05000271/LER-1980-021-03, /03L-0:on 800630,during Weekly Environ Air Sample Collections,Incomplete Samples Collected at Three Stations. Caused by Failed Pumps Due to Damaged Bearings.New Pumps Installed.Pump & Ventilation Mods Being Evaluated

/03L-0:on 800630,during Weekly Environ Air Sample Collections,Incomplete Samples Collected at Three Stations. Caused by Failed Pumps Due to Damaged Bearings.New Pumps Installed.Pump & Ventilation Mods Being Evaluated

ML19330B671
Person / Time
Site:	Vermont Yankee File:NorthStar Vermont Yankee icon.png
Issue date:	07/31/1980
From:	Murphy W VERMONT YANKEE NUCLEAR POWER CORP.
To:	NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I)
Shared Package
ML19330B667	List: 05000271/LER-1980-021, Forwards LER 80-021/03L-0 05000271/LER-1980-021-03, /03L-0:on 800630,during Weekly Environ Air Sample Collections,Incomplete Samples Collected at Three Stations. Caused by Failed Pumps Due to Damaged Bearings.New Pumps Installed.Pump & Ventilation Mods Being Evaluated
References
LER-80-021-03L, LER-80-21-3L, NUDOCS 8008050355
Download: ML19330B671 (2)

LER-1980-021, /03L-0:on 800630,during Weekly Environ Air Sample Collections,Incomplete Samples Collected at Three Stations. Caused by Failed Pumps Due to Damaged Bearings.New Pumps Installed.Pump & Ventilation Mods Being Evaluated

Event date:
Report date:
2711980021R03 - NRC Website

text

C LICENSEE EVENT REPORT LER 80-21/3L c

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l (PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE ALL REQUIRED INFORMATION) 1 6

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60 61 DOCKET NUVBER 68 6?

EVENT DATE 74 75 REPORT DATE 80 EVENT DESCRIPTION AND PROBABLE CONSEQUENCES h 1012l l Diaring weekly Environcental Air Samole collections nn 6-10 nnd 7-7 4e une afeenuavaa I

[Ol31lthat incomplete samples were collected at three stations.

Technical Sneciffencinna l

l0l4l l Table 3.9.1 requires that continuous air sampling be performed.

Low plant release l

l0ist l levels were monitored during this period and past experience has indicated that these l l 0 l6 l l levels are undetectable by environmental air sampling. There are no previous similar l lO17] l occurrences.

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CODE TYPE N O.

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33 35 36 37 40 di 42 43 44 47 CAUSE DESCRIPTION AND CORRECTIVE ACTIONS h l i l 0 l l Failed pumps caused the lapse in sampling and bearings were found to be damaced in thel 11 111 I affected pumps. New or reconditioned pumps were installed in the starinne.

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,,,; Modifications of the pump and ventilation are being evaluated.

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EVENT DESCRIPTION

AND PROBABLE CONSEQUENCES During 'the weekly servicing and sample collection of the air monitoring stations associated with the Radiological Environmental Monitoring Program, it was-discovered on June 30, 1980 that the sampling pump was malfunctioning and incomplete air particulates and radioidine samples were collected at Station AT 2.3 -(Northfield).. Station AT 2.3 collected 568.6 cubic feet before the pump failed. Additionally, it was discovered on July 7, 1980 that the sampling pumps were malfunctioning and incomplete air particulates and radioiodine.

samples.were collected at Stations AT 1.2 (Hinsdale Depot), AT 1.1 (North Hinsdale) and AT 2.3 (Northfield) during the preceding week from June 30, 1980 to July 7, 1980.' '(Station AT 1.1 collected 1031 cubic feet, Station AT 1.2 collected 3578 cubic feet and Station AT 2.3 collected 1144 nubic feet before the pumps at these stations failed. Total volume for these ste; ions averages approximately 6800 cubic feet per week during normal operation of the systems.

Technical Specifications Table 3.9.1 requires that continuous air sampling be performed.

. Although the plantwas operating at 99% power during this period, vent

. stack effluent monitoring indicated normal, low release rates of less than 100 uci/sec noble gas and an average 2.07 x 10-4 uci/see 1-131.

Since past experience has demonstrated that these release levels are undetectable by environmental air sampling, it was concluded that there were no consequences, or potential consequences, to the health and safety of the public.

CAUSE DESCRIPTION AND CORRECTIVE ACTION Further inspection of the vacuum pumps used in these stations revealed failed pump bearings in all three pumps.

Excessive heat buildup in the pump housing

. caused by unseasonably high atomspheric temperatures in the preceding week could be a cause of bearing failure in the pumps. New or reconditioned pumps were installed in these stations. Modifications of the pump and ventilation are being evaluated.

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