ML19354E671

Requests Approval to Use Alloy 690 Plugs as Alternative to Requirements of 10CFR55(a),codes & Stds for Plants Prior to 900226

ML19354E671
Person / Time
Site:	Oconee, Mcguire, Catawba, McGuire, 05000000
Issue date:	01/24/1990
From:	Tucker H DUKE POWER CO.
To:	NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM)
References
NUDOCS 9002010058
Download: ML19354E671 (4)

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, Duke Ibuer Company . = Ilu il Tsan PO Box 33198 i' ice IWsident , '?

Charlotte, N C 28242 -

Nuclear Production - '1 (704)373 4531 .;

DUKEPOWER .

January 24, 1990 [

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U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission ATTN: Document Control Desk j Washington, D.C. 20555

Subject:

Oconee Nuclear Station, Docket Nos. 50-269, 270, and.287.  !

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McGuire Nuclear Station, Doclret Nos.:50-369 and 370 Catawba Nuclear Station, Docket Nos. 50-413 and.414 Request For. Approval To Use Alternative to Requirements of 10 CFR 55a, Codes and Standards Gentlemen:

By letter dated November 7, 1989 B&W Nuclear Technologies requested NRC; generic approval of the nickel base Alloy 690, ASTM designation SB-166'(UNS- 4 N06690) in the fabrication of steam generator plugs. -At that tima, B&W had.

also requested ASME approval for the application of Alloy 690, Specification SB-166, SB-167, SB-168, and SB-564 material for Section III repairs. Since -

the appropriate ASME Code Case had not received: final'ASME approval,-the NRCL .

could not generically approve use of the. Alloy 690 material. It'isfour-understanding, based on discussions with ASME representatives, that~an appropriate Code Case (N-474-1) concerning this-material use will be considered for final ASME approval in February.1990. Following ASME approval, we had planned to submit a request to.use.this Code' Case at all'of' ,

our nuclear stations.

However, pending ASME approval of the Code Case for Alloy 690, we request approval for use of the Alloy 690 plugs pursuant to 10 CFR 50.55a (a)(3); as an alternate to the requirements of 10 CFR 50.55a, Codes-and Standards for l

our Oconee,.McGuire, and Catawba stations. McGuire Unit 1 is currently in a ,

I refueling-outage, Catawba Unit l'is scheduled'to begin a refueling outage. .

! January 26, 1990, and Oconee Unit 1 is scheduled:to begin a refueling-outage i on April 26, 1990. All-stations plan.to perform steam generator plugo

! inspections and plug removal in accordance with B&W recommendations. The l

request to use the Alloy 690 plugs in steam generator tubes to be plugged,.

j and as replacements for removed Alloy 600 plugs, is, based on our plans to o I eventually remove all Alloy 600 plugs _on these units. If we do'not receive-approval for use of the. Alloy 690 plugs, we will be required to expand our

! future steam generator plug inspection program.to include plugs' installed:

during these currently scheduled outages, and expand the scope of our plug removal.and replacement program.

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, IP.E. Nuclair R:gult. tory Commiecion ATTN Document Control Desk January 24, 1990 Page 2 These steps can be avoided by NRC approval of the Alloy 690 plugs, thereby ,

eliminating the need for unnecessary manpower and resource expenditure, and would be in keeping with the ALARA philosophy by preventing an unneeded increase in steam generator related personnel exposure.

Additionally, based on our experience with Alloy 600 plugs, we believe that-the Alloy 690 plug is the correct choice of material for steam generator plugging to avert potential plug cracking concerns. Based on the qualities-of the Alloy 690 plug material we believe it will: provide an equivalent level of protection against a plug top release event, and will provide enhanced protection against PWSCC.

Based on our current schedule to begin tube plugging, (Catawba Unit 1 on February 26, 1990, McGuire Unit 1 on April 1, 1990, and Oconee Unit 1 on May 18, 1990), we request NRC approve our use of the Alloy 690 plug material prior to February 26, 1990.

If there are any questions concerning this request, please contact Steve LeRoy at 373-6233.

Very truly yours, 2.v) Mr Hal B. Tucker SEL511 xc: Mr. S.D. Ebneter Administrator, Region'II U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 101 Marietta St., NW, Suite 2900 Atlanta, GA' 30323  :

Mr. Darl Hood, Project Manager  ;

U.S. Nuclear. Regulatory Commission Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Washington, D.C. 20555 Dr. K.N. Jabbour Project Manager U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Washington, D.C. 20555 l

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