U-602637, Forwards Special Assessment:Confirmatory Action Ltr , Discussing Events Leading to 960906 Shutdown of Plant Due to Reactor Recirculation Pump Seal Failure
| ML20113F468 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Clinton  |
| Issue date: | 09/16/1996 |
| From: | Connell W ILLINOIS POWER CO. |
| To: | Beach A NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20113F470 | List: |
| References | |
| CAL, U-602637, NUDOCS 9609240241 | |
| Download: ML20113F468 (3) | |
Text
lilinois PowIr Comp 1ny Clinton PowIr St; tion P.O. Box 678 4
Clinton. IL 61727 Tel 217 935-5623 Fax 217 935-4632 Wiifred Connell UNWS vic
"'a'd a' PSMR u-602637 8G.120 September 16,1996 Docket No. 50-461 Mr. A. B. (Bill) Beach Regional Administrator i
Region III U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 801 Warrenville Road Lisle, Illinois 60532-4351
Subject:
Assessment Results and Action Plan in Response to Event Involving "B" Reactor Recirculation Pump Seal Failure and Associated NRC Confirmatory Action Letter
Dear Mr. Beach:
We have completed our assessment of the causes of the "B" reactor recirculation
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pump seal failure and other events leading to the September 6,1996 shutdown of Clinton Power Station (Attachment 1). As contemplated in the September 11,1996 Confirmatory Action Letter (CAL) on these issues, our assessment includes:
_A chronology of events surrounding the September 5,1996, reactor recirculation
-pump seal failure, from the start of placing the plant in single loop operation until the plant reached cold shutdown. This chronology includes all related equipment manipulations and decisions that were made.
'An evaluation of the conduct of operations ddring this event, including an evaluation of the decisions made, actions taken, and their basis. This evaluation includes management involvement and oversight of control room activities during this event.
I Key results of the assessment include:
7 Management personnel were not conservative in the operation of the plant.
Numerous opportunities existed for management to evaluate uncertainties
.M and the need for continued reactor operation, but these were not recognized or acted upon.
9609240241 960916 ADOCK0500g1 PDR 6
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U-602637 Page 2 Management did not properly establish, enforce or set the proper example for procedure compliance.
Oversight of the overall picture of plant conditions and actions surrounding the event was ineffective.
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There was inadequate planning and evaluation of the potential j
consequences prior to performing an infrequently performed operation.
Management tolerated long standing equipment problems that contributed to uncertainty of some plant conditions.
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IP personnel were not timely in identifying a potential procedure non-l compliance and management did not sufficiently pursue other indications that would lead to management recognition of the significance of non-j conservative reactor operation.
l We are carefully reviewing these findings to determine what responsive actions are j
warranted prior to restart of Clinton Power Station. Actions that have been or will be completed prior to restart include:
Expectations regarding conservative operational decision making will be clearly defined and provided to all licensed and unlicensed operating j
personnel and Operations management.
The adequacy ofpolicy statements and general procedures regarding j
i conduct of operations and procedure compliance will be examined, and j
changes made as necessary.
7 A seminar on conservative decision making and procedure compliance will be provided to key management team members and Operations staff.
A review of procedures used in normal startup and operations, single loop
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operation, long cycle cleanup, leak detettion, and reactor coolant leakage l
will be conducted to ensure clarity, consistency, and ease of use, and l
changes will be made as warranted.
I Operating crews will receive oractice in normal plant operation and startup i
activities to ensure familiarity with associated procedures, and identify any l.
areas for procedure revision or enhancement.
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O U-602637 6,
Page 3 Roles, duties, and expectations of personnel involved in operational oversight activities will be reviewed and revised as necessary, ar.d appropriate management and Operations personnel will be briefed on these roles and responsibilities.
The "B" Reactor Recirculation pump seal will be replaced and tested, and drywell floor drain leak detection and flow measurement instrumentation will be made operable and tested.
This assessment focused on the activities and conditions present immediately prior to and during the pump seal failures and plant shutdown. We also recognize, that the causes of this event have their roots in management expectations, material conditions, and operational approaches in place well before the events occurred. We are in the process of reviewing the longer-term history that led to these events, and will incorporate action to address those causes into our longer-term corrective actions. As contemplated by the i
CAL, we will submit a complete description of our pre-startup and long-term corrective actions to the NRC by Tuesday, September 17,1996.
Please call me should you have any questions.
i Sincerely, i
b%
~
Wi Vice President
/csm Attachment cc:
NRC Clinton Licensing Project Manager Resident Office, V-690 t
Illinois Department ofNuclear Safety ceDoensusCasessiDesk* &}
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