ML20079J812

Part 21 Rept Re Inadequate Pressure Transducers/Transmitters Mounted on post-LOCA Hydrogen Recombiners.Transducers Should Be Replaced W/Nuclear Rated Transducers.Engineering Field Bulletin to Be Issued by 821029

ML20079J812
Person / Time
Site:	Nine Mile Point, Limerick, LaSalle, 05000000
Issue date:	10/21/1982
From:	Empey D ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL CORP.
To:	Jay Collins NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV)
Shared Package
ML20079J796	List: ML20079J792 ML20079J812
References
REF-PT21-82 82ESG7725, NUDOCS 8212280373
Download: ML20079J812 (2)

Text

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Energy systems Group 8!*X oe sorc, Avenue Mh C8 W Pa* C*uo m eiao4 Rockwell 1,wy.e m 3334i.tooo International TM 9'0 4941237 Teien 181017 October 21, 1982 In reply refer to 82ESG7725 US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region IV 611 Ryan Plaza Drive Arlington, Texas 76012 Attention: Mr. John Coliins, Admiristrator, Region IV Gentlemen:

Subject:

Report of Deviation / Defect (10CFR21)

Energy Systems Group is currently undertaking a program to establish IEEE-323 qualification status of the post-LOCA Hydrogen Recombiners delivered by us. This program is designed to umbrella equipment delivered in the past as well as current designs, and therefore specifies environmental conditions severe enough to satisfy any expected customer specifications.

As a result of this qualification effort to date, it has been deter-mined that the ITT Barton pressure transducers, 4-20 ma, AP or absol-lute pressure, Part Number D4R-29 98 will not withstand our test parameter for radiation of 1 x 10 rads (and may not opgrate satis-factorily af ter radiation exposures in excess of 1 x 10 rads TID due to gradual drifting in readings resulting in ultimate total failure).

These pressure transducers are installed in several delivered Recom- ,

biners and are used to measure Recombiner inlet gas flow, total flow, and inlet gas pressure. A total failure of the AP units would result in Reco biner shutdown, and the loss of its intended safety function.

Plants to which this report applies are given in Table 1 along with the radiation environment indicated by their specifications.

TABLE I No. of Date Specified Radiation Facility Recombiners Shipped Requirement (TID) 5 Limerick 1 & 2 4 06-77 6 x 10 rads 5

La Salle Co. 1 & 2 2 08-78 1.7 x 10 rads Nine Mile Point 2 2 02-79 1.7 x 105 rads 8212280373 821214 PDR ADOCK 05000410 S PDR

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Mr. J. Collins Page 2 US Nuclear Regulatory Commission . October 21, 1982 Region IV .

82ESG7725 Arlington, Texas These transducers should be replaced with auclear rated transducers. For an operating plant (LaSalle only from the Table 1 list) it is possible to operate the Recombiners with a relatively simple, temporary wiring modi-fication in the control cabinet which will allow operation of the recom-biner and performance of its safety function in the manual flow control mode. An Engineering Field Bulletin will be issued to provide instruc-tions for the temporary fix by October 29, 1982. In the meantime, a pre-liminary draft of the field bulletin change is descri bed in our letter of October 21, 1982 to the la Salle plant operator notifying them of this potential problem with the transducers. The permanent modification (re-placement of the transducers) can then be made during plant shutdown when access to the recombiner skid is possible.

These ITT Barton transducers were also installed in the E. I. Hatch and Fermi Recombiners. Although there were no radiation requirements for these plants, the Utilities are being notified of the transducer opera-tional limits so that they can evaluate the impact to them and take any action deered appropriate. Since Hatch is an operating plant, they are also receiving the temporary wiring instructions for operating in the normal flow control mode as noted above for La Salle.

If you have any further questions or need more information, please call me at (213) 700-3926.

Very truly yours, Director Quality Assurance 1 i r -e T - - -

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