ML040290907
ML040290907 | |
Person / Time | |
---|---|
Site: | River Bend |
Issue date: | 01/29/2004 |
From: | Graves D Division Reactor Projects II |
To: | Hinnenkamp P Entergy Operations |
References | |
EA-03-077 IR-03-006 | |
Download: ML040290907 (22) | |
See also: IR 05000458/2003006
Text
January 29, 2004
Paul D. Hinnenkamp
Vice President - Operations
River Bend Station
Entergy Operations, Inc.
P.O. Box 220
St. Francisville, LA 70775
SUBJECT: RIVER BEND STATION - NRC INTEGRATED INSPECTION REPORT
Dear Mr. Hinnenkamp:
On December 31, 2003, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) completed an
inspection at your River Bend Station facility. The enclosed integrated inspection report
documents the inspection findings, which were discussed on January 7, 2003, with you and
other members of your staff.
The inspection examined activities conducted under your license as they relate to safety and
compliance with the Commissions rules and regulations and with the conditions of your license.
The inspectors reviewed selected procedures and records, observed activities, and interviewed
personnel.
This report documents two self-revealing findings of very low safety significance (Green).
In accordance with 10 CFR 2.790 of the NRCs Rules of Practice, a copy of this letter, its
enclosure, and your response (if any) will be available electronically for public inspection in the
NRC Public Document Room or from the Publically Available Records (PARS) component of
NRCs document system (ADAMS). ADAMS is accessible from the NRC Web site at
http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html (the Public Electronic Reading Room).
Should you have any questions concerning this inspection, we will be pleased to discuss them
with you.
Sincerely,
/RA/
David N. Graves, Chief
Project Branch B
Division of Reactor Projects
Entergy Operations, Inc. -2-
Dockets: 50-458
License: NPF-47
Enclosure:
NRC Inspection Report 05000458/2003006
w/attachment: Supplemental Information
cc w/enclosure:
Senior Vice President and
Chief Operating Officer
Entergy Operations, Inc.
P.O. Box 31995
Jackson, MS 39286-1995
Vice President
Operations Support
Entergy Operations, Inc.
P.O. Box 31995
Jackson, MS 39286-1995
General Manager
Plant Operations
River Bend Station
Entergy Operations, Inc.
P.O. Box 220
St. Francisville, LA 70775
Director - Nuclear Safety
River Bend Station
Entergy Operations, Inc.
P.O. Box 220
St. Francisville, LA 70775
Wise, Carter, Child & Caraway
P.O. Box 651
Jackson, MS 39205
Mark J. Wetterhahn, Esq.
Winston & Strawn
1401 L Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20005-3502
Manager - Licensing
River Bend Station
Entergy Operations, Inc.
P.O. Box 220
St. Francisville, LA 70775
Entergy Operations, Inc. -3-
The Honorable Richard P. Ieyoub
Attorney General
Department of Justice
State of Louisiana
P.O. Box 94005
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9005
H. Anne Plettinger
3456 Villa Rose Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
President
West Feliciana Parish Police Jury
P.O. Box 1921
St. Francisville, LA 70775
Michael E. Henry, State Liaison Officer
Department of Environmental Quality
Permits Division
P.O. Box 4313
Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4313
Brian Almon
Public Utility Commission
William B. Travis Building
P.O. Box 13326
1701 North Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78711-3326
Technological Services
Branch Chief
FEMA Region VI
800 North Loop 288
Federal Regional Center
Denton, TX 76201-3698
Entergy Operations, Inc. -4-
Electronic distribution by RIV:
Regional Administrator (BSM1)
DRP Director (ATH)
DRS Director (DDC)
Senior Resident Inspector (PJA)
Branch Chief, DRP/B (DNG)
Senior Project Engineer, DRP/B (RAK1)
Staff Chief, DRP/TSS (PHH)
RITS Coordinator (NBH)
Anne Boland, OEDO RIV Coordinator (ATB)
RBS Site Secretary (LGD)
Dale Thatcher (DFT)
G. F. Sanborn, D:ACES (GFS)
K. D. Smith, RC (KDS1)
F. J. Congel, OE (FJC)
OE:EA File (RidsOeMailCenter)
W. A. Maier, RSLO (WAM)
ADAMS: WYes * No Initials: __dng___
W Publicly Available * Non-Publicly Available * Sensitive W Non-Sensitive
R:\_RB\2003\RB2003-06RP-PJA.wpd
RIV:SRI:DRP/B RI:DRP/B C:DRP/B
PJAlter MOMiller DNGraves
E - DNGraves E - DNGraves /RA/
1/22/04 1/22/04 1/29/04
OFFICIAL RECORD COPY T=Telephone E=E-mail F=Fax
U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
REGION IV
Docket: 50-458
License: NPF-47
Report No: 05000458/2003006
Licensee: Entergy Operations, Inc.
