Information Notice 1993-43, Use of Inappropriate Lubrication Oils in Satety-Related Applications

Use of Inappropriate Lubrication Oils in Satety-Related Applications

ML031070496
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:	06/10/1993
From:	Grimes B Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:
References
IN-93-043, NUDOCS 9306040105
Download: ML031070496 (9)

UNITED STATES

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 June 10, 1993 NRC INFORMATION NOTICE 93-43: USE OF INAPPROPRIATE LUBRICATION OILS IN

SAFETY-RELATED APPLICATIONS

Addressees

All holders of operating licenses or construction permits for nuclear power

reactors.

PurDose

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

notice to alert addressees to a potential for introducing inappropriate

lubricating oils into safety-related components. 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 routine surveillance of plant equipment at the Farley nuclear plant in.

June-July 1992, the operations staff discovered that lubricating oils for the

outboard and inboard bearings of component cooling water pump motors were

discolored. A closer examination revealed some brown sheen on the bearing and

other indications of bearing wear. The licensee analyzed samples of the

lubricating oils and determined that the oils were not of the viscosity

specified for that application.

The licensee subsequently sampled the lubrication oils in all plant safety- related equipment. Of 33 samples taken, .18 revealed the presence of an

inappropriate lubrication oil. In some cases, the correct oil was not

present; in others, the sample indicated that a mixture of the correct oil and

an incorrect oil was present.

Discussion

The licensee determined that, because of a wrong label on a drum supplied to

the licensee by the vendor, Texaco Regal R & 0 68 oil was used in safety- related applications where Texaco R & 0 32 oil was specified. The oil was

purchased as a commercial grade product. The licensee had not sampled the oil

when it was delivered to verify that it had received the oil it had ordered.

The licensee hired a consultant to evaluate the effect of having used the

R & 0 68 oil instead of the R & 0 32 oil. The consultant determined that no

serious problem was likely to occur in the short term, because the two oils

9306040105 ?3.-0q3

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IN 93-43 June 10, 1993 differed only in viscosity. All of the additives were identical.

the consultant also indicated that the more viscous oil (R & 0 68) However, would

generate more heat from higher friction. This could increase oxidation

oil, resulting in shorter oil lifetime. The higher viscosity might of the

bearing distress, which could lead to increased wear on the bearing. also cause

The licensee replaced the oil in all of the affected equipment, that the correct oil was being used. Further, the licensee has after assuring

instituted

procedures to ensure that oil is sampled upon receipt at the warehouse, release into the plant, and again before use. before

Appendix B to 10 CFR Part 50 contains the NRC regulations for procurement

quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) for products to

safety-related applications. Generic Letter (GL) 89-02, "Actionsbe used in

the Detection of Counterfeit and Fraudulently Marketed Products," to Improve

GL 91-05, "Licensee Commercial-Grade Procurement and Dedication and

Programs,"

discuss commercial-grade dedication and the characteristics of effective

procurement and dedication programs.

This information notice requires no specific action or written response.

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

the technical contacts listed below, or the appropriate Office of contact

Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager. - Nuclear

Brian K. Grimes, Director

Division of Operating Reactor Support

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical contacts: George Maxwell, RII

(205) 899-3386 Michael Morgan, RII

(205) 899-3387 Todd A. Cooper, RII

(704) 875-1681 Attachment:

List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

-'S.,

Ki 4- Attachment

IN 93-43 June 10, 1993 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED

NRC INFORMATION NOTICES

Information Date of

Notice No. Subject Issuance Issued to

93-42 Failure of Anti-Rotation 06/09/93 All holders of OLs or CPs

Keys in Motor-Operated for nuclear power reactors.

Valves Manufactured by

Velan

93-41 One Hour Fire Endurance 05/28/93 All holders of OLs or CPs

Test Results for Thermal for nuclear power reactors.

Ceramics Kaowool, 3M

Company FS-195 and

3M Company Interam E-50

Barrier Systems

93-40 Fire Endurance Test 05/26/93 All holders of OLs or CPs

Results for Thermal for nuclear power reactors.

Ceramics FP-60 Fire

Barrier Material

93-39 Radiation Beams from 05/25/93 All holders of OLs or CPs

Power Reactor Biolog- for nuclear power reactors.

ical Shields

93-38 Inadequate Testing of 05/24/93 All holders of OLs or CPs

Engineered Safety for nuclear power reactors.

Features Actuation

System

93-37 Eyebolts with Indeter- 05/19/93 All holders of OLs or CPs

minate Properties In- for nuclear power reactors.

stalled in Limitorque

Valve Operator Housing

Covers

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).

OL - Operating License

CP - Construction Permit

IN 93-43 June 10, 1993 differed only in viscosity. All of the additives were identical. However, the consultant also indicated that the more viscous oil (R & 0 68) would

generate more heat from higher friction. This could increase oxidation of the

oil, resulting in shorter oil lifetime. The higher viscosity might also cause

bearing distress, which could lead to increased wear on the bearing.

The licensee replaced the oil in all of the affected equipment, after assuring

that the correct oil was being used. Further, the licensee has instituted

procedures to ensure that oil is sampled upon receipt at the warehouse, before

release into the plant, and again before use.

Appendix B to 10 CFR Part 50 contains the NRC regulations for procurement

quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) for products to be used in

safety-related applications. In addition, the NRC has provided further

guidance in Regulatory Guides 1.28, 1.33, and 1.123. These requirements and

guides, if properly implemented, provide a measure of assurance for the

suitability of products to be used in safety-related systems. Generic Letter

(GL) 89-02, "Actions to Improve the Detection of Counterfeit and Fraudulently

Marketed Products," and GL 91-05, "Licensee Commercial-Grade Procurement and

Dedication Programs," discuss commercial-grade dedication and the

characteristics of effective procurement and dedication programs.

