ML19327A611

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Forwards IE Bulletin 80-17, Failure of 76 of 185 Control Rods to Fully Insert During Scram at Bwr. Written Response Required
ML19327A611
Person / Time
Site: Big Rock Point File:Consumers Energy icon.png
Issue date: 07/03/1980
From: James Keppler
NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III)
To: Dewitt R
CONSUMERS ENERGY CO. (FORMERLY CONSUMERS POWER CO.)
References
NUDOCS 8008060471
Download: ML19327A611 (1)


Text

'o UNITED STATES

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g NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION 3

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OLEN ELLYN. ILLINOIS 60137

%*...+o Docket No. 50-155 Consumers Power Company ATTN:

Mr. R. B. DeWitt Vice President Nuclear Operations 212 West Michigan Avenue Jackson, MI 49201 Gentlemen:

The enclosed IE Bulletin No. 80-17, is forwarded for action.

Prepare to perform the scram tests contained in the bulletin; however, the 20-day time clock for completing will begin upon notification by telephone from the IE Regional Office. The testing shall be performed as directed un-less shutdown would severely impact the power reliability in your area as shown by appropriate and timely documentation to the Director of the Office of Inspection and Enforcement.

A written response to the bulletin is required.

If you desire additional information regarding this matter, please contact this office.

Sincerely,

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JamesG.Keppfe[

Director

Enclosure:

IE Bulletin No. 80-17 cc w/ enc 1:

Mr. D. P. Hoffman, Nuclear PDR Licensing Administrator Local PDR Mr. C. J. Hartman, NSIC Plant Superintendent TIC Central Files Ronald Callen, Michigan Public Director, NRR/DPM Service Commission Director, NRR/ DOR 1

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8005050076 UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT JULY 3, 1980 IE BULLETIN NO. 80-17 FAILURE OF 76 0F 185 CONTROL RODS TO FULLY INSERT DURING A SCRAM AT A BWR Description of Circumstances:

On June 28, 1980, 76 of the 185 control rods failed to fully insert during a routine shutdown at TVA's Browns Ferry Unit No. 3 located at Athens, Alabama. The reactor was manually scrammed from about 30 percent power in accordance with routine shutdown procedures.

The shutdown was initiated to repair the feedwater system.

The 76 control rods that failed to fully insert were all on the east side of the core.

Following scram' discharge volume (SDV) high level bypass and a short drain period of the SDV, a second manual scram was initiated and all partially inserted rods were observed to drive inward, but 59 remained partially withdrawn.

A third manual scram was made, again following high level in the SDV and bypassing for another short drain of the SDV, with the result that 47 rods remained partially withdrawn.

Following a longer drain of the SDV, an automatic scram occurred that was initiated by a scram discharge volume tank high water level signal when the scram reset switch was placed in " Normal"; with this scram all remaining rods fully inserted. The total time elapse from the initial scram to the time that all rods were inserted was approximately 15 minutes.

Core coolant flow, temperature and pressure remained normal for plant conditions.

The unit is now shutdown and additional testing indicates that a possible cause of the malfunction was the retention of a significant amount of water in the east bank scram discharge volume.

In view of these interim findings and pending results of continued investigation, the following actions are to be taken.

Actions To Be Taken By Licensees:

All General Electric Boiling Water Reactors with operating licenses which are operating at any power on the date of this Bulletin shall perform the following steps in the time stated.

Those that are presently shutdnwn chall

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