ML20078P485

Submits Further Followup Re Enchancement of Penetrameter Images on Radiographic Films.Film Reviews Completed to Date Confirm Weld Quality.Training Progress Initiated & Audits Performed

ML20078P485
Person / Time
Site:	Nine Mile Point, 05000000
Issue date:	03/28/1983
From:	Thielsch H GRINNELL CORP. (FORMERLY ITT GRINNELL CORP.)
To:	Potapovs U NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV)
Shared Package
ML20077J987	List: ML20078P485
References
FOIA-83-322 NUDOCS 8311080075
Download: ML20078P485 (2)

Text

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! Executive Offices 260 WestExchangeStreet i

Providence, RhodeIsland02901 i Resestch, Development andEngineering Division #I I 1

March 28, 1983 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission I Region IV 3

611 Ryan Plaza Drive AfR 81983 Suite 1000 -

) Arlington, TX 76011 Attention: Mr. Uldis Potapovs, Chief Vendor Programs Branch Re: Docket No. 99900019/82/01 Gentlemen:

There is a further follow-up covering the enhancement of penetrameter images on radiographic films. Various utilities were requireo initially to re-examine all of the radiographic films furnished from the ITT Grinnell Industrial Piping facility in Kernersville, North Carolina, involving pipe welds of wall thickness of less than 1/2". We also took it upon ourselves to re-examine all other available radiographic films. This has been completed.

This includes all of the films which had been retained at the Kernersville Plant.

Our monitoring of the entire radiographic film re-evaluation program also includes informal information received on various other nuclear power plant projects to which all of the radiographic films in our possession had been a

i shipped and were being stored by the respective utility.

' As a result of the detailed Audit and examinations performed by representatives of the NRC cn March 16-18, 1982, at the Kernersville Plant, we '

{ were required only to examine the radiographic films of welds involving pipe wall thicknesses of less than 1/2". Nevertheless, we did examine other pipe welds as well.

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i o ) age 2 3/2E/83 All of the radiographic films in sizes greater than 1/2" which had been retained at the Kernersville Plant and involved principally the nuclear plant projects being constructed by the Tennessee Valley Authority were thus examined. This examination revealed that three radiographic films in several thousand pipe butt welds of wall thickness greater than 1/2" had been enhanced with pencil markings. This was an extremely smal] percentage, and was not considered a major ccncern. None of the welds involved contain rejectable weld defects.

Recently, we completed an examination of all of the radiographic films in sizes larger than 1/2", which had been shipped to, and retain by the Nine Mile Point Nuclear Power Station of the Niagara Mchaak Pcwer Company.

Unfortunately, this examination revealed, out of a total of 10,530 film sections examined, a total of 21 welds with at least one view contain enhancement of the penetrameter image by pencil indications placed over the hole image on the penetrameter. During this same review 13 welds of pipe wall thicknesses less than 1/2" were found to have had at least one film in the set also showed enhancement of the penetrameter image. In both cases, this represmts less than 0.2% of the radiographic films taken. With respect to weld nunters the total numcers involved 975 girth welds. Of these welds, 3 showed enhancement of the duplicate films. On 21 additicnal welds at least one of each of the cuplicate films was acceptable, with one or several of the duplicate films enhanced by a pencil dot on the penetrameter image.

In any case, all of the film re/iews completed to date, regardless of wall thickness, have confirmed that the welds are of proper quality, and meet the recuirenents of Section III of the ASME Eoiler and Pressure Vessel Code.

Since our March 18, 1982 meeting with the NRC, the training programs which we initiated by our Providence NCE group, and the Audits which we have performed, have confirmed repeatedly that this condition has been eliminated.

Very truly yours, ITT GRINNELL CORPOR ION HelmI[tThielsch, sw ice President Research, Development & Engineering HT/d cc: Arkansas Power & Light Company The Toledo Edison Company Alabama Power Company Duke Power Company Niagara Mohawk Power Company Public Service Company of Indiana, Inc.

Consumers Pcwer Company Texas Utilities Company Pmnsylvania Power & Light Co.

Tennessee Valley Authority

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