Information Notice 2003-19, Unanalyzed Condition of Reactor Coolant Pump Seal Leakoff Line During Postulated Fire Scenarios or Station Blackout: Difference between revisions
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| issue date = 10/06/2003 | | issue date = 10/06/2003 | ||
| title = Unanalyzed Condition of Reactor Coolant Pump Seal Leakoff Line During Postulated Fire Scenarios or Station Blackout | | title = Unanalyzed Condition of Reactor Coolant Pump Seal Leakoff Line During Postulated Fire Scenarios or Station Blackout | ||
| author name = Beckner W | | author name = Beckner W | ||
| author affiliation = NRC/NRR/DIPM | | author affiliation = NRC/NRR/DIPM | ||
| addressee name = | | addressee name = | ||
Line 15: | Line 15: | ||
| page count = 7 | | page count = 7 | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{#Wiki_filter:UNITED | {{#Wiki_filter:UNITED STATES | ||
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION | |||
OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION | |||
WASHINGTON, DC 20555-0001 October 6, 2003 NRC INFORMATION NOTICE 2003-19: UNANALYZED CONDITION OF REACTOR | |||
COOLANT PUMP SEAL LEAKOFF LINE DURING | |||
POSTULATED FIRE SCENARIOS OR STATION | |||
BLACKOUT | BLACKOUT | ||
Line 24: | Line 33: | ||
==Purpose== | ==Purpose== | ||
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing this information notice (IN) to | The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing this information notice (IN) to alert | ||
addressees to the recent identification of an unanalyzed condition involving the design of the | |||
reactor coolant pump (RCP) seal leakoff line. | reactor coolant pump (RCP) seal leakoff line. The NRC anticipates that recipients will review | ||
the information for applicability to their facilities and consider taking appropriate actions. | the information for applicability to their facilities and consider taking appropriate actions. | ||
Line 33: | Line 44: | ||
==Description of Circumstances== | ==Description of Circumstances== | ||
On January 13, 2003 the Millstone Unit 3 licensee identified that an over-pressurization of | On January 13, 2003 the Millstone Unit 3 licensee identified that an over-pressurization of RCP | ||
seal leakoff lines could result from an extended loss of seal cooling following station blackout | |||
(SBO) scenarios or postulated fires in specific plant areas coincident with a loss of offsite | (SBO) scenarios or postulated fires in specific plant areas coincident with a loss of offsite | ||
power. | power. Specifically, the licensee relies on operators to isolate the low pressure portion of the | ||
seal leakoff to prevent the line from over-pressurizing. | seal leakoff to prevent the line from over-pressurizing. The licensee determined this | ||
expectation | expectation may not be achievable because the valve used to isolate the low pressure portion | ||
of the seal leakoff line is an air-operated valve. | of the seal leakoff line is an air-operated valve. This valve is designed to fail open upon loss of | ||
electrical power or instrument air, either of which could occur during a SBO or a loss of offsite | electrical power or instrument air, either of which could occur during a SBO or a loss of offsite | ||
power | power coincident with a postulated fire event. | ||
The seal return line for RCPs is designed to recover leakoff volume, at low pressure and | |||
temperature, and return it to the volume control tank or charging pump suction. In the event of | |||
a fire in the cable spreading area, main control room, or instrument rack rooms, coincident with | a fire in the cable spreading area, main control room, or instrument rack rooms, coincident with | ||
a loss of offsite power, a loss of RCP seal cooling could result. | a loss of offsite power, a loss of RCP seal cooling could result. This situation can lead to a | ||
significant increase in RCP seal leakage which would increase the pressure and fluid | significant increase in RCP seal leakage which would increase the pressure and fluid | ||
temperature in the seal return line. | temperature in the seal return line. This over pressurization could result in a pressure boundary | ||
failure of the seal return line, further increasing the RCP seal leakage beyond that assumed in | failure of the seal return line, further increasing the RCP seal leakage beyond that assumed in | ||
the safe shutdown analysis. The resulting rupture would divert more of the credited boric acid storage tank (BAST) | the safe shutdown analysis. | ||
