Information Notice 1995-41, Degradation of Ventilation System Charcoal Resulting from Chemical Cleaning of Steam Generators

Degradation of Ventilation System Charcoal Resulting from Chemical Cleaning of Steam Generators

ML031060234
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:	09/22/1995
From:	Crutchfield D Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
To:
References
IN-95-041, NUDOCS 9509180341
Download: ML031060234 (12)

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UNITED STATES

NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 September 22, 1995 NRC INFORMATION NOTICE 95-41: DEGRADATION OF VENTILATION SYSTEM CHARCOAL

RESULTING FROM CHEMICAL CLEANING OF STEAM

GENERATORS

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 the potential degradation of ventilation system

charcoal as a result of the charcoal's exposure to chemicals during the

chemical cleaning of steam generators. 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

On June 5, 1994, a chemical cleaning of the secondary sides of the steam

generators at Surry Unit 2 was begun. During this cleaning, containment purge

was established using train A of the auxiliary ventilation system, which

contains a safety-grade charcoal adsorber. The chemical cleaning process

involves the--use of ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) as the cleaning

agent and of various other chemicals such as ethylenediamine (EDA), hydrazine, ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, nitrogen, and CCl-801, a proprietary corrosion

inhibitor. During the chemical cleaning the steam generators were isolated

from the containment atmosphere and force-vented to the outdoor atmosphere

through the atmospheric steam dump relief valves. The steam generators were

rinsed to remove residual chemicals. After the rinse, the steam generators

were opened for sludge lancing of the tube sheet region.

On June 16, 1994, a strong odor of ammonia was reported in the Unit 2 containment. Concentrations were measured at 30 ppm (parts per million)

ammonia and 6 ppm hydrazine. Consequently, personnel were evacuated from the

containment. At the time of the evacuation, the chemical cleaning and rinse

had been completed on steam generators A and C and the steam generators were

vented to the containment. Because of the elevated levels of hydrazine and

ammonia in the containment, train B of the auxiliary ventilation system was

started to assist train A in reducing the airborne concentrations. Both

trains operated approximately 8 hours until chemical concentrations in the

containment were reduced.

950918034 t~q~gut II

@

IN 95-41 September 22, 1995 -

As a result of the exposure of the charcoal to the chemicals, in accordance

with the technical specifications (TS), a sample of train A charcoal was taken

and a laboratory test of a sample of the sample was performed. The results of

the laboratory test showed a methyl iodide removal efficiency of 93.4 percent, which was below the TS limit. The charcoal was replaced. A sample from

train B was tested and the results of the laboratory test of that sample

showed a methyl iodide removal efficiency of 90.7 percent. This value was

also below the TS limit, and the train B charcoal was replaced.

The failure of these samples was a surprise to the licensee. At the time the

charcoal was determined to have failed, train A had operated for 657 hours0.0076 days <br />0.183 hours <br />0.00109 weeks <br />2.499885e-4 months <br />, while the train B had operated for 360 hours0.00417 days <br />0.1 hours <br />5.952381e-4 weeks <br />1.3698e-4 months <br />. In addition, the licensee had

held discussions with the charcoal supplier during which the supplier had

indicated that exposure of the charcoal to hydrazine and ammonia in the above

noted concentrations should not have resulted in its degradation.

As a result of the experience at Unit 2, when the steam generators at Unit 1 were chemically cleaned, the licensee arranged for the containment flow to be

diverted to a non-safety-grade system containing charcoal. When the licensee

completed the cleaning operation, laboratory testing of the charcoal in the

non-safety-grade system showed that the adsorber efficiency was 3.3 percent

less than its efficiency before the chemical cleaning. On the basis of these

two experiences, the licensee concluded that discharging the air involved in

steam generator cleaning operations through systems containing charcoal was

likely to degrade the charcoal.

The licensee's laboratory tests of the charcoal were performed at 30C [86°F]

and a relative humidity of 95 percent with a face velocity of 24.4 meters per

minute [80 feet per minute]. The laboratory tests were conducted using the

1979 version of American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D3803, Standard Test Method for Nuclear-Grade Activated Carbon.' The licensee did

not attempt to determine the chemical compound responsible for the degradation

of the charcoal. However, it and its charcoal supplier believe that the

probable culprits were EDA and EDTA.

