Information Notice 1979-34, Inadequate Design of Safety-Related Heat Exchangers
| ML031180203 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 05000000 |
| Issue date: | 12/27/1979 |
| From: | NRC/OI |
| To: | |
| References | |
| IN-79-034, NUDOCS 7910250517 | |
| Download: ML031180203 (2) | |
UNITED STATES
SSINS Mo.:
6870
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
Accession No.:
OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT 7910250517
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555
December 27, 1979
IE Information Notice No. 79-34 INADEQUATE DESIGN OF SAFETY-RELATED HEAT EXCHANGERS
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) submitted an initial 50.55(e) report on October 25,
1979, that identified defects in the four Containment Spray (CS) heat exchangers at
the Sequoyah facility.
The heat exchanger tube bundles were damaged by excessive vibrations of the tubes
against each other. These vibrations were caused by a support arrangement that
allows excessive unsupported tube lengths.
The large amplitude tube vibration
has resulted in reductions in wall thickness and some tube leakage. The CS heat
exchangers at Sequoyah had only been in operation for a short period of time prior
to the failure being detected.
These heat exchangers were manufactured by Industrial Process Engineers, Inc.,
(IPE), a vendor now out of business.
The Component Cooling Water (CCWI) heat
exchangers at the Sequoyah facility were also made by IPE.
TVA has identified
some reduction in wall thickness and minor tube leakage in the CCW heat exchangers.
The licensee plans to plug the damaged tubes on the CS heat exchangers and "stake"
(support) the tube bundles to prevent further damage.
Further corrective action
is under review by the licensee.
The following data applies to the CS heat
exchangers:
Manfacturer:
Industrial Process Engineers, Inc.
Type:
CFU (Special)
Size:
55-342 Serials:
6662-1; 6662-2
6663-1; 6663-2 This Information Notice is provided as an early notification of a possibly signi- ficiant matter that is still under review by the NRC staff.
It is expected that
recipients will review the information for possible applicability to their
facilities.
No specific action or response is requested at this time.
If NRC
evaluations so indicate, further licensee actions may be requested or required.
No written response to this Information Notice is required. If you have any
questions regarding this matter please contact the Director of the appropriate
NRC Regional Office.
IE Information Notice No. 79-34
December 27, 1979
Enclosure
RECENTLY ISSUED
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79-32
79-31
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Separation of Electrical
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Use of Incorrect Amplified
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Reporting of Defects and
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10/1/79