ML052020151

Response to NRC Bulletin 2003-02, Leakage from Reactor Pressure Vessel Lower Head Penetrations and Reactor Coolant Pressure Boundary Integrity.

ML052020151
Person / Time
Site:	Cook
Issue date:	07/28/2005
From:	Lyon C NRC/NRR/DLPM/LPD3
To:	Nazar M Indiana Michigan Power Co
Lyon CF, NRR/DLPM, 415-2296
References
BL-03-002, TAC MC0534
Download: ML052020151 (5)

Text

July 28, 2005 Mr. Mano K. Nazar Senior Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer Indiana Michigan Power Company Nuclear Generation Group One Cook Place Bridgman, MI 49106

SUBJECT:

DONALD C. COOK NUCLEAR PLANT, UNIT 2 - RESPONSE TO NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION BULLETIN 2003-02, LEAKAGE FROM REACTOR PRESSURE VESSEL LOWER HEAD PENETRATIONS AND REACTOR COOLANT PRESSURE BOUNDARY INTEGRITY (TAC NO. MC0534)

Dear Mr. Nazar:

On August 21, 2003, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued NRC Bulletin 2003-02, Leakage from Reactor Pressure Vessel Lower Head Penetrations and Reactor Coolant Pressure Boundary Integrity, to the industry. This bulletin informed addressees that current methods of inspecting the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) lower heads may need to be supplemented with bare-metal visual inspections in order to detect reactor coolant pressure boundary leakage. The bulletin also requested for these addressees to provide the NRC with information related to inspections that have been performed to verify the integrity of the RPV lower head penetrations.

The bulletin requested that addressees provide a description of the RPV lower head penetration inspection program that would be implemented at their respective plants during the next and subsequent refueling outages. This description was to include the extent of the inspection, the inspection methods to be used, the qualification standards for the inspection methods, the process used to resolve the source of findings of boric acid deposits or corrosion, the inspection documentation to be generated, and the basis for concluding that their plant satisfied applicable regulatory requirements related to the structural and leakage integrity of the RPV lower head penetrations.

By letter dated September 17, 2003, Indiana Michigan Power Company (I&M) provided its response to this request. I&M committed to perform a bare-metal visual inspection of the RPV lower head and penetrations during each refueling outage at Donald C. Cook Nuclear Plant (CNP), Unit 2. I&M stated that insulation will be modified or removed from the RPV lower heads to permit full bare-metal visual examinations of the penetrations and carbon steel in the vicinity of the penetrations. American Society of Mechanical Engineers qualified VT-2 examiners will perform the inspections. In addition, boric acid deposits will be analyzed, if sufficient residue exists, from deposits found. As such, I&M is requested to notify the NRC staff in writing of any changes to this regulatory commitment prior to implementation.

M. Nazar The bulletin also requested that addressees provide a summary of the RPV lower head penetration inspection that was performed at their plants, the extent of the inspection and the methods used, a description of the as-found condition of the lower head, any findings of relevant indications of through-wall leakage, and a summary of the disposition of any findings of boric acid deposits and any corrective actions taken as a result of indications found.

By letter dated January 6, 2005, I&M provided a summary of its inspection results at CNP, Unit 2. I&M reported it had performed a 360-degree bare-metal visual examination on all 58 RPV lower head penetrations with no evidence of penetration leakage observed.

Based on its review of I&Ms responses to NRC Bulletin 2003-02, the NRC staff finds that I&M has met the reporting requirements of the bulletin for CNP, Unit 2. Accordingly, TAC No.

MC0534 is closed for CNP, Unit 2.

Sincerely,

/RA/

Carl F. Lyon, Project Manager, Section 1 Project Directorate III Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-316 cc: See next page

M. Nazar The bulletin also requested that addressees provide a summary of the RPV lower head penetration inspection that was performed at their plants, the extent of the inspection and the methods used, a description of the as-found condition of the lower head, any findings of relevant indications of through-wall leakage, and a summary of the disposition of any findings of boric acid deposits and any corrective actions taken as a result of indications found.

By letter dated January 6, 2005, I&M provided a summary of its inspection results at CNP, Unit 2. I&M reported it had performed a 360-degree bare-metal visual examination on all 58 RPV lower head penetrations with no evidence of penetration leakage observed.

Based on its review of I&Ms responses to NRC Bulletin 2003-02, the NRC staff finds that I&M has met the reporting requirements of the bulletin for CNP, Unit 2. Accordingly, TAC No.

MC0534 is closed for CNP, Unit 2.

Sincerely,

/RA/

Carl F. Lyon, Project Manager, Section 1 Project Directorate III Division of Licensing Project Management Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Docket No. 50-316 cc: See next page Distribution:

PUBLIC PDIII-1 r/f LRaghavan RidsNrrPMSMonarque RidsNrrPMFLyon THarris RidsNrrDlpm ESullivan RidsOgcRp RidsRgn3MailCenter Adams Accession Number: ML052020151 OFFICE PDIII-1/PM PDIII-1/LA LPM EMCB PDIII-1/SC NAME FLyon THarris SMonarque ESullivan LRaghavan DATE 07/22/05 07/21/05 07/20/05 07/27/05 07/28/05 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

Donald C. Cook Nuclear Plant, Units 1 and 2 cc:

Regional Administrator, Region III Michigan Department of Environmental U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Quality 2443 Warrenville Road, Suite 210 Waste and Hazardous Materials Div.

Lisle, IL 60532-4352 Hazardous Waste & Radiological Protection Section Attorney General Nuclear Facilities Unit Department of Attorney General Constitution Hall, Lower-Level North 525 West Ottawa Street 525 West Allegan Street Lansing, MI 48913 P. O. Box 30241 Lansing, MI 48909-7741 Township Supervisor Lake Township Hall Michael J. Finissi, Plant Manager P.O. Box 818 Indiana Michigan Power Company Bridgman, MI 49106 Nuclear Generation Group One Cook Place U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Bridgman, MI 49106 Resident Inspector's Office 7700 Red Arrow Highway Mr. Joseph N. Jensen, Site Vice President Stevensville, MI 49127 Indiana Michigan Power Company Nuclear Generation Group James M. Petro, Jr., Esquire One Cook Place Indiana Michigan Power Company Bridgman, MI 49106 One Cook Place Bridgman, MI 49106 Mayor, City of Bridgman P.O. Box 366 Bridgman, MI 49106 Special Assistant to the Governor Room 1 - State Capitol Lansing, MI 48909 Mr. John A. Zwolinski Safety Assurance Director Indiana Michigan Power Company Nuclear Generation Group One Cook Place Bridgman, MI 49106