ML19269C669
| ML19269C669 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Big Rock Point, Palisades File:Consumers Energy icon.png |
| Issue date: | 02/02/1979 |
| From: | James Keppler NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III) |
| To: | Dewitt R CONSUMERS ENERGY CO. (FORMERLY CONSUMERS POWER CO.) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML19269C670 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7902120052 | |
| Download: ML19269C669 (1) | |
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UNITED STATES
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R EGIO*J lli g4., j coe ~ e etvu..tt,~ois coia 7 fB 0 219N Docket No. 50-155 Docket No. 50-255 Consumers Power Company ATTN:
Mr. R. B. DeWitt Manager of Nuclear Plant Operations 212 West Michigan Avenue Jackson, MI 49201 Gentlemen:
This Information Notice 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 response is requested at this time.
If further NRC evaluations so indicate, an IE Circular or Bulletin will be issued to recommend or 7 quest rpecific licensee actions.
If you have questions regarding thia matter, please contact the Director of the approprlate NRC Regional Office.
Sincerely, p gu be-James G. Keffpfer Director
Enclosures:
1.
IE Information Notice No. 79-01 2.
List of IE Information Notices Issued in 1979 cc w/encls:
Mr. C. J. Hartman, Local PDR Plant Superintendent fSIC Mr. J. G. Lewis, Plant TIC Superintendent Ronald Callen, Michigan Public Central Files Service Commission Director, NRR/DPM Anthony Roisman, Esq.,
Director, NRR/ DOR Attorney PDR Myron M. Cherry, Chicago 7902120052-0
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U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT REGION III February 2, 1979 IE Information Notice No. 79-01 BERGEN-PATERSON HYDRAULIC SHOCK AND SWAY ARRESTORS (HSSA)
On December 4, 1978, Rancho Seco Nuclear Generating Station reported the failure of seven Bergen-Paterson HSSA (Snubber) units to lockup in the compression direction and the failure of one additional unit to lockup in the extension direction. These failures were identified during surveillance testing and the affected models included HSSA-3-6, HSSA-10-6 and HSSA-20-6. When the units were disassembled, the licensee observed damage to the poppet valve and seat on the compression side of the valve blocks of the seven units that failed in the compression direction.
It was also observed that five of the seven units had the The licensee poppet spring entrapped between the poppet and the seat.
attributed the seven failures in the compression direction to abusive handling during compression of the units for installation following testing at the previcas refueling outage. The cause of the single failure in the extension direction has not been determined. In addition to exercising greatsr care in reinstallation, the licensee committed to functionally test all Bergen-Paterson snubbert subjected ra transient conditions which cause either physical damage to or significant movement of piping. This testing will include verification of piston movement, lockup snd bleed. The Bergen-Paterson Technical Maintenance Manual recommends that additional inspections should be made on units which may have partic pated in an unusual shock occurrence involving known dacage to.' piping or equipment.
On January 3, 1979, the licensee reported that the decay heat removal system had been subjected to a transient condition in the form of a
" water hammer." This transient, caused pipe movement great enough to damage two rigid pipe support wall attachments. The subsequent functional testing of the affected Bergen-Paterson units revealed that one of seven units failed the lockup test. This unit (Model No. HSSA-3-6) was disassembled and damage to the poppet valve and seat was observed.
The damage to the poppet valves is presently being reviewed by both the licensee and Bergen-Paterson. At this time, the cause of damage has not been completely defined nor has appropriate corrective action been determined. Other licensees have reported instances of poppet valve damage; however, the cause and extent of damage are not known at this time.
v February 2, 1979 IE Information Notice No. 79-01 This information is provided as an early notification of a possibly It is expected that recipients will review the significant matter.
No specific information for possible applicability to their facilities.
If further NRC evaluations action or response is requested at this time.
so indicate, an IE Circular or Bulletin will be issued to reco= mend or If you have questions regarding request specific licensee actions.
this matter, please contact the Director of the appropriate NRC Regional Office.
Page 2 of 2
IE Information Notice No. 79-01 February 2, 1979 LISTING OF IE INFORMATION NOTICES ISSUED IN 1979 Information Subject Date Issued To Issued Notice No.
An Information Notice is a new method of communicating items of potential interest to licensees. This item, Information Notice No. 79-01, is the first of this new form of communication.
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