Document: NRC Regulatory Guide
Document ID: a2b67b51-f5fe-4c86-a879-f0e439601f7f
Document Type: regulatory_guide
Title: Format and Content of Report for Thermal Annealing of Reactor Pressure Vessels
Source: NRC Regulatory Guide Division 1
Source URL: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML0037/ML003740052.pdf
Revision Date: 2023-06
Chapter: 
Section ID: RG-1.162
CFR Part: 
CFR Title: 

Content:
U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION February 1996 RCso A. INTRODUCTION The thermal annealing rule, § 50.66, "Require ments for Thermal Annealing of the Reactor Pressure Vessel," of 10 CFR Part 50, "Domestic Licensing of Production and Utilization Facility," provides that: For those light water nuclear power reactors where neutron radiation has reduced the frac ture toughness of the reactor vessel materials, a thermal annealing may be applied to the reactor vessel to recover the fracture tough ness of the material. The use of a thermal an nealing treatment is subject to the require ments in this section. A report describing the licensee's plan for conducting the thermal an nealing must be submitted in accordance with § 50.4 at least three years prior to the date at which the limiting fracture toughness criteria in § 50.61 or Appendix G to Part 50 would be exceeded. This regulatory guide describes a format and con tent acceptable to the NRC staff for the Thermal An nealing Report to be submitted to the NRC for describ ing the licensee's plan for thermal annealing a reactor vessel. This guide also describes the Thermal Anneal ing Results Report that is required by 10 CFR 50.66 to be submitted after the thermal annealing. Use of this format by the applicant would help ensure the corn- USNRC REGULATORY GUIDES Regulatory Guides are issued to describe and make avallable to the public such Information as methods acceptable to the NRC staff for Implement ing specific parts of the Commission's regulations, techniques used by the staff In evaluating specific problems or postulated accidents, and data needed by the NRC staff In its review of applications for permits and licenses. Regulatory guides are not substitutes for regulations. and com plianoe with them Is not required. Methods and solutions different from those set out In the guides will be acceptable If they provide a basis for the findings requisite to the Issuance or continuance of a permit or license by the