Transmitting "Summary of Operating Experience With Recalculating Steam Generators, January 1979" NUREG-0523 (Generic Letter 79-11)

GL79011 

MEMORANDUM FOR:     A. Schwencer, Chief, Operating Reactors Branch #1 
                    Division of Operating Reactors 

                    R. Reid, Chief, Operating Reactors Branch #2 
                    Division of Operating Reactors  

                    D. Ziemann, Chief, Operating Reactors Branch #2 
                    Division of Operating Reactors 

FROM:               R. H. Vollmer, Assistant Director 
                         for System and Projects  
                    Division of Operating Reactors 

                    B. K. Grimes, Assistant Director 
                         for Engineering and Projects 
                    Division of Operating Reactors  

SUBJECT:            LETTER TO OPERATING PWR LICENSEES FORWARDING NUREG 0523,
                    "SUMMARY OF OPERATING EXPERIENCE WITH RECIRCULATING 
                    STEAM GENERATORS" 

Operating problem have occurred in Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) steam 
generators. The enclosed report, "Summary of Operating Experience with 
Recirculating Steam Generators," NUREG 0523, focuses on the problems 
associated with steam generators of the recirculation type, i.e., those 
manufactured by Combustion Engineering and Westinghouse. The report 
discusses the NRC staff's evaluation of these problems and the programs for 
resolving these problems. 

The NRC has recently identified steam generator degradation as an Unresolved
Safety Issue deserving the highest priority for resolution. However, for the
reasons identified in the report, the NRC staff had concluded that continued
operation of existing plants and licensing of new plants with recirculation 
type steam generators, pending completion of our review, does not constitute
an undue risk to the health and safety of the public and therefore may 
continue. 

The attached letter and NUREG document should be transmitted to PWR 
licensees by March 10, 1979, using the automated mailing system. If you have 
any problems with doing this either in general or for any specific plant, 
please contact W. T. Russell (X27609). The cognizant Licensing Assistant for 
mass mailings is Shirley Sheppard (X27872). 
.

                                   -2-

You and each ORPM will be informed that the letters have actually been 
dispatched by receiving a copy of the letter and enclosures for each of it 
your assigned facilities.  



R. H. Vollmer, Assistant Director       B. K. Grimes, Assistant Director 
     for Systems and Projects                for Engineering and Projects 
Division of Operating Reactors          Division of Operating Reactors 

Contact:  W. Russell  
          49 27609 

Enclosures:  
Sample Letter 
NUREG 0523 

DISTRIBUTION:  
E&P r/f  
S&P r/f