ML24183A064

Nonproprietary- EPRI Report 3002023754, BWRVIP-138, BWR Vessel and Internals Project, Updated Jet Pump Bean Inspection and Flaw Evaluation Guidelines, Revision 2, Final RAIs

ML24183A064
Person / Time
Site:	Electric Power Research Institute
Issue date:	07/11/2024
From:	Licensing Processes Branch
To:
References
BWRVIP-138, Rev. 2, EPID L-2023-TOP-0020, EPID L-2023-TOP-0053, EPID L-2023-NTR-0007
Download: ML24183A064 (1)

Text

OFFICIAL USE ONLY - PROPRIETARY INFORMATION OFFICIAL USE ONLY - PROPRIETARY INFORMATION TECHNICAL REPORT 3002023754 BWRVIP-138, REVISION 2 BWR VESSEL AND INTERNALS PROJECT, UPDATED JET PUMP BEAM INSPECTION AND FLAW EVALUATION GUIDELINES REQUESTS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (RAIS) \\

DOCKET NO. 99902016 PROPRIETARY

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Introduction:==

By letter dated October 25, 2023 (Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) Accession No. ML23298A078), Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) submitted for U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) review and approval topical report (TR),

BWRVIP-138, Revision 2: BWR Vessel and Internals Project, Updated Jet Pump Beam Inspection and Flaw Evaluation Guidelines, EPRI Report 3002023754. This report updates the inspection and flaw evaluation guidelines of jet pump holdown beams in boiling water reactors (BWRs) as part of the BWR Vessel and Internals Project (BWRVIP).

As part of its review, the NRC staff participated in an audit of the TR and associated background documents with the EPRI and BWRVIP personnel in Spring 2024. The audit plan is shown in ADAMS Accession No. ML24023A690. Based on the audit, the NRC staff concluded that additional information is needed to complete the review. Accordingly, the NRC staff requests for additional information (RAI) as shown below. Many of the RAI questions are based on the staffs questions raised during the audit.

Regulatory Basis:

The BWRVIP guidance regarding jet pump beam (JPB) inspections is a voluntary program pursued by industry in order to address past failures in BWR units. These failures could cause damage to surrounding internal components. If a failure occurs, existing jet pump operability surveillance procedures required by plant technical specifications will detect a beam failure and require a reactor shut down. The purpose of this inspection guideline is to avoid mid-cycle failures and possible damage to reactor internals. The creation of the BWRVIP was, at least in part, motivated by a desire to demonstrate that no increased specificity in NRC regulation for BWR internals aging management would be necessary.

The NRC has approved initial license renewal applications for many domestic nuclear power plants in accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR) Part 54. Some of the nuclear plants have entered the period of extended operation. As such, the regulation in 10 CFR 54.21(a)(3) requires that, for each structure and component determined to be subject to an aging management review, a BWR licensee must demonstrate that the effects of aging of the reactor vessel internal components such as JPBs will be adequately managed so that the intended function(s) will be maintained consistent with the current licensing basis (CLB) for the relevant period of extended operation.