The NRC staff held telephone conversations with charcoal suppliers and

testing laboratory representatives. Based upon these conversations, the

parties concluded that, although the ammonia did not contribute to the

degradation of the charcoal, the breakdown of hydrazine in the charcoal may

have contributed additional moisture to the charcoal resulting in its

degradation. These discussions also confirmed that both EDA and EDTA could

degrade the charcoal. The staff also noted that, had the licensee performed

the laboratory tests in accordance with the guidance in NRC Information Notice 87-32, "Deficiencies in the Testing of Nuclear-Grade Activated Charcoal,"

(Accession No. 8707070003) or in accordance with the 1989 version of ASTM

D3803, the measured degradation of the charcoal would have been greater than

that identified by the licensee.

K..- V IN 95-41 September 22, 1995 its degradation.

Exposure of charcoal to chemical compounds can result incharcoal may perform

With such degradation, in the event of an accident, the

evaluation.

at an efficiency less than that assumed in the staff's safety

adsorbers in their

Therefore, if licensees divert air flow through charcoal

cleaning, they may find it

ventilation systems during and/or after chemical ensure that the

to

appropriate to perform a laboratory test of the charcoal limit.

charcoal has not degraded below its TS surveillance requirements

response. If

This information notice requires no specific action or writtenplease contact

you have any questions about the information in this notice, of Nuclear

the technical contact listed below or the appropriate Office

Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.

'nn.1%ic I

Division of Reactor Pr ram Management

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical contact: John J. Hayes, NRR

(301) 415-3167 Attachments:

1. Referenced Codes and Standards

2. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

A4e UQ FJLa

~1 <-J Attachment 1 IN 95-41 September 22, 1995 Referenced Codes and Standards

"Standard Test Method

American Society for Testing and Materials, ASTM D3803, Pennsylvania.

for Nuclear-Grade Activated Carbon,' Philadelphia,

wXvachment 2 IN 95-41 September 22, 1995 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED

NRC INFORMATION NOTICES

Information Date of

Notice No. Subject Issuance Issued to

95-40 Supplemental Information 09/20/95 All holders of OLs or CPs

to Generic Letter 95-03, for nuclear power reactors.

"Circumferential Cracking

of Steam Generator Tubes"

95-39 Brachytherapy Incidents 09/19/95 All U.S. Nuclear Regulatory

Involving Treatment Commission Medical

Planning Errors Licensees.

95-38 Degradation of Boraflex 09/08/95 All holders of OLs or CPs

Neutron Absorber in for nuclear power reactors.

Spent Fuel Storage Racks

95-37 Inadequate Offsite Power 09/07/95 All holders of OLs or CPs

System Voltages during for nuclear power reactors.

Design-Basis Events

95-36 Potential Problems with 08/29/95 All holders of OLs or CPs

Post-Fire Emergency for nuclear power reactors.

Lighting

95-35 Degraded Ability of 08/28/95 All holders of OLs or CPs

Steam Generators to for pressurized water

Remove Decay Heat by reactors (PWRs).

Natural Circulation

95-34 Air Actuator and Supply 08/25/95 All holders of OLs or CPs

Air Regulator Problems in for nuclear power reactors.

Copes-Vulcan Pressurizer

Power-Operated Relief Valves

93-83, Potential Loss of Spent 08/24/95 All holders of OLs or CPs

Supp. 1 Fuel Pool Cooling After a for nuclear power reactors.

Loss-of-Coolant Accident

or a Loss of Offsite Power

95-33 Switchgear Fire and 08/23/95 All holders of OLs or CPs

Partial Loss of Offsite for nuclear power reactors.

Power at Waterford

Generating Station, Unit 3 I

OL - Operating License

CP = Construction Permit

K> IN 95-41 September 22, 1995 Exposure of charcoal to chemical compounds can result in a degradation of the

charcoal. With such degradation, in the event of an accident, the charcoal

may perform at an efficiency less than that assumed in the staff's safety

evaluation. Therefore, if licensees divert air flow through charcoal adsorbers

in their ventilation systems during and/or following chemical cleaning, they

may find it appropriate to perform a laboratory test of the charcoal to ensure

that the charcoal has not degraded below its TS surveillance requirements

limit.

