ML20210Q991

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Forwards Design Insp Rept 50-271/97-201 on 970505-0623. Concerns Identified Re Operability Issues Which Required Prompt C/As & Past Resolution to Engineering Issues
ML20210Q991
Person / Time
Site: Vermont Yankee File:NorthStar Vermont Yankee icon.png
Issue date: 08/27/1997
From: Richards S
NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned)
To: Reid D
VERMONT YANKEE NUCLEAR POWER CORP.
Shared Package
ML20210Q998 List:
References
50-271-97-201, NUDOCS 9709020242
Download: ML20210Q991 (8)


See also: IR 05000271/1997201

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UNITED STATES

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NUCLEAR REEULATCRY COMMISSION

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WASHINGTON, D.C. 30e66 0001

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August 27, 1997

Mr. Donald A. Reid

Vice President, Operations

Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation

Ferry Road

Brattleboro, VT 05301

SUBJECT:

VERMONT YANKEE DESIGN INSPECTION (NRC INSPECTION REPORT

NO. 50-271/97 20l)

Dear Mr. Reid:

From May 5 through Jt.nc 13,1997, the staff of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC),

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR), Special Inspection Branch, performed a design

inspection of the low pressure coolant injection (LPCI) and residual heat removal service water

,

(RHRSW) systems at the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station (VY). The purpose of the

inspection was to evaluate the capability of the selected systems to perform the safety functions

required by their design bases, as well as the adherence of the systems to their respective design

and licensing bases, and the consistency of the as built configuration and system operations with

the final safety analysis report (FSAR). The team discussed significant findings of the inspection

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with your staff during the team exit meeting on June 13,1997, and during the public exit meeting

on July 1,1997.-

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As discussed in the enclosed report, the team concluded that the LPCI and RHRSW systems were

capable of performing their intended safety functions. Overall, the design engineers of the Yankee

Atomic Electric Company, who provided engineering services to VY, had excellent knowledge

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and capabilities. Nonetheless, the team identified concerns in the following areas.

First, the team identified several operability issues which required prompt corra.ctive actions by

your staff. For example, the team found that the non safety-related pressure regulator could result

in loss of service water to the diesel generators. Also, the team questioned the operability of your

RHR pumps with minimum pump flow considerably less than what the pump vendor

recommended for continued operation. Additionally, the team raised concuns regarding the

operability of the RHR pumps while in the torus cooling mode and the operability of the RHR

heat exchangers on the basis ofimproperly performed tests. Your initial corrective actions to

address these issues were acceptable.

Secondly, the team had concerns with your past resolution to several engineering issues such as

operation of the unit with the torus temperature above the analyzed region and various

discrepsncies in the plant's Technical Specifications. In particular, we were concerned with your

long term resolution to operation ofyour RHR pump with less than recommended minimum

pump flow during a design basis event.

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Donald A. Reid

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Based on the understanding of your current design bases efforts, the team concluded that it was

unlikely that you would have uncovered some of the issues identified in this report. Based on the

conversation at the exit meeting, we understand that your staff will be re-examining your design

bases program. Region I intends to review this issue when they inspect the findings in this report.

Please provide a schedule, within 60 days, detailing your plans to complete the corrective actions

required to resolve the open items listed in Appendix A to the enclosed report. This schedule will

,

enable the NRC staff to plan for the reinspection and closcout of these items.

In addition, as with ali NRC inspections, we expect that your staff will evaluate the applicability of

the results and specific findings of this inspection to other systems and components throu~ghout

the plant.

In accordance with Title 10, Section 2.790(a) of the Code ofFedera/ Regulations, a copy of this

letter and the enclosure will be placed in the NRC's Public Document Room. Any enforcement

action resulting from this inspection will be handled by NRC Region I sia separate

correspondence.

Should you have any questions concerning the enclosed inspection report, p. case contact the

project manager, Mr. Kahtan Jabbour at (301) 415-1496, or the inspection team leader, Mr.

James A. Isom, at (301) 415-1109.

Sincerely,

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  1. SpecialInspection Branch

Division ofInspection and Support Programs

Office ofNuclear Reactor Regulation

Docket No.: 50-271

Enclosure: Inspection Report 50-271/97-201

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Based on the understanding of your current design bases efforts, the team concluded that it was

. unlikely that you would have uncovered some of the issues identified in this report. Based on the -

. conversation at the exit meeting, we understand that your staff will be re-examining your design

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. bases program; Region I intends to review this issue when they inspect the findings in this repon,

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Please provide a schedule, within 60 days, detailing your plans to complete the corrective actions

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required to resolve the open items listed in Appendix A to the enclosed report. This schedule will

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enable the NRC staff to plan for the reinspection and closcout of these items.

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In addition, as with all NRC inspections, we expect that your staff will evaluate the applicability of

the results and specific findings of this inspection to other systems and components throughout

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the plant,

.

