ML20198J516

Notice of Nonconformance from Insp on 971027-31. Nonconformance Noted:Inspectors Identified on 971029 That Five Meter Long Load Thermocouple Was Not Being Inserted from Front End of Furnace During Thermal Treatment SG Tube

ML20198J516
Person / Time
Issue date:	01/02/1998
From:	NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned)
To:
Shared Package
ML20198J464	List: ML20198J460 ML20198J516 ML20198J587
References
REF-QA-99901326 99901326-97-01, 99901326-97-1, NUDOCS 9801140148
Download: ML20198J516 (2)

Text

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NOTICE OF NONCONFORMANCE AB Sandvik Steel Docket No.; 99901326 SE-81181 Sandviken, Sweden Based on the results of an NRC inspection co. ducted on October 27 31,1997, it appears that certain of your activities were not conducted in accordance with NRC requirements:

Criterion iX of Appendix B to 10 CFR Part 50, Control of Special Processes," states, in part,

• Measures shall be estabished to assure that special processes, including . . . heat treating . . . are controlled and accomplished . . . using qualified procedures in accordance with applicable codes, standards, specifications, criteria, and other special requirements."

Paragraph 1.3 of Control Procedure 4636, "Long time thermal treatment," Revision 1, states, in part,;Three load thermocouples are inserted from each fumace end. The thermocouples have three different lengths (16.4,32.8 and 52.5 Feet = 5,10 and 16 meters) to survey the longitudinal heat distribution. Some are located at the centre and some are attached to the tube surfaces by stainless steel wire at the surface of the tube bundle in order to survey the heat distribution in cross section . . . ." Paragraph 4 of Control Procedure CP 4636, Revision 1, states, in part, ". . . When the coldest load thermocouple has reached 1319'F (715 C) the hold time timer, set at 10 hours1.157407e-4 days <br />0.00278 hours <br />1.653439e-5 weeks <br />3.805e-6 months <br />, is started. During the hold time,5.a load thermocouple readings must be within 1319"-1350# F (715"C-732 *C) . . . "

Contrary to these requirements, the inspectors identified on October 29,1997, that a 5-meter lung load thermocouple was no' being inserted from the front end of the fumace (as part of the survey of longitudinal heat distribution) during thermal treatment of South Texas Project, Unit 1 steam generator tubinc ;Sandvik Order 381-00197/201). Following the identification, AB Sandvik SteelincLded a 5-meter long thermocouple inserted from the front of the fumace in the next fumam cnarge (i.e., Charge 2056). This thermocouple proved to be the coldest load thermocoupL, reaching 1319"F (715"C) 30 minutes after the load thermocouple (5-meters long from the back end of the fumace) that had previously controlled the start of the 10-hour hold period (Nonconformance 99901326/97-0101).

Please send a written statement or explanation to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, ATTN: Document Control Desk, Washington, D.C. 20555-0001, with a copy to the Chief. Quality Assurance, Vendor inspection and Maintenance Branch, Division of Reactor Controls and Human Factors, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, within 30 days of the date of the letter transmitting this Notice of Nonconformance. This reply should be clearly marked as a " Reply to a Enclosure 1 i 9901140149 990102 PDR GA999 EFQSW 99901326 PDR

" Reply to a Notice of Nonconformance" and should include for each Nonconformance: (1) the reasor. fer the Nonconformance, or if contested, the basis for disputing the Nonconformance, (2) the curective steps that have been taken and the results achieved, (3) the corrective steps that will bi taken to avoid further noncompliance, and (4) the date when your corrective action will be co ripleted. Where good cause is shown, consideration will be given to extending the respons6 time.

Dated at Rockville, Maryland this _ ') h ayd of January 1998 Enclosure 1

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