ML20031F059
| ML20031F059 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Oconee  |
| Issue date: | 01/21/1976 |
| From: | Schwencer A Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| To: | Shao L Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
| Shared Package | |
| ML13319A640 | List:
|
| References | |
| FOIA-81-313 NUDOCS 8110190112 | |
| Download: ML20031F059 (2) | |
Text
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UNITED STATES
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-t NUCLEAR REGULATORY CCMMISSION j
jg%d) j WASHINGTON, D. C. 20555
'b JAN 211976 Dockets Nos. 50'-269/270/287 i
j MEMORANDUM FOR:
L. C. Shao, Chief, Engineering Branch, D0R f
FROM:
A. Schwencer, Chief, Operating Reactors Branch #1, DOR i]
SUBJECT:
STEAM GENERATOR TUBE FAILURES AT OCONEE NUCLEAR STATION I
The following information is provided concerning the steam generator tube leaks at Oconee. There have been five tube leaks which have resulted in shutdown of the plants for repair.
1.
Unit 3 was shut down on July 21, 1976, due to a leak in steam l
generator 3B. The lerk rate was about 1 gpm. The rupture (0.04 4
d'77" !
inches in diameter) was about 10 feet below the top of the upper tube sheet ar.d in the eleventh row of tubes from the outside.
'g i, Eddy current inspections were made of nine selected tubes surrounding the damaged tube ano no indications of failure, wall thinning or fretting were observed.
Further investigation indicated l
no tube leakage, but two tubes were discovered to have damage at 1
the upper tube sheet weld. A total of thr_ee_ tubes were plugged.
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Exact cause of rupture was undetermined but it was concluded that it was an isolated occurrence.
1 2.
Unit 1 was shut down on October 31, 1976, with a leak in steam i
generator 1A. The tube was #17 in row 77, and had a circumfergntial, 1
crack near the interface of the tube with the bottom of the upper tube sheet. The cra.q};_e.xtended from.150' t,g_.180* of the tube's h
j circumference. The leak was about 1 gpm.
Inspe:.; ion of 15 adjacent
- I tubes revealed no other defective tutes. Two tubes were plugged j
because of a questionable eddy current signal to a second tube. This tube defect occurred within three inches of the radial position of the Unit 3 "3B" leak (see above) but at a different elevation.
3.
Unit 2 was s*;t. down on December 4, 1976, with a 2 gpm leak. One tube was cracked (circumferential) near an open tube lane next to the upper tube sheet.
Inspection of tubeslurrounding the leaking tubes revealed no other tubes leaking. This tube was removed from the steam generator for examination by B&W.
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L. C. Shao i 4.
Unit 1 was shut down on December 8,1976, with a tube leak (crack) in steam generator 18. This leak was about 1 gpm and was located in the northeast quadrant away from tube lane near upper tube sheet.
Inspection of surrounding tubes revealed no other leaking tubes.
5.
Unit 1 was shut down on January 16, 1977, because of a tube leak in
' steam generator 18.
This leak rate was 12 gpm. This leak was the second for this steam generator, and was caused by a crack located next to a tube lane ar.d next to the upper tube sheet.
It was not removed because of the proximity of the curvatuve of the head.
We have requested the licensee to provide us With a cross section of the I
steam generator showing the locations of all the leaks.
This will be provided to you when received.
A report has not been issued by B&W yet but discussions between B&W and th3 licensee indicate that the examined tube showed no apparent cause for the cracking.
B&W Las concluded that no wastage is involved and believes that no chemical attack is involved.
The examinations are continuing and we will be informed of the results.
B. D.1.f aw has been kept informed by Project Manager, Don Neighbors, of all of the above as data become available.
- eWO A. Schwencer, Chief
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Operating Reactors Branch #1 Division of Operating Reactors t
cc:
K. R. Goller D. Eisenhut
- 8. Grimes D. Neighbors
' M. Fairtile V
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