ML21124A203

ASME Alternative ALT-16 Pre-submittal Meeting Summary 4-29-21

ML21124A203
Person / Time
Site:	Vogtle
Issue date:	05/06/2021
From:	Bill Gleaves NRC/NRR/VPOB
To:	Omar Lopez-Santiago NRC/NRR/VPOB
Gleaves B
References
Download: ML21124A203 (5)

Text

May 6, 2021 MEMORANDUM TO: Omar López-Santiago, Chief Vogtle Project Office Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation FROM: Billy Gleaves, Senior Project Manager /RA/

Vogtle Project Office Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

SUMMARY

OF A PUBLIC MEETING WITH SOUTHERN NUCLEAR OPERATING COMPANY ON APRIL 29, 2021 The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) staff held an observation meeting public meeting with Southern Nuclear Operating Company (SNC) on April 29, 2021. The purpose of the meeting was a pre-submittal meeting for SNC and NRC staff to discuss details associated with, and supporting, its potential request for an alternative to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code,Section III, for Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP), Unit 3. Key points were related to ASME Section III requirements, the proposed SNC repair plan, and the treatment of unqualified material that may remain as part of the vessel after the repair. NRC and SNC staff participated in the call. There were no members of the public who identified themselves at the meeting and no comments or questions were directed to the staff. The meeting ended at 10:36 a.m. EST.

The meeting notice can be found in the Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML21084A223. The meeting notice was also posted on the NRC public website. Enclosures 1 and 2 are the meeting agenda and attendance list for the meeting, respectively.

The documents referenced during the discussion can be found at the ADAMS Accession Nos.

given below:

• SNC PowerPoint Presentation ML21123A141

• SNC Draft ASME Code Alternative ALT-16 ML21116A260 CONTACT: W. Gleaves, NRR/VPO (301) 415-5848

O. López-Santiago During the meeting, SNC described the design of the VEGP, Unit 3 containment vessel, as an ASME Section III, Class MC (metal containment) pressure vessel. The vessel received the Code stamp from the N certificate holder Chicago Bridge & Iron Co. Subsequently six pieces of Unistrut were welded to the vessel in three locations. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss SNCs plans to address these Unistruts and welds and return the vessel to meet ASME Code requirements. SNC presented slides that described their plans, including an alternative to be submitted to the NRC for approval that would address the remediation of the non-compliant welds. SNC provided additional detail as to the mechanical properties of the non-compliant welds and its bases for leaving the current welds in place, as well as the weld procedure and the welder qualifications.

Following the presentation, the main comments of the NRC staff were summarized as follows:

NRC asked SNC to identify and address the ASME paragraphs that are not being followed in the draft alternative and state specifically why an ASME Code repair cannot be performed.

SNC stated that following N stamp, the vessel is in ASME Code Section XI control and repair rules for this case are not specified. NRC asked how SNC knows that the non-compliant welds are on the surface only. NRC asked for information on the impact on the vessel of the use of a non-compliant weld procedure. NRC asked for information on the impact to the vessel of weld preheats between 200°F and 150°F. NRC asked for information to aid the staff in understanding how the non-certified welder and weld procedure meets the ASME Section III Code program. NRC also asked for details on any unique differences between the three weld locations and which of the three locations may be most limiting. NRC asked that SNC provide justification for no volumetric examinations. NRC asked why surface examination provides the similar level of assurance of quality as volumetric examinations, in this case.

Docket No.: 52-025

Enclosures:

As stated cc w/encls: See next page

ML21124A203 *via e-mail NRR-106 OFFICE PM: NRR/VPO LA: NRR/VPO PM: NRR/VPO ABC: NRR/NVIB NAME WGleaves* RButler* CSantos* DWidrevitz*

DATE 5/04/21 5/04/21 5/6/21 5/6/21 OFFICE BC: NRR/VPO PM: NRR/VPO NAME OLópez-Santiago* WGleaves*

DATE 5/6/21 5/6/21 AGENDA FOR PUBLIC MEETING U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Thursday, April 29, 2021 Teleconference 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

PURPOSE: To discuss issues associated with the safety review of licensing actions for Southern Nuclear Operating Companys (SNC) Vogtle Electric Generating Plant (VEGP) Units 3 and 4.

OPEN Time Topic Led By 9:00 a.m. Opening Remarks NRC 9:10 a.m. Discussion of Identified Topics NRC/SNC Opportunity for Public Comment NRC/Public Open Portion Concludes CLOSED (If needed) NRC/SNC 12:00 p.m. Adjourn Enclosure 1

PUBLIC MEETING U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Thursday, April 29, 2021 Teleconference List of Attendees Name Organization Representing the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Armstrong, Garry Benson, Michael Coovert, Nicole Davis, Bradley Eargle, Jason Fredette, Thomas Gaslevic, James Gleaves, Billy Griman, Brian Honcharik, John Khouri, George NRR and Region II Lee, Brian López-Santiago, Omar McCurry, Katie Mitchell, Matthew Rudland, David Spencer, Michael Webb, Michael Welch, Christopher Widrevitz, Dan Wittick, Brian Representing SNC Burns, Evan Caver, Kyle Chapman, Nathan Dorsey, Keith Foley, Ryan Grant, Eddie Kellenberger, Nicholas Leighty, Steven Southern Nuclear Operating Company Mann, Elisheba Murphy, Drew Musto, Tom Quarles, Adam Willoughby-Braun, Selena Wilson, Mark Yox, Michael Representing SNC Contactors Gould, Andrew CB&I Services Hand, Steve CB&I Services Presley, Lee Southern Nuclear Operating Companys CB&I Services Lockman, Steve contactors CB&I Services Long, Margaret CB&I Services Representing the Public None self-identified.

Note: All participated via teleconference.

Enclosure 2