ML19312D714
| ML19312D714 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Waltz Mill |
| Issue date: | 03/14/1980 |
| From: | Grier B NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | Hardigg G WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC COMPANY, DIV OF CBS CORP. |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8003250233 | |
| Download: ML19312D714 (1) | |
Text
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UNITED STATES 8
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION o
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REGION I
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631 PARK AVENUE 4
KING OF PRUSSIA, PENNSYLVANIA 19400 Docket flo. 50-22 March 14, 1980 Westinghouse Electric Corporation ATTN:. Mr. G. W. Hardigg, Vice President and General Manager Advanced Power Systems Division P. O. Box 355 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15230 Gentlemen:
The enclosed IE Information Notice No. 80-11, " Generic Problems with ASCO Valves in Nuclear Applications Including Fire Protection Systems," is provided as an early notification of a possibly significant matter.
It is expected that recipients will review the information for possible applicability to their facilities, flo specific action or written 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 this office.
Sincerely, h
Boyce H. Grier
" Director Enclosures 1.
IE Information Notice flo. 80-11 with Attachments 2.
List of Recently Issued IE Information Notices t
CONTACT:
S. D. Ebneter (215-337-5283) cc w/encis:
R. H. Fillnow, General Manager, Advanced Reactors Division R. P. DiPiazza, NES License Administrator 8003250 233 q
1 l
ENCLOSURE'l l
SSINS No. 6870 l
Accession No.:
l UNITED STATES 7912190684 l
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT WASHINGTON, D.C.
20555 IE Information Notice No. 80-11 Date:
March 14, 1980 l
Page 1 of 2 l
l 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 protectic' 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 salenoid valves for use in " oil free instrument air" systems.
Although instrument air systems are " oil free" by design, installatia instruc-tions may specify the use of thread lubricants utilizing an oil base.
- Thus, the potential exists for traces of this lubricant from threaded connections 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 this valve is equipped with ethyle by oils and greases.
To be used f DUPLICATE DOCUMENT pipe threads of cutting oils." Ca lubricants which do not contain of Entire document previously entered into system under:
ANO No. of pages:
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