ML20039B213
| ML20039B213 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Humboldt Bay, Palo Verde |
| Issue date: | 12/17/1981 |
| From: | Engelken R NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV) |
| To: | Van Brunt E ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE CO. (FORMERLY ARIZONA NUCLEAR |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20039B196 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8112220428 | |
| Download: ML20039B213 (1) | |
Text
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V SSINS No.: 6835 Accession No.:
8107230040 IN 81-38 UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555 December 17, 1981 IE INFORMATION NOTICE NO. 81-38:
POTENTIALLY SIGNIFICANT EQUIPMENT FAILURES RESULTING FROM CONTAMINATION OF AIR-0PERATED SYSTEMS Description of Circumstances:
The NRC has reviewed a number of problems related to contamination of air systems in operating nuclear plants. The review indicates that air-operated components and systems will occasionally become inoperable because they are contaminated with oil, water, desiccant, and rust or other corrosion products.
The recent instances of inoperable air-oparated components occurred at the the following facilities:
1.
Palisades Nuclear Station - On July 18, 1981, an air-operated control valve failed to stay open. This resulted in both residual heat removal (RHR) trains becoming inoperable. The failure was attributed to the accumulation of water at the lowest point of the air system lines which coincided with the valve location (LER 81-030).
2.
Rancho Seco Nuclear Station - On July 7,1981, a pneumatically operated globe valve failed to close within the time required by the technical specification.
Investigation revealed the presence of' desiccant at *.ne air discharge port (LER 81-037).
3.
Zion Nuclcar Station Unit Number 2 - On May 9, 1980, the containment air sample valve failed to close during the monthly containment isolation operability test.
The valve failed to close because of oil contamination of the instrument air lines (LER 80-018).
4.
San Onofre Nuclear Station Unit Number l'- On February 4.1980, the isolation valve for service water to containnent failed c.c close while performing a containment isolation valve test. The failurc of the instrument air filters allowed small. particles of desiccant to enter the a!" lines.
This prevented the solenoid air control valve from operating (LER 80-003).
No adverse impact on the health and safety of the public has been attributed to the events listed above. However, the potential for common mode failure, combined with the observed frequency of air service related. events, indicates that added attention to air system reliability is warranted.
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til 81-38 December 17, 1981-Page 2 of 2 g
IE Circular '81-14, " Main Steam Isolation. Valve Failures to Close," recommended that the holders of operating licenses and construction permits review their air systems to assure that measures are take~1 to prevent air quality degradation in the-future.
Listed below are some of the actions known to minimize air system problems:
1.
Frequent monitoring of the dewpoint of the instrument air.
~ 2.
Periodic checking of the desiccant and regeneration or replacement as needed.
3.
- Periodic blowdown of lines to remove oil, moisture, and' crud in the instrument air system.
4.
- Periodic inspection of filters downstream of the desiccant cartridges to ascertain that the desiccant has' not been pulverized to the point that it is escaping from the cartridge and possibly clogging the filters.
5.
Avoiding the use of service air as a backup to the instrument air system when alternative backups are available.
6.
Frgquent monitoring of the instrument air system to ensure that it has not been contaminated with oil, moisture, or crud when the service air system has been used as a backup to the instrument cir system.
This information notice is provided as an early notification of a possibly significant matter.
It is expected that recipients will review the information for possible applicability to their facilities.
No specific action or response is requested at this time.
If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact the Regional Administrator of the appropriate NRC Regional Office.
Attachment:
Recently issued IE Information Notices a
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Attachment-4 IN 81-38 i
December 17, 1981 I
RECENTLY ISSUED 4
IE INFORMATION NOTICES Information Date of Notice No.
Subject Issue Issued to 81-37 Unnecessary Radiation-12/k5/81 All byproduct I
Exposure to Public and material licensees Workers during Events Involving Thickness and Level Measuring Devices 81-36 Replacement Diaphragms for 12/3/81 All power reactor Rooertshaw Valve (Model facilities with an
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No. VC-210)
81-35 Check Valve Failures-12/2/81 All power reactor U
facilities with an -
OL or CP-81-34 Accidental Actuation of 11/16/81 All power reactor Prompt Public Notification.
facilities with an System OL or CP 4_
81-33 Locking Devices'Insdequately 11/9/81 All-power reactor 1
Installed on Main Steam facilities with an Isolation Valves OL or CP i
j 81-32 Transfer and/or Disposal of.
10/23/81 All medical licensees Spent Generators 81-31 Failure of Safety Injection 10/8/81 All power" reactor i
Valves to Operate Against facilities with an Differential Pressure OL or CP 81-30 Velan Swing Check Valves 9/28/81 All power reactor facilities with~an OL or CP 81-29 Equipment Qualification 9/23/81 All power recctor Testing Experience facilities with an OL or CP 1
l; 81-28 Failure of Rockwell-Edward 9/3/81 All power reactor Main Steam Isolation Valves facilities with an i
-Flammable 'as Mixtures 9/3/81 All nower reactor 81-27 in the Waste Gas Decay facilities with an-i Tanks'in PWR Plants OL or CP~
OL = Operatin License CP=.ConstruckionPermit
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Q December 17, 1981 Docket Nos. 50-528, 50-529, 50-530 Arizona Public Service Company P. O. Box 21666 Phoenix, Arizona 85036 Attention: Mr. E. E. Van Brunt, Jr.
Vice President Nuclear Projects Gentlemen:
The enclosed infonnation notice provides early notification of an event that may have significance. Accordingly, you should review the information notice for possible applicability to your facility.
No specific action or response is requested at this time.
If you have questions regarding this matter, please contact this office.
Sincerely, waut 32w 1-L Crews ytx R. H. Engelken Regional Administrator
Enclosure:
IE Information Notice No. 81-38 cc w(enclosure:
F. W. Hartley, APS G. C. Andognini, APS l
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