ML19275A320
| ML19275A320 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Midland |
| Issue date: | 09/27/1979 |
| From: | James Keppler NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III) |
| To: | Howell S CONSUMERS ENERGY CO. (FORMERLY CONSUMERS POWER CO.) |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7910040043 | |
| Download: ML19275A320 (1) | |
Text
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'o UNITED STATES
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y NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION g
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REGION Ill b[
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GLEN ELLYN. ILLINOIS 60137 SEP 2 71979 Docket No. 50-329 Docket No. 50-330 Consumers Power Company ATTN:
Mr. Stephen H. Howell Vice President 1945 West Parnall Road Jackson, MI 49201 Gentlemen:
The enclosed IE Bulletin No. 79-24 is forwarded to you for information.
If you desire additional information regarding this matter, please contact this office.
Sincerely, 8[ames; b )/n A _
CL -
G.Kep%1'er Director
Enclosure:
IE Bulletin No. 79-24 cc w/ encl:
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 1i01 302 3910040 0 6 Q
Accession No. 7908220114 SSINS No:
6820 UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT WASHINGTON, D.C.
20555 September 27, 1979 IE Bulletin No. 79-24 FR0 ZEN LINES Summary:
On January 3, 1979, an unusual event occurred at Davis-Besse, Unit 1.
Tb event involved the freezing of the water in a portion of the high pressure coolant injection (HPCI) system recirculation line that is common to both high pressure coolant injection pumps.
The line was not thawed until January 5, 1979, and the event was not reported to NRC until March 12, 1979.
In addition, over the past five years, there have been several events involving frozen instrument and sc. p.ing lines.
Description of Circumstances:
The condition was discovered on January 3,1979, while the reactor was operating at approximately 96 percent power.
During a monthly surveillance test of the HPCI pumps, there was no flow through the recirculation line from the pump discharge to the Borated Water Storage Tank (BWST).
Investigation revealed that water in a portion of the line exposed to the outside weather was frozen.
This portion of the line to the BWST is common to both HPCI pumps.
The line has redundant heat tracing (a heated wire to prevent freezing); it is insulated; and it has a low-temperature alarm system to warn of freezing conditions.
Water in the line froze apparently because of prolonged s"b-freezing temperatures and a defect in the insulation.
There was no apparent malfunction of the heat tracing or temperature alarm circuits, although the temperature sensing elements are located in an area not exposed to the coldest temperature conditions.
This recirculation line serves two purposes:
One is to provide a flow path for surveillance testing, and the other is to provide a minimum flow path to prevent possible damage to the pump in the event it is operated against a closed discharge valve or a reactor coolant system pressure greater than the maximum discharge pressure of the pump (approximately 1600 psig).
In the initial review of the event on January 3,1979, the licensee concluded that the pumps were still operable with the recirculation line frozen.
Therefore, no immediate action was taken to thaw the frozen section of the line.
On January 5,1979, the line was thaued and the surveillance test of the pumps was successfully completed.
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