ML19290E595
| ML19290E595 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Point Beach  |
| Issue date: | 02/06/1980 |
| From: | James Keppler NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III) |
| To: | Burstein S WISCONSIN ELECTRIC POWER CO. |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8003140255 | |
| Download: ML19290E595 (1) | |
Text
'o UNITED STATES l,#
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION N
REGION 111 o,
4
[
799 ROOSEVELT ROAD
% * \\,/
GLEN ELLYN. ILLINOIS 60137 o
)
Docket No. 50-266 Docket No. 50-301 Wisconsin Electric Power Company ATTN:
Mr. Sol Burstein Executive Vice President Power Plants 231 West Michigan Milwaukee, WI 53201 Gentlemen:
Enclosed is IE Bulletin No. 80-03, which requires action by you with regard to your reactor facilities with an operating license or a construction permit.
Should you have questions regarding this Bulletin or the actions required of you, please contact this office.
Sincerely,
,,u _,% Q'-
- James G. KeppIer Director
Enclosure:
IE Bulletin No. 80-03 cc w/ encl:
Mr. G. A. Reed, Plant Manager Central Files Director, NRR/DPM Director, NRR/ DOR C. M. Trammell, ORB /NRR PDR Local PDR NSIC TIC Sandra A. Bast, Lakeshore Citizens for Safe Energy Mr. John J. Duffy, Chief Boiler Inspector, Department of Industry, Labor and Human Relations BO LS 14 0 Z.f[
.t SSINS No.:
6820 UNITED STATES Accessions No.:
a NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 7912190669 0FFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT WASHINGTON, D.C.
20555 D
'#d}
'^
February 6, 1980 s
IE Bulletin No. 80-03 LOSS OF CllARCOAL FROM STANDARD TYPE II, 2 INCH, TRAY ADSORBER CELLS Description of Circumstances:
During preliminary leak tests of charcoal adsorber cells in certain ventilation systems at Sequoyah Nuclear Plant, it was determined that on certain adsorber cells the spacing between rivets securing the perforated screen to the casing was too great to ensure adequate ccntact between the casing and the screen, thus allowing charcoal to escape.
The problem was discovered when a visual inspection detected loose charcoal on the floor of the filter housings and on the outside horizontal surfaces of the adsorber cells. Loss of charcoal was also indicated by observation of light penetrating through the cells. Additional inspection revealed that the rivets securing the perforated screens to the cell casing were approximately six inches apart and the screen appeared to be sagging away from the casing between rivets.
The particular adsorber cells being tested at Sequoyah Nuclear Plant were Flanders Type Il pre-1974 fabrication.
There is a possibility that design of adsorber cells with wide spacing between screen rivets may pass initial freon leak tests but degrade significantly during operation thus reducing the margin of safety during postulatec accidents.
The responses from this Bulletin will be used by the NRC to evaluate need for more frequent inspection / testing.
For all power reactor facilities with an Operating License:
1.
Determine if charcoal adsorber cells in use, or proposed for use, have the potential for a loss of charcoal incidental to handling, storage or use (as appropriate).
Particular attention shou 12 be directed to examina-tion of a) rivet spacing resulting in separation of screen and cell housing and b) adsorber cell or filter housing de'ormation causing loss of charcoal and/or channeling.
Either of these items could result in a degraded filtration system incapabic of performing its intended function.
The preferred method of this determination is a visual inspection of the filter housing and adsorber cells as described in Section 5 of ANSI N510-1975. If this method is not feasible, state in the report required by Paragraph 4 how the determination was made.
2.
For ESF filtration systems, any identified defective cells shall be replaced and the operability of the system (af ter cell replacement)
1 IE Bulletin No. 80-03 February 6, 1980 Page 2 of 2
\\
demonstrated by leak testing within 7 days.
Preferred method of leak testing is as described in Regulatory Guide 1.52 and Section 12 of ANSI N510-1975.
3.
For normal ventilation exhaust filtration systems which employ charcoal adsorber cells and for which radioactive removal efficiency has been assumed in determining compliance with the "as low as reasonably achievable" design criteria of 10 CFR 50, Appendix I, any identified defective cells shall be replaced as soon as possible but at least within 30 days.
After replacement, the system should be demonstrated operable by leak testing within an additional 30 days. Preferred method of testing is as described in Regulatory Guide 1.140 and Section 12 of ANS1 N510-1975.
4.
Report in writing within 45 days of the date of this Bulletin the results of the determination required by Paragraph 1.
The report shall include the type of cells employed (manufacturer and cell design), system containing the cells, observed cell condition (degradation / sagging) and a discussion of visual inspection procedure and results.
For all Power Reactor Facilities with a Construction Permit:
1.
Visual inspection shall be conducted only if the charcoal adsorber cells have been purchased and shipment received. A representative number (approximately 5) of each type of cell design /manuf acturer shall be visually inspected for such deficiencies as rivet spacing and screen / casing separation which could lead to loss of charcoal incidental to handling, storage, er use.
2.
Report in writing within 45 days of the date of this Bulletin the results of the inspection required by Paragraph 1.
The report shall include the type of cells (manufacturer and cell design), observed cell condition (degradation / sagging) and a discussion of the inspection procedure and results.
Reports shall be sent to the Director of the appropriate NRC Regional Office listed in Appendix D of 10 CFR 20 with a copy of the Director, Division of Fuel Facility and >bterials Safety Inspection, Office of Inspection and Enforcement, US ;RC, Washington, D.C.
20555.
Approved by GAO, B180225(R0072); clearance expires, 7/31/80. Approval was given under a blanket clearance specifically for identified generic problems.
Enclosure:
List of Recently Isuued IE Bulletins
IE Bulletin No. 80-03 Enclosure February 6, 1980 2ECENTLY ISSUED IE BULLETINS Bulletin Subject Date Issued Issued To No.
80-02 Inadequate Quality 1/21/80 All BWR licenses with Assurance for Nuclear a CP or OL 80-01 Operability of ADS Valve 1/11/80 All BWR power reactor Pneumatic Supply facilities with an OL 79-01B Environmental Qualification 1/14/80 All power reaccor of Class IE Equipment facilities with an OL 79-28 Possible Malfunction of 12/7/79 All power reactor Namco Model EA 180 Limit facilities with an Switches at Elevated OL or a CP Temperatures 79-27 Loss Of Non-Class-1-E 11/30/79 All power reactc r Instrumentation and facilities holding Control Power System Bus OLs and to those During Operation nearing licensing 79-26 Baron Loss From BWR 11/20/79 All BWR power reactor Control Blades facilities with an OL 79-25 Failures of Westinghouse 11/2/79 All power reactor BFD Relays In Safety-Related facilities with an Systems OL or CP 79-17 Pipe Cracks In Stagnant 10/29/79 All PWR's with an (Rev. 1)
Borated Water System At OL and for information PWR Plants to other power reactors 79-24 Frozen Lines 9/27/79 All pcwer reactor facilities which have either OLs or cps and are in the late stage of construction 79-23 Potential Failure of 9/12/79 All Power Reactor Emergency Diesel Facilities with an Generator Field Operating License or Exciter Transformer a construction permit