ML19312D724
| ML19312D724 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | MIT Nuclear Research Reactor |
| Issue date: | 03/14/1980 |
| From: | Grier B NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | Lisa Clark MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, CAMBRIDGE |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8003250248 | |
| Download: ML19312D724 (1) | |
Text
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UNITED STATES t/
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION o
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REGION I Os 631 PARK AVENUE
,8 KING OF PRUSSIA, PENNSYLVANIA 19408 Docket No. 50-20 March 14, 1980 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Research Reactor ATTN: Mr. Lincoln Clark, Jr.
Director of Reactor Operations 138 Albany Street Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 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.
No 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,
- /
~
Boyce H. Grier
" Director
Enclosures:
1.
IE Information Notice No. 80-11 with Attachments 2.
List of Recently Issued IE Information Notices CONTACT:
S. D. Ebneter (215-337-5283) cc w/encls:
Dr. O. K. Harling, Director of the Reactor Laboratory t
s l
ENCLOSURE 1 SSINS No. 6870 Accession No.:
UNITED STATES 7912190684 NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT WASHINGTON, D.C.
20555 IE Information Notice No. 80-11 l
Date:
March 14, 1980 Page 1 of 2 GENERIC PROBLEMS WITH ASCO VALVES IN NUCLEAR APPLICATIONS INCLUDING FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS Description of Circumstances: is a Recall Notice from The Viking Corpo_ ration, dated July 16, 1979 that identifies ASCO valves used in ::ertain 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 l
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 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 fur, ion properly on an active valve could prevent a system from performing its r,cuired safety function.
Some ASCO NP-1 solenoid valves are this valve is equipped with ethyle by oils and greaces.
To be used ft DUPLICATE DOCUMENT pipe threads of cutting oils.,
Cai lubricants which do not contain oi' Entire document previously entered into system under:
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