Peer Review of GSI-191 Chemical Effects Research Program (NUREG-1861)

On this page:

• Publication Information
• Abstract

Download complete document

• NUREG-1861 (PDF - 12.8 MB)

Publication Information

Manuscript Completed: July 2006
Date Published: December 2006

Prepared by:
P.A. Torres, NRC Project Manager

Prepared for:
Division of Fuel, Engineering and Radiological Research
Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Washington, DC 20555-0001

Availability Notice

Abstract

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES), has a policy of initiating formal peer reviews for research programs that are on the cutting-edge of technology and will influence important regulatory decisions. Such is the case for the series of research projects that RES has sponsored to (1) resolve Generic Safety Issue 191, "Assessment of Debris Accumulation on PWR Sump Performance," and (2) inform the NRC's regulatory decisions regarding the potential for chemical byproducts to clog sump screens in the post-loss-of-coolant accident environment in pressurized-water reactors (PWRs).

This NUREG-series report describes the chemical effects peer review assessment process and summarizes its significant findings. It is important to mention that this peer review is not a consensus review. Each reviewer was asked to provide an individual evaluation based on his or her particular area of expertise. The research projects addressed by the peer review included integrated chemical effects testing (ICET) and ICET followup testing and analysis conducted at Los Alamos National Laboratory, chemical speciation prediction conducted through the Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses at Southwest Research Institute, and accelerated chemical effects head loss testing conducted at Argonne National Laboratory. The chemical effects peer review evaluated the technical adequacy and uncertainty associated with the RES-sponsored research results, and identified outstanding chemical effects issues. The results of this peer review will support NRC staff audits and evaluations of industry responses to Generic Letter 2004-02, "Potential Impact of Blockage on Emergency Recirculation During Design-Basis Accidents at Pressurized-Water Reactors." The final assessment reports from the peer reviewers are included as appendices to this NUREG-series report.