ML20030C072
| ML20030C072 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Susquehanna  |
| Issue date: | 08/14/1981 |
| From: | Curtis N PENNSYLVANIA POWER & LIGHT CO. |
| To: | Grier B NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| References | |
| REF-PT21-81 10CFR-050.55E, 10CFR-50.55E, PLA-906, NUDOCS 8108250367 | |
| Download: ML20030C072 (4) | |
Text
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jf3b Pennsylvania Power & Light Company Two North Ninth Street
- Allentown. PA 18101 + 215 / 770 5151
$ d - 'x Norrnan W. Curtis Vice President-Engineering & Construction-Nuclear f4'>sii 215 / 770-5381 August 14, 1981
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U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
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v SUSQUEHANNA STEAM ELECTRIC STATION 1f INTERIM h2 PORT OF A DEFICIENCY INVOLVING DIESEL GENERATOR LUBE OIL PUMP FAILURE ERs 100450/100508 FILE NOS. 821-10/840-4 PLA-906 l
Dear Mr. Grier:
This letter serves to provide the Commission with an interim report of a deficiency involving the failure of a diesel generator lube oil pump. The failure apparently was caused by a restriction of lube oil flow. The deficiency l
was originally reported by telephone to Mr. R. Gallo of NRC Region I by l
Mr. A. R. Sabol of PP&L on June 17, 1981. During that conversation, Mr. Gallo was advised that the condition was considered potentially reportable under the provisions of 10 CFR 50.55(e).
I The attachment to this letter contains a description of the deficiency, its cause, safety implications and the corrective action taken and planned.
Since the details of this report provide information relevant to the reporting requirements of 10 CFR 21, this correspondence is considared to also discharse any formal responsibility PP&L may have in compliance t).ereto.
1 We expect to issue a final report on the problem in November, 1981. We trust the Commission will find this information acceptable.
Very truly yours, l
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T E.>7 N. W. Curtis S
l Vice President-Engineering & Construction-Nuclear
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/ fl FLW:sab Attachment l
8108250367 810814 PDR ADOCK 05000387 i
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Mr. Boyce H. Grier August 14, 1981 cc:
Mr. Victor Stello (15)
Director-Office of Inspection & Enforcement U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555 Mr. G. Mcdonald, Director (1)
Office of Management Information & Program Control U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20555 Mr. Gary Rhoads U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission P.O. Box 52 Shickshinny, PA 18655
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ATTACHMENT TO PLA-906 DESCRIPTION OF DEFICIENCY During an initial run of Diesel Generator
'D' prior to its preoperational test, the engine driven lube oil pump experienced a catastrophic failure.
It is pre-sumed that this failure which was initially noted as an explosion in the diesel engine crankcase was due to lube oil pump seizure and overheated bearings.
CAUSE Particulate matter (dirt and grit) was found in the lube oil system strainers and filters after the diesels were initially run. This particulate matter was -
the probable cause of insufficient lubeoil flow and lubecil pump bearing heatup and subsequent seizure. The bearing seizure resulted in the pump destroying itself. Following this event, the failed pump was returned to the pump manufacturer, Roper Pump Company, subvendor of Cooper Bessemer, for examination to determine the cause of failure. Roper's report indicated that no cause for the failure could be found due to extensively damaged condition of the internal parts; therefore, the manufacturer's failure analysis was inconclusive.
Priur to the initial run of the diesels, the lube oil system was cleaned, flushed and accepted in accordance with Bechtel-s flushing and cleanliness procedure. The main lube oil pump was not included in the flush cycle since this pump is driven by the diesel engine.
The lube oil cleanliness deficiencies found in all four diesels indicate proper procedures were not in place to assure the cleanliness of the lube oil system within the manufacturer's recommended limits prior to initial operation of the diesels.
ANAT YSIS OF SAFETY IMPLICATIONS The particulate matter (dirt and grit) in the lube oil system in excess of the manufacturer's recommended sizes and limits could be a potential cause for lube oil pump seizure. This would be detrimental to the diesel engine and would lead to failure of the diesel to operate. The diesels are required for safe shutdown or other modes of operation of the plant. If this deficiency were to have remained uncorrected, it could have adversely affected the safe operation of the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station at any time through the life of the plant. PP&L has, therefore, concluded that the condition is reportable under the provisions of 10 CFR 50.55(e). The potential consequence of the inoperable diesel generator
.is the unavailability of Emergency AC power.
CORRECTIVE ACTION The failed lube oil pump was replaced with a new pump. The lube ofI system of all the four diesel engines was restored by cleaning strainers and installing new filter elements. Portions of piping were dismantled and hand cleaned. Strainers, filters, and portions of lube oil piping were reflushed and the system was refilled with new oil which was filtered'through the system strainers and filters. The chemical analysis of the samples tested indicated that the particulate matter jn the lube oil system was within limits of the manufacturer's recommendations and Page 1 of 2
ATIACHMEZT TO PLA-906 1
therefore, w n found acceptable for its use. The engine driven pumps were inspected for coupling clearances and alignment. The second initial run of diesels B, C and D has been completed successfully.
Initial run of
'A' diesel is scheduled for July 1981.
Additional corrective action to preclude future incidents, including proc'dures e
that properly define the lube oil system claanliness requirements, is being formulated. The final report will provide a detailed description of this additional corrective action.
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