ML19309E065
| ML19309E065 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Hatch, Vogtle  |
| Issue date: | 04/03/1980 |
| From: | James O'Reilly NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION II) |
| To: | John Miller GEORGIA POWER CO. |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8004180303 | |
| Download: ML19309E065 (2) | |
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UNITED STATES
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101 MARIETTA ST., N.W., SUITE 3100 S
ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303 APR 3 1980 In Reply Refer To:
RII:JPO 50-32L 50-366 QM24, 50-455)
Georgia Power Company Attn:
J. H. Miller, Jr.
Executive Vice President 270 Peachtree Street, N.W.
Atlanta, Georgia 30303 Gentlemen:
The enclosed Circular No. 80-07 is forwarded to you for information.
No written response is required.
Should you have any questions related to your understanding of the recommendations on this matter, please contact this office.
Sincerely, James P. O el ly Director
Enclosures:
1.
IE Circular No. 80-07 2.
List of IE Circulars Recently Issued e
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APR 3 1980 Georgia Power Company,
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M. Manry, Plant Manager Post Office Box 442 Baxley, Georgia 31513 C. E. Belflower Site QA Supervisor Post Office Box 442 Baxley, Georgia 31513 K. M. Gillespie Construction Project Manager Post Office Box 282 Waynesboro, Georgia 30830 E. D. Groover QA Site Supervisor Post Office Box 282 Waynesboro, Georgia 30830 W. A. Widner, General Manager Nuclear Generation Georgia Power Company Post Office Box 4545 Atlanta, Georgia 30303 c'
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UNITED STATES 8002280657 NUCIIAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT WASHINGTON, D.C.
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April 3, 1980 IE Circular No. 80-07 PROBLEMS WITH HPCI TURBINE OIL SYSTEM Description of Circumstances:
During 1979 a number of events were experienced at BWRs in which the High Pressure Coolant Injection (HPCI) system failed to perform its function due to HPCI turbine problems. Most of the failures were found during normally required surveillance testing, although others occurred during demand condi-tions. Events which are examples of these occurrences are described below.
The turbines in these events were Terry Steam Turbines.
Failure Due to Water in the HPCI Turbine Oil System:
Georgia Power Company reported on June 4, 1979, that the Hatch Unit 2 HPCI system failed to function upon receiving an initiation signal. The turbine-driven HPCI pump failed to start because the turbine steam stop valve failed to open.
Investigation revealed water in the turbine oil system, which is a combined lubrication and hydraulic control system. Hydraulic oil pressure is supplied to the turbine control and the stop valves and also to system bearings by an auxiliary DC powered oil pump during startup and then by the shaft-driven hydraulic oil pump when the turbine reaches operating speed.
The water contamination changed the oil characteristics; as a result, sufficient hydraulic oil pressure was not developed to open the turbine stop valve.
Two sources of water inleakage into the turbine oil system were identified.
One sobrce of leakage was determined to be from a defective mechanical seal on i
the HPCI pump seal injection line. A second source of inleakage was determined to be the oil cooler. Repairs to the cooler tube sheet and mechanical seal were made. Additional corrective action included locking open the bracket cavity drain valve which had not,been included on system drawings or procedures, and the initiation of routine sampling of the turbine oil system.
Failure of Hydraulic Cylinder Seal in HPCI Turbine Stop Valve:
Nebraska Public Power District reported at the Cooper Station that on August 9, 1979, upon receipt of an auto start signal, the HPCI system did not properly start. However, a short time (14 minutes) after the initiation signal, the HPCI did start and maintained reactor vessel water level.
Investigation showed that the initial failure of the HPCI system to start was due to the failure of the HPCI turbine stop valve to open. Further investigation revealed a failure of the seal rings in the hydraulic cylinder actuator of the turbine stop valve. The seal rings were allowing oil leakage to bypass the piston of the operator and insufficient force was available to open the stop vglve3tfullpypppystpgsyrpssqre.
