ML030790295

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Memo Regarding Special Inspection Charter for Point Beach Potential Common Mode Failure of Auxiliary Feewater
ML030790295
Person / Time
Site: Point Beach  NextEra Energy icon.png
Issue date: 02/06/2003
From: Kenneth Riemer
NRC/RGN-III
To: Michael Kunowski
NRC/RGN-III
References
FOIA/PA-2003-0094
Download: ML030790295 (2)


Text

MEMORANDUM TO: Mike Kunowski, Project Engineer, Reactor Projects Branch 5 FROM: Ken Riemer, Chief, Reactor Projects Branch 5

SUBJECT:

SPECIAL INSPECTION CHARTER FOR POINT BEACH POTENTIAL COMMON MODE FAILURE OF AUXILIARY FEEDWATER On October 29, 2002, the Point Beach licensee made a 10 CFR 50.72 notification reporting the potential for a common mode failure of the auxiliary feedwater (AFW) system due to the fouling of the minimum recirculation orifices for each of the four AFW pumps. Under conditions of orifice fouling, it is possible that if the discharge valves for the AFW pumps were throttled, adequate flow may be unavailable through the recirculation line and pump damage could occur in a short period of time.

Point Beach Units 1 & 2 are currently at or near full power. The licensee reported that they are taking interim corrective actions in the form of operating crew briefs, posting temporary information tags on the main control boards, and procedure revisions to ensure the AFW system is not damaged due to recirculation orifice fouling. In addition, the licensee is evaluating equipment design changes to provide a permanent correction to the system.

Because this is an event at an NRC-licensed facility that poses a potential hazard to public health and safety, property, or the environment, and based on the criteria specified in Management Directive 8.3 and Inspection Procedure 71153, a Special Inspection was initiated in accordance with Inspection Procedure 93812 and Regional Procedure RP-1219. The

'Special Inspection team includes yourself as team leader; Zachary Dunham, Kewaunee Resident Inspector; Mike Morris, Point Beach Resident Inspector; and Sonia Burgess; Senior Risk Analyst. The Special Inspection will evaluate the facts, circumstances, and licensee actions surrounding this matter. A charter was developed and is attached. The nominal duration of the inspection is expected to be approximately seven days, starting October 31, 2002.

Attachment:

As Stated CONTACT: Kenneth R. Riemer, DRP (630) 829-9757

SPECIAL INSPECTION TEAM CHARTER Point Beach: Auxiliary Feedwater Recirculation Line Orifice Potential Common Mode Failure The objective of the Special Inspection team is to gather information on the items listed below, assess the initial significance of the issue, and provide Regional management with recommendations for further Agency actions, if any. The Special Inspection Team should gather information concerning the event, assess the licensee's performance, and to the extent practicable, independently validate the licensee's efforts in the following areas:

1. Timeline development relating to contributors and discovery of the potential common mode failure of the auxiliary feedwater system due to the plugging of the AFW recirculation line orifices.
2. Assess the adequacy of licensee's initial risk assessment.
3. Assess the adequacy of the licensee's operability evaluation, and assess the adequacy of the licensee's interim compensatory actions.
4. Evaluate the adequacy of the modification that installed the current recirculation line orifices.
5. Review procedures in place prior to this issue. Identify procedural weaknesses.
6. Review and validate the new procedure revisions to ensure adequacy.
7. Evaluate licensee's efforts in determining and eliminating the source of the foreign material found in the recirculation line orifice of 'A' motor-driven AFW pump on 10/24/02.
8. Evaluate licensee's efforts in determining if other plant components are susceptible to the same fouling concern.
9. Evaluate licensee re-design options and priority assignment.
10. Identify prior opportunities to have identified this issue.

Charter Approval Kenneth R. Riemer, Chief Reactor Projects Branch 5 Geoff Grant, Director Division of Reactor Projects