ML20040B189
| ML20040B189 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Susquehanna  |
| Issue date: | 01/11/1982 |
| From: | Curtis N PENNSYLVANIA POWER & LIGHT CO. |
| To: | |
| References | |
| REF-10CFR9.7, REF-PT21-81 10CFR-050.55E, 10CFR-50.55E, PLA-994, NUDOCS 8201250253 | |
| Download: ML20040B189 (4) | |
Text
r u
l i
l
%un Pennsylvania Power & Light Company m
Two f Jorth fJinth Street
- Allentown, PA 18101 = 215 / 770 5151 1
l i
fJorrnan W. Curtis Vice Prosidcnt-Engincoring & Construction-Nucicar 215 / 770-5381 January 11, 1982 Mr. R. C.
liaynen Director, Region I
~
W U.
S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission g
631 Park Avenue
@f h,
V.ing of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406 s'; '
g a\\
e,,
A "i
.i
{
s - m: 7.,,
SUSQUEllANNA STEAM ELECTRIC STATION j
,j FINAL REPORT Otl A DEFICIENCY IfP/OLVING
'/
DIESEL GENERATOR LUBE OIL PUMP FAILURE ERs 100450/100508 FILE NOS. 821-10/840-4
/
PLA-994 Reference.
PLA-906 dated August 14, 1981
Dear Mr. Haynes:
This letter serves to provide the Commission with a final report on the deficiency involving the failure of a diesel generator lube oil pump.
This deficiency was originally reported by telephone to Mr.
R. Gallo of NRC Fegion I by Mr.
A.
Sabol of PP&L on June 17, 1981. The referenced letter provided the Commission with a report on the subject deficiency.
The attachment to this letter contains a description of the problem, its cause, safety implications, and corrective action taken and planned. This information is provided pursuant to the provisions of 10 CFR 50.55(e).
Since the details of this report provide information relevant to the reporting requirements of 10 CPR 21, this correspondence is considered to also discharge any formal responsibility PP&L may have in compliance thereto.
We trust the Commission will find this report to be natisfactory.
Very truly yours, ij o
N. W. Curtin Vice President-Engineering & Construction-Nuclear JS:sab Attachment 8201250253 020111 PDR ADOCK 05000387 t;1 S
PDR g$)
W
i January 11, 1982 S S E']
PLA-(394 ERs 100450/100508 File No. 821-10/
840-4 cc.
Mr. I<i cha rtl C. DeVourvJ ( l '))
Director-Office of Innpection
- f. Enforcement U.
S. fluclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C.
20555 Mr.
G.
Mc Do n. i l (1, Director Of fice of Maningement Information I. Program Control U.
S.
fluelear Pegulatory Commission Washington, D.C.
20555 Mr. Gary l<hoarls U.
S. Iluclear Fequlatory Commit,sion P.O.
Isox 52 Shickshinny, PA 18(>55
4 Attachment to PLA-994 Subject Emergency Diesel Generator lube oil pump Description ofeDeficiency 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 presumed 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 An investigation was conducted to establish the cause of this deficiency. The investigation revealed that, in addition to the particulate matter contamination in the lube oil system as reported in PLA-906, the pump was misaligned.
The particulate matter in the lube oil system, in excess of the manufacturer's recommended limits, and/or the pump misalignment may have resulted in the pump bearing heatup and seizure and the subsequent pump destruction.
Following the event, the failed pump was returned to the pump manufacturer, Roper Pump Company, subvendor of Cooper Becsemer, for examination to determine the cause of failure.
Roper's report indicated that the cause or the failure could not be determined because of extensive damage to the internal parts; therefore, the manufacturer's failure analysis was deemed inconclusive.
The lube oil cleanliness deficiencies found in all four diesels indicated that the procedures in place to assure the cleanliness of the lube oil system were not adequate to meet the manufacturer's reccmmended limits for operation of the diesels.
Analysis of SateM Implications The excessive particulate matter and/or the misalignment are potential causes for lube oil pump failure. Loss of the lube oil pump would lead to failure of the diesel to operate. The diesels are required for safe f.hutdown or other modes of operation cf the plant.
If this deficiency were to Fave 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 prov.ioions of 10 CFR 50.55(e).
A consequence of the inoperable diesel generator is the potential unavailability of Emerefncy AC power.
Cyrrective_ Action
)
The failed lube oil pump was replaced with a new pump.
The lube oil system of each l
diece; engine was restored to the required cleanliness level by cleaning l
strainers and installing new filter elements.
Portions of piping were dismantled and.,nd cleaned.
Strainers, filters, and portions of lube oil piping were reflushed and the systems were refilled with new oil which was filtered through each syste:n's strainers and filters. The chemical analyses of oil samples indicated that the par t iculate matter in the lube oil systems was within limits of the manufacturer's recommendations and, therefore, acceptable for use.
The engine driven pumps were The second inspected for coupling clearances and corrected for proper alignment.
initial run of all diesels has been completed succetsfully.
Page 1 of :
Attachment to PLA-994 The PPcL preventive maintenance program is now in effect for the diesel generators.
This program contains procedures which assure that the prescribed oil system cleanliness levels are maintained and that proper pump alignment is achieved.
In response to an FSAR commitment, this program also requires periodic laboratory testing of the lube oil quality.
The corrective action stated above is considered adequate to prevent recurrence of the lube oil pump failure.
l l
l s
Page 2 of :