ML19327B947
| ML19327B947 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Comanche Peak  |
| Issue date: | 10/30/1989 |
| From: | William Cahill TEXAS UTILITIES ELECTRIC CO. (TU ELECTRIC) |
| To: | NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM) |
| References | |
| CP-86-75, IEIN-80-11, TXX-89747, NUDOCS 8911140248 | |
| Download: ML19327B947 (3) | |
Text
h n
I, Log # TXX 89747 L
J File # 10110 C
C 909.4
~
~
Ref. # 10CFR50.55(e) 1UELECTRIC October 30, 1989 Watum J. CaME. Ae.
I.mn.s m rmuerm l-U. S. huclear Regulatory Commission Attn: Document Control Desk Washington, D. C.
20555
$UBJECT: COMANCHE PEAK STEAM ELECTRIC STATION (CPSES)
DOCKET NOS. 50 445 AND 50 446 o
ASCO SOLEN 0ID VALVES IN P!STON AIR ACTUATORS SDAR: CP 86 75 (SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT) l:
Gentlemen:
On September 4, 1986, TV Electric verbally notified the NRC of a deficiency involving ASCO solenoid valves in piston air actuato s of PAPC0 dampers.
Specifically, grease and oils used to reduce friction in the piston air actuators of PAPC0 dampers could degrade ethylene propylene inner materials of j
ASCO. solenoid valves. The last report on this issue was logged l
TXX 6287 dated February 19, 1987 and indicated the deficiency was not l
reportable under the provisions of 10CFR50.55(e).
Based on additional reviews I
j.
it has been concluded that this item meets the criteria for reportability
[
p pursuant to 10CFR50.55(e). The required information follows.
j L
Description I
I Inspection and Enforcement Notice (IEN) 80-11
" Generic Problems with ASCO Valves in Nuclear Applications including Fire Protection Systems" provided information discussing the potential for degradation of ethylene propylene
{
elastomers. utilized in certain ASCO solenoid valves (50V). The degradation I
was caused by exposure to petroleum based compressor. lubricants in instrument I
air systems or from thread cutting lubricahts utilized on instrument air l
piping during construction. This notice was reviewed and determined not to be i
applicable to CPSES.
I Subsequer,t to IEN 80 11. TU Electric became aware of another mechanism fer l.
potential degradation of ethylene propylene materials due to contamination
[
l from petroleum based lubricants used in the piston actuators of air operated dampers.
During repositioning of the damper (usually in the closed r
direction), air frr>m the actuator is exhausted through the solenoid.
If this l
exhaust air is contaminated with an oil mist, the SOY ethylene propylene gM250 BNP S
P. O. Box 1002 Glen Rose.lesas 76001002 s
i I
)
i i
=
I k
r TXX 89747 October 30, 1989 Page 2 of 3 materials can degrade.
Nonconformance reports generated at CPSES documented f ailures from this mechanism, and design changes were implemented to replace ethylene propylene materials with Viton materials in ASCO solenoids used to actuate PAPC0 dampers.
Viton materials are not degraded by petroleum based i
lubricant,, However, due to the sensitivity of Viton to radiation exposure,
)
ethylene propylene materials were retained in certain applications.
These
]
design changes are discussed in TXX 6287.
The recent review has focused on the present design of safety related systems i
and on the potential applicability to other piston operated dampers with solenoid valves having ethylene propylene materials where the piston actuators j
were lubricated with a petroleum based lubricant.
Components potentially i
affected in addition to PAPCO dampers include PULLMAN and POSI-SEAL dampers as i
well as the feedwater split flow bypass valves, i
Safety Sionifican,qt j
Based on the current design of safety related systems affected by this deficiency, failures of ASCO solenoids due to petroleum based lubricants coula have been adverse to the safety of plant operations and is considered a significant deficiency in design.
As a result, this deficiency has been deemed reportable pursuant to 10CFR50.SS(e).
Corrective Action i
l The design changes discussed in TXX 6287 are being reexamined and if necessary l
will be expanded to include additional components as described above.
In those cases where ethylene propylene materitals are currently being utilized in ASCO solenoids of air operated dampers or valves, a review of the lubrication 7
history associated with these valves will be performed to ensure contamination I
with petroleum based lubricants has not occurred.
For damper / valve actuators that were previously lubricated with petroleum based lubricants, appropriate action will be taken to ensure proper operation.
This may include substitution of Viton for ethylene propylene in additional solenoids or, in cases where ethylene propylene must be iatained, thorough cleaning and relubrication of piston actuators with silicon lubricants.
New ethylene propylene materials will be used as required.
Maintenance proceoures for piston actuators currently specify silicone based lubricants and will ensure the integrity of ethylene propylene when retained for E0 purposes.
To ensure the continued utilization of silicon lubricants where appropriate, the lubricant specification will be revised to ensure that a departure from the use of silicon lubricants is reviewed for the material compatibility concerns of this issue.
Responsibility for raaterial compatibility reviews will be defined by procedure.
l g,,.>
TXX 89747 October 30, 1989 l
Page 3 of 3 l
The hardware citanges required for Unit 1, and implementation of programmatic h
controls discussed above applicable to Unit I and Unit 2, will be complete t
prior to Unit 1 fuel load. The hardware changes required for Unit 2 will be I
complete prior to Unit 2 fuel load.
j Sincerely.
'/
\\
.f.
(
William J. Cahill, Jr.
JTB/vid c
Mr. R. D. Martin, Region IV l
Resident Inspectors, CPSES (3) l i-l-
l I
l l
l E
-