ML18052B350

LER 87-033-00:on 870903,high-range Noble Gas Stack Monitor Declared Inoperable When Detector Output Values Fell Below Tech Spec Requirements.Caused by Failure of Anode Insulator. Detector Will Be Refurbished by 871115.W/871012 Ltr

ML18052B350
Person / Time
Site:	Palisades
Issue date:	10/12/1987
From:	Johnson B, Kozup C CONSUMERS ENERGY CO. (FORMERLY CONSUMERS POWER CO.)
To:	NRC OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATION & RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (ARM)
References
LER-87-033, LER-87-33, NUDOCS 8710160229
Download: ML18052B350 (5)

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I I I I I I I 1:::.::*:::-::::<:::**.**::*::::.:::::2 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I a-L.IMINTAL llllOllT IXl'tCTIO 11" MONTH DAY VJAll lx,.CTID IUIMlalON OATI 1111 I I I Abstract On September 3, 1987 at 1230, high range noble gas stack monitor, RIA-2327

[JL;RE] was declared inoperable_when detector output values failed to fall.

within the acceptance criteria as defined in Technical Specification (TS)

Surveillance Procedure RR-84C, "High Range Noble Gas Effluent Monitor RE-2327 Calibration". In accordance with Action Statement 38 of TS 3.24.2, the preplanned alternate monitoring instrumentation was installed and declared operable at 1505. On September 10, 1987, after extensive troubleshooting by Plant Instrument and Control personnel, the detector was sent to the manufacturer for repair or replacement. This report is being submitted in accordance with Action Statement 38, which requires a Special Report be submitted if the inoperable equipment is not returned to operable status within seven days.

Preliminary investigations by the manufacturer indicate the detector anomaly was caused by a failure of the ionization chamber anode insulator. A full failure analysis will be provided by the manufacturer. Current plans are to refurbish the failed detector and place it back in service by November 15, 1987.

8710160229 871012 PDR ADOCK 05000255 S PDR

NllC Form :111A U.I. NUCl.EAll llEOUl.ATOllY COMMIDION UMl31 LICENSEE EVENT REPORT (LEA) TEXT CONTINUATION APPROVED OMll NO. 3150--0104*

EXPIRES: 8/31185 FACILITY NAME 111 DOCKET NUMeER 121 I.Ell NUMIER Ill

.. ~ l-5 -~ Q 1..0 I 0 I 215 I 5 81 7 - 0 I 3 13 - 0 I 0 0 I 2 OF 0 I 4 TEXT llf,,;,,,. - ii teqllited, .,.. - NflC Fomt _.. '11 1171 Description On September 3, 1987 at 1230 high range noble gas stack monitor, RIA-2327

[JL;RE] was declared inoperable when detector output yalues failed to fall within the acceptance criteria as defined in Technical Specification (TS)

Surveillance Procedure RR-84C, "High Range Noble Gas Effluent Monitor RE-2327 Calibration". In accordance with Action Statement 38 of TS 3.24.2 which states, "with the number of operable channels less than that required by the minimum channels operable requirements, initiate the preplanned alternate method of monitoring the appropriate parameter(s), within severity-two hours",

the preplanned alternate monitoring instrumentation was installed and declared operable at 1505. The reactor was critical with the Plant operating at 92 percent of power when this condition was identified. This Special Report is being submitted pursuant to TS 3.24.2, Action Statement 38 which requires the minimum operable channels be restored to service within seven days or a Special Report be submitted outlining the action taken, the cause of the inoperability and the plans for returning the system to operable status.

Shortly after RIA-2327 was declared inoperable, Plant Instrument and Control personnel began troubleshooting and repair activities. As these activities continued, a fault internal to the detector (rattling noise) was identified.

In that the detector is a sealed ionization chamber, it was shipped to the manufacturer, Victoreen Instrument Division, for refurbishment or replacement on September 10, 1987.

Preliminary investigations by the manufacturer indicate the detec*tor -

anomaly was caused by a failure of the ionization chamber anode insulator.

A full failure analysis will be provided by the manufacturer upon completion of detector refurbishment.

The Radioactive Gaseous Effluent Monitoring System installed in 1983, consists of normal range particulate/radioiodine filters, NaI gamma detector, scintillation chamber beta detector and an accident range. filter and ion chamber. Flow through the system is provided by two 100 percent capacity diaphragm vacuum pumps. The flow is controlled by automatic.

flow control valves to maintain a constant flow rate of 2 scfm through the system.

On indication of abnormal stack effluent activity (alert level), a 15 second grab sample is automatically trapped in a sample bottle and an annunciator in the Control Room indicates the off-normal condition.

