ML092730014

Request for Additional Information for the Review of the Cooper Nuclear Station License Renewal Application

ML092730014
Person / Time
Site:	Cooper
Issue date:	10/15/2009
From:	Tam Tran License Renewal Projects Branch 1
To:	Minahan S Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD)
Brady B, NRR/DLR, 415-2981
References
TAC MD9737, TAC MD9763
Download: ML092730014 (6)

Text

October 15, 2009 Mr. Stewart B. Minahan Vice President - Nuclear and Chief Nuclear Officer Cooper Nuclear Station Nebraska Public Power District 72676 648A Avenue Brownville, NE 68321

SUBJECT:

REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR THE REVIEW OF THE COOPER NUCLEAR STATION LICENSE RENEWAL APPLICATION (TAC NO.

MD9763 AND MD9737)

Dear Mr. Minahan:

The purpose of this letter is to transmit the request for additional information (RAI) B.1.30-2. The staff has identified, in the enclosure, areas where this additional information is needed to complete the review of the Cooper Nuclear Station license renewal application.

This item in the enclosure was discussed with Mr. David Bremer. If you have any questions, please contact me at 301-415-3617 or by e-mail at Tam.Tran@nrc.gov, or Bennett M. Brady at 301-415-2981 or by e-mail at Bennett.Brady@nrc.gov.

Sincerely,

/RA by Bennett M. Brady Acting For/

Tam Tran, Project Manager Projects Branch 1 Division of License Renewal Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-298

Enclosure:

As stated cc w/encl: See next page

ML092730014 OFFICE PM:RPB1:DLR LA:RPOB:DLR PM:RPB1:DLR BC:RPB1:DLR PM:RPB1:DLR NAME BBrady SFigueroa TTran BPham TTran (BBrady for) (Signature)

(BBrady for)

DATE 10/14/09 10/14/09 10/13/09 10/15/09 10/15/09

Letter to Stewart B. Minahan from Tam Tran dated October 15, 2009

SUBJECT:

REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR THE REVIEW OF THE COOPER NUCLEAR STATION LICENSE RENEWAL APPLICATION (TAC NO.

MD9763 AND MD9737)

DISTRIBUTION:

HARD COPY:

DLR RF E-MAIL:

PUBLIC RidsNrrDlr Resource RidsNrrDlrRpb1 Resource RidsNrrDlrRpb2 Resource RidsNrrDlrRer1 Resource RidsNrrDlrRer2 Resource RidsNrrDlrRerb Resource RidsNrrDlrRpob Resource RidsNrrDciCvib Resource RidsNrrDciCpnb Resource RidsNrrDciCsgb Resource RidsNrrDraAfpb Resource RidsNrrDraApla Resource RidsNrrDeEmcb Resource RidsNrrDeEeeb Resource RidsNrrDssSrxb Resource RidsNrrDssSbpb Resource RidsNrrDssScvb Resource RidsOgcMailCenter Resource

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T. Tran E. Sayoc B. Brady F. Lyon I. Couret D. Roth (OGC)

A. Jones (OGC)

N. Taylor (RIV)

E. Collins (RIV)

C. Casto (RIV)

B. Maier (RIV)

V. Dricks (RIV)

D. Chamberlain (RIV)

A. Vegel (RIV)

W. Walker (RIV)

G. Miller (RIV)

G. Pick (RIV)

REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE COOPER NUCLEAR STATION LICENSE RENEWAL APPLICATION RAI B.1.30-2 One Time Inspection - Small Bore Piping

Background

In a letter dated May 1, 2009, the staff requested additional information on how the applicant plans to address volumetric inspections of socket welds in its aging management program (AMP) for American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Class 1 small-bore piping. In a letter dated June 15, 2009, the applicant responded stating that, NUREG Section XI.M35 does not explicitly address socket welds. Because there is no accepted industry standard method for volumetric examination of socket welds, no such examinations are included in the CNS [Cooper Nuclear Station] program. The applicant goes on to discuss the fact that a surface inspection and visual inspection (VT-2) of ASME Class 1 small-bore piping socket welds will be performed in lieu of a volumetric inspection. Finally, the applicant stated that a review of site-specific operating experience had been performed and that no history of cracking in Class 1 small-bore piping, including socket welds, had been identified.

Issue The staff does not consider the performance of surface and VT-2 inspections to be a suitable alternative to volumetric inspections as a means of detecting cracking of socket welds in ASME Class 1 small-bore piping. Specifically, these types of inspections are not effective for detecting sub-surface cracks that may exist in these welds.

