ML20245H659

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Responds to Re L Ball Ltr Expressing Concerns About Extent & Cost of Shutdowns & Repairs at Unit 3. Licensee Examined Pump a & Motor & Identified Damage That Could Have Caused or Resulted from Shaft Failure
ML20245H659
Person / Time
Site: Crystal River Duke Energy icon.png
Issue date: 04/26/1989
From: Stello V
NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO)
To: Graham B
SENATE
Shared Package
ML20245H664 List:
References
NUDOCS 8905030469
Download: ML20245H659 (7)


Text

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9 April 26, 1989 The Honorable Bob Craham l United States Senator i Post Office Box 3050  !

Tallahassee, Florida 32315 l

Dear Senator Graham:

1 I am responding to ycur letter of March 24, 1989, in which you noted that one of your constituents, Mr. Lee Ball, expressed concerns about the extent and cost of shutdowns and repairs, particularly repetitive repairs, at Crystal River Unit 3. Even though public health and safety, not consideration of cost, are our principal concerns, we do monitor various measures of plant availabf-lity and plant outages, as these may affect our assessment of safety at a particular plant.

Mr. Ball identified a maintenance situation at Crystal River Unit 3 that, although it does not represent a serious safety problem, is of some concern; namely, failures of reactor coolant pump "A." This pump's shaft failed initially in January 1986, resulting in a 6-month shutdown during which the shafts and other components of all four reactor coolant pumps were replaced and improved vibration monitoring instrumentation installed. In llovember 1988, as a result of increased vibration readings pump "A" was secured and plant operation continued at approximately 75 percent of full power on three reactor coolant pumps. In December 1988, the plant was shut down. A careful exami-nation of the pump revealed only that there was extensive cracking in the lower mctor shaft bearing support. This cracking was thought to be the cause of the vibration and was repaired. From a safety standpoint, the NRC staff had no objection to plant restart. As plant power was slowly increased, monitoring continued to indicate that vibration was normal. However, on January 18, 1989, after some anomalous vibration indications, the "A" reactor coolant pump shaft again failed. The plant contir.ued operating with three reactor coolant pumps until late February 1989, when it was again shut down so that the failure could be evaluated and the pump repaired.

1he licensee has carefully and extensively examined the "A" pump and motor and identified damaged and discrepant comnonents that could have caused or resulted from the shaft fa11 ore. These components are being correcteJ, repaired, or replaced, and a shaft of improved design has been installed in pump "A." The other three pumps were examined and appropriate repairs made. Further enhanced vibration monitoring instrumentation is being added to all four pumps. All repairs are scheduled to be completed by late April 1989 and the plant restarted at that time.

While the NRC does not review the appropriateness of maintenance cost of {

nuclear power plants, I can assure you that for the plant to operate above 75% 1 power safely, repairs to the "A" pump were necessary. l 0 I y f 8905030469 89'426 1 PDR ADOCK 05QO302 ({

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,' he Honorable Bob, Graham I hope that this letter addresses Mr. Ball's concerns. If I can be of further assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely, Of@nal ST#d W WtofStBIIO'UI

Victor Stello, Jr.

Executive Director for Operations a

1 DISTRIBUTION Docket File (50-302) 'DAMiller NRC PDR w/ incoming OGC-WF ..

Local PDR w/ incoming SECY (89-0274)'

E00 #0004362 VStello EDO Reading -DMcssburg (EDO #0004362) w/cy of'incomitig TMurley/JSniezek Beverly Clayton JPartlow HSilver w/cy of incoming PD22 r/f w/cy of incoming FGillespie SAVarga FHiraglia GClainas SEbneter, RII  ;

HErnst, RII OCA BWilson, RII l

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  • SEE PREVIOUS CONCURRENCE i
  • PM:PD22:DRPR:HRR *D:PD22:DRPR:NP,R
  • Tech Ed. ADR2:DRPR:HRR *D:DRPR:NRR HSilver:bd HNBerkow BCalure .; CLainas SAVarga )

