ML19305C049
| ML19305C049 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Westinghouse |
| Issue date: | 03/14/1980 |
| From: | James O'Reilly NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION II) |
| To: | Damore M WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC COMPANY, DIV OF CBS CORP. |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8003250523 | |
| Download: ML19305C049 (1) | |
Text
1
'o UNITED STATES 8
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION o
g a
REGION 11 o
101 MARIETTA ST., N.W., SulTE 3100 g
ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303 MAR 1419E0 In Reply Refer To:
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Westinghouse Electric Corporation Attn:
M. D'Amore, Manager Columbia Plant Nuclear Fuel Division Drawer R Colunbia, SC 29205 Gentlemen:
This Information Notice is provided as an early notification of a possibly significant matter.
It is expected nat recipients will review the infor-mation for possible appld.e tbild;.y to their facilities. No specific action or response is requested at chis time.
If further NRC evaluations so indi-cate, 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, James P. O'Re Director
Enclosures:
1.
IE Information Notice No. 80-11 2.
List of IE Information Notices Recently Issued 6
gooseso 523
A SSINS No. 6870 Accession No.:
UNITED STATES 7912190684 NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT WASHINGTON, D.C.
20555 March 14, 1980 IE Information Notice No. 80-11 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 potential significant deficiency regarding the effects of oil on elastomeric materials used in ASCO NP-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 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 utilizing 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 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 should be taken to use approved thread lubricants which do no. :ontain oil for the installation of these valves.
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IE Information Notice No. 80-11 March 14, 1980 Page 2 of 2 i
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-J mended that ethylene propylene elastomers found in Class IE qualified ASCO hT-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.
This Information Notice provided information about a potential safety concern.
No written response is required.
If you desire additional information 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 r
DUPLICATE DOCUMENT Entire document previously entered into system under:
hhh ANO No. of ages:
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