Facility: River Bend Station
Location: 5485 U.S. Highway 61
St. Francisville, Louisiana
Dates: September 28 through December 31, 2003
Inspectors: P. J. Alter, Senior Resident Inspector, Project Branch B
M. O. Miller, Resident Inspector, Project Branch B
Approved By: D. N. Graves, Chief, Project Branch B
Division of Reactor Projects
Enclosure
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
IR 05000458/2003006; 09/28/2003 - 12/31/2003; River Bend Station; Event Followup.
The report covered a 3-month period of routine inspection by resident inspectors. Two Green
findings were identified. The significance of most findings is indicated by their color (Green,
White, Yellow, Red) using IMC 0609, "Significance Determination Process." Findings for which
the significance determination process does not apply may be Green or be assigned a severity
level after NRC management review. The NRCs program for overseeing the safe operation of
commercial nuclear power reactors is described in NUREG-1649, "Reactor Oversight Process,"
Revision 3, dated July 2000.
A. NRC-Identified and Self-Revealing Findings
Cornerstone: Initiating Events
- Green. A self-revealing finding was identified and determined to be of very low
safety significance. A human performance error caused the isolation of the air
release valve for normal service water Pump C. The air release valve for a normal
service water pump served as a high point vent on the system while the pump was
secured. As a result, normal service water Pump C became air bound while in
standby and failed to develop discharge pressure when started during a manual
swap of running normal service water pumps on September 1, 2003. The
inspectors determined that the finding did not represent a noncompliance because
it occurred on a nonsafety-related normal service water system.
The inspectors determined that the failure to maintain the normal service water
Pump C discharge air release valve isolation valve open was more than minor
because it was associated with an increase in the likelihood of an initiating event.
The finding was of very low safety significance because there was only a small
increase in the likelihood of a loss of normal service water with one of the three
50 percent capacity normal service water pumps unavailable and because the
standby service water system was available throughout the time normal service
Pump C was air bound (Section 4OA5).
Cornerstone: Mitigating Systems
- White. As documented in NRC special inspection Report 05000458/2002007, the
inspectors identified a violation of Technical Specification 5.4.1.a. for failure to
properly lock open condensate prefilter vessel bypass flow control Valve CNM-
FCV200. As a result, when the reactor automatically scrammed, the valve closed
and feedwater flow was lost to the reactor. The operators were able to provide
makeup water to the reactor using the reactor core isolation cooling system.
The final significance determination was completed and documented in Final
Significance Determination for a White Finding and Notice of Violation, (EA-03-
077) dated December 29, 2003. The finding was determined to be of low to
moderate safety significance because of the combination of: (1) risk associated
Enclosure
-2-
with a loss of feedwater and (2) external events, such as a fire in conjunction with
a loss of the feedwater system, over a period of approximately 126 days
(Section 4OA5).
C. Licensee-Identified Violations
None
Enclosure
REPORT DETAILS
Summary of Plant Status: The reactor was operated at 100 percent power for the entire
inspection period, with the exception of routine reductions in reactor power for control rod
exercising and turbine testing.
1. REACTOR SAFETY
Cornerstones: Initiating Events, Mitigating Systems, Barrier Integrity, Emergency
Preparedness
1R01 Adverse Weather Protection (71111.01)
a. Inspection Scope
During the weeks of November 10 and December 8, 2003, the inspectors reviewed the
licensees implementation of plant procedures to protect mitigating systems from
freezing weather conditions. Specifically, the inspectors: (1) verified that risk-significant
structures, systems, and components (SSC) were prepared to remain functional when
challenged by cold weather conditions; (2) verified that cold weather features such as
heat tracing and space heaters were operable and monitored; (3) verified that plant
features for operation of the ultimate heat sink during cold weather conditions were
appropriate; and (4) evaluated implementation of the cold weather preparation
procedures for affected SSC before the onset of cold weather. The inspectors reviewed
the operations section Procedure OSP-0043, Freeze Protection and Temperature
Maintenance, Revision 4, including the attachments completed for cold weather
conditions during November and December 2003.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
1R04 Equipment Alignment (71111.04)
a. Inspection Scope
During the week of November 3, 2003, the inspectors conducted a complete system
walkdown of the reactor recirculation system flow control system. The inspectors
verified: (1) proper valve and control switch alignments, (2) valves were locked as
required, (3) power supply lineup, and (4) alarms and indications in the main control
room were as specified in the procedures and drawings listed in the attachment to this
inspection report.