The resulting rupture would divert more of the credited boric acid storage tank (BAST) volume | |||
than was assumed in the development of the licensees fire safe-shutdown strategies. | |||
Operation During Loss of Seal Cooling (MUHP-1063)," dated February 11, 2000. | Therefore, the strategies may not be adequate to achieve safe-shutdown. | ||
Discussion | |||
The licensee identified this issue while reviewing a Westinghouse (W) document on RCP seal | |||
performance during loss of RCP seal cooling events, OG-00-009, "Transmittal of RCP | |||
Operation During Loss of Seal Cooling (MUHP-1063)," dated February 11, 2000. The W | |||
document states that up to 21 gallons per minute (gpm) leakoff from each RCP could occur for | |||
loss of seal cooling events following postulated fire or Station Blackout (SBO) events, which | loss of seal cooling events following postulated fire or Station Blackout (SBO) events, which | ||
exceeds the 3 gpm assumed in the Millstone Unit 3 fire safe shutdown analysis. | exceeds the 3 gpm assumed in the Millstone Unit 3 fire safe shutdown analysis. Therefore, the | ||
licensee concluded that the fire safe shutdown analysis was invalid, but the SBO analysis, which assumes 25 gpm leakoff, was valid. | |||
Upon further investigation, the licensee determined that a loss of seal cooling event could not | |||
be mitigated successfully because the seal leakoff line could not be isolated by the air-operated | |||
because they are not fed by a safety-related air system, and they are designed to fail open. | valves (AOVs) located in the RCP seal return piping. These AOVs cannot be credited to close | ||
because they are not fed by a safety-related air system, and they are designed to fail open. As | |||
a result of the loss of seal cooling and fire scenarios described above, pressures in the seal | a result of the loss of seal cooling and fire scenarios described above, pressures in the seal | ||
leakoff line would reach approximately 800 to 2000 psig. | leakoff line would reach approximately 800 to 2000 psig. Since the piping segment | ||
downstream of each AOV and upstream of the flow restriction orifice is designed 150 psig, this | downstream of each AOV and upstream of the flow restriction orifice is designed 150 psig, this | ||
Line 83: | Line 116: | ||
portion of the leakoff line could rupture, inducing leakoff flow rates in excess of the 21 gpm | portion of the leakoff line could rupture, inducing leakoff flow rates in excess of the 21 gpm | ||
identified in the W document. | identified in the W document. These flow rates severely challenge the credited contents of the | ||
the | BAST and the requirements for achieving and maintaining safe shutdown in accordance with | ||
#1 Seal Leakoff Line." | the applicable licensing basis. | ||
The licensee had been aware of the potential for over pressurization of the seal leakoff line | |||
from a 1992 Westinghouse Technical Bulletin, NSD-TB-91-07-R1, "Over pressurization of RCP | |||
#1 Seal Leakoff Line." However, while the licensee had implemented specific | |||
recommendations contained in the bulletin, the licensee had not considered the potential for the | recommendations contained in the bulletin, the licensee had not considered the potential for the | ||
AOVs in the seal leakoff line to be open. | AOVs in the seal leakoff line to be open. Therefore, the licensee did not consider a potential | ||
pressure boundary failure in the leakoff line that would divert the BAST contents credited for | pressure boundary failure in the leakoff line that would divert the BAST contents credited for | ||
achieving and maintaining safe shutdown.To mitigate and resolve the events described in this IN the licensee has: (1) | achieving and maintaining safe shutdown. | ||
To mitigate and resolve the events described in this IN the licensee has: (1) instituted | |||
compensatory measures for the degraded condition, including continuous fire watches, placement of additional fire extinguishers in the three affected plant areas, and administratively | |||
controlling transient combustibles; (2) initiated plant design changes involving the RCP seal | controlling transient combustibles; (2) initiated plant design changes involving the RCP seal | ||
Line 104: | Line 147: | ||
the event's impact on charging pumps and pressurizer level during the event; and (4) revised | the event's impact on charging pumps and pressurizer level during the event; and (4) revised | ||
