Information Notice 1993-37, Eyebolts with Indeterminate Properties Installed in Limitorque Valve Operator Housing Covers

Eyebolts with Indeterminate Properties Installed in Limitorque Valve Operator Housing Covers
	ML031080050
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, Fort Saint Vrain, Shoreham, Satsop, Trojan, Atlantic Nuclear Power Plant
Issue date:	05/19/1993
From:	Grimes B; Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:	;
References
	IN-93-037, NUDOCS 9305130037
	Download: ML031080050 (16)
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UNITED STATES

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 May 19, 1993 NRC INFORMATION NOTICE 93-37: EYEBOLTS WITH INDETERMINATE PROPERTIES

INSTALLED IN LIMITORQUE VALVE OPERATOR

HOUSING COVERS

Addressees

All holders of operating licenses or construction permits for nuclear power

reactors.

Purpose

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing this information

notice to alert addressees to problems that could result from eyebolts with

indeterminate properties installed in Limitorque valve operator housing

covers. 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 contained in this information

notice are not NRC requirements; therefore, no specific action or written

response is required.

Description of Circumstances

During recent inspections at the Crystal River Nuclear Plant and the

Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Station, the NRC found Limitorque model SMB-O0O and

SMB-00 valve operators in which two of the housing cover bolts were replaced

with an eyebolt and nut combination. The licensees reviewed their design

change programs but did not find any documentation for the installation of the

eyebolts. The affected valve operators were installed in safety- and

nonsafety-related applications. Some of the affected valve operators were

installed on butterfly valves through a worm-drive gearbox such that the

housing cover bolts do not experience stem thrust during valve operation.

However, some of the affected safety-related valve operators were installed on

gate valves and globe valves such that the housing cover bolts do experience

stem thrust-forces during valve operation. The housing cover bolts transmit

valve stem thrust to the operator housing and ultimately to the valve yoke.

The bolts are listed as critical to valve operator function in the Limitorque

Critical Component List.

Discussion

South Carolina Electric and Gas (SCE&G), the licensee for Summer, determined

that the affected valve operators arrived from the Limitorque Corporation, the

9305130037 \ I DK -IE ce3 -°3. Thi

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IN 93-37 May 19, 1993 valve operator vendor, with the eyebolts installed. In a letter

December 11, 1992, Limitorque confirmed that it had shipped valve to SCE&G of

with eyebolts installed since the early 1970s, that Limitorque operators

did

the eyebolt material, and that therefore it could not yet address not control

qualification of the eyebolt material for actuator operation. the

representatives stated that they had not received any reports Limitorque

associated with the eyebolts. Limitorque has issued Maintenance of failures

in which it discusses this problem in paragraph 9, and recommends Update 92-2, eyebolts be replaced by grade 5 housing cover bolts at the next that the

maintenance. scheduled

The NRC staff believes that ungraded eyebolts are probably installed

various safety-related applications at other facilities since in

was not previously documented by the vendor. The NRC has attachedthis condition

from the Limitorque Maintenance Update 92-2 because all licensees an excerpt

automatically receive Limitorque maintenance updates. may not

This information notice requires no specific action or written

you have any questions about the information in this notice, response. If

one of the technical contacts listed below or the appropriate please contact

Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager. Office of

Brian K. Grimes, Director

Division of Operating Reactor Support

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical contacts: Stephen Elrod, RII Richard Freudenberger, RII

(407) 464-7822 (904) 795-7677 Lee Keller, RII Thomas Scarbrough, NRR

(803) 345-5683 (301) 504-2794 Attachments:

1. Excerpt from Limitorque Maintenance Update 92-2

2. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

Attachment 1 IN 93-37 May 19, 1993 Limitorque Corporation Maintenance Update 92-2

9. SMB.OOO/OO Evebolt Housing Cover Screws

Philadelphia Electric (Limerick) and South

Carolina Electric and Gas (V.C. Summer)

recently inquired about eyebolts that were

found in place of the housing cover bolts on

0

a number of SMB-OO and SMBOOr

actuators. V.C. Surmmer found that 2 of

the 4 housing cover bolts were replaced

with the evebolts. Limerick found that 3 of

the 6 housing cover bolts were replaced

with the eyebolts. The purpose of the

iJ

eyebolts was to provide a lifting lug for Standard Housf Speclal Housing

moving the actuator. The question inwolved Cover Hex Head GCvow Hex Head

the material grade of the eyebolts. The With Eyebolt for Ufftng

correct housing cover hex head bolt part FIgure 4-Eyebolt Housing Cover Screw

number is HB8-3/8-16x20 and is specified as

a grade S materiaL The housing cover bolts are considered critical in Llmitorque Critical

Component List since the bolts receive the resulting thrust load in the closing direction of

the valve.

