PNO-III-96-058B, 961004,second Update Re Preliminary Findings of Two NRC Team Insps Stemming from Utils Handling of Recirculation Pump Seal Leak & Shutdown of Plant on 960906. Plant Will Remain Shutdown Until 961013 Refueling Outage
| ML20128K629 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Clinton  |
| Issue date: | 10/08/1996 |
| From: | Caldwell J, Lanksbury R NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| PNO-III-96-058B, PNO-III-96-58B, NUDOCS 9610110126 | |
| Download: ML20128K629 (2) | |
_ _
4
, October 8, 1996 J
PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE PNO-III-96-058B This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of events of POSSIBLE safety or public interest significance. The information is as initially received without verification or evaluation, and is basically all that is' known by Region III staff (Lisle -Illinois) on this date.
Facility Licensee Emergency Classification i
Illinois Power Co.
X Notification of Unusual Event Clinton 1 Alert
?
Clinton. Illinois Site Area Emergency Dockets: 50-461 General Emergency Not Applicable
Subject:
SHUTDOWN TO REPAIR RECIRCULATION PUMP SEAL (SECOND UPDATE)
On October 4, 1996, an open exit meeting was held at the plant site to i
present the preliminary findings of two NRC team inspections stemming from the utility's handling of a recirculation pum) seal leak and subsecuent shutdown of the plant on September 6. T1e plant will remain shut cown in preparation for the scheduled October 13. 1996, refueling outage.
The reactor was shut down because of leakage in the reactor drywell i
greater than the 5 gallon per minute limit in the Technical Specifications. The leakage was due to a degraded seal on the "B" i
Prior to the decision to shut the reactor down, reactor operators attempted to reduce the seal leakage to within the Technical Specification limit, The first team inspection focused on the event itself: the second team looked more broadly at plant operations, maintenance, and enginaering.
The event team concluded that the utility's handling of the pump sel leak was poor.
Inappropriate and nonconservative actions were taken to attempt to reduce seal leakage while the plant remained at power.
These decisions led to a series of apparent violations of the plant's operating procedures as personnel attempted to reduce the seal leakage to below the limit requiring shutdown.
l The team also reviewed the maintenance activities involved in the subsequent replacement of the leaking recirculation pump seal and found them to be appropriately performed.
The second team, evaluating routine operations and maintenance and engineering activities, observed instances of an informality and lack of rigor in control room activities.
The team also found procedure adequacy and adherence problems with system operation and surveillance procedures.
In addition, engineering support to operations was weak in the areas of operability and safety evaluations.
4 01 26 961008 PNO-III-96-058 PDR 110039
\\0g 4
i w
w
=-m T
-S yv-----
+
,g s,
-r p-ir
-g~
- r r
O 4
PNO-III-96-058B At the meeting. it was announced that NRC Region III (Chicago) will monitor the refueling outage with augmented coverage.
A predecisional enforcement conference with the utility will be scheduled to discuss the apparent violations identified in the two inspections.
The licensee was informed of the contents of this PN during the exit meeting on October 4. 1996.
The State of Illinois will be notified of this updated information. There has been considerable area news media interest in the Clinton inspections.
This information is current as of 12 p.m. on October 8. 1996.
Contact:
ROGER LANKSBURY JAMES CALDWELL (630)829-9631 (630)829-9600