In accordance with Title 10, Section 2,790(a) of the Code offedera/ Regulations, a copy of this

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letter and the enclosure will be placed in the NRC's Public Documer* Room. Any enforcement

action resulting from this inspection will be handled by NRC Region i via separate

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correspondence,

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Should you have any questions concerning the enclosed inspection report, please contact the

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project manager, Mr. Kahtan Jabbour at (301) 415-14%, or the inspection team leader, Mr.

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James A. Isom, at (301) 415-1109,

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Sincerely,

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ORIGINAL SIGNED BY Donald P. Norkin

Stuart A. Richards, Chief

Special Inspection Branch

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Division ofInspection and Support Programs

Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

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_ Docket No.: 50-271

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Enclosure: Inspection Report 50-271/97-201

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required to resolve the open items listed in Appendix A to the enclosed report. This schedule will

enable the NRC staff to plan for the reinspection and closcout of these items.

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Please provide a schedule, within 60 days, detailing your plans to complete the corrective actions

required to resolve the open items listed in Appendix A to the enclosed report. This schedule will

enable the NRC staff to plan for the reinspection and closcout of these items.

In addition, as with all NRC inspections, we expect that your staff will evaluate the applicability of

the results and specific findings of this inspection to other systems and components throughout

the plant.

'

In accordance with Title 10, Section 2.790(a) of the Code ofFcdcralRsgulations, a copy of this

letter and the enclosure will be placed in the NRC's Public Document Room. Any enforcement

action n esulting from this inspection will be handled by NRC Region I via separate

correspondence.

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Should you have any questions concerning the enclosed inspection report, please contact the

project manager, Mr. Kahtan Jabbour at (301) 415-1496, or th'e inspection team ler. der, Mr.

James A. Isom, at (301) 415-1109.

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Sincerely,

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,Stuart A. Richards, Chief

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Division ofInspection and Support Programs

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Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation

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Docket No.: 50-271

Enclosure: Inspection Report 5 271/97-201

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Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power

Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station

Corporation

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Resident Inspector'

Regional Administrator, Region'I -

Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station

U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

U.S. Nuclear Rcgulatory Conunission

475 AllendaleRoad

P.O. Box 176

King of Prussia, PA 19406

Vernon, VT 05354

Mr. David R. Lewis

Chief, Safety Unit

Shaw Pittman, Potts & Trowbridge

Office of the Attorney General

2300 N Street, N.W.

One Ashburton Place,19th Floor

Washington, DC 20037-1128

Boston,MA 02108

Mr. Richard P. Sedano, Commissioner

Vermont Department of Public Service

Mr. Peter LaPorte, Director

120 State Street,3rd Floor

ATTN: James Muckerheide

Montpelier, VT 05602

Massachusetts Emergency Management

Agency

Public Service Board

400 Worcester Rd.

State of Vermont

P.O. Box 1496

120 State Street

Framingham, MA 01701-0317

Montpelier, VT 05602

Mr. Raymond N. McCandless

Chairman, Board of Selectmen

Vermont Division of Occupational

Town of Vernon

and Radiological Health

P.O. Box i16

Administration Building

Vernon, VT 05354-0116

Montpelier, VT 05602

Mr. Richard E. McCullough

Mr. J. J. Duffy

Operating Experience Coordinator

Licensing Engineer

Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station

Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power

P.O. Box 157

Corporation

Governor Hunt Road

580 Main Street

Vernon,VT 05354

Bolton, MA 01740-1398

G. Dana Bisbee, Esq.

Mr. Robert J. Wanczyk

Deputy Attorney General

Director of Safety and Regulatory

33 Capitol Street

Affairs

Concord, NH 03301-6937

Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp.

Ferry Road

Brattleboro, VT 05301.

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Mr. Ross B. Barkhurst, President

Ms. Deborah B. Katz

- Vermont Yankee N; clear Power Corporation

Box 83

Ferry Road

Shellburne Falls, MA 01370

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Brattleboro, VT 05301

Mr Jonathan M. Block, Esq.

Mr. Gregory A. Maret, Plant Manager

Main Street

Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station

P.O. Box 566

P.O. Box 157

Putney, VT 05346-056f,

Governor Hunt Road

Vernon,' VT. 05354

Mr. Donald A. Reid

Senior Vice President, Operations

Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corporation

Ferry Road

Brattleboro, VT 05301

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Distribution:

- Docket Files 50-271/97-201--

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PSIB R/F

BWSheron, NRR

FPGillespie, NRR

SARichards, NRR

DPNorkin, NRR

= TOMartin, OEDO

CERossi, AEOD

JWRoe, NRR

REaton, NRR

KJabbour, NRR

CBoyle, NRR

WCook, SRI

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Regional Administrators

Regional Division Directors

Inspection Team

PUBLIC

ACRS (3)

OGC (3).

IS Distribution

SPSB,NRR

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