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 Office of Nuclear

Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.

orig /s/'d by DMCrutchfield

Dennis M. Crutchfield, Director

Division of Reactor Program Management

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical contact: John J. Hayes, NRR

(301) 415-3167 Attachments:

1. Referenced Codes and Standards

2. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

DOCUMENT NAME: 95-41.IN

• See previous concurrence

To receive a copy of this document, indicate In the box: C' = Copy without attachment/enclosure 'E' = Copy with attachmentlenclosure 'N' - No copy

OFFICE TERB:DOTS IC ADM:PUB IN OECB:DOPS I E SC/TERB:DOTS E C/TERB:DOTS LE

NAME JJHayes* Tech Ed/MMejac* RABenedict* RLEmch* CLMiller*

DATE 05/02/95 05/10/95 05/02/95 105/02/ 95 05/02/95

. . . . . - .I

OFFICE 1SC/OECB:DOPS IN IPECB:DRPM I E IC/PECB:DRPM INID/DR~1X, I 11 NAME EFGoodwin* RKiessel* el

DATE 05/15/95 1 3909/14/95 09 95 UtiilLIAL K-IUKU WURY

IN 95-xx

September xx, 1995 Exposure of charcoal to chemical compounds can result in a degradation of the

charcoal. With such degradation, in the event of an accident, the charcoal

may perform at an efficiency less than that assumed in the staff's safety

evaluation. Therefore, if licensees divert air flow through charcoal adsorbers

in their ventilation systems during and/or following chemical cleaning, they

may find it appropriate to perform a laboratory test of the charcoal to ensure

that the charcoal has not degraded below its TS surveillance requirements

limit.

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 Office of Nuclear

Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.

Dennis M. Crutchfield, Director

Division of Reactor Program Management

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

Technical contact: John J. Hayes, NRR

(301) 415-3167 Attachments:

1. Referenced Codes and Standards

2. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

DOCUMENT NAME: S:\DRPM SEC\CHR91438

• See previous concurrence

- a copy Ad_ try

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OFFICE TERB:DOTS IC ADM:[PUB NOECB:DOPS IE SC/TERB:DOTSI E IC/TRB:DOTSE

NAME JJHayes* Tech Ed/MMejac* RABenedict* RLEmch*

DATE 05/02/95 105/10/95 105/02/95 05/02/95_ 05/02/9

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DATE 05/15/95 109/13/95 - -9/1/95 099 UOFICIIAL KLLUKU HUrY

IN 95-xx

September xx, 1995 Exposure of charcoal to chemical compounds can result in a degradation of the

charcoal. With such degradation, in the event of an accident, the charcoal

may perform at an efficiency less than that assumed in the staff's safety

evaluation. Therefore, if licensees divert air flow through charcoal adsorbers

in their ventilation systems during and/or following chemical cleaning, they

may find it appropriate to perform a laboratory test of the charcoal to ensure

that the charcoal has not degraded below its TS surveillance requirements

limit.

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 Office of Nuclear

Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.

Dennis M. Crutchfield, Director

Division of Reactor Program Management

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

John J. Hayes, NRR

(301) 415-3167 Attachments:

1. Referenced Codes and Standards

2. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

DOCUMENT NAME: G:\IN\CHR91438

• See previous concurrence

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OFFICE TERB:DOTS lC ADM:PUB IN OECB:DOPS EE SC/TERB:DOTSI E C/

Tech Ed/MMejac* RABenedict* RLEmch* CLMiller*

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NAME JJHayes*

DATE 05/02/95 05/10/95 05/02/95 05/02/95 05/02/95

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IN 95-xx

May xx, 1995 Exposure of charcoal to chemical compounds can result in a degradation of the

charcoal. With such degradation, in the event of an accident, the charcoal

may perform at an efficiency less than that assumed in the staff's safety

evaluation. Therefore, if licensees divert air flow through charcoal adsorbers

in their ventilation systems during and/or following chemical cleaning, they

may find it appropriate to perform a laboratory test of the charcoal to ensure

that the charcoal has not degraded below its TS surveillance requirements

limit.

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 Office of Nuclear

Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.

Brian K. Grimes, Director

Division of Project Support

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

John J. Hayes, NRR

(301) 415-3167 Attachments:

1. Referenced Codes and Standards

2. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

DOCUMENT NAME: G:\IN\CHR91438

• See previous concurrence

C" = Copy without attachmentlenclosure 'E' = Copy with attachment/enclosure ON' - No copy

To receive a copy of this document, Indicate In the box:

C A M:PUB 1 N [OECB:DOPS E SC/TERB:DOTS C/TERB:DOTS lE KE

OFFICE TERB:DOTS

NAME JJHayes* Tech Ed/MMejac* RABenedict* RLEmch* ICLMiller*

DATE 05/02/95 05/10/95 105/02/95 105/02/95 05/02/95 a AI

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DATE 05/15/95 05/ /95 05/ /95 105/ /95 nrchIrTAI nrv'nnn fflV

01-1-11,1AL KELUKU ,Ur 1

IN 95-xx

May xx, 1995 Exposure of charcoal to chemical compounds can result in a degradation of the

charcoal. With such degradation, in the event of an accident, the charcoal

may perform at an efficiency less than that assumed in the staff's safety

evaluation. Therefore, if licensees divert air flow through charcoal adsorbers

in their ventilation systems during and/or following chemical cleaning, they

may find it appropriate to perform a laboratory test of the charcoal to ensure

that the charcoal has not degraded below its TS surveillance requirements

limit.

