ML19284A618
| ML19284A618 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Browns Ferry  |
| Issue date: | 01/26/1979 |
| From: | Gilleland J TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY |
| To: | James O'Reilly NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION II) |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 7903150114 | |
| Download: ML19284A618 (1) | |
Text
M TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY O
CH ATTAf400G A. T ErmE%EE WOI h/^
500C Chestnut Street Tower II J/4 2 1379
<t Mr. James P. O'Reilly, Director Office of Inspection and Enforcement U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region II - Suite 3100 101 Marietta Street Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Dear Mr. O'Reilly:
BROWNS FERRY NUCLEAR PLANT - IE CIRCULAR 77-12 DATED SEPTEMBER 19, 1977, ENTITLED " DROPPED FUEL ASSEMBLIES AT BWR FACILITIES" A recent occurrence during unit 1 fuel-handling operations at Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant may be of interect to you. While this event did not result in a dropped assembly, the fuel-handling grapple did become unlatched from a fuel assembly. Subsequently, the assembly channel and fuel rods were inspected.
Some minor scratching and a small indentation on the channel were observed. The assembly was rechenneled and placed back into the core. The circumstances surrounding the event are as follows.
After the fuel assembly was lowered approximately two feet into cell 49-20, it was discovered the assembly was not positioned properly.
In the attempt to return the assembly to a vertical position, a slack cable occurred and the grapple became unlatched. The frame-mounted hoist was used to latch onto the assembly and lower it into position.
The grapple was subsequently inspected and tests were conducted using the dummy fuel assembly to deter-mine if the unlatching could be reproduced.
No malfunctions of the grapple or interlocks were evident, nor could the grapple be unlatched in any test configuration.
Cell 49-20 was inspected as well as the exposed portion of the control rod blade to determine if any damage was evident on exposed components. None were found. Following the inspection and tests, fuel handling was resumed.
At the time this event occurred, there was a change of operators on the bridge; and it is possible miscommunication occurred that indirectly contributed to the unlatching. We have issued instructions to the fuel-handling crews that under normal conditions, they should not relieve at any time a fuel assembly is suspended on the grapple.
We will be pleased to provide further information should you request it.
Very truly yours, o
it j
G L. E. Gilleland Assistant Manager of Power 790315 0 //V 796dj$
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