IE Circular No. 80-13, Grid Strap Damage in Westinghouse Fuel Assemblies
SSINS No.: 6830
Accessions No.:
7910250495
UNITED STATES
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555
May 28, 1980
IE Circular No. 80-13
GRID STRAP DAMAGE IN WESTINGHOUSE FUEL ASSEMBLIES
Description of Circumstances:
During the refueling operation at Salem Unit 1, it was noted by the licensee
that some of the assemblies that were removed had suffered grip strap
mechanics damage. This was reported to the NRC in LER 79-44. Subsequent to
this discovery all fuel assemblies were removed from the core for
examination. The degree of the damage to the grid straps was classified in
three categories: small pieces missing (15 assemblies), grid material
ripped and laid over (5 assemblies), larger sections missing and fuel pins
exposed (11 assemblies). No damage to the fuel pins was observed. A total
of 31 assemblies suffered some grid damage.
The damage appeared to be the result of corner to corner interaction of the
grid straps of diagonally adjacent fuel assemblies during the vertical
loading and unloading movements. No correlation of the damage to core
location, grid strap elevation, or manufacturing and shipping batches has
been identified.
The licensee and the fuel manufacturer established the following guidelines
for reloading damaged assemblies: (1) those assemblies with full width
pieces missing will not be reloaded for cycle 2, (2) those assemblies with
deformed edges and those with small pieces missing will be reloaded with
special procedures to prevent further damage.
Sale Unit 1 is fueled with 17X17 Westinghouse assemblies. Similar grid
problems have occurred at other facilities fueled with 14X14 and 15X15
Westinghouse assemblies; however, fewer assemblies were damaged in those
instances.
Recommended Actions:
All licensees using 14X14, 15X15, or 17X17 Westinghouse assemblies are
advised to:
(1) Visually inspect grid straps of those fuel assemblies which are
discharged from the core as well as those assemblies which are moved
to the spent fuel pool for control rod replacement and are
subsequently returned to the core.
.
IE Circular No. 80-13 May 28, 1980
Page 2 of 2
(2) Review the fuel handling precautions recommended by Westinghouse at a
meeting on May 25, 1979, with NRC and the licensee for Salem
(Attachment 1). Adopt those recommendations which are pertinent.
No written response to this Circular is required. If you required
additional information regarding these matters, contact the Director of the
appropriate NRC Regional Office.
Attachment:
Summary of Meeting Notice
dated 5/30/79
Page Last Reviewed/Updated Thursday, March 25, 2021