Page 13

Attachnent 1 IN 93-37 May 19, 1993 I.Umitorque Corporation Maintenance Update 92-2 Iimitarque research could not determine the material of the eyebolts. In one case, records

could not confirm that the eyebolts were supplied by Limitorque.

Due to lack of traceability, Limitorque can only infer that the eyebolts were a heat treated

forged steel designed to handle the stresses of lifting the actuator.

Discussion with long term Liimitorque employees implies that the eyebolts may have been

supplied on a number of SMBMO0O and SMB-00 actuators-for commercial and nuclear

service. However, they could not have been supplied on SMB-00 actuators with side

mounted handwheels due to minimal clearance. Additionally, the eyebolt material is of no

concern for applications that the actuator does not withstand the resulting thrust in the

closi ig direction (i.e. quarter-turn applications and many reach-r'.d applications).

For gate and globe valve applications in which the actuator withstands thrust, the question

of the eye-bolt material in regards to actuator operation cannot be addressed without

uncertainty. However, it is Limitorque's opinion that the eyebolts would not require

immediate replacement for continued operation based on the following:

The material of lifting lugs are designed to withstand the weight of the actuator, consequently the assumed allowable stress of the lugs is within the stresses imparted

on housing cover screws under normal operation.

The standard grade 5 material of the housing cover bolts has a inherent safety

margin in relation to the Limitorque published thrust ratings of the 000/00

It appears that 000/00 actuators supplied with eyebolts in place of the housing

cover bolts are only a portion of the total number of housing cover bolts.

The fact that no reports of eyebolt failures of 000/00 actuators over what may be

a large population (commercial units included) implies that operational history

justifies continued use of the eyebolts.

Note that the above arguments are weakened when an SMB-000 or SMB-00 actuator has

experienced a stall condition above the Lmitorque published thrust rating of the actuator

(see Technical Update 92-02) or have operated at thrust values qualified by Kalsi extended

thrust testing (see Technical Update 92-01). In summary, Limitorque recommends that the

eyebolts found in place of the housing cover bolts be replaced by the grade 5 housing cover

bolts at the next scheduled maintenance. Figure #1-Eyebolt Housing Cover Screw shows

how the eyebolts can be identified. A visual inspection is the only known method for

identifying these cases It is assumed that a jam nut is separate from the eyebolt. This

discussion does not apply to eyebolts located on actuators other than in place of the housing

cover bolts (eyebolts have been supplied in other taps of the actuator housing).

Page 14

Attachment 2 IN 93-37 May 19, 1993 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED

NRC INFORMATION NOTICES

Information Date of

Notice No. Subject Issuance Issued to

93-36 Notifications, Reports, 05/07/93 All U.S. Nuclear Regulatory

and Records of Misadmin- Commission medical

istrations licensees.

93-35 Insights from Common- 05/12/93 All holders of OLs or CPs

Cause Failure Events for nuclear power plants

(NPPs).

93-34, Potential for Loss of 04/06/93 All holders of OLs or CPs

Supp. 1 Emergency Cooling for nuclear power reactors.

Function Due to A

Combination of

Operational and Post- Loca Debris in Contain- ment

93-34 Potential for Loss of 04/26/93 All holders of OLs or CPs

Emergency Cooling for nuclear power reactors.

Function Due to A

Combination of

Operational and Post- Loca Debris in Contain- ment

93-33 Potential Deficiency 04/28/93 All holders of OLs or CPs

of Certain Class IE for nuclear power reactors.

Instrumentation and

Control Cables

93-32 Nonconservative Inputs 04/21/93 All holders of OLs or CPs

for Boron Dilution for pressurized water

Event Analysis reactors (PWRs).

93-31 Training of Nurses 04/13/93 All U.S. Nuclear Regulatory

Responsible for the Commission medical

Care of Patients with licensees.

Brachytherapy Implants

OL = Operating License

CP = Construction Permit

-i

v IN 93-37 May 19, 1993 valve operator vendor, with the eyebolts installed. In a letter to SCE&G of

December 11, 1992, Limitorque confirmed that it had shipped valve operators

with eyebolts installed since the early 1970s, that Limitorque did not control

the eyebolt material, and that therefore it could not yet address the

qualification of the eyebolt material for actuator operation. Limitorque

representatives stated that they had not received any reports of failures

associated with the eyebolts. Limitorque has issued Maintenance Update 92-2, in which it discusses this problem in paragraph 9, and recommends that the

eyebolts be replaced by grade 5 housing cover bolts at the next scheduled

maintenance.

The NRC staff believes that ungraded eyebolts are probably installed in

various safety-related applications at other facilities since this condition

was not previously documented by the vendor. The NRC has attached an excerpt

from the Limitorque Maintenance Update 92-2 because all licensees may not

automatically receive Limitorque maintenance updates.

