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RSTOIB Hoc Thursday, March 24, 2011 4:11 PM RST07 Hoc FW: RPV impacts.pptx RPV impacts.pptx

From: Versluis, Rob [mailto: ROB.VERSLUIS@nuclear.energy.gov] Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2011 3:42 PM To: RSTO1B Hoc Subject: FW: RPV impacts.pptx

From: Miller, Tom Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2011 2:49 PM To: Kelly, John E (NE); DL-NERT-AII Subject: RPV impacts.pptx

John, Attached brief on RPV impacts came in from ORNL. If I read this correct, vessel should take the high temperatures in Unit 3. Tom Miller

DK 624 of 1892

.U.S.

DEPARTMENT OF

ENERGY

Nuclear Energy

Temperature excursions ai RPV integrity

DK 625 of 1892

SU.S. DEPARTMENT OF

ENERGY
Nuclear Energy

Recent temperature measurements indicate high temperatures at Unit IRPV

sTemperatures on the outside of RPV

are reported at 400 C. # Calculations indicate the inside of the vessel may be at 500 C. Pressures of 0,3 MPa inside the vessel and 0.18 MPa outside the vessel are assumed. These conditions may have existed for up to 24.48 hours Expert opinion was solicited on the impacts of these conditions to the RPV.

DK 626 of 1892

SU.S. DEPARTMENT OF

ASME Code case.499 gives

Nuclear Energy

guidance on such issues

# ASME Code Case 499 addresses

elevated temperature excursions for RPV's. # This code permits temperatures up to 427 C for up to 3000 hours at normal operating pressure (-7,6 MPa) . This code also permits temperatures up to 538 C for up to 1000 hours at normal operating pressure (ow 7,6 MPa) # The major loss of strength at these temperatures isdue to thermal creep, The fact that unit I isat lower pressure helps in relation to this code case at these temperatures.

DK 627 of 1892

SU.S. DEPARTMENT OF

ENERGY
Nuclear Energy

Other considerations

regarding RPV conditions

# Penetrations and nozzles may be the most sensitive

locations due to geometry effects (bends and radius)
s Weldments and heat affected zones may be more susceptible due to higher residual stress. @ However higher temperatures may help reduce residual stresses at weldments will s Exposure to temperatures at or above6400 C rapid loss of strength (10s of hours) as result in tempering will occur. # Neutron embrittlement may have been aconcern after 40 years of life. However, after exposure to irradiation-induced temperatures around 450 C, hardening has likely been reduced significantly(annealed), reducing this particular aspect of degradation. s Exposure to salt or saline solution isclearly not a desirable, but significant corrosion will not occur in matter of days.

DK 628 of 1892