Bulletin 89-01: Supplement 2, Failure of Westinghouse Steam Generator Tube Mechanical Plugs
OMB No: 3150-0011
NRCB 89-01, Supplement 2
UNITED STATES
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555
June 28, 1991
NRC BULLETIN NO. 89-01, SUPPLEMENT 2: FAILURE OF WESTINGHOUSE STEAM
GENERATOR TUBE MECHANICAL PLUGS
Addressees:
All holders of operating licenses or construction permits for
pressurized-water reactors (PWRs).
Purpose:
This bulletin supplement requests that actions similar to those requested in
NRC Bulletin 89-01, "Failure of Westinghouse Steam Generator Tube Mechanical
Plugs," be extended to include all Westinghouse mechanical plugs fabricated
from thermally treated Inconel 600. These actions are to ensure that these
plugs will continue to provide adequate assurance of reactor coolant
pressure boundary (RCPB) integrity under normal operating, transient, and
postulated accident conditions.
Description of Circumstances:
Bulletin 89-01 requested that licensees determine whether certain mechanical
plugs supplied by Westinghouse are installed in their steam generators and,
if so, that an action plan (including plug repairs and/or replacement) be
implemented to ensure that these plugs will continue to provide adequate
assurance of RCPB integrity. This request applied only to plugs fabricated
from Inconel 600 heats NX-3279, NX-3513, NX-3962, and NX-4523 (hereafter
referred to as group 1 heats) on the basis of field experience and
laboratory studies indicating that plugs from group 1 heats are highly
susceptible to primary water stress corrosion cracking (PWSCC). Such
cracking led to a gross plug failure at the North Anna Power Station, Unit
1, resulting in a 75-gallon-per-minute primary-to-secondary leak. The
bulletin requested that the subject repairs and/or replacements be
accomplished according to a schedule consistent with an algorithm developed
by Westinghouse (Reference 1, Revision 1), using as a benchmark the most
conservative corrosion rate data from the field (observed at Millstone, Unit
2, for a plug fabricated from heat NX-3513).
After the NRC issued Bulletin 89-01, Westinghouse issued Revision 3 of
Reference 1 providing complete listings of plug lifetimes categorized by
plant, date of installation, and heat number. Lifetimes were listed for all
Westinghouse mechanical plugs fabricated from thermally treated Inconel 600,
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NRCB 89-01, Supplement 2
June 28, 1991
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including plugs fabricated from group 1 heats and plugs fabricated from all
other heats of thermally treated Inconel 600, hereafter referred to as group
2 heats. Group 2 heats include heat numbers NX-1989, NX-2386, NX-2387,
NX-5222, NX-6135, NX-6323 (HW), and NX-6323 (CR). The lifetimes listed for
plugs fabricated from group 1 heats were consistent with the approach
requested in the bulletin. The lifetimes listed for plugs fabricated from
group 2 heats were estimated using the same approach as for group 1, except
that the estimates were adjusted upward by heat-specific "microstructural
factors" to reflect the comparative time-to-cracking performance of each
group 2 heat with heat NX-3513 during Westinghouse corrosion tests.
During the summer and autumn of 1990, the staff received reports of
instances of PWSCC at two plants affecting group 2 heats of thermally
treated Inconel 600. These instances (at Sequoyah Nuclear Power Plant, Unit
1, and North Anna Power Station, Unit 2) were described in Supplement 1 to
Bulletin 89-01. At the Sequoyah Nuclear Power Plant, Unit 1, five plugs
fabricated from heat NX-5222 were removed from the field to examine their
condition. One of these five plugs was found to exhibit a circumferential
crack above the expander. This crack consisted of two small cracks with a
total length of approximately 15 degrees around the plug circumference and a
maximum depth of penetration of 0.009 inch. Another plug was found to
exhibit axial cracks below the expander. These five plugs had accumulated
only 21 percent of the calculated plug lifetime, as given in Revision 3 of
Reference 1.
At North Anna, Unit 2, 15 plugs fabricated from heat NX-6323(HW) were
inspected using a Westinghouse eddy current test technique. Nine of these
plugs were located on the hot-leg side, five of which exhibited evidence of
minor leakage. Eight of the nine hot-leg plugs exhibited indications of
axial and/or circumferential cracking above the expander. One of the plugs,
which was removed from the field and examined, was found to contain a crack
that extended 360 degrees around the plug circumference. The crack varied
in depth between 74 percent and 99 percent of the plug wall thickness. No
indications were found in the six cold-leg plugs that were inspected. The
accumulated service time on these plugs was less than 20 percent of the
calculated lifetime, as given in Revision 3 of Reference 1.
