Protecting People and the EnvironmentUNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
ACCESSION #: 9701290363
FRAMATOME
TECHNOLOGIES
Integrated Nuclear Services
January 24, 1997
JHT/97-6
Document Control Desk
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Washington, D.C. 20555-0001
Attention: Steven M. Matthews (Mail Stop 9 D4)
Subject: Final Report of Potential Safety Concern on Material Used
for Fabrication of Permanent Canal Seal Plate
Reference: Letter from J.H. Taylor FTI to USNRC, "Interim Report of
Potential Safety Concern on Material Used for Fabrication
of Permanent Canal Seal Plate," April 5, 1996, JHT/96-30
Gentlemen:
The purpose of this letter is to provide the final disposition on the
Preliminary Safety Concern relating to the use of material constructed
with welded angles that are not allowed by ASME A479 for the permanent
canal seal plate, a safety related component. The concern was described
in the referenced letter.
The attached evaluation is based on the examination of material test
results data. The material properties and structural integrity of the
weld have been evaluated and determined to be satisfactory.
It is concluded that there is no significant safety hazard associated
with the continued use of the welded material for the permanent canal
seal plate during power or refueling operations at CR-3 or ANO-1. There
is no safety concern reportable under 10CFR21 for the two affected
plants.
3315 Old Forest Road, P.O. Box 10935, Lynchburg, VA 24506-0935
Telephone: 804-832-3000 Fax: 804-832-3663
Internet: http://www.framatech.com
If you have any questions concerning this matter, please contact the
undersigned at 804/832-2817 or Robert Schomaker at 804/832-2917.
Sincerely,
J. H. Taylor
Licensing Services
JHT/RJS/mcl
c: WF Jones - Framatome Technologies
LM Lesniak - Framatome Technologies
EVALUATION OF PSC 1-96
Material Certification of Angle Material for Permanent Canal Seal Plate
Introduction
Upon receipt inspection of material purchased for use as angle material
in the fabrication of permanent canal seal plates for ANO-2 (1995), a
discontinuity was noted in one leg of the angle material. The material
was determined to be fabricated by welding a flat bar material to a
standard angle. This process is not allowed for material certified to
ASME SA-479. The material was rejected for use in fabrication of the
canal seal plate for ANO-2.
However, in 1992/3 a similar angle material from the same supplier was
utilized to fabricate the permanent canal seal plates for CR-3 and ANO-1.
These seal plates were classified by the customer as safety related. The
FTI (then BWNT) subcontractor for fabrication purchased commercial grade
materials with CMTR's. FTI (BWNT) then upgraded this material to "safety
related" and certified as such. The fabrication of the angle material
for CR-3 and ANO -1 has also been determined to be by a welding process,
contrary to ASME SA-479 standards.
Use of the welded angles does not adversely affect safety during normal
operation. Reliance on the welded angles may be of concern when the
permanent canal seal plate fulfills its function of retaining water in
the reactor canal during refueling activities. This latter concern was
the basis for filing a Preliminary Safety Concern.
Discussion
Correspondence with the fabricator and material supplier documents the
TIG automated welding process used to fabricate the angle pieces. The
flat bar is of "close chemistry" and weld wire is used in the process.
The highest stresses that the angles see are those imposed during thermal
growth of the reactor vessel when the plant is operating. The only loads
on the angles when it is performing a safety function is the weight of
the water in the flooded canal.
In order to evaluate the structural integrity of the welded angle piece,
tests were performed on a sample angle piece at CR-3, for hardness,
chemistry, and weld geometry. Results of the testing are documented in
reference 1. Hardness and chemical testing of the CR-3 canal seal plate
has shown the weld material to be similar to the type 304 stainless steel
base material. Rockwell hardness values of the weld are similar to the
base metal and chemical analysis of the weld indicate a strong match with
type 304. It is the conclusion of FTI Welding Engineering that the seal
plate angle weld is structurally and chemically sound.
Material test results data were examined by the Mechanical and Structural
Analysis Unit of
FTI Conclusions of that examination are documented in reference 2.
Evaluation of the Safety Concern
The stresses in the angle pieces are determined to be less when
performing its safety function than during normal power operation. The
angle pieces have already been cycled through normal operation and a
refueling at CR-s and ANO-1. Visual inspections have already taken place
and no unacceptable indications were noted. The material properties and
structural integrity of the weld have been evaluated and determined to be
satisfactory. There are no questions about other materials used in the
fabrication of the permanent canal seal plate.
Conclusion
Based on the above discussion it is concluded that there is no
significant safety hazard associated with the continued use of the welded
material for the permanent canal seal plate during power or refueling
operations at CR-3 or ANO-1. There is no safety concern reportable under
10CFR21 for the two affected plants.
References
1. FTI Document 51-1254895-00,01, "CR-3 Seal Plate Test Results",
10/29/96 and 1/9/97.
2. FTI Document 51-1258586-00, "CR-3 Seal Plate Stress Analysis
Validation", 1/13/97.
*** END OF DOCUMENT ***
