ML19312D638
| ML19312D638 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Callaway  |
| Issue date: | 03/14/1980 |
| From: | James Keppler NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III) |
| To: | Bryan J UNION ELECTRIC CO. |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8003250122 | |
| Download: ML19312D638 (1) | |
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UNITED STATES 8'A 3 qf' u NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION n
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g, *...f cLEN E LLYN, ILUNOIS 60137 Docket No. 50-483 Docket No. 50-486 Union Electric Company ATTN:
Mr. John K. Bryan Vice President - Nuclear P. O. Box 149 S@. Louis, MO 63166 Gentlemen:
This Information Notice is provided as an early notification of a possibly significant matter.
It is expected that recipients will review the infor-mation for possible applicability to their facilities.
No specific action or response is requested at this time.
If further NRC evaluations so in-dicate, an IE Circular, Bulletin, or Generic Letter will be issued to reccmmend or request specific licensee actions.
If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact the Director of the appropriate NRC Regional Office.
Sincerely, L f-- 4_
dames ~G.K'ep$fer Director
Enclosure:
IE Information Notice No. 80-11 cc w/ enc 1:
Mr. W. H. Weber, Manager, Nuclear Construction Central Files Director, NRR/DPM Director, NRR/ DOR PDR Local PDR NSIC TIC Region I & IV Ms. K. Drey Mr. Ronald Fluegge, Utility Division, Missouri Public Service Commission s o " 3 2 5 0 7 2. 2-
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 l
PROTECTION SYSTEMS l
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.
i 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 l
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 swclls 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 afr" 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 vnives.
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.
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Some ASCO NP-1 solenoid valves are equipped with tags which state:
"Important -
this valve is equipped with ethylen by oils and greases. To be used fo pipe threads of' cutting oils." Care lubricants which do not contain oil
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