As documented in Reference 2, Westinghouse revised its algorithm for
estimating plug PWSCC lifetimes in light of the accumulated plug experience
to date. The revised algorithm included revised heat-specific
"microstructural factors" for plugs fabricated from group 2 heats based on a
more conservative treatment of Westinghouse corrosion test data. The
revised algorithm also included a revised "time to PWSCC failure" versus
plug temperature relationship, based on operating experience trends.
Table 2 of Reference 2 provided lifetime estimates, based on the revised
algorithm, for all Westinghouse mechanical plugs fabricated from both group
1 and group 2 heats. These lifetime estimates were based on the heat
specific microstructural factors given in Table 1 of Reference 2 and with
the exception of heat NX-5222, were benchmarked against the aforementioned
field data from Millstone, Unit 2. The lifetime estimates in Reference 2
for plugs fabricated
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NRCB 89-01, Supplement 2
June 28, 1991
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from heat NX-5222 were benchmarked against the most conservative field data
from Sequoyah, Unit 1 (for heat NX-5222).
The staff believes that the field data for heat NX-5222 from Sequoyah Unit 1
are insufficient to justify a less conservative approach than Westinghouse
is employing for other heats of thermally treated Inconel 600 (Reference 3).
At the request of the NRC staff, Westinghouse has issued new lifetime
estimates for plugs fabricated from heat NX-5222 (Reference 4). These
revised estimates reflect the heat-specific microstructural factors given in
Table 1 of Reference 2 and are benchmarked against the aforementioned field
data from Millstone, Unit 2, consistent with the approach taken by
Westinghouse for plugs from all other heats of thermally treated
Inconel 600. The most up-to-date listing of plug lifetime estimates for all
heats of thermally treated Inconel 600 is given in Table 2 of Reference 4.
Discussion:
Based on the recent field experience at Sequoyah, Unit 1, and North Anna,
Unit 2, and the results of corrosion tests performed by Westinghouse, the
staff has concluded that a systematic remedial action program, similar to
that requested in the original bulletin for plugs fabricated for group 1
heats, is needed for all Westinghouse mechanical plugs fabricated from
thermally treated Inconel 600 to ensure the continued integrity of the RCPB
over both the short-term and long-term. For this reason, the actions
requested in this bulletin supplement apply to all Westinghouse mechanical
plugs fabricated from thermally treated Inconel 600. The requested schedule
for implementing the necessary remedial actions is consistent with the
Westinghouse plug lifetime estimates in Reference 4.
It is possible that future refinements to the plug lifetime estimates will
become appropriate as additional field experience is accumulated. In
addition, technical industry organizations such as Westinghouse and the
Electric Power Research Institute/Steam Generator Reliability Project are
continuing to examine this issue. The NRC staff is also monitoring
developments on the issue and will issue further supplements to this
bulletin if found to be warranted. Although not required by this bulletin
supplement, addressees are encouraged to monitor the condition of the plugs
through sample removal and examination of plugs as was done at Sequoyah,
Unit 1, or by eddy current testing as was done at North Anna, Unit 2,
thereby adding to the operational experience database.
Actions Requested:
1. Addressees are requested to verify that information contained in
Table 2 of Reference 4 for their plants is correct for plugs fabricated
from group 2 heats. (Addressees have previously verified similar
information for group 1 plugs in response to the original bulletin.)
The specific information to be verified is the number of Westinghouse
mechanical plugs installed in the hot-leg and cold-leg side of each
steam generator, categorized by heat number and date of installation.
The plug operating temperatures for each plant given in this Table
should also be verified. If information from this
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NRCB 89-01, Supplement 2
June 28, 1991
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Table is incorrect, addressees should provide correct information.
Addressees are requested to so state if their plants have not installed
Westinghouse mechanical plugs from group 2 heats.
2. Addressees are requested to take the following actions, to be
implemented initially during any refueling outage or extended outage
(greater than four weeks) which ends 60 days or more following receipt
of this bulletin and during all future refueling outages. For the
period of time between receipt of the bulletin and 60 days, the actions
requested in the original version of this bulletin continue to be
applicable for plugs fabricated from group 1 heats.
a) Addressees should implement appropriate remedial actions (i.e.,
repair and/or replacement) for all plugs whose estimated lifetime
in item 2b, below does not extend to the next refueling outage.
b) Remaining lifetime estimates (in effective full power days (EFPD))
are given in Table 2 of Reference 4 in the column entitled "Remain
EFPD to MIN." These remaining lifetime estimates are relative to
reference dates given in the column entitled "Reference CALC
Dates." These remaining lifetime estimates may be used directly.