It is also not clear that relevant industry operating experience was considered when the decision was made to not perform volumetric inspections of these socket welds. The staff performed a cursory review of available operating experience and identified several examples of socket weld failures resulting from cracking. Since 1997, as many as 47 socket weld failures have occurred at 35 nuclear power plants. Aging effects identified during the cause analysis was largely cracking on the inside diameter (below the visible surface of the weld) stemming from intergranular stress corrosion and fatigue. At least 12 of the 47 occurrences resulted in plant scrams or other significant operational challenges.

Request The staff requests the applicant provide an AMP for detecting cracking in ASME Class 1 small-bore piping, including sub-surface cracking in socket welds. As discussed in NEI 95-10, Industry Guidelines for Implementing the Requirements of 10 CFR Part 54 - The License Renewal Rule, the staff also requests that a review of relevant industry operating experience be conducted to determine whether it changes the conclusions drawn from the previously performed plant-specific determinations.

ENCLOSURE

Cooper Nuclear Station cc:

Mr. Ronald D. Asche Deputy Director for Policy President and Chief Executive Officer Missouri Department of Natural Resources Nebraska Public Power District P.O. Box 176 1414 15th Street Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176 Columbus, NE 68601 Senior Resident Inspector Mr. Gene Mace U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Nuclear Asset Manager P.O. Box 218 Nebraska Public Power District Brownville, NE 68321 P.O. Box 98 Brownville, NE 68321 Regional Administrator, Region IV U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Mr. John C. McClure 612 E. Lamar Blvd., Suite 400 Vice President and General Counsel Arlington, TX 76011-4125 Nebraska Public Power District P.O. Box 499 Director, Missouri State Emergency Columbus, NE 68602-0499 Management Agency P.O. Box 116 Mr. David Van Der Kamp Jefferson City, MO 65102-0116 Licensing Manager Nebraska Public Power District Chief, Radiation and Asbestos P.O. Box 98 Control Section Brownville, NE 68321 Kansas Department of Health and Environment Mr. Michael J. Linder, Director Bureau of Air and Radiation Nebraska Department of Environmental 1000 SW Jackson, Suite 310 Quality Topeka, KS 66612-1366 P.O. Box 98922 Lincoln, NE 68509-8922 Ms. Melanie Rasmussen Radiation Control Program Director Chairman Bureau of Radiological Health Nemaha County Board of Commissioners Iowa Department of Public Health Nemaha County Courthouse Lucas State Office Building, 5th Floor 1824 N Street 321 East 12th Street Auburn, NE 68305 Des Moines, IA 50319 Ms. Julia Schmitt, Manager Mr. Keith G. Henke, Planner Radiation Control Program Division of Community and Public Health Nebraska Health & Human Services R&L Office of Emergency Coordination Public Health Assurance 930 Wildwood Drive 301 Centennial Mall, South P.O. Box 570 P.O. Box 95007 Jefferson City, MO 65102 Lincoln, NE 68509-5007

Cooper Nuclear Station cc:

Mr. Art Zaremba, Director of Nuclear Mr. Alan Cox Safety Assurance License Renewal Technical Manager Nebraska Public Power District Entergy Nuclear P.O. Box 98 1448 S.R. 333, N-GSB-45 Brownville, NE 68321 Russellville, AR 72802 Mr. John F. McCann, Director Mr. Dave Lach Licensing, Entergy Nuclear Northeast LRP Entergy Project Manager Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc. Entergy Nuclear 440 Hamilton Avenue 1448 S.R. 333, N-GSB-45 White Plains, NY 10601-1813 Russellville, AR 72802 Mr. Mike Boyce Cooper Strategic Initiatives Manager Cooper Nuclear Station 72676 - 648A Avenue Brownville, NE 68321 Mr. Dave Bremer License Renewal Project Manager Cooper Nuclear Station 72676 - 648A Avenue Brownville, NE 68321 Mr. Bill Victor License Renewal Project Licensing Lead Cooper Nuclear Station 72676 - 648A Avenue Brownville, NE 68321 Mr. Jim Loynes License Renewal Project Engineer Cooper Nuclear Station 72676 - 648A Avenue Brownville, NE 68321 Mr. Garry Young License Renewal Manager Entergy Nuclear 1448 S.R. 333, N-GSB-45 Russellville, AR 72802