ML18044A669

Responds to IE Bulletin 80-03 & Addresses Potential Loss of Charcoal from Charcoal Filters Sys.Visual Exam of Charcoal Adsorbers Indicates No Problems

ML18044A669
Person / Time
Site:	Palisades
Issue date:	03/20/1980
From:	Frost S CONSUMERS ENERGY CO. (FORMERLY CONSUMERS POWER CO.)
To:	James Keppler NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III)
References
IEB-80-03, IEB-80-3, NUDOCS 8003250503
Download: ML18044A669 (2)

Text

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consumers.

Power company General Offices: 212 West Michigan Avenue, Jackson, Michigan 49201

• Area Code 517 788-0550 March 20, 1980 Mr James G Keppler Office of Inspection and Enforcement Region III US Nuclear Regulatory Commission 799 Roosevelt Road Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 DOCKET 50-255 - LICENSE DPR PALISADES PLANT - RESPONSE TO IE BULLETIN 80-03 (LOSS OF CHARCOAL FROM STANDARD TYPE II, 2-INCH, TRAY ADSORBER CELLS)

Consumers Power Company was requested in IE Bulletin 80-03 (Loss of.Charcoal From Standard Type II, 2-Inch, Tray Adsorber Cells) to address potential loss of charcoal in Palisades Plant charcoal filters systems.

The basis for this question stems from the discovery.of loose charcoal, from the charcoal adsorber cells, on the floor at the Sequoyah Nuclear Plant. It has been determined that, on certain adsorber cells, the spacing between rivets securing the perforated screen* to the casting was too large to ensure adequate contact between the casing and screen, thus allowing charcoal to escape.

Consumers Power-company's response to IE Bulletin 80-03 is as follows:

ITEM 1 Determine if charcoal adsorber cells in use, or proposed for use, have the potential for a loss of charcoal incidental to handling, storage or use (as appropriate). Particular attention should be directed to examination of a) rivet spacing resulting in separation of screen and cell housing and b) adsorber cell or filter housing deformation causing loss of charcoal and/or channeling. Either of these items could result in a degraded filtration system incapable of performing its intended function. The preferred method of this determination is a visual inspection of the filter housing and adsorber cells as described in Section 5 of ANSI N510-1975. If this method is not feasible, state in the report required by Paragraph 4 how the determination was made.

80 032 50 503

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2 RESPONSE TO ITEM 1 Charcoal adsorbers are µsed in three systems at the Palisades Plant:

1. The Control Room Isolation System

2. The Containment Purge System

3. The Fuel Handling Area System The control room isolation and containment purge systems have three adsorbers each, which are closed systems to be used in emergency situations. New adsorbers (American Air Filter, Part Number 105-88495-2) are installed and

~~~~~~~freon penetration tested each refuel1ng.

The fuel handling area system utilizes 27 American Air Filter (Part Number 105-840967) adsorbers which are also freon penetration tested each refueling.

This system was examined on March 10, 1980 with a minor amount of charcoal fines observed in the filter housing. There were no indications of popped rivets. Minor sagging was observed, but not to the point of cell degradation.

New and used adsorbers from the control room and containment purge systems were examined with the same results.

The spacing between rivets securing the perforated screen to the casting for both models of adsorbers is one inch. There are two different types of spacers used in these adsorbers. One has four spacer rods to prevent sagging and the other uses two solid spacer bars. The solid spacer bars would appear to be more effective in reducing sagging, but neither type indicated a problem due to sagging screens.

The visual examination of these charcoal adsorbers, in use at the Palisades Plant, indicates that there are no problems with either set of adsorbers and that adsorber replacement was not necessary.

Steven R Frost (Signed)

Steven R Frost Palisades Nuclear Licensing Engineer CC Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation Director, Office of Inspection and Enforcement