fire shutdown strategies to effectively mitigate the event. This information notice requires no specific action or written response. | fire shutdown strategies to effectively mitigate the event. This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If you have any | ||
questions about the information in this notice, please contact one of the technical contacts | |||
listed below or the appropriate Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager. | |||
/RA/ | |||
William D. Beckner, Chief | |||
Reactor Operations Branch | |||
Division of Inspection Program Management | Division of Inspection Program Management | ||
Office of Nuclear Reactor | Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation | ||
Technical Contacts: Paul Cataldo, Region I Warren Lyon, NRR | |||
(860) 701-3470 (301) 415-2897 E-mail: pcc1@nrc.gov E-mail: wcl@nrc.gov | |||
Phil Qualls, NRR | |||
(301) 415-1849 E-mail: pmq@nrc.gov | |||
Attachment: List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices | |||
ML032760027 DOCUMENT NAME:C:\ORPCheckout\FileNET\ML032760027.wpd | |||
See previous concurrence* | |||
OFFICE OES:RORP:DRIP Tech Editor RGN:I SPLB:DSSA | |||
NAME CPetrone* Pkleene* PCCataldo (per email) JHannon* | |||
DATE 06 /19 /2003 02 /24 /2003 07/14 /2003 09/30 /2003 OFFICE SRXB:DSSA SRXB:DSSA EMEB/DE SC:OES:DRIP PD:RORP:DRIP | |||
NAME JUhle* JRWermiel* EImbro* TReis* ejb for WDBeckner | |||
DATE 09/02/2003 09/05 /2003 06/20 /2003 10/02/2003 10/06/2003 | |||
Attachment 1 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED | |||
NRC INFORMATION NOTICES | |||
_____________________________________________________________________________________ | |||
Information Date of | |||
Notice No. Subject Issuance Issued to | |||
_____________________________________________________________________________________ | |||
2003-18 General Electric Type SBM 09/26/2003 All holders of operating licenses | |||
Control Switches With for nuclear power reactors, Defective Cam Followers except those who have | |||
permanently ceased operations | permanently ceased operations | ||
Line 134: | Line 204: | ||
been permanently removed from | been permanently removed from | ||
the reactor vessel.2003- | the reactor vessel. | ||
2003-17 Reduced Service Life of 09/29/2003 All holders of operating licenses | |||
Automatic Switch Company for nuclear power reactors. | |||
(ASCO) Solenoid Valves With | (ASCO) Solenoid Valves With | ||
Buna-N | Buna-N Material | ||
2003-16 Icing Conditions Between Pending All 10 CFR Part 72 licensees and | |||
Bottom of Dry Storage System certificate holders. | |||
and Storage | and Storage Pad | ||
2003-15 Importance of Followup 09/05/2003 All holders of operating licenses | |||
those who have permanently | Activities in Resolving for nuclear power reactors except | ||
Maintenance Issues those who have permanently | |||
ceased operation and have | ceased operation and have | ||
Line 152: | Line 232: | ||
permanently removed from the | permanently removed from the | ||
reactor vessel. | reactor vessel. | ||
2003-14 Potential Vulnerability of Plant 08/29/2003 All holders of operating licenses | |||
Computer Network to Worm for nuclear power reactors, Infection except those who have | |||
permanently ceased operations | permanently ceased operations | ||
Line 162: | Line 244: | ||
been permanently removed from | been permanently removed from | ||
the reactor vessel. | the reactor vessel. | ||
}} | Note: NRC generic communications may be received in electronic format shortly after they are | ||
issued by subscribing to the NRC listserver as follows: | |||
To subscribe send an e-mail to <listproc@nrc.gov >, no subject, and the following | |||
command in the message portion: | |||
subscribe gc-nrr firstname lastname | |||
______________________________________________________________________________________ | |||
OL = Operating License | |||
CP = Construction Permit}} | |||
{{Information notice-Nav}} | {{Information notice-Nav}} |
Latest revision as of 02:37, 24 November 2019
ML032760027 | |
Person / Time | |
---|---|
Site: | Millstone ![]() |
Issue date: | 10/06/2003 |
From: | Beckner W NRC/NRR/DIPM |
To: | |
Lyon W, SRXB/DSSA, 415-2887 | |
References | |
TAC MB7782 IN-03-019 | |
Download: ML032760027 (7) | |
UNITED STATES
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION
WASHINGTON, DC 20555-0001 October 6, 2003 NRC INFORMATION NOTICE 2003-19: UNANALYZED CONDITION OF REACTOR
COOLANT PUMP SEAL LEAKOFF LINE DURING
POSTULATED FIRE SCENARIOS OR STATION
BLACKOUT
Addressees
All holders of operating licenses or construction permits for pressurized water reactors (PWRs).
