ML19305B964
| ML19305B964 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Arkansas Nuclear  |
| Issue date: | 03/14/1980 |
| From: | Seyfrit K NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV) |
| To: | Cavanaugh W ARKANSAS POWER & LIGHT CO. |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8003250405 | |
| Download: ML19305B964 (1) | |
Text
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CENTRAL FILES POR:HQ pa"8%,,%,
UNITED STATES LPOR NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION gp REGloN IV
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611 RYAN PLAZA DRIVE, SUITE 1000 MSIC
,f ARLINGTON, TEXAS 76012 Sl States t,'...../
Macch 14, 1980 Docket Nos.
50-313 50-368 Arkansas Power and Light Company ATIN: Mr. William Cavanaugh III Vice President of Generation and Construction P. O.' Box 551 Little Rock, Arkansas 72203 Gentlemen:
This IE Information Notice is provided as an early notification of a possibly significant matter.
It is expecced 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, Bulletin, or Generic Letter will be issued to recommend or request specific licensee actions.
If you have questions regarding the matter, please contact the Director of the appropriate NRC Regional Office.
Sincerely, I
I Q,
f
.Karl V. Seyfrit Director
Enclosures:
1.
IE Information Notice No. 80-11 2.
List of IE Information Notices Recently Issued cc: James P. O'Hanlon, Plant Manager Arkansas Nuclear One P. O. Box 608 Russellville, Arkansas 72801 8003250 s-f 06
SSINS No. 6870 Accession No.:
UNITED STATES 7912190684 NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT WASHINGTON, D.C.
20555 4
IE Information Notice No. 80-11 Date: March 14, 1980 Page 1 of 2 i
GENERIC PROBLEMS WITH ASCO VALVES IN NUCLEAR APPLICATIONS INCLUDING FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS Description of Circumstances: is a Recall Notice from The Viking Corporation, dated July 16, 1979 that identifies ASCO valves used in certain Viking fire protection equipment that could fail.
Licensees should review their fire protection system components to determine if the equipment identified in the Viking Recall Notice is in their facility.
If the identified equipment is installed in the fire protection system, then the modifications specified in the Recall Notice should be made and tested for proper operation. The requirements of the technical specifications or any other licensee commitment should be complied with when a fire protection system is disabled.
South Carolina Electric and Gas Company (Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Station) reported to the NRC on October 24, 1979, a potentially significant deficiency regarding the effects of oil on elastomeric materials used in ASCO lip-1 solenoid valves.
Specifically, these valves utilize an ethylene propylene elastomer which expands or swells when brought into contact with oils, possibly causing valve failure. For this reason, ASCO specifies these NP-1 i
solenoid valves for use in " oil free instrument air" systems.
Although instrument air systems are " oil free" by design, installation instructions may specify the use of thread lubricants u*.ilizing an oil base.
Thus, the potential exists for traces of this lubricant from threaded connec-tions in the air system, in addition to traces of oil from the air compressors themselves, to come into contact with the elastomers in the solenoid valves.
Degraded elastomers can cause the solenoid valve to fail by sticking, swelling l
closed flow paths, or rupturing causing leakage across the seat or to atmosphere.
Failure of the solenoid to function properly on an active valve could prevent a system from performing its required safety function.
Some ASCO NP-1 solenoid valves are equipped with tags which state:
"Important -
this valve is equipped with ethylene propylene elastomers which can be attacked by oils and greases. To be used for oil-free instrument quality air.
Clean pipe threads of cutting oils." Care shculd be taken to use approved thread lubricants 6hich do not contain oil for the installation of these valves.
IE Information Notice No. 80-11 March 14, 1980 Page 2 of 2 l
ASCO offers viton elastomers as an option for their NP-1 solenoid valves. The viton elastomers are not affected by oil or grease.
Replacement kits of viton elastomers are available for the NP-1 solenoid valves from ASCO.
It is recom-i mended that ethylene propylene elastomers found in Class IE qualified ASCO NP-1 solenoid valves be replaced with the viton kits.
In addition, enclosed is a letter from EG&G (Enclosure 2) dated December 26,
)
1979 that provides the results of an LER review of failure of solenoid valves.
1 This Information Notice provided information about a potential safety concern.
No written response is required.
If you desire additional informatic't regarding this matter, contact the Director of the appropriate Regional Office.
Enclosure:
1.
Viking Corporation Recall Notice 2.
EG&G Letter, Dearien to Tiller dated December 26, 1979 l
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