ML17053B496
| ML17053B496 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Nine Mile Point  |
| Issue date: | 03/14/1980 |
| From: | Grier B NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | Rhode G NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORP. |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8003250336 | |
| Download: ML17053B496 (16) | |
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Docket No. 50-410 t
UNITEDSTATES NUCLEAR REGULATORYCOMMISSION REGION I 631 PARK AVENUE KING OF PRUSSIA, PENNSYLVANIA1S406 March 14, 1980 Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation ATTN:
Mr.
G.
K.
Rhode Vice President System Project Management 300 Erie Boulevard, West
- Syracuse, New York 13202 Gentlemen:
The enclosed Ii Information t<otice No. 80-11, "Generic Problems with ASCO Valves in Nuclear Applications Including Fire Protection Systems,"
is provided as an early notification of a possibly significant matter.
It is expected that recipients will review the information for possible applicability to their facilities.
No specific action or written response is requested at this time. If further NRC evaluations so indicate, an IE Circular, Bulletin, or Generic Let'er will be issued to recommend or request specific licensee actions.
If you have questions regarding the matter, please contact this office.
Sincerely, Boyce H. Grier Director
Enclosures:
l.
IE Information Notice No. 80-11 with Attachments 2.
List of'ecently Issued IE Information Notices CONTACT:
S.
D. Fbneter (215-337-5283) cc w/encls:
Eugene B. Thomas, Jr.,
Esquire
ENCLOSURE 1 UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT MASHINGTON, D. C.
20555 SSINS No.
6870 Accession No.:
7912190684 IE Information Notice No. 80-11 Date:
March 14, 1980 Page 1 of 2 GENERIC PROBLEMS MITH ASCO VALVES IN NUCLEAR APPLICATIONS INCLUDING FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS Description of Circumstances:
Attachment 1 is a Recall Notice from The Viking Corporation, dated July 16, 1979 that identifies ASCO valves used in certain Viking fire protection equipment that could fail.
Licensees should review their fire protection system components to determine if the equipment identified in the Viking Recall Notice is in their facility.
If the identified equipment is installed in the fire protection system, then the modifications specified in the Recall Notice should be made and tested for proper operation.
The requirements of the technical specifications or any other licensee commitment should be complied with when a fire protection system is disabled.
South Carolina Electric and Gas Company (Virgil C.
Summer Nuclear Station) reported to the,NRC on October 24, 1979, a potential significant deficiency regarding the effects of oil on elastomeric materials used in ASCO NP-1 solenoid valves.
Specifically, these valves utilize an ethylene propylene elastomer which expands or swells when brought into contact with oils, possibly causing valve failure.
For this reason, ASCO specifies these NP-1 solenoid valves for use in "oil free instrument air" systems.
Although instrument air systems are "oil free" by design, installation instruc-tions may specify the use of thread lubricants utilizing an oil base.
- Thus, the potential exists for traces of this lubricant from threaded connections in the air system, in addition to traces of oil from the air compressors themselves, to come into contact with the elastomers in the solenoid valves.
Degraded elastomers can cause the solenoid valve to fail by sticking, swelling closed flow paths, or.rupturing causing leakage across the seat or to atmosphere.
Failure of the solenoid to function properly on an active valve could prevent a system f'rom performing its required safety function.
Some ASCO NP-1 solenoid valves are equipped with tags which state:
"Important-this valve is equipped with ethylene propylene elastomers which can be attacked by oils and greases.
To be used for oil-free instrument quality air.
Clean pipe threads of cutting oils."
Care should be taken to use approved thread lubricants which do not contain oil for the installation of these valves.
Enclosure 1
IE Information Notice No. 80-11 Date:
March 14, 1980 Page 2 of 2 ASCO offers viton elastomers as an option for their NP-1 solenoid valves.
The viton elastomers are not affected by oil or grease.
Replacement kits of viton elastomers are available for the NP-1 solenoid valves from ASCO. It is recom-mended that ethylene propylene elastomers found in Class IE qualified ASCO NP-1 solenoid valves be replaced with the viton kits.
In addition, enclosed is a letter from EG8G (Attachment 2) dated December 26, 1979 that provides the results of an LER review of failure of solenoid valves.
This Information Notice provided information about a potential safety concern.
No written response is required.
If you desire additional information regarding this matter, contact the Director of the appr'opriate Regional Office.
Attachments:
l.
Viking Corporation Recall Notice 2.
EG8G Letter, Dearien to Tiller dated December 26, 1979
o
Attachment No; 1 to IE Information Notice No; 80-.11 I I II Uk'{,((Rl'()R;\\IX.)x
-'P~ i. I Ix.b'IRII'u IARKR(l LI3 I I.h.'i I IX()4 11IQ). I,".ih, <<9i) )8 I I I I I'I I( )iaaf (i)ii')'}9 I")-))"))I I JA
~4 RECALL NOTICE July 16, 1979 Vilcin Mode)
S-2 Ha netic 8 pass and Firec 'cle Trim Box Me have been informed by the manufacturer that the following listed solenoid valves may contain a b)ack teflon coated core wh)ch could cause improper valve operation under certain water and heat conditions.