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 Office of Nuclear

Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.

Brian K. Grimes, Director

Division of Project Support

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

John J. Hayes, NRR

(301) 415-3167 Attachments:

1. Referenced Codes and Standards

2. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

DOCUMENT NAME: G:\IN\CHR91438

• See previous concurrence

To receive a copy of this document, Indicate In the box: ACT - Copy without attachmentlenclosure 'E'

• Copy with attachmentlenclosure SNH- No copy

OFFICE TERB:DOTS IC ADM:PUB [OECB:DOPS IE SC/TERB:DOTS IE C/TERB:DOTS I E

NAME JJHayes* Tech Ed/MMejac* [RABenedict* IRLEmch* CLMiller*

DATE 05/02/95 05/10/95 105/02/95 05/02/95 05/02/95 IIOFFICE 1SC/OECB:DOPS I IC/OECB:DOPS I D/DOPS I 1I

NAME EFGoodwin X 1AEChaffee 5b

% I mKGriImes

DATE 105/16E/9505/ /95 05/ /95 OFFICIAL RECORD COPY

-0 '"?;4 -

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Exposure of charcoal to chemical compounds can result in a degradation of the .-14-.,-I.

charcoal. With such degradation, in the event of an accident, the charcoal

may perform at an efficiency less than that assumed in the staff's safety

evaluation. Therefore, if licensees divert air flow through charcoal adsorbers

in their ventilation systems during and/or following chemical cleaning, they

may find it appropriate to perform a laboratory test of the charcoal to ensure

that the charcoal has not degraded below its TS surveillance requirements

limit.

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 Office of Nuclear

Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.

Brian K. Grimes, Director

Division of Project Support

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

John J. Hayes, NRR

(301) 415-3167 Attachments:

1. Referenced Codes and Standards

2. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

DOCUMENT NAME: G:\IN\CHR91438

• See previous concurrence

To receive a copy of this document, Indicate In the box: "C'a Copy without attachmentenclosure "F = Copy with attachment/enclosure "N"- No copy

l - _ _ _ - _ _.

OFFICE ITERB:DOTS IC ADM:PUB I OECB:DOPS I E ISC/TERB:DOTS IE IC/TER.B:DOTS I E 11 NAME JJHayes* j ITech Ed 1 A!ndJRABenedict* IRLEmch* -- _- CLMiller*

DATE 105/02/95 105/1o /95 105/02/95 105/02/95 105/02/95 A- - A _ A __

OFFICE ISC/OECB:DOPS l C/OECB:DOPS I D/DOPS I l1  :.

NAME EFGoodwin JAEChaffee BKGrimes

DATE 05/ /95 105/ /95 05/ /95 UIIILIAL KtLUKU COPY

7,,,A;- ..

K>~

Exposure of charcoal to chemical compounds can result in a degradation of the

charcoal. With such degradation, in the event of an accident, the charcoal

may perform at an efficiency less than that assumed in the staff's safety

evaluation. Therefore, if licensees divert air flow through charcoal adsorbers

in their ventilation systems during and/or following chemical cleaning, they

may find it appropriate to perform a laboratory test of the charcoal to ensure

that the charcoal has not degraded below its TS surveillance requirements

limit.

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 Office of Nuclear

Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.

Brian K. Grimes, Director

Division of Project Support

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

John J. Hayes, NRR

(301) 415-3167 Attachments:

1. Referenced Codes and Standards

2. List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices

DOCUMENT NAME: G:\IN\CHR91438 To rSceive a copy of this document, Indcate In the box: 'C' Copy without attachmenUt/enclosure 'E' - Copy with attachment/enclosure 'N'

• No conp

OFFICE T TECH ED l OECB 14F 1 SC:TERB ,,Jir-C:TERB/DOTS I Cl

NAME ayes RABeneaict,' RLEmch , CiMiller cogllJ

DATE OS/ V/95y V 05/ /95 05/oZ /95 05/2.? /95 05/ N-/95 SC:OECB/DOPS I 1B:OECB/DOPS I ID:DOPS I 1J

EFGoodwin AEChaffee BKGrimes

05/ /95 05/ /95 05/ /95