Information Notice 1989-20, Weld Failures in a Pump of Byron-Jackson Design

Weld Failures in a Pump of Byron-Jackson Design
	ML031180532
Person / Time
Site:	Beaver Valley, Millstone, Hatch, Monticello, Calvert Cliffs, Dresden, Davis Besse, Peach Bottom, Browns Ferry, Salem, Oconee, Mcguire, Nine Mile Point, Palisades, Palo Verde, Perry, Indian Point, Fermi, Kewaunee, Catawba, Harris, Wolf Creek, Saint Lucie, Point Beach, Oyster Creek, Watts Bar, Hope Creek, Grand Gulf, Cooper, Sequoyah, Byron, Pilgrim, Arkansas Nuclear, Three Mile Island, Braidwood, Susquehanna, Summer, Prairie Island, Columbia, Seabrook, Brunswick, Surry, Limerick, North Anna, Turkey Point, River Bend, Vermont Yankee, Crystal River, Haddam Neck, Ginna, Diablo Canyon, Callaway, Vogtle, Waterford, Duane Arnold, Farley, Robinson, Clinton, South Texas, San Onofre, Cook, Comanche Peak, Yankee Rowe, Maine Yankee, Quad Cities, Humboldt Bay, La Crosse, Big Rock Point, Rancho Seco, Zion, Midland, Bellefonte, Fort Calhoun, FitzPatrick, McGuire, LaSalle, 05000000, Zimmer, Fort Saint Vrain, Shoreham, Satsop, Trojan, Atlantic Nuclear Power Plant
Issue date:	02/24/1989
From:	Rossi C; Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:	;
References
	IN-89-020, NUDOCS 8902170112
	Download: ML031180532 (7)
	v • d • e

UNITED STATES

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 February 24, 1989 NRC INFORMATION NOTICE NO. 89-20: WELD FAILURES IN A PUMP OF BYRON-JACKSON

DESIGN

Addressees

All holders of operating licenses or construction permits for nuclear power

reactors.

Purpose

This information notice alerts addressees to weld failures in a primary loop

recirculation pump of Byron-Jackson design experienced by owners of boiling

water reactors (BWRs) in a foreign country. It is expected that recipients

will review the information for applicability to their facilities and consider

actions, as appropriate, to avoid similar problems. However, suggestions con- tained in this information notice do not constitute NRC requirements; therefore, no specific action or written response is required.

Description of Circumstances

The following information is related to boiling water reactors; however, the

nature of the weld failures was such that potentially all pumps of similar

design could be affected.

1. In 1984, a foreign BWR experienced a failure in the attachment

weld of a ring that surrounds the bearing housing component of

a pump manufactured by Byron-Jackson but fabricated and assembled

by a foreign company. The power company operating the BWR per- formed repairs using fillet welds applied at the failed locations.

During inspections in 1988 cracks were found at the same weld

locations in both recirculation pumps. The repair involved ap- plying full penetration butt welds with some axial realignment

of the ring.

2. Similar problems were recently reported at another BWR plant in

the same country in which the first event took place. Significant

vibration was observed during a normal end-of-cycle coastdown for

annual maintenance. The plant was immediately shut down for

inspection. It was found that the ring and impeller had broken, and some fasteners were found in various sections of the recircu- lation loop.

8902170112 Z - 1

IN 89-20 .

February 24, 1989 3. As a result of the 1984 and 1988 incidents, owners of BWRs in the

foreign country began a program of inspection and repair using the

full penetration welds and-realignment of the ring. The unit that

experienced the broken ring and impeller had not yet been inspected

for deficiencies in the welding before the failure occurred. As a

result of the failure, one of seven other units of a similar power

level was shut down because it had not been inspected or repaired.

No specific action or written response is required by this information notice.

If you have any questions about this matter, please contact one of the technical

contacts listed below or the Regional Administrator of the appropriate regional

office.

Charles E. Rossi, Director

Division of Operational Events Assessment

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical Contacts: N. Prasad Kadambi, NRR

(301) 492-1153 P. T. Kuo, NRR

(301)492-92go1 Attachment: List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

Attachment

IN 89-20

February 24, 1989 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED

NRC INFORMATION NOTICES

Information Date of

Notice No. Subject Issuance Issued to

89-19 Health Physics Network 2/23/89 All holders of OLs

or CPs for nuclear

power reactors, and

the following fuel

facilities: Nuclear

Fuel Services of Erwin, General Atomic, UNC

Montville, B&W LRC

Lynchburg, and B&W

Lynchburg.

89-18 Criminal Prosecution of 2/22/89 All holders of OLs

Wrongdoing Committed by or CPs for nuclear

Suppliers of Nuclear power reactors.

Products or Services

89-17 Contamination and Degra- 2/22/89 All holders of OLs

dation of Safety-Related . i;- ; -. .;

or CPs for nuclear

Battery Cells power reactors.

89-16 Excessive Voltage Drop 2/16/89 All holders of OLs

in dc Systems or CPs for nuclear

power reactors.

89-15 Second Reactor Coolant Pump 2/16/89 All holders of OLs

Shaft Failure at Crystal or CPs for nuclear

River power reactors.

89-14 Inadequate Dedication 2/16/89 All holders of OLs

Process for Commercial or CPs for nuclear

Grade Components Which power reactors.

Could Lead to Common Mode

Failure of a Safety System

89-13 Alternative Waste Management 2/8/89 All holders of NRC

Procedures in Case of Denial specific licenses.

of Access to Low-Level Waste

Disposal Sites

89-12 Dose Calibrator Quality 2/9/89 All NRC medical

Control licensees.

OL = Operating License

CP = Construction Permit

IN 89-20

February 24, 1989 3. As a result of the 1984 and 1988 Incidents, owners of BWRs in the

foreign country began a program of inspection and repair using the

full penetration welds and realignment of the ring. The unit that

experienced the broken ring and impeller had not yet been inspected

for deficiencies in the welding before the failure occurred. As a

result of the failure, one of seven other units of a similar power

level was shut down because it had not been inspected or repaired.

No specific action or written response is required by this information notice.

If you have any questions about this matter, please contact one of the technical

contacts listed below or the Regional Administrator of the appropriate regional

office.

Charles E. Rossi, Director

Division of Operational Events Assessment

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical Contacts: N. Prasad Kadambi, NRR

(301) 492-1153 P. T. Kuo, NRR

(301) 492-0907 Attachment: List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

OGCB: DOEA: NRR* EMB:DEST:NRR* GPA: IP* EMEB:DEST:NRR* EMTB:DEST:NRR*

NPKadambi PTKuo KBurke LBMarsh CYCheng

2/16/89 2/9/89 2/10/89 2/13/89 2/13/89 TECH ED* EAD:DEST:NRR* D:DEST:NRR* C:OGCG:DOEA:NRR* 45jRvy

BCalure JERichardson LCShao CHBerlinger

2/17/89 2/13/89 2/14/89 2/15/89 2// 7/89

IN 89 3. As a result of the 1984 and 1988 incidents, owners of BWRs in the