04/04/89 04/19/89 04/04/89 4/04/89 04/03/89 e >

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The Honorable Bob Graham /

/

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The licensee has carefully and extensively examined the "A" pump andanotor and has identified damaged and discrepant components that could have cabsed or could have resulted from the shaft failure. These components are being' corrected, repaired, or replaced, and a shaft of improved design has beenfinstalled in pump "A." The oiber three purps have been examined and appr made, and further enhanced vibration monitoring instrumental'pp'riate ion is being added repairs to all four pumps. All repairs are scheduled to be completed by late April 1969 and the plant restarted at that time.

Florida Power Corporation is striving to assure that/ complete and effective repairs have been accomplished. We will monitor efi' orts in this regard and will assure that all aspects of the pump repair and ardlysis relating to nuclear safety have been satisfactorily resolved.

I hope that this letter addresses Mr. Ball's/ concerns. If I can be of further assistance to you, please do not hesitate td contact me.

Sincr/e ly ,

Victor Stello, Jr.

Executive Director for Operaticas DISTRIBUTION /

Docket TIF(50-302) j/ DAMiller

  • NRC PDR w/ incoming / OGC-WF Local PDR w/ incoming / SECY(89-0274)

E00 #0004362 / VStello EDO Reading '

DMossburg (ED0 #0004362) w/cy of incoming TMurley/JSnieze k / Beverly Clayton JPartlow / HSilver w/cy of incoming PD22 r/f w/cy oJ/ incoming FGillespie SAVarga FMiraglia f

GClainas SEbneter, RII NErnst, RII, ,, OCA RII BWilson,/

/

/

/

[ GREEN TICKET 0004362]

  • SEE PREVIOUS CONCURREN
  • PM:PD22:DRPR:NRR D: gb R:NRR
  • Tech Ed. *ADR2:DRPR:NRR *D:0RPR:NRR HSilver:bd HhBer BCalure GClainas SAVarga 04/04/89 0'4/M 89 C4/04/89 04/04/89 04/03/89
  • A: ADR: NRR DD:NRR *D:HRR E00 0CA JGPartlow JHSniezek TEMurley VStello 04/04/89 04/ /89 04/07/89 04/ /89 04/ /89

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i The Honorable Bob Graham  !

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i The licensee has carefully and extensively examined the "A" pump and motor and .

has identified damaged and discrepant components that could have caused o/could {

have resulted from the shaf t failure. These components are being corrected, J repaired, or replaced, and a shaft of improved design and material has/been installed in pump "A." The other three pumps have been examined andy appropriate .

repairs made, and further enhanced vibration monitoring instrumentation is being I added to all four pumps. All repairs are scheduled to be complet,e8 by late April i 1989 and the plant restarted at that time. /

/

Florida Power Corporation is striving to assure that completd and effective repairs have been accomplished. We will monitor efforts in'this regard and will assure that all aspects of the pump repair and analysis yslating to nuclear safety have been satisfactorily resolved. /

I hope that this letter addresses Mr. Ball's concern [. If I can be of further assistance to you, please do not hesitate to cont ct me.

Sin cerely ,

/

Victor Stello, Jr.

Executive Director

.for Operations DISTRIBUTION Docket File (50-302) DAMiller i NRC PDR w/ incoming OGC-WF Local PDR w/ incoming SECY(89-0274)

E00 #0004362 VStello <

EDO Reading DMossburg (EDO #0004362) w/cy of incoming TMurley/JSniezek Beverly Clayton JPartlow HSilver w/cy of ice ing PD22 r/f w/cy of inccming FGillespie SAVarga FMiraglia 3Clainas SEbneter, RII MErnst, RII CCA BWilson, RII l ,

h[2:DRPR:NRRPkEVIOUS D .U CONCURRyfQ

  • Tech Ed. ):[' PR:f;RR
  • ADR2:DRPR:NPR *D:DRPR:NRR br: , H 1crk & BCalure GClainas S AVi. rga A9 0  !/ 04/04/89 04/04/89 04/03'89