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

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

the technical contacts listed below, or the appropriate Office of Nuclear

Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager. odginal signed by

Brian K. Grimes

Brian K. Grimes, Director

Division of Operating Reactor Support

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical contacts: George Maxwell, RII

(205) 899-3386 Michael Morgan, RII

(205) 899-3387 Todd A. Cooper, RII

(704) 875-1681 Attachment:

List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

• SEE PREVIOUS CONCURRENCE

• OGCB:DORS *RVIB:DRIL *PDI I-1 *DRP:RII *TechEd

TJKim LNorrholm JMitchell JJohnson RSanders

03/30/93 03/30/93 03/30/93 04/1 93 4/13/93

• OGCB:DORS *D/DRIL:NRR *D/DE/NRR t~RR

GHMarcus CRossi JRichardson

04/15/93 05/26/93 05/27/93 //93 Document Name: 93-43.IN

IN 93-XX

May xx, 1993 differed only in viscosity. All of the additives were identical. However, the consultant also indicated that the more viscous oil (R & 0 68) would

generate more heat from higher friction. This could increase oxidation of the

oil, resulting in shorter oil lifetime. The higher viscosity might also cause

bearing distress, which could lead to increased wear on the bearing.

The licensee replaced the oil in all of the affected equipment, after assuring

that the correct oil was being used. Further, the licensee has instituted

procedures to ensure that oil is sampled upon receipt at the warehouse, before

release into the plant, and again before use.

Appendix B to 10 CFR Part 50 contains the NRC's regulations for procurement

quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) for products to be used in

safety-related applications. addition, thCpro -furter

-guidanee-in ReWfatsty Guides-I &*1.33, and 1.312. h erqurmnsai-/f,;

guides, if properly implemented, provide a-eaureofassura

lt ~f uc i ety-related-systems. Generic Letter

(GL) 89-02, "Actions to Improve the Detection of Counterfeit and Fraudulently /

Marketed Products," and GL 91-05, "Licensee Commercial-Grade Procurement and

Dedication Programs," discuss commercial-grade dedication and the

characteristics of effective procurement and dedication programs.

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

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

the technical contacts listed below, or the appropriate project manager in the

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR).

Brian K. Grimes, Director

Division of Operating Reactor Support

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical contacts: George Maxwell, RII

(205) 899-3386 Michael Morgan, RII

(205) 899-3387 Todd A. Cooper, RII

(704) 875-1681 Attachment: List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

Document Name: INFONOT.KIM

• SEE PREVIOUS CONCURRENCE

• OGCB:DORS *RVIB:DRIL *PDII-1 *DRP:RII *TechEd

TJKim LNorrholm JMitchell JJohnson RSanders

03/30/93 03/30/93 03/30/9 04/12/93 04/13/93

• OGCB:DORS CAA D/D

/D/DORS:NRR

GHMarcus \Ri dsdn BGrimes

04/15/93 05/ 93 05 93 05/ /93 cIA

IN 93-XX

April xx, 1993 generate more heat from higher friction. This could increase oxidation of the

oil, resulting in shorter oil lifetime. The higher viscosity might also cause

bearing distress, which could lead to increased wear on the bearing.

The licensee replaced the oil in all of the equipment, after assuring that the

correct oil was being used. Further, the licensee has instituted procedures

to ensure that oil is sampled upon receipt at the warehouse, before release

into the plant, and again before use.

Many utilities are using the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) document

NP-5652, "Guideline for the Utilization of Commercial Grade Items in Nuclear

Safety Related Application," as the basis for a dedication process for

commercially procured materials. According to the EPRI document, the

utilization of commercial-grade items intended for safety-related application

involves two distinct processes: (1) a technical evaluation to assure that

requirements for an acceptable item are specified in the procurement document

and (2) acceptance methods to reasonably assure the item received is the item

that was specified.

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

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

the technical contacts listed below, or the appropriate project manager in the

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR).

Brian K. Grimes, Director

Division of Operating Reactor Support

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical Contacts: George Maxwell, RII

(205) 899-3386 Michael Morgan, RII

(205) 899-3387 Todd A. Cooper, R11

(704) 875-1681 Attachment: List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

Document Name: INFONOT.KIM

• SEE PREVIOUS CONCURRENCE

• OGCB:DORS *RVIB:DRIL *PDII-1 *DRP:RII *TechEd

TJKim LNorrholm JMitchell JJohnson RSanders

03/30/93 03/30/93 03/30/93 04/12/93 04/13/93 OGCB:DORS D/DORS:NRR

GHMarcus,5 BGrimes 6

04/aS/93 04/ /93T

Document Name: INFONOT.KJ

• SEE PREVIOUS CON ENCE

OGCB:DVJ PD II- Ž6t?%-1 DRP:RI I TechEd

TJKim LR~Ltm

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GHMarcus BGrimes

03/ /93 03/ /93

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This information notice requires no specific action or written

response. If you have any questions about the information in

this notice, please contact the technical contact listed below, or the appropriate project manager in the Office of Nuclear

Reactor Regulation (NRR).

Brian K. Grimes, Director

Division of Operating Reactor Support

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical Contacts: George Maxwell, RII

(205) 899-3386 Michael Morgan, RII

(205) 899-3387 Todd A. Cooper, RII

(704) 875-1681 Attachments: List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

OGCB:D QRS DRP:RII TECH ED

TJKim JJohnson JMain Ri"W&Ae 4d

03/// 93 03/ /93 O3+-f9e

0/I3/f 3 OGCB:DORS DORS

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03/ /93 03/ /93