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IE Circular No. 80-07 April 3, 1980 Page 2 of 3 The HPCI turbine stop valve is a vertically mounted, hydraulically operated, piston type globe valve with the actuating cylinder on the bottom and an internal balance chamber on top of the globe valve piston. The balance chamber functions to provide smooth operation of the valve during its actuation. This function is provided by an internal orificed steam passage which permits a portion of the incident steam pressure to accumulate in the balance chamber.
During this event the valve actuation did not have sufficient force, due to the leaking seal rings, to overcome the initial steam pressure in the balance chamber. As the main steam pressure decreased to about 600 psig after the reactor scram, the force on the valve actuator piston became sufficient to open the stop valve thereby permitting the HPCI turbine to start and aid in restoring the water level in the reactor.
The failed piston ring seals were fabricated from resin impregnated leather.
The design and failure causes were reviewed by General Electric together with Terry turbine and component suppliers and the review resulted in recommending that the hydraulic cylinder be examined for bypass leakage and replacement of the seals upon determination of excess leakage.
It was also recommended that subsequent seal replacement be placed on a five year schedule.
Recommended action for BWR licensee's and permit holder's considerations:
All holders of operating licenses for BWR power reactor facilities having Terry turbines should be aware of the potential problems described above (it is noted that the seal problem is related to the HPCI turbine and not to the RCIC turbine which does not use a hydraulic actuated stop valve).
It is recommended that the matters identifbai above be reviewed at your facility in the following respects:
1.
Each dWR licensee should assure that the as built system is consistent with operating procedures and drawings and that their preventive maintenance program includes the means of routinely detecting water or other deterioration of the turbine oil systems. Periodically, the torbine oil should be sampled for moisture immediately following turbine operation. Procedures specifying appropriate corrective actions should be provided as necessary.
2.
Each BWR licensee should initiate an examination of the stop valve hydraulic cylinder seals for excess bypas's leakage and proceed with seal replacement on determination of excess leakage followed by the recommended 5 year schedule. Thereafter, periodic re-examinations of the seals are to be made to provide assurance that seal replacements are functioning as required.
All holders of construction permits for BWR power reactor facilities should be aware of the potential problems identified above and initiate appropriate procedures prior to initial fuel loading.
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IE Circular No. 80-07 April 3, 1980 Page 3 of 3 This Circular is being forwarded for information to all other power reactor facilities with an operating license or construction permit. No written response to this Circular is required.
If you need additional information regarding these matters, contact the Director of the appropri. ate NRC Regional Office.
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e IE Circular No. 80-07 Enclosure April 3, 1980 RECENTLY ISSUED IE CIRCULARS Circular Subject Date of Issued to No.
Issue 80-07 Problems With HPCI Turbine 4/3/80 All holders of a power Oil System reactor OL or CP 80-05 Emergency Diesel-Generator 4/1/80 All holders of a power Lubricating Oil Addition and reactor OL or CP Onsite Supply 80-04 Securing of Threaded Locking 3/14/80 All holders of a power Devices on Safety-Related reactor OL or CP Equipment 80-03 Protection from Toxic Gas 3/6/80 All holders of a Hazards power reactor OL 80-02 Nuclear Power Plant Staff 2/1/80 All holders of Reactor Work Hours OLs, including research and test reactors, and cps 80-01 Service Advice for GE 1/17/80 All licensees of Induction Dise Relays nuclear power reactor operating facilities and holders of nuclear power reactor cps 79-25 Shock Arrestor Strut 12/20/79 All licensees and Assembly Interference holders of power reactor cps 79-24 Proper Installation and 11/26/79 All Holders of a i
Calibration of Core Spray Power Reactor OL or Pipe Break Detection CP Equipment on BWRs.
79-23 Motor Starters and J..--
11/26/79 All Power Reactor and Contactors Failed Operating Facilities to Operate and Holders of Reactor cps t
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