'A: ADR:NPg ' ~ ' DD:NRR JGoart10 -

//ffb JHSniezek iMurley E00 VStello e c /7 04/g/89 04/ /89 C4 /89 04/ /89

The Honorable Bob Graham /  ;

The licensee has carefully and extensively examined the "A" pump.and' mot [r and has identified damaged and discrepant components which could have caused or resulted from the shaft failure. These.are being corrected, repaired, or replaced. A shaft.of improved design and material has been installed in pump I "A". The other three pumps have been examined and appropriate-repairs made, j and furtier enhanced vibration monitoring instrumentation is be,ing added to.all .l four pumis. All repairs are scheduled to be completed by late '/ April 1989 and  !

the plant restarted at that time.

Florida P wer Corporation is striving to assure that comp 15te and effe'ctive repairs h tve .been accomplished. We will monitor efforts'in this regard and will

. j '

assure thit all aspects of the pump repair and analysis ~ relating to nuclear safety have been .atisf actorily resolved. /

/

I hope that.tS1s letter addresses Mr. Ball's concerns. If 1 can be of further assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact me, ,

Sin ce rely , -

/

i Victor Stello, Jr. I Executive Director ]

<for Operations DISTRIBUTION  !

Docket File (50-302) DAMiller NRC PDR w/ incoming OGC-WF tocal PDR w/ incoming SECY(89-0274)

EDO #0004362 VStello ED0 Reading DMossburg (ED0 #0004362) w/cy of incoming TMurley/JSniezek Beverly Clayton 1 JPartlow HSilver w/cy of. incoming I PD22 r/f w/cy of incoming FGillespie SAVarga FMiraglia GClainas SEbneter, RII MErnst, RII )

BWilson, RII

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' UNITED STATES : ,

a NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION erms

_. [ E . WASHINGTON, p. C. 20665 5

$% I EDO Principal Correr>pondence; Contbol (. jhf FROM:- DUE: 04/12/89 EDO. CONTROL: 0004362 {

. DOC DT: 03/24/89 FINAL REPLY:'. 1;

~ Rep. Bob Graham

! .TO:

OCA ,

FOR SIGNATURE OF: ' ** GRN ** CRC NO: 89-0274 .]

Executive Director DESC: ROUTING:

neter, W ENCLOSES LETTER FROM LEE BALL CONCERNING ,

CRYSTAL RIVER NUCLEAR POWER PLANT

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,.'l DATE: 03/29/89 . g[ 3 7 NN 4'

ASSIONED TO: CONTACT:

NRR Murley

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.SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS OR REMARKS: ,,_ b NRR RECEIVED: MARCH 29, 1989 b%v .o L qg ACTION: DkPRiLAINASV .V. r q,j l

NRR ROUTING: MURLEY/SNIEZEK MIRAGLIA VARGA CRUTCHFIELD GILLESPIE M0SSBURG

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ACTION DUE TO NRR DIRECTOR'S OFFlE

,:BY lla d' '7,)q(7

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. OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY CORRESPONDENCE CONTROL TICKET fi PAPER NUMBER: CRC-89-0274 LOGGING DATE: Mar 28 89 ACTION OFFICEt EDO l 1

AUTHOR: D. Oraham AFFILIATION: UNITED STATES SENATE j LETTER DATE: FILE CODE: 'i i

SUBJECT:

Constituent concerns regarding repairs at Crystal River.

ACTION: Direct Reply DISTRIBUTION:

i SPECIAL HAND 7,ING: OCA to Ack.

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i NOTES: Constituent's name - Lee Ball.

DATE DUE: Apr 11 89 SIGNATURE: . DATE SIGNED:

AFFILIATION:

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