This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If

you have any questions about the information in this notice, please contact

one of the technical contacts listed below or the appropriate Office of

Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.

Orginal igned by

Brian K. Grimes

Brian K. Grimes, Director

Division of Operating Reactor Support

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical contacts: Stephen Elrod, RII Richard Freudenberger, RII

(407) 464-7822 (904) 795-7677 Lee Keller, RII Thomas Scarbrough, NRR

(803) 345-5683 (301) 504-2794 Attachments:

1. Excerpt from Limitorque Maintenance Update 92-2

2. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

SEE PREVIOUS CONCURRENCES

DOC NAME: 93-37.IN

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' x IN 93-XX

April XX, 1993 valve operator vendor, with the eyebolts installed. In a letter to SCE&G of

December 11, 1992, Limitorque confirmed that it had shipped valve operators

with eyebolts installed since the early 1970s, that Limitorque did not control

the eyebolt material, and that therefore it could not yet address the

qualification of the eyebolt material for actuator operation. Limitorque

representatives stated that they had not received any reports of failures

associated with the eyebolts. Limitorque has issued Maintenance Update 92-2, in which it discusses this problem in paragraph 9, and recommends that the

eyebolts be replaced by grade 5 housing cover bolts at the next scheduled

maintenance.

The NRC staff believes that ungraded eyebolts are probably installed in

various safety-related applications at other facilities since this condition

was not previously documented by the vendor. The NRC has attached an excerpt

from the Limitorque Maintenance Update 92-2 because (1) all licensees may not

automatically receive Maintenance Update 92-2 and (2) licensees may believe

that the eyebolts are qualified for safety-related service because the vendor

supplied the eyebolts.

This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If

you have any questions about the information in this notice, please contact

one of the technical contacts listed below or the appropriate Office of

Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.

Brian K. Grimes, Director

Division of Operating Reactor Support

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical contacts: Stephen Elrod, RII Richard Freudenberger, RII

(407) 464-7822 (904) 795-7677 Lee Keller, RII Thomas Scarbrough, NRR

(803) 345-5683 (301) 504-2794 Attachments: _ 'I ACi

1. Excerpt from Limitorque Maintenance Update 92-2

2. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

SEE PREVIOUS CONCURRENCES

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RPSchin MVSinkule EWMerschoff TGScarbrough EJSullivan

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02/25/93 03/02/93 03/03/93 03/18/93 03/02/93

0DC 1_)Add-::7_ AJi06

IN 93-XX

April XX, 1993 Discussion

South Carolina Electric and Gas (SCE&G), the licensee for Summer, determined

that the affected valve operators arrived from the Limitorque Corporation, the

valve operator vendor, with the eyebolts installed. In a letter to SCE&G of

December 11, 1992, Limitorque confirmed that it had shipped valve operators

with eyebolts installed since the early 1970s, that Limitorque did not control

the eyebolt material, and that therefore it could not yet address the

qualification of the eyebolt material for actuator operation. Limitorque

representatives stated that they had not received any reports of failures

associated with the eyebolts. Limitorque has issued Maintenance Update 92-2, in which it discusses this problem in paragraph 9, and recommends that the

eyebolts be replaced by grade 5 housing cover bolts at the next scheduled

maintenance.

The NRC staff believes that ungraded eyebolts are probably installed in

various safety-related applications at other facilities since this condition

was not previously documented by the vendor. The NRC has attached an excerpt

from the Limitorque Maintenance Update 92-2 because (1) all licensees may not

automatically receive Maintenance Update 92-2 and (2) licensees may believe

that the eyebolts are qualified for safety-related service because the vendor

supplied the eyebolts.

This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If

you have any questions about the information in this notice, please contact

one of the technical contacts listed below or the appropriate Office of

Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.

Brian K. Grimes, Director

Division of Operating Reactor Support

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical contacts: Stephen Elrod, RII Richard Freudenberger, RII

(407) 464-7822 (904) 795-7677 Lee Keller, RII Thomas Scarbrough, NRR

(803) 345-5683 (301) 504-2794 Attachments:

1. Excerpt from Limitorque Maintenance Update 92-2

2. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

SEE PREVIOUS CONCURRENCES

D/DORS:NRR

BKGrimes

C/OGCB:DORS:NRR

GHMarcus

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04/ /93 04/ /93 C/EMEB:DE:NRR D/DE:NRR RVIB:DRIL:NRR RVIB: RIL:NRR C/ RIL:NRR

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03/19/93 03/22/93 03/23/93 / /93 / /93

RPB:ADM *OGCB:DORS:NRR*RII *RII *RII

TechEd AJKugler SAElrod RFreudenberger LAKeller

02/25/93 03/02/93 03/03/93 03/18/93 03/02/93

s _IN 93-XX