment of operational conditions and experiences as well as the programs aimed towards the resolution of these problems.

In order to ensure that both the NRC and the nuclear industry have available a comprehensive collection of operating data for steam generators to permit informed, timely decisions and actions, DOR is establishing a steam generator information system. The system will collect appropriate information from all PWR licensees which will periodically be published. It is presently anticipated that the initial publication of information will be in the early part of 1978. You will be sent a copy of this and all future publications.

This information system will enable the NRC and each Licensee to draw from the operational experiences of the entire nuclear industry when making any decisions concerning steam generators. This should result in both safety and economic benefits.

Enclosed is a questionnaire which we request that you complete for each of your operating PWR units. We believe that the questionnaire is self explanatory, however, if questions arise or any clarifications are necessary, please do not hesitate to contact your NRC Project Manager. Please include with your response any diagrams you may have available which illustrate the tube plugging and/or the tube degradation patterns.

To enable us to maintain the information current, you are further requested to submit in the same format indicated by the questionnaire any changes or additions to your initial submittal to reflect the future operating experience with your steam generators, i.e., the results of future steam generator inspections. The questionnaire should be completed to the extent applicable and appropriate at this time, i.e., regardless of operating experience.The information being requested is quite extensive and will require a diligent effort on your part and ours to assure accurate and timely completion. Also, we realize that parts of the information may already be available to the NRC, but not in a convenient format which is readily accessible. Therefore, we request that you assist us by returning a single completed copy of the enclosed questionnaire to the Director of Nuclear Regulation, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555, within 60 days of receipt of this letter. Please include any comments or suggestions for improving this information system which you may have.

This request for generic information was approved by GAO under a blanket clearance number R0071; this clearance expires September 30, 1978.

Sincerely,

Karl R. Goller, Assistant Director for Operating Reactors Division of Operating Reactors

Enclosure:

Steam Generator Operating History Questionnaire