ML21237A360

Memo to Andrea Veil - Closure of Proposed Generic Issue PRE-GI-018

ML21237A360
Person / Time
Issue date:	08/31/2021
From:	Raymond Furstenau Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research
To:	Andrea Veil Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Rahimi, M.; Jenkins, R.
References
Download: ML21237A360 (2)

Text

R. Furstenau

August 31, 2021

MEMORANDUM TO: Andrea D. Veil, Director Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Signed by Furstenau, Raymon FROM: Raymond V. Furstenau, Director on 08/31/21 Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research

SUBJECT:

CLOSURE OF PROPOSED GENERIC ISSUE PRE-GI-018, HIGH - ENERGY ARC FAULTS INVOLVING ALUMINUM

The purpose of this memorandum is to inform you of the closure of proposed Generic Issue (GI)

PRE-GI-018, High-Energy Arc Faults (HEAFs) Involving Aluminum. This action is based on guidance provided in NRC Management Directive (MD) 6.4 Section V.A., Criteria for Generic Issues, which states that if, at any time, a proposed GI, or a GI does not meet any of the seven screening criteria, it will not be processed further under the GI Program. The Generic Issues Review Panel (GIRP) has concluded that the risk or safety significance of HEAFs involving aluminum cannot be adequately determined without performing additional, long-term research to develop the methodology for such a determination. Therefore, Criterion 5 of the screening criteria in MD 6.4 is no longer being met.

Significant technical progress has been made by the staff under PRE-GI-018. The efforts under PRE-GI-018 have highlighted the potential hazard of aluminum in plants with respect to HEAF.

The results of EPRIs investigation included a survey of all operating plants for aluminum and communication of effective maintenance practices to reduce the likelihood and severity of a HEAF event. However, the staff have identified several areas of long-term research needed to fully and accurately assess the risk posed by HEAFs involving aluminum. In particular, the development and validation of a multi-physics model capable of representing the thermal and electrical properties of an arc, the solid-mechanical response of an enclosure, and the chemical kinetics of metal oxidation.

We understand that your office will apply LIC-504, Integrated Risk-Informed Decisionmaking Process for Emergent Issues, to make a risk-informed decision regarding the need for additional regulatory actions for HEAFs involving aluminum in the near term.

If there are questions regarding this issue, please feel free to contact the GI Program Branch Chief, Meraj Rahimi, or the PRE-GI-018 Project Manager, Ronaldo Jenkins.

Acknowledgement of PRE-GI-018 Recommendation & Disposition:

/RA/ /RA by Christian Araguas for/

Michael X. Franovich, GIRP Co-Chair Mark Thaggard, GIRP Co-Chair Division of Risk Assessment Division of Risk Analysis Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research 2

Memo to A. Veil - Closure of Proposed Generic Issue Pre-GI-018, High Energy Arc Faults Involving Aluminum DATE August 31, 2021

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NMelly, RES/DRA/FXHAB MSalley, RES/DRA/FXHAB GTaylor, RES/DRA/FXHAB CMoulton, NRR/DRA/APLB SVasavada, NRR/DRA SLingam, NRR/DORL/LPL4 DMorey, NRR/DORL/LLPB HKodali, NRR/DEX/EEEB JHyslop, NRR/DRA/APLB RidsNrrOdResource, NRR RidsNrrMailCenterResource, NRR RidsResOdResource, RES RidsNrrDra, NRR/DRA

ADAMS Accession No.: Memo ML21237A360 OFFICE RES/DE/ICEEB RES/DE NRR/DRA RES/DRA NAME RJenkins RJ LLund LL MFranovich MF MThaggard CAraguas for CA DATE Aug 25, 2021 Aug 30, 2021 Aug 31, 2021 Aug 31, 2021 OFFICE DEDM NAME RFurstenau RF DATE Aug 31, 2021 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY