epri update

© 2021 Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. All rights reserved.w w w . e p r i . c o m

Emma WongPrincipal Technical Leader

DOE LWRS Spring Program Review MeetingApril 7, 2021

EPRI Update

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Points of Contact Flexible Plant Operation and Generation

– Chad Boyer, FPO and NBE Materials Research

– Emma Wong, LTO Coordinator– Andrew Mantey, Cables– Sam Johnson, Concrete– TBD, Metals

Plant Modernization– Rob Austin, Plant Modernization

Physical Security– Chris Wiegand, Engineering

Risk-Informed Systems Analysis– Mary Presley, Risk and Safety Management



Flexible Power Operations Reports to be issued this year:

– Impacts of Elevated Lithium in PWR from Flex Ops– Calibration of Crud Risk Assessment Models with Increased Chemistry Sampling Data– Power Maneuvering Analysis for Pressurized Water Reactor Flexible Power Operations

Nuclear Beyond Electricity Landscape of Opportunities: Initial Survey and Near-Term Actions Report Issued (available free to the Public) Initial Roadmap developed Products this year will include looking at

– Design considerations for adding very large loads, such as hydrogen electrolyzers– Heat transfer loops for use in process heat, hydrogen electrolysis, or other applications.– Hydrogen safety considerations at a nuclear power plant– District heating use and opportunities– Potential of medical isotopes at existing and new plants

Flexible Operations and Nuclear Beyond Electricity Update


https://www.epri.com/research/programs/106194/results/3002020437


Aging Management HighlightsReactor Vessel and Core Internals• Technical bases to support the aging of RPV and internals materials• Advances in the welding for highly irradiated materials

Concrete and Civil Structures• Developed guidance on Alkali Silica Reaction• Developed guidance on irradiation effects on the concrete biological shield

Electrical Cables • Research that supports cable reliability through end of plant operation• Advances in condition monitoring technology

Other Projects• Development of a Framework for Leveraging of Risk Insights for Aging Management Program Implementation• Development of the Spent Fuel Pool Coupon International Database to support an Industrywide AMP

Ongoing Knowledge Transfer• Updated and created Distance Learning and Computer Based Aging Training Modules• Digitized the Aging Field Guide – CSTARR™, the Digital Assistant



EPRI Irradiated Materials Welding Update:

Project Overview EPRI Welding and Repair

Technology Center (WRTC) Program is overall lead for EPRI efforts regarding welding of irradiated materials

Effort is cost shared with the U.S. Department of Energy through Oak Ridge National Laboratories (ORNL)

EPRI role:– Support project planning to

ensure needs are adequately addressed

– Support ASME Code activities related to irradiated materials

– Implementation of R&D results into guidance(revision of BWRVIP-97, MRP-379)

Current Work & Collaboration Several irradiated material welding

campaigns have been completed at ORNL and Westinghouse– ORNL: laser and friction stir welding

(304L and 316L) Crack-free multi-pass welds deposited on

irradiated 304L and 316L samples at measured helium levels up to 15 appm

Reduced grain boundary deterioration noted with inclusion of auxiliary beam for stress improvement (“ABSI”) during laser welding

– Westinghouse: laser welding (304) – Cross-sectional cracking evaluation of

all welds performed to-date completed in 2020

– Helium measurement analysis of welded irradiated samples in-progress

Welding cubicle installed in ORNL hot cell



Irradiated Welding Key Remaining R&D Needs Improved weldability data for 316L stainless steel and

Alloy 182 Increase weldability data at lower helium range for 304L

stainless steel – Testing of conventional welding processes

Development of capabilities to deploy welding processes (e.g., arc welding, laser welding)

Weldability Threshold Plot for Type 316L Stainless Steel

Desired Outcome Regulatory acceptance of repairs to irradiated materials

– ASME Code Cases, U.S. NRC interactions Expanded data sets characterizing weldability of 304 and 316L stainless steel as well as

Alloy 182– Improved and expanded weldability threshold plots– Eventually documented in a revision to BWRVIP-97 or an ASME Code Case

Availability of field deployment ready advanced welding systems for application to critical locations such as the riser brace RPV ID attachment welds



Electrical Cable Research Update Improving condition monitoring

– New test methodology developed using global/bulk and localization techniques (off-line) – Report to be issued Q3 2021

– Next Phase: Initial look into on-line/energized test method (Spread Spectrum TDR) for continuous monitoring

Benefits from DOE/LWRS Coordination/Collaboration– Joint roadmap meetings keeps EPRI informed of when DOE

EMDA research results that could impact EPRI guidance (PNNL and ORNL)

– Identify opportunities for joint NRC/DOE/EPRI support of research (e.g., NRC evaluation of efficacy of VLF tan delta for MV Cable degradation assessment)

– Exploring opportunities to maximize research through GAIN funding to support EPRI/PNNL proposed project(s) (e.g., DLO effects of two common cable insulation polymers cable insulation (EPR/XLPE) of varying thickness)

DOE/LWRS, NRC and EPRI research results will be evaluated, and cable aging management guidance will be revised when evaluation indicates a need for a change

Global/Bulk Test Localization Test



https://www.epri.com/nuclearplantmod

Plant Modernization Toolbox Live 40+ Modernization Technology

Assessments (adding 20 – 30 in 2021)– DOE contributions welcome!

9+ example business cases (adding 9+ in 2021)– Of note, LWRS / INL business case on

safety-related digital upgrades linked– Additional examples welcome!

Modernization strategy pilots underway– Energy Northwest, Columbia– PSEG, Salem / Hope Creek– Preliminary results by August 2021

Nuclear Plant Modernization Update



Nuclear Physical Security Update

No active projects Continue to attend LWRS Security Pathway meetings and NEI

Security Working Group meetings Looking for funding to support the Sandia Deliberate Motion

Algorithm second pilotMitch McCrory and Doug Osborn of Sandia are primary contacts EPRI’s role is a collaboration and assist function to the LWRS

Physical Security Pathway.



EPRI Risk and Safety Management Identified Collaboration Points with INL:

– PRA Optimization / “Legacy” PRA tools EPRI Lead: Mary Presley; INL Lead: Kurt Vedros EPRI provided input to INL’s Legacy PRA project planning and prioritization to help identify major industry needs. Specific areas identified with immediate potential for collaboration based on existing projects at EPRI

– HRA Dependency analysis– Multi-Hazard model integration– PRA Quantification speed [TBD]

EPRI just completed a major industry survey on PRA Maintenance needs; new projects/priorities may emerge from this work as well as additional potential for future collaboration on new projects.

– Risk Informed Asset Management EPRI Lead: Fernando Ferrante; INL Lead: Diego Mandelli EPRI is working on how existing risk information can be leveraged to provide insight to asset management, particularly in the area of

aging of piping and cables. Technical meeting tentatively scheduled in April with INL to discuss details of respective projects in this area and determine potential for

collaboration

Other INL interactions:– Human Reliability in Digital Environments (non-LWRS) collaboration with Ron Boring– INL software request for IRT and HRA software – request being processed

Support contract [TBD] for EPRI to provide INL with training/user support for requested software



Together…Shaping the Future of Electricity


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