ML19260B596
| ML19260B596 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Midland |
| Issue date: | 11/26/1979 |
| From: | James Keppler NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III) |
| To: | Howell S CONSUMERS ENERGY CO. (FORMERLY CONSUMERS POWER CO.) |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7912100425 | |
| Download: ML19260B596 (1) | |
Text
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UNITED STATES
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,. cf 7, NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
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E REGION 111
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799 ROOSEVELT ROAD o-b' GLEN ELLYN. ILLINOls 60137 o
Docket No. 50-329
-3 Docket No. S 330 Consumers Power Company ATTN:
Mr. Stephen H. Howell Vice President 1945 West Parnall Road Jackson, MI 49201 Gentlemen:
The enclosed IE Circular No. 79-24 is forwarded to you for information.
No.rritten response is required.
Should you have any questions related to your understanding of the recommendations on this matter, please contact this office.
Sincerely,
'.mu.hM'fier Ac s ames G. Kep Director
Enclosures:
1.
IE Circular No. 79-24 2.
Reccatly Issued IE Circulars cc w/encls:
Central Files Director, NRR/DPM Director, NRR/ DOR PDR Local PDR NSIC TIC Ronald Callen, Michigan Public Service Commission Dr. Wayne E. North Myron M. Cherry, Chicago 1519 030 17 5 7912100 l ~
Accession No: 7910250492 SSINS No. 6830 UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT WASHINGTON, D.C.
20555 November 26, 1979 IE Circular No. 79-24 PROPER INSTALLATION AND CALIBRATION OF CORE SPRAY PIPE BREAK DETECTION EQUIPMENT ON BWRs Description of Circumstances:
During 1976 the Iowa Electric Light and Pouer Company identified and corrected a potential problem involving the core spray (CS) pipe break detection system at the Duane Arnold Energy Center (DAEC). The problem relates to the setpoint, function, and installation of the differential pressure (dp) instrument which monitors for a CS pipe break that is located in the annulus area of the reactor vessel (i.e., located outside the core shroud but inside the reactor vessel).
The installed instrument, range of 0 - 24 psid, was found deflecting downscale (i.e., reading negatice psid) during operation.
The licensee's investigation of the downscale deflection revealed that the original piping arrangement and calibration did not adequately take into account the effect of density changes of the water in the pressure leg connection The original installation had the high pressure side of the dp instrument (see attached Figure 1) connected to the reference leg in the vessel (Figure 1 Connection X) and the low pressure side to the core spray piping outsi!e the vessel but inside the drywell (Figure 1 Connection Y).
With the piping intact, this arrangement senses the pressure difference between bottom and top of core. With a break in CS piping in the annulus area the instrument then senses the additional pressure drop across the separators (dp q 7 psi additional) and dryers (dp % -inches water).
This installation was in accordance with GE desigr 7
requirements.
Also in accordance with GE instructions the calibraticn of the dp instrument was performed with the reactor in the cold condition and the alarm was set to trip at 5 psid increasing.
Because of this cold calibration the dp instrument then indicated full downscale negative during operation.
This negative dp was due to the heat up of the reference leg (Figure 1 Connection X) which caused the flui density to decrease as the plant reached hot conditions.
The magnitude of this c was determined to be about 3.5 psid following completion of the modification discussed below.
DUPLICATE DOCUMENT Entire document previously entered into system under:
ANO or9 abs:
W 15i9 03i No.