Such failure could resul t ln the sprink-lec system not. operating or, once having operated, not being capable of being.reset.
Solano'ld va)ves in question are as fo))ows; "ASCG" Automatic Sgi tch Cb., with the fol lowing specifications; Catalog Mo.,
-'Va~tacae Serial. No.
These TIIT82)0834 THT8210S34 THT8210834 THT82)OS34K
. THT82)0834 TFTX82}0834K THT8210834K 8211834 THT82)OB34 THT8210834 THT8210B34 THT82)0834
.HT8210834 THT8210834K THT8210834K THT821OS34K THT82)0834E THT8210B34E 8211834 THT82)OB34K.
valves may have been The Mode) "S-2" Magn shipped from V)king those modified as a
Notice.
1 zo/60,.'...
) 99)3E 123/60 70440K 120/60 59284E
)20/60 79329K
, 120/60
., '7504K 12o/60 28508H 120/60,'
42536H 24/60
~, " '285)OH,
" 12/OC'9328K 24/OC
'3912K 24/OC 50445K 24/DC 56556K
. 24/DC 59285K 24/OC
. 79327K
, 24/DC 82928F 24/GC 91819K 24/OC 1687)H
~
..24/OC 18391H 2'/OC 28511H
'25/OC 79330K used on the fo))ow)ng items of Viking equipment:
etic Bypass and the Fi recyc'le Valve Trim Sox from January
)977 through. Hay 1979, 1 nc 1 udi ng result of the Vjking January 20, 1978 Reca)1 (0 VER)
el5<
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e Jf Attachment No.
to IE Information Notice No. 80-1 l
In f977'the manufacturer recefved some teflon coated cores that may not have been processed properdy.
It has now become apparent that under certain water and heat conditions, the teflon coating may blfster and flake off and thfs ~~y "ause the valve to >>tfck fn either the open or closed pos'ition.
In Hay, 1979 the manu-facturer changed to a non-coated core which he believes will correct the problem, Viking became aware of the pr'ob'Iem as the result of reports from the field Indi-cating failures of devfces during routine testing.
A check with the manufacturer Indicated that the above described changes had taken place.
Viking feels very strongly that the presence of potentially defectfve solenoid valves ln the field constitutes an extremely dangerous sftuatfon and recommends to all owners of the above l isted equipment that they immediately inspect the equ'fpment to determine If the suspect solenoids are employed.
ALL VIKING INSTALLERS ARE REgUKSTEO TO INFORM ANY OWNERS WITH WHOM THEY MAY BE ACOUAINTEO OF THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND TO OFFER THEIR SERYICES TO SUCH OWNERS.
If suspect solenoid valves are found, the system should immedfately be tested in accordance wfth the owner's.instructions and a Modificatfon Kft should be ordered directly from ASCO at the fol 1'owing address:
Automatic Switch Company 56-A Hanover Rd,
.Florham Park, New Jersey 07932 Attn: "Mfke Cofaneri Asst. Mgr',, Servfce Dept.
Telephon~
(201) 966-2314
. '. ORDER ASCO KIT NO.
214-9 7
For AC or OC Servfce)
Order one kft for each Magnetic Bypass to be modif icd and two kits for each Fire cycle System.
The Modification Kft will consist of:
Core and sufflcfent parts with specific in structlons for repair of Magnetfc Bypass and Ff recycle Trim Box.
In order to effect the modiffcfatlon, it wf1 I be necessary to take the system out'f
- service, shut off the power, disconnect the solenoid leads and disassemble the coil.
There 1>> no dfsassembly of pfplng.
It. fs'estimated that modifications to the safenoid valve itself can be accomp1fshed
)n approxfmatefy 20 minutes,
~ '\\
The Modificatfoq Klt'wf11 be furnfshcd without charge by ASCO.
The modifications should be made as soon as osslble and the replaced parts returned to ASCQ by January 1, 1980.'ny questions. should be referred to ASCO..
Owners should be remfnded of the extreme fmpor tance of conducting maintenance and tests In accordance wi th Yfkfng's instructions.
All of the above noted fai lures mre determined by such activities,'roper testing and maintenance are partlcufarly portant when electro-mechanfcal cenponents are involved.
Such components should be exercised frequently, An emergency syst~ is no better thah thc care it receives,,
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Attachment No.
2 to IE Information No/ice No. 80-I~
Decenber 26, 1979 lw ~
Nro. R.
Ee Tfllery Ofrector'eactor Operatfans and Prograns Dfvfsfon idaho Qperatfons Qfffce NK Idaho Fa11s, ID 83401 SOLB/OLD UN.VE FAILURES REPORTED It{ LICENSEE EYEHTS L~PORTS
/AD 258~79 4
Ref:
- 0. G. Efsenhut Ltr to All Pressurfzed Mater Reactors dated September 21,'1979 Deal'r. Tiller:
KGM fs fn the process of sumaarfzfng and evaluatfng Lfeaasee
'Event Reports
{LERs) under contract to the Probabf)fstfc Analysfs Staff H'PC.
