ML19246B295
| ML19246B295 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Monticello  |
| Issue date: | 06/01/1979 |
| From: | Grimes B, Grimes B Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Mosely N NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE) |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7907130028 | |
| Download: ML19246B295 (5) | |
Text
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h UNITED STATES I,h NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION y
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JUN 1 1979' MEMORANDUM FOR:
Norman C. Moseley, Director, Division of Reactor
' Operations Inspector FROM:
B. Grimes. Assistant Director for Engineering and Projects, Division of Operating Reactors
SUBJECT:
DRAFT CIRCULAR - INADEQUACY IN THE EMD-GM EMERGENCY ONSITE DIESEL ENGINE LUBRICATION SYSTEM
REFERENCE:
Monticello Letter Dated April 27, 1979 to J. G. Keppler, Region III It has recently come to our attention (see reference) that the diesel engines mangfactured by Electro-Motive Division of General Motors Corporation (EMD) hay a potential diesel engine turbocharger problem.
We believe that an I&E Circular would (1) inform all facilities having this type of diesel engine of the problem; (2) provide a suggestion on how to minimize the accumulative degradation until EMD has established their recommendations regarding the modifications; and (3) recomend to the utilities that the modifications be made to their engines, once they have been established.
To assist in this effort, we have enclosed a draft of what the I&E Circular might contain.
B. Grimes, Assistant Director for Engineering and Projects Division of Operating Reactors
Contact:
F. Clemenson X-27110 Enclosure and cc:
See next page 360 042
't) 7907130078 @
Enclosures:
1.
Sample letter to Regional I&E Offices' 2.
Draft cover letter to recipients from Regional Offices 3.
Suggested I&E Circular 4.
Monticello letter to J. Keppler dated April 27, 1979 cc w/ enclosure V. Stello D. Eisenhut R. Vollmei-B. Grimes G. Lainas E. Adensam F. Clemenson E. Jordan I&E V. Thomas I&E 360 043
ATTACHMENT I
,(yo oq[o nec UNITED STATES g
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION y
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SAMPLE LETTER TO REGIONAL 0FFICES MEMORANDUM FOR:
B. H. Grier, Director, Region I
& P. O'Reilly, Director, Region II J. G. Keppler, Director, Region III K. V. Scyfrit, Director, Region IV R. H. Engelken, Director, Region V FROM:
Norman C. Moseley, Director, ROI, IE
SUBJECT:
IE CIRCULAR NO. 79-
, INADEQUACY IN THE EMD-GM EMERGENCY UNSITE DIESEL ENGINE LUBRICATION SYSTEM The subject circular is transmitted for issuance on (
)
1979.
The circular should be issued to all operating facilities and all utilities having a construction permit.
Issuance of the circular is based on information obtained from Monticello which indicates the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors diesel engines have a potentially generic problem in the lubricating oil system which could eventually lead to failure of the turbocharger.
The text of the circular and draft letters to the licensees and permit holders are enclosed for this purpose.
N. C. Moseley, Director 360 044
ATTACHMENT 2
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UNITED STATES l
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NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION O i,"f
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V DRAFT COVEP. LETTER TO RECIPIENTS FROM REGIONAL 0FFICES ADDRESSEE:
The enclosed Circular 79-is forwarded to you for information.
No written respor.se is required.
If you desire additional information regarding this matter, please contact this office.
Sincerely, Signature (Regional Director)
Enclosures :
1.
IE Circular 79-2.
List of IE Circulars issued in 1979 360 045
ATTACHMENT 3 SAMPLE I&E CIRCULAR USNRC 0FFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT WASHINGTON, DC 20555 DATE,1979 IE Circular No. 79-INADEQUACY IN THE EMD-GM EMERGENCY ONSITE DIESEL ENGINE LUBRICATION SYSTEM DESCRIPTION:
NRC was informed by Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant plant manager, by letter dated April 22, 1979, that the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors Corporation diesel engines have a potential diesel engine turbocharger problem.
The text of the letter is as follows:
" Electro-Motive Division of General Motors Corporation has informed Northern States Power Company of a potential diesel generator turbocharger problem.
E.M.D. informed N.S.P. that recent lubricating oil system tests conducted at EMD indicate that certain repeat start operating modes could result in turbo-charger thrust bearing damage which might ultimately cause a turbocharger failure, The potential problem occurs if the diesel engine receives a repeat rapid start within a minimum of 15 mir.utes and a maximum of 3 hours3.472222e-5 days <br />8.333333e-4 hours <br />4.960317e-6 weeks <br />1.1415e-6 months <br /> after a shutdown from a previous run.
When a fast start occurs within this time frame, sufficient " prime" oil will have drained to retard the buildup of engine oil pressure.
In the worst case of a repeat rapid start, the engine may reach operating speed before oil pressure is established at the turbocharger thrust bearing, This may cause some smearing of the bearing metal so that cumulative damage from several similar starts would result in a turbocharger failure.
This problem is potentially generi c.
360 0%
.. Appropriate administrative actions will be taken to avoid repeat fast hot starts within the time frame of concern.
EMD is currently devel,oping a modification to improve the lube oil system.
It is planned that this modification will be installed after it is available which is expected to be in approximately six months."
No written response to this circular is required. All utilities that have or expect to have Electro-Motive Division of General Motors Corporation diesel engines for their onsite emergency power supply should (a) be aware of the problem; (b) be aware that modifications are being developed which will improve the lube oil system; (c) by appropriate administrative actions avoid repeat fast hot startt within the time frame of concern until the appropriate modifications have been made to the lube oil system; and (d) avoid testing the redundant diesel engine in a time frame such that both engines may be subject to inadequate lubrication in the event of a loss of cffsite power.
If you require additional infonnation regarding this matter, contact the Director of the appropriate Regional Office.
360 047
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. Attachment 4 NORTHERN STATES POWER COMPANY Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant Monticello, MN 55362 April 27, 1979 Mr. J. G. Keppler, Director Region III Office of Inspection and Enforcement U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Comission 799 Roosevelt Road Glen Ellyn, Illinois 60137
Dear Mr. Keppler:
FDhTICELLO NUCLEAR GENERATING PIANT Docket No. 50-263 License No. DPR-22 Electro-Motive Division of General Motors Cc rporation has infomed g~
Northem States Power Company of a potential diesel generator turbocharger E.M.D. infomed N.S.P. that recent lubricating oil system tests problem.
conducted at E.M.D. indicate that certain repeat start operating modes F
could result in turbocharger thmst bearing damage which might ultimately cause a turbocharger failure. The potential problem occurs if the diesel engine receives a repeat rapid start within a minimum of 15 minutes and a maxmum of 3 hours3.472222e-5 days <br />8.333333e-4 hours <br />4.960317e-6 weeks <br />1.1415e-6 months <br /> after a shutdown frcn a previous run. hhen a fast start occurs within this time frame, sufficient " prime" oil will have drained to retard the buildup of engine oil pressure.
In the worst case of a repeat Ispid start, the engine may reach operating speed before oil This may pressure is established at the turbocharger thrust bearing.
cause some smearing of the bearing metal so that cumulative damage from several similar starts would result in a turbocharger failure. This problem is potentially generic.
Appropriate administrative actions will be taken to avoid repeat fast hot starts within the time frame of concern.
E.M.D is currently developing a modific.ition to inprove the lube oil system.
It is planned that this modification will be installed after it is available which is expected to be in approximately six months.
Yours v
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Plant Manager LRE/sdd V
Director, Office of Management Information cc/:
and Program Control 9'Q
]SQ$O M CGQ File
.. _. Cpov Jent by..telecoppr to J. G. Keppler.-
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