These estimates should be adjusted to reflect any corrections
noted in Actions Requested, item 1.
c) For refueling outages or extended outages ending prior to
November 30, 1991, remedial actions for plugs fabricated from
NX-5222 may be deferred until the next scheduled refueling outage.
d) Installation of Westinghouse mechanical plugs fabricated from
Inconel 600 should be discontinued.
e) If for any refueling outage, the addressee does not plan to
satisfy items 2a to 2d above, an alternative plan for insuring
plug integrity, with appropriate technical justification, should
be submitted to the NRC at least 30 days before the end of the
refueling outage.
f) Prior to any plug repairs or replacement, addressees are reminded
that their responsibilities under ALARA require analysis of the
various plug repair or replacement methods. In choosing a plug
repair or replacement method, the licensee should consider the
accessibility of the plugs and the dose reduction benefit of using
robotic manipulators. Prior to plug repair or replacement, the
licensee should consider steam generator decontamination and/or
local shielding to reduce working area dose rates.
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NRCB 89-01, Supplement 2
June 28, 1991
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Reporting Requirements:
Pursuant to Section 182a of the Atomic Energy Act and 10 CFR 50.54(f),
addressees shall submit a letter within 30 days of receipt of this bulletin
containing:
1. The information under Actions Requested, item 1.
2. A statement indicating whether or not the actions in Actions Requested,
item 2 have been or will be taken. If alternative actions are
proposed, supporting justification shall be provided.
The written reports required above shall be addressed to the U.S. Nuclear
Regulatory Commission, ATTN: Document Control Desk, Washington, D.C. 20555,
under oath or affirmation. In addition, a copy shall be submitted to the
appropriate regional administrator.
Backfit Discussion:
This supplement expresses new staff positions which are considered to be
backfits justified under the criteria of 10 CFR 50.109(a)(4)(i) [compliance
exception backfit]; in addition, the requirement for a response is
considered to be justified under the criteria of 10 CFR 50.54(f)
[information request].
Plant Technical Specifications require plugging or sleeving of steam
generator tubes which are found to be defective during inservice inspection.
Such plugs or sleeves are necessary to ensure the continued integrity of the
RCPB under normal operating, transient, and postulated accident conditions.
However, mechanical plugs supplied by Westinghouse are subject to PWSCC
attack, which adversely affects the RCPB. The actions requested in this
bulletin supplement are necessary to ensure that these plugs will continue
to provide adequate assurance of RCPB integrity under the above mentioned
conditions. Thus, these actions are to ensure that defective tubes continue
to be effectively plugged as required by the Technical Specifications, to
ensure compliance with General Design Criteria 14 and 31 of 10 CFR Part 50,
Appendix A, and to ensure compliance with the quality assurance requirements
of Criterion XVI of 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix B.
A documented evaluation of the type described in 10 CFR 50.109(a)(6) was
prepared to state the objectives of and reasons for the modification, and
the basis for invoking the compliance exception. Because the bulletin
supplement also requires submittal of written reports under 10 CFR 50.54(f),
the document also contains the reasons for the information request in view
of the potential safety significance of the problem. This document, which
is a revised review package submitted to the Committee to Review Generic
Requirements (CRGR), will be made available in the Public Document Room in
association with the minutes of the 203rd meeting of the CRGR.
This request is covered by Office of Management and Budget Clearance
Number 3150-0011 which expires on June 30, 1991. The estimated average
burden hours are 160 man-hours per licensee response, including assessing of
the new
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NRCB 89-01, Supplement 2
June 28, 1991
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recommendations, searching data sources, gathering and analyzing the data,
and preparing the required letters. These estimated average burden hours
pertain only to these identified response-related matters and do not include
the time for actual implementation of the requested actions. Send comments
regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of
information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Records
and Reports Management Branch, Division of Information Support Services,
Office of Information Resources Management, US. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission, Washington, D.C. 20555; and to the Paperwork Reduction Project
(3150-0011), Office of Management and Budget, Washington, D.C. 20503.
If you have any questions about this matter, please contact the technical
contact listed below or the appropriate NRR project manager.
Charles E. Rossi, Director
Division of Operational Events Assessment
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Technical Contact: Emmett Murphy, NRR
(301) 492-0710
References:
1. Westinghouse reports WCAP-12244 (proprietary version) and WCAP-12245
(non-proprietary version), "Steam Generator Tube Plug Integrity Summary
Report," Revision 1, April 1989; Revision 3, November 1989.
2. Addendum to Revision 3 of Westinghouse reports WCAP-12244 (proprietary
version) and WCAP-12245 (non-proprietary version), "Steam Generator
Tube Plug Integrity Summary Report," December 1990.
3. Memorandum, C. Y. Cheng to J. E. Richardson, "Summary of Meeting with
Westinghouse on October 11, 1990, Concerning Steam Generator Tube Plug
Issue," May 22, 1991. (Available in the Public Document Room).
4. Addendum 2 to Revision 3 of Westinghouse reports WCAP-12244
(proprietary version) and WCAP-12245 (non-proprietary version), "Steam
Generator Tube Plug Integrity Summary Report," May 1991.
Attachment: List of Recently Issued NRC Bulletins
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