Purpose
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is issuing this information notice (IN) to alert
addressees to the recent identification of an unanalyzed condition involving the design of the
reactor coolant pump (RCP) seal leakoff line. The NRC anticipates that recipients will review
the information for applicability to their facilities and consider taking appropriate actions.
However, suggestions contained in this information notice are not NRC requirements; therefore, no specific action or written response is required.
Description of Circumstances
On January 13, 2003 the Millstone Unit 3 licensee identified that an over-pressurization of RCP
seal leakoff lines could result from an extended loss of seal cooling following station blackout
(SBO) scenarios or postulated fires in specific plant areas coincident with a loss of offsite
power. Specifically, the licensee relies on operators to isolate the low pressure portion of the
seal leakoff to prevent the line from over-pressurizing. The licensee determined this
expectation may not be achievable because the valve used to isolate the low pressure portion
of the seal leakoff line is an air-operated valve. This valve is designed to fail open upon loss of
electrical power or instrument air, either of which could occur during a SBO or a loss of offsite
power coincident with a postulated fire event.
The seal return line for RCPs is designed to recover leakoff volume, at low pressure and
temperature, and return it to the volume control tank or charging pump suction. In the event of
a fire in the cable spreading area, main control room, or instrument rack rooms, coincident with
a loss of offsite power, a loss of RCP seal cooling could result. This situation can lead to a
significant increase in RCP seal leakage which would increase the pressure and fluid
temperature in the seal return line. This over pressurization could result in a pressure boundary
failure of the seal return line, further increasing the RCP seal leakage beyond that assumed in
the safe shutdown analysis.
The resulting rupture would divert more of the credited boric acid storage tank (BAST) volume
than was assumed in the development of the licensees fire safe-shutdown strategies.
Therefore, the strategies may not be adequate to achieve safe-shutdown.
Discussion
The licensee identified this issue while reviewing a Westinghouse (W) document on RCP seal
performance during loss of RCP seal cooling events, OG-00-009, "Transmittal of RCP
Operation During Loss of Seal Cooling (MUHP-1063)," dated February 11, 2000. The W
document states that up to 21 gallons per minute (gpm) leakoff from each RCP could occur for
loss of seal cooling events following postulated fire or Station Blackout (SBO) events, which
exceeds the 3 gpm assumed in the Millstone Unit 3 fire safe shutdown analysis. Therefore, the
licensee concluded that the fire safe shutdown analysis was invalid, but the SBO analysis, which assumes 25 gpm leakoff, was valid.
Upon further investigation, the licensee determined that a loss of seal cooling event could not
be mitigated successfully because the seal leakoff line could not be isolated by the air-operated
valves (AOVs) located in the RCP seal return piping. These AOVs cannot be credited to close
because they are not fed by a safety-related air system, and they are designed to fail open. As
a result of the loss of seal cooling and fire scenarios described above, pressures in the seal
leakoff line would reach approximately 800 to 2000 psig. Since the piping segment
downstream of each AOV and upstream of the flow restriction orifice is designed 150 psig, this
portion of the leakoff line could rupture, inducing leakoff flow rates in excess of the 21 gpm
identified in the W document. These flow rates severely challenge the credited contents of the
BAST and the requirements for achieving and maintaining safe shutdown in accordance with
the applicable licensing basis.
