ML19050A009
| ML19050A009 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 02/28/2019 |
| From: | Joe Golla NRC/NRR/DLP/PLPB |
| To: | Dennis Morey NRC/NRR/DLP/PLPB |
| Golla J, NRR/DLP/PLPB, 415-1002 | |
| References | |
| Download: ML19050A009 (4) | |
Text
February 28, 2019 MEMORANDUM TO: Dennis C. Morey, Chief Licensing Processes Branch Division of Licensing Projects Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation FROM:
Joseph A. Golla, Project Manager /RA/
Licensing Processes Branch Division of Licensing ProjectsOffice of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
SUBJECT:
SUMMARY
OF PUBLIC PHONE CALL WITH THE BOILING WATER REACTOR OWNERS GROUP REGARDING TARGET ROCK SAFETY RELIEF VALVE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION SETPOINT DRIFT ISSUE On February 14, 2019, a Category 2 public phone call was held between the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and representatives of the Boiling Water Reactor (BWR)
Owners Group (BWROG). The purpose of the meeting was for the BWROG to provide a status update regarding resolution of the Target Rock Safety Relief Valve (SRV) Setpoint Drift Issue.
The meeting notice and agenda, dated January 29, 2019, are available in the Agencywide Access and Management System (ADAMS) at Accession No. ML19029A614. During the phone call, the BWROG representatives referred to presentation slides which are available at ADAMS Acession No. ML19045A449.
The BWROG began its discussion with an overview of its Target Rock 2-Stage SRV Performance Improvement Committee, established January 2016. The scope of work of the committee is to address the common causes of repetitive Target Rock 2-stage SRV setpoint test failures in the BWR fleet. BWROG then described its 2017 and 2018 testing activities.
These include the application of platinum to valve disc surface utilizing an IBAD procedure, autoclave screening tests to develop sputtering application process of platinum on test coupons and then comparing to the IBAD procedure, and sputter coating of pilot discs and valve testing.
The BWROG is also performing static autoclave material screening with the intent to develop test conditions that are indicative of relative resistance of material couples to corrosion bonding over an operating cycle. The goal of this is to create enough bonding to allow for quantitative data of bonding strength to allow for discrimination between test cells. The BWROG stated that the static autoclave material screening thus far has shown inconclusive results and they believe longer exposure times need to be explored. Their next steps with this testing needs to be determined.
In 2019, BWROG is further planning to test different thicknesses of sputtered platinum coating on pilot discs in valve lift tests to determine if an increase in thickness provides more protection from corrosion bonding. The BWROG is also considering a program of evaluating valve pilot discs after an operating cycle. This activity was not funded as of the date of this phone call.
The BWROG stated it will continue to pursue enhancements of the SRVs to improve their reliability and setpoint drift.
D. Morey The BWROG then addressed its proposed licensing approach to the issue. The BWROG licensing committee is developing a technical specification (TS) change to revise TS 3.4.3 such that the Limiting Condition for Operation (LCO) and Surveillance Requirement (SR) will be met if the safety function is met. The BWROG pointed out that SRV setpoint testing would still be performed as required by the ASME Code but would be separate from TS SRs. BWROG stated that with this licensing approach, failure of the ASME Code test would not result in a Licensee Event Report provided the safety function was fulfilled. The BWROG stated it would propose an LCO that is broader and would be tied to what the safety function is. The BWROG licensing committee is developing this approach as of the date of this phone call. The BWROG stated its next steps are to arrange a pre-submittal meeting with the NRC and then to submit a Technical Specification Task Force Traveler around mid-summer 2019. The NRC staff stated that at the pre-submittal meeting staff would want a robust discussion of how the TS change looks, what analyses would be performed to evaluate the test results, and how the surveillance testing compares to the current requirements in the ASME OM Code. The NRC staff also stated staff would want to understand the impacts on safety margin.
Toward the end of the meeting a member of the public expressed discontent with the handling of the issue and the length of time involved since it began. The NRC staff members thanked the individual for his comments and stated that the NRC is concerned about the issue and is taking measures to settle on its resolution.
CONTACT: Joseph A. Golla, NRR/DLP/PLPB 301-415-1002
Enclosure:
Attendees List
- Concurred via e-mail NRC-001 OFFICE NRR/DLP/PLPB/PM NRR/DLP/PLPB/BC NRR/DLP/PLPB/PM NAME JGolla DMorey JGolla DATE 2/26/2019 2/26/2019 2/28/2019
Enclosure NRC PUBLIC MEETING WITH THE BOILING WATER REACTOR OWNERS GROUP FEBRUARY 14, 2018 ATTENDANCEES LIST Craig Sheperd BWROG Ryan Joyce BWROG John Grubb BWROG Greg Holmes GE Rob Hartwick GE Dean Lurk SNC Jana Bergman Scientec Mike Mulligan Safety Advocate Bob Pascarelli NRC Justin Hawkins NRC Tracy Orf NRC Kevin Mangan NRC Bob Beaton NRC Joe Golla NRC Mark King NRC Stew Bailey NRC Rob Elliott NRC Margaret OBanion NRC Jim Hickey NRC