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NllC Fa<rn:llaA U.I. NUCLEAll llEDULATORY COMMIDIOfll 19-631 LICENSEE EVENT REPORT (LERI TEXT CONTINUATION APPROVED OMB NO. 3150--0lCM EXPIRES: 8131 /BS FACILITY NAME 111 OOCKET NU*ER 121 LEll NUMaER Ill PAGE 131 PALISADES NUCLEAR PLANT , . 0 rs *r ro I 0 0 I 2 I 5 I 5 8 I 7 - 0 I3 13 - 0 I 0 0 I 3 OF 0 I 4 TEXT llf , _ _ ; . ,.,,.,nd, - - N l t C Fonrt BA'*l 1171 Following a high level indication, the normal sample loop is bypassed and the sample flow is split with approximately 0.02 scfm directed through the high range filter and the balance of the 2 scfm through the ion chamber.

To avert a too rapid buildup of activity on the filter, the capability exists to interrupt the sample flow through the filter periodically for periods ranging from six seconds to 54 seconds every minute. The continuous monitoring capability of the high range noble gas monitor is not affected during filter flow interruption. A "high radiation" annunciator in the Control Room alerts the Plant operators to the condition.

Systems may be controlled either locally or remotely from the Control Room.

Dual microprocessor controllers provide system control through the normal, alert and high operating modes. Normally the controller located in the Control Room provides full system control. In the event of failure, the local controller takes control of the system functions.

Cause Of The Event High range noble gas stack monitor, RIA-2327, was declared inoperable when detector output values failed to fall within the acceptance criteria defined in the TS Surveillance Procedure being performed. Troubleshooting performed by Plant Instrument and Control personnel identified the failure to have resulted from a fault internal to the detector (rattling noise).

Preliminary investigations by the manufacturer, Victoreen Instrument Division, identified the cause of the detector anomaly to be a failure of the ionization chamber anode insulator. A full failur*e analysis will be provided by the manufacturer upon completion of detector refurbishment.

Corrective.Action After detector output valves failed to fall within the defined accep.tance criteria valves, the monitoring instrumentation was declared inoperable.

The preplanned alternate monitoring instrumentation was installed and declared operable within two hours and thirty-five minutes.

Current plans are to refurbish the failed detector and return it to service.

Additionally, Instrument and Control personnel are evaluating the benefit of procur~ng an additional detector to shorten system downtime.

Analysis Of The Event The radioactive gaseous effluent instrumentation is provided to monitor and control, as applicable, the* release of radioactive materials in gaseous

-~ I NllC Form :JMA .a. NUCLEAR llEOULATORY COMMllllON 111-831 LICENSEE EVENT REPORT (LER) TEXT CONTINUATION APPROVED OMB NO. 3150-01~

EXPIRES: 8/J1 /BS FACILITY NAME 111 DOCKET NUMeER 121 LEll NUMHll Ill 'AGE Ill PALISADES NUCLEAR PLANT

• a IIi 1--0* 1o* 1o I 21 5 I 5 Bl 7 - oI 3 I 3 - OI o OI ~ OF oI4 TEXT llf ,,_ - 19 ,.,.,;ed. - ~ NltC Fonn .-...*111171 effluents-during actual or potential releases of gaseous effluents. The alarm/trip setpoints for these instruments are calculated and adjusted in accordance with the methodology and parameters in the ODCM to ensure that the alarm/trip will occur prior to_ exceeding the limits of 10CFR Part 20.

As the preplanned alternate monitoring instrumentation was installed and operable within two hours and thirty-five minutes, well within the seventy-two hours allotted by TS, and the normal range noble gas monitoring instrumentation was operable, no additional safety hazard was imposed upon the general public.

This Special Report is being submitted pursuant to TS 3.24.2, Action Statement 38 which requires the minimum operable channels be restored to service within seven days of a Special Report being submitted outlining the action taken, the cause of the inoperability and the plans for returning the system to operable status.

Additional Information The high range noble gas stack monitor, RIA-2327, model number 846-2 was manµfactured by Victoreen Instrument Division. The high range ionization chamber gamma detector, RE-2327 within RIA-2327, was also manufactured by Victoreen Instrument Division and is model number 847A.

USNRC-DS consumers Power l<i81 SEP -b A q: 51 POWERiNii lttlCHlliAN'S PRDliRESS General Offices: 1945 West Parnell Road, jackson, Ml 49201 * (517) 788-0550 October 12, 1987 Nuclear Regulatory Commission Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555 DOCKET 50-255 - LICENSE DPR PALISADES PLANT -

LICENSEE EVENT REPORT 87-033 - (DETECTOR FAILURE AND INOPERABILITY GREATER THAN SEVEN DAYS RESULTS IN TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION SPECIAL REPORT Licensee Event Report (LER)87-033, (Detector Failure and Inoperability Greater than Seven Days Results in Technical Specification Special Report) is attached. This event is reportable to the NRC as a Special Report in accordance with Action Statement 38 of Technical Specification 3.24.2, "Radioactive Gaseous Effl~~nt Monitoring Instrumentation".*

Brian D Johnson Staff Licensing Engineer CC Administrator, Region III, USNRC NRC Resident Inspector - Palisades Attachment OC1087-0186-NL04