The licensee had been aware of the potential for over pressurization of the seal leakoff line
from a 1992 Westinghouse Technical Bulletin, NSD-TB-91-07-R1, "Over pressurization of RCP
- 1 Seal Leakoff Line." However, while the licensee had implemented specific
recommendations contained in the bulletin, the licensee had not considered the potential for the
AOVs in the seal leakoff line to be open. Therefore, the licensee did not consider a potential
pressure boundary failure in the leakoff line that would divert the BAST contents credited for
achieving and maintaining safe shutdown.
To mitigate and resolve the events described in this IN the licensee has: (1) instituted
compensatory measures for the degraded condition, including continuous fire watches, placement of additional fire extinguishers in the three affected plant areas, and administratively
controlling transient combustibles; (2) initiated plant design changes involving the RCP seal
leak-off lines to preclude the possibility of rupture during loss-of-all-seal cooling events, i.e.,
replacement of susceptible valves and flanges; (3) performed engineering analyses regarding
the event's impact on charging pumps and pressurizer level during the event; and (4) revised
fire shutdown strategies to effectively mitigate the event. This information notice requires no specific action or written response. If you have any
questions about the information in this notice, please contact one of the technical contacts
listed below or the appropriate Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) project manager.
/RA/
William D. Beckner, Chief
Reactor Operations Branch
Division of Inspection Program Management
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
Technical Contacts: Paul Cataldo, Region I Warren Lyon, NRR
(860) 701-3470 (301) 415-2897 E-mail: pcc1@nrc.gov E-mail: wcl@nrc.gov
Phil Qualls, NRR
(301) 415-1849 E-mail: pmq@nrc.gov
Attachment: List of Recently Issued NRC Information Notices
ML032760027 DOCUMENT NAME:C:\ORPCheckout\FileNET\ML032760027.wpd
See previous concurrence*
OFFICE OES:RORP:DRIP Tech Editor RGN:I SPLB:DSSA
NAME CPetrone* Pkleene* PCCataldo (per email) JHannon*
DATE 06 /19 /2003 02 /24 /2003 07/14 /2003 09/30 /2003 OFFICE SRXB:DSSA SRXB:DSSA EMEB/DE SC:OES:DRIP PD:RORP:DRIP
NAME JUhle* JRWermiel* EImbro* TReis* ejb for WDBeckner
DATE 09/02/2003 09/05 /2003 06/20 /2003 10/02/2003 10/06/2003
Attachment 1 LIST OF RECENTLY ISSUED
NRC INFORMATION NOTICES
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Information Date of
Notice No. Subject Issuance Issued to
_____________________________________________________________________________________
2003-18 General Electric Type SBM 09/26/2003 All holders of operating licenses
Control Switches With for nuclear power reactors, Defective Cam Followers except those who have
permanently ceased operations
and have certified that fuel has
been permanently removed from
the reactor vessel.
2003-17 Reduced Service Life of 09/29/2003 All holders of operating licenses
Automatic Switch Company for nuclear power reactors.
(ASCO) Solenoid Valves With
Buna-N Material
2003-16 Icing Conditions Between Pending All 10 CFR Part 72 licensees and
Bottom of Dry Storage System certificate holders.
and Storage Pad
2003-15 Importance of Followup 09/05/2003 All holders of operating licenses
Activities in Resolving for nuclear power reactors except
Maintenance Issues those who have permanently
ceased operation and have
certified that fuel has been
permanently removed from the
reactor vessel.
2003-14 Potential Vulnerability of Plant 08/29/2003 All holders of operating licenses
Computer Network to Worm for nuclear power reactors, Infection except those who have
permanently ceased operations
and have certified that fuel has
been permanently removed from
the reactor vessel.
Note: NRC generic communications may be received in electronic format shortly after they are
issued by subscribing to the NRC listserver as follows:
To subscribe send an e-mail to <listproc@nrc.gov >, no subject, and the following
command in the message portion:
subscribe gc-nrr firstname lastname
______________________________________________________________________________________
OL = Operating License
CP = Construction Permit