Havfng recefved a copy of the above ref'erenced letter, E%G felt tha scca of the fnfornatfon gleaned flea the GHATS my he of'a'1ue to HRC fn fnvestfgatfng the nature and frauen~ of
.solenofd valve faflures Kn eva3uatfng Lfcensee E~t Reports (LERs) cn valves end valve operators m have encountered many faflures of solenofd va1ves whfch control the afr supply to afr operated valves.
Fffty fH'f ures of solenoid valves fn afr supply systems appear fn 4) LKs.
~nty-three of the 50 faflures occurred fn ten sets af Wo or
, three faf1ures.
Each set of smltfp'le faflures ms d$axvored fn cne plant cn a sfngle date.'e.consfdered tuse mt'o be pes-sfb1e cordon cause faf3ures because each set e"hfbfted a c"e:un faflure machanf sn.
Rfteen of the 50 faflures mre ~rt d by eve plant+ Xfcn l.
A)) of Zfan's faflures r suit& fran the sane faflure ceehanfma forefgn mterfal contmfnatfon.
Twelve of'fon's )5 faflures mre
~ mltfplo faf lures; that fs,'hey appeared fn sets of faflures as dfscussed above.
The ~fnfn9 35 faflures mre reported by 20-dffferent plants; ona repaired ffvo faflures mad ge rest reported three or'1ess.
In evaluatfng these solenoid valves, Ct appears that generfc prob lemi b'av exfst fn the use of.solenofd valves for control'ifng afr g ~
Attachment No., 2 to Information Notice No.'0-11 ~
R. E. Tiller December 2Ci, 1979 JAu-25u-19 Page P..
IupP~Y sXste~rrs, YA0 moor problee appears to be ~ gnco~at)hf))~
of the so7eno4d valves Qth forefgn materfa3> epecfffce)ly oil, whfch can be present fn the afr supply systan.
Forty percent af the sole nnM va1vc faflures mre reported as befng caused by of) or ether forefgrl aateH51 fn the afr supp'fy system.
Another problan appear to be tjre envfrcnnent fn shfch the aolerofd r sfd s.
eighteen per cent of the fa$ luws are reported as heing caused by h$ gh teryera>>
ture and temfdfty rasu1tfng 5n e'fectrfcH Vaflura of tf~ solenofd.
Me hopa that thfs fnforrmtfon Nfl'e useful.
If'ou should have any questforrs, please contact C. F. Nfl'ter aC {FTS) 503-9673, or tf. D. Con t (FTS) qr039605 Very Crag ~urs, CHgkeeaf dgpaecf by J,. A,
Dearien,
fhnagar Code Assesmant and Appl $cat$ ons Prog~
NDC'tn M
Ei Vasty, HRC~PAS D. G. Kfsenhut, NRC-NR R.. M, Kfehn, EGAG Xcfaha
ENCLOSURE 2 IE Information Notice No. 80-11 Date:
March 14, 1980 Page 1 of 1 RECENTLY ISSUED IE INFORMATION NOTICES Information Notice No.
79"36 79"37 80"01 80-02 80-03 Subject Computer Code Defect in Stress Analysis of Piping Elbow Cracking in Low Presssure Turbine Discs Fuel Handling Events 8X8R Mater Rod Lower End Plug Wear Main Turbine Electro-hydraulic Control System Date.
Issued 12/31/79 12/31/79 1/4/80 1/25/80 1/31/80 Issued to All Power Reactor Faci-lities with an Operating License (OL) or Construc-tion Permit (CP)
All Power Reactor Faci-lities with an OL or CP All Power. Reactor Faci-lities with an OL or CP All BMR Facilities with an OL or CP All Power Reactor Faci-
.lities with an OL or CP 80"04 BMR Fuel Exposure in Excess of Limits 2/4/80 All BWR Facilities with an OL or CP 80"05 80"06 80-07 80-08 Chloride Contamination of Safety Related Piping and Components Notification of Signif-icant Events Pump Fatigue Cracking The States Company Sliding Link Electrical Terminal Block 2/8/80
~
'/27/80 2/29/80 3/7/80 All Power Reactor Faci-lities with an OL or CP and applicants for a CP All Power Reactor Faci-1'ities with an OL and applicant for OL All Power Reactor Faci-lities with an OL or CP All Power Reactor Faci-lities with an OL or CP 80-09 Possible Occupational Health 3/7/80 Hazard Associated with Closed Cooling Systems for Operating Power Plants All Power Reactor Faci-lities with an OL or CP 80-10 Partial Loss of Non-Nuclear Instrument System Power Sup-ply During Operation 3/7/80 All Power Reactor Faci-lities with an OL or CP
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