ML19312D788
| ML19312D788 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Millstone  |
| Issue date: | 03/14/1980 |
| From: | Grier B NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | Counsil W NORTHEAST NUCLEAR ENERGY CO. |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8003250334 | |
| Download: ML19312D788 (1) | |
Text
._
en nee Th l
-e UNITED STATES
)
[
g NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 3
REGION I og 631 PARK AVENUE g
KING OF PRUSSIA, PENNSYLVANIA 1M06 March 14, 1980 Docket Nos. 50-245 50-336 50-423 Northeast Nuclear Energy Company ATTN:
Mr. W. G. Counsil Vice President - Nuclear Engineering and Operations P. O. Box 270 Hartford, Connecticut 06101 l
l l
Gentlemen:
The enclosed IE Information Notics 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 racipients 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, f
/N n 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 cc w/ encl $.215-337-5283)
J. F. Opeka, Station Superintendent O. G. Diedrick, Manager of Quality Assurance J. R. Himmelwright, Licensing Safeguards Engineer K. W. Gray, Construction Quality Assurance Lead H. R. Nims, Director of Nuclear Projects
/
0003250 3.Sp
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 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 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 shculd 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 i
valve failure.
For this reason, ASCO specifies these NP-1 solenoid valves for j
ese 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 oaths, or rupturing causing leakage across the seat or to atmosphere.
Fail 1 of the solenoid to function properly on an active valve could prevent a sys.em from performing its required safety function.
Some ASCO NP-1 solenoid valves ar this valve is equipped with ethyl pupLICATE DOCUMENT by oils and greases.
To be used pipe threads of cutting oils." C Entire document Previously lubricants which do not contain 01 entered into s stem unde ANO
'l No. of pages: __
--