New NRC tidbit has leaked out. Testing on Unit 3 at Vogtle revealed a bit too much vibration in one of the depressurization system lines. Fix is an additional pipe brace. No big deal. On a normal job, the fix would have been implemented in a day or less.
I had the same original thought as you did. But after digging more deeply into the issue, I learned my initial judgement was incorrect.
The vibration was caused by a construction defect. Here is a quote from the letter from Southern Nuclear to the NRC:
"While the elevated vibrations subsided when the reactor coolant pumps were downshifted to 50%, an investigative walkdown on January 4, 2023, identified an installation non-conformance whereby an interface plate between the U-bolts and pipe on the clamp was not installed on two pipe supports, RCS-PH- 11R0107 and RCS-PH-11R0393. Since vibration was already found to be higher than anticipated in Mode 3, and based on data review, piping analysis, and walkdown, it was concluded that the risk of vibration increases beyond design limits is likely at higher power levels. Accordingly, it was determined that the missing interface plates on RCS-PH-11R0107 and RCS-PH-11R0393 be installed to bring the as-built plant in conformance with the design. This condition was identified as a nonconformance in accordance with plant procedures.
Rework to install the pipe support interface plates..."
Thus it's not the repair that required a license amendment. The amendment requested was a temporary change to the plant's technical specifications to allow it to remain in Mode 3 and to not have to return to Mode 4 or 5 while the repairs were being completed. The NRC reviewed and approved the amendment within 72 hours of submission.
The complexity of the repair is more than I thought because of the way that the large diameter pipe has to be moved and supported.
I also suspect there is a root cause investigation being done to find out why the as-built condition did not meet the design condition. Either the original workers or the QA verifiers should have been able to avoid the problem by adhering to the design drawings.
to the fossil fuel industry. They do PR, assume 5% of revenue like any industry.
So with a $1.4E12 turnover, the fossil fuel industry will spend $7E10 per year on marketing, bizdev, influence peddling, to defend their turf.
How many US Senators can you buy with a fraction of $70 billion per year?
They are not always transparent about expressing themselves. Sometimes they create social groups such as "Friends of the Earth" that do some essential and good work--- but happen to be implacably anti-nuclear because they were founded by Fossil Fuel magnates.
Who are nuclear’s biggest allies and enemies in the U.S. Congress?
Yes, the license to design model is horrible. That model is designed to give make work to bureaucrats.
This is one big "Bruh" moment. One of many from the NRC.
Jack:
I had the same original thought as you did. But after digging more deeply into the issue, I learned my initial judgement was incorrect.
The vibration was caused by a construction defect. Here is a quote from the letter from Southern Nuclear to the NRC:
"While the elevated vibrations subsided when the reactor coolant pumps were downshifted to 50%, an investigative walkdown on January 4, 2023, identified an installation non-conformance whereby an interface plate between the U-bolts and pipe on the clamp was not installed on two pipe supports, RCS-PH- 11R0107 and RCS-PH-11R0393. Since vibration was already found to be higher than anticipated in Mode 3, and based on data review, piping analysis, and walkdown, it was concluded that the risk of vibration increases beyond design limits is likely at higher power levels. Accordingly, it was determined that the missing interface plates on RCS-PH-11R0107 and RCS-PH-11R0393 be installed to bring the as-built plant in conformance with the design. This condition was identified as a nonconformance in accordance with plant procedures.
Rework to install the pipe support interface plates..."
Thus it's not the repair that required a license amendment. The amendment requested was a temporary change to the plant's technical specifications to allow it to remain in Mode 3 and to not have to return to Mode 4 or 5 while the repairs were being completed. The NRC reviewed and approved the amendment within 72 hours of submission.
The complexity of the repair is more than I thought because of the way that the large diameter pipe has to be moved and supported.
I also suspect there is a root cause investigation being done to find out why the as-built condition did not meet the design condition. Either the original workers or the QA verifiers should have been able to avoid the problem by adhering to the design drawings.
Nuclear power is extremely dangerous
to the fossil fuel industry. They do PR, assume 5% of revenue like any industry.
So with a $1.4E12 turnover, the fossil fuel industry will spend $7E10 per year on marketing, bizdev, influence peddling, to defend their turf.
How many US Senators can you buy with a fraction of $70 billion per year?
They are not always transparent about expressing themselves. Sometimes they create social groups such as "Friends of the Earth" that do some essential and good work--- but happen to be implacably anti-nuclear because they were founded by Fossil Fuel magnates.