ML20217J780

Submits Question Concerning Plants Licensee Event Rept 50-327/96-011-00

ML20217J780
Person / Time
Site:	Sequoyah
Issue date:	02/25/1997
From:	Lochbaum D UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS
To:	Hernan R NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned)
Shared Package
ML20217J773	List: ML20217J769 ML20217J780
References
NUDOCS 9710220017
Download: ML20217J780 (2)

Text

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.,a UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS February 25,1997 hir. Ronald W. liernan, Senior Project hianager Project Directorate 113 Division of Reactor Projects 1/11 Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation United Staws Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, DC 20$$50001 SUllJECT:

QUESTIONS CONCERNING SEQUOYAll NUCLEAR PLANT LICENSEE EVENT REPORT NO. 50 327/96-011 00

Dear hir liernan:

The subject LER, submitted by the Tennessee Valley Authority by letter dated December 18,1996, describes an event where the rod position indicating system was more than 12 steps different than the demand step counter for two control rods in violation of Technical Specification 3.1.3.2. According to f

this LER, previous similar events had occurred in June of 1996 (LER 50 327/96 007 00) and June and July of 1995 (LER 50 327/95 009 00).

I have the following questions following a review of the subject LER:

(1) Why is Section 13 of the LER form blank? This section is required to be filled out *for each component failure described in this report." The subject LER states that afier the first rod position indicator deviation occurred,"a work request was initiated." The subject LER states that "hf aintenance was being performed on the hil2 indicator" when the second failure occurred. It app, s that TVA failed to properly report the component failure (s)in Section 13.

If your assessment confirms this failure,I respectfully request that TVA be required to submit a supplemental LER correcting this error.

(2) Were control rod (s) moved from the time that the first failure occurred (2352 EST on November 17,1996) until rod were inserted in response to the second failure (afler 0219 EST November 18, 1996)? The subject LER is not :Icar on this issue. If operators continued moving control rods after the first failure, which placed the plant in Technical Specification I

3.1.3.2's Limiting Condition for Operation, any subsequent rod movements with the potential for causing a second failure appear improper. Such actions appear particularly inappropriate i

given three prior events in the previous 2 years. If your assessment determines that control I

rod movements did occur,I respectfully request that TVA be required to submit its justification for these actions.

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9710220017 971014 PDR ADOCK 05000327 H

PDR Washington Office: 1616 P Street NW Suite 310

• Washington, DC 200361495

• 202 332 0900

• FAX: 202 332 0905 Cambridge Headquarters: Two Brattle Square

• Cambndge, MA 02238-9105

• 617 547-5552

• FAX: 617-864-9405 Cahfornia Office: 2397 Shattuck Avenue Suite 203

• Berkeley CA 947041567

• 510-843-1872

• FAX: 510-843 3785 menv. wcap w

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I (3) Were appropriate corrective actions taken following these events? The subject LER indicates that a proposed Technical Specification change was initiated following one of the previous events, but cannot be submitted for NRC review and approval at this time "because an analysis must be performed to support the change." TVA indicates the change is planned for third quarter 1997. It seems that TVA may not have taken appropriate measures following 4 events to prevent recurrence until the Technical Specification change is implemented. If you assessment confirms that TVA's conective actions are deficient,I respectfully request that TVA be required to implement interim conective actions to prevent recurrence until such time that a Technical Specification change supersedes these actions.

l 1 would appreciate a formal response to these questions.

Sincerely, Clllb({~f C Grw David A. Loshbaum Nuclear Safety Engineer i

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