The inspectors also verified electrical power requirements, labeling, and hanger and
support installation. Operating pumps were examined to ensure that any noticeable
vibration was not excessive, pump leakoff was not excessive, bearings were not hot to
the touch, and the pumps were properly ventilated. The walkdowns also included
Enclosure
-2-
evaluation of system piping and supports to ensure piping and pipe supports did not
show evidence of water hammer and component foundations were not degraded.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
1R05 Fire Protection (71111.05)
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors walked down accessible portions of six areas important to safety
described below to assess: (1) the licensees control of transient combustible material
and ignition sources; (2) fire detection and suppression capabilities; (3) manual
firefighting equipment and capability; (4) the condition of passive fire protection features,
such as electrical raceway fire barrier systems, fire doors, and fire barrier penetration;
and (5) any related compensatory measures. The areas inspected were:
- Diesel generator building, 98 foot elevation, Division II emergency diesel generator
control room, Fire Zone DG-4/Z-1, on October 20, 2003
- Control building, 116 foot elevation, Division III standby 125 Vdc battery room, Fire
Zone C-20, on October 20, 2003
- Reactor building, 162 foot elevation, containment unit coolers area, Fire
Zone RC-F/Z-13, on October 21, 2003
- Auxiliary building, 95 foot elevation, reactor water cleanup unit cooler area, Fire
Zone AB-4/Z-2, on October 21, 2003
- Auxiliary building, 95 foot elevation, reactor building component cooling system
heat exchanger area, Fire Zone AB-1/Z-2, on October 21, 2003
- Standby cooling tower, 118 foot elevation, Division II standby service water pump
room, Fire Zone PH-2, on October 23, 2003
The inspectors reviewed the following documents during the fire protection inspections:
- Pre-Fire Strategy Book
- Updated Safety Analysis Report (USAR), Section 9A.2, Fire Hazards Analysis
- River Bend postfire safe shutdown analysis
- RBNP-038, Site Fire Protection Program, Revision 06A
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
Enclosure
-3-
1R11 Licensed Operator Requalification Program (71111.11)
a. Inspection Scope
On October 22, 2003, the inspectors observed one requalification program simulator
training session of an operating crew, as part of the operator requalification training
program, designed to improve licensed operator performance and the training
evaluators critique. Emphasis was placed on observing training exercises of high risk,
licensed operator actions, operator activities associated with the emergency plan, and
lessons learned from industry and plant experiences. In addition, the inspectors
compared simulator control panel configurations with the actual control room panels for
consistency. The simulator training scenarios observed were: (1) RSMS-OPS-618,
Main Turbine Trip/ATWS/SLC Failure/RWCU Leak in Steam Tunnel With Failure to
Isolate, Revision 3, and (2) RSMS-OPS-422, Inadvertent HPCS Injection and Loss of
Stator Cooling, Revision 2.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
1R12 Maintenance Rule Implementation (71111.12)
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors reviewed two equipment performance problems to assess the
effectiveness of the licensees maintenance efforts for SSC within the scope of the
maintenance rule program. The inspectors verified licensees maintenance
effectiveness by: (1) verifying the licensees handling of SSC performance or condition
problems, (2) verifying the licensees handling of degraded SSC functional performance
or condition, (3) evaluating the role of work practices and common cause problems, and
(4) evaluating the licensees handling of the SSC issues being reviewed under the
requirements of the maintenance rule (10 CFR 50.65), 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix B,
and Technical Specifications. The two equipment performance problems were:
- River Bend Station Condition Report (CR-RBS) 2003-03632, failure of residual
heat removal system service water containment flood Valve 1E12-MOVF094
- CR-RBS-2003-3318, failure of Division I control room air handling unit to start
automatically during start of Division I control building air conditioning system
The following documents were reviewed as part of this inspection:
- NUMARC 93-01, Revision 2, Nuclear Energy Institute Industry Guideline for
Monitoring the Effectiveness of Maintenance at Nuclear Power Plants
Enclosure
-4-
- Maintenance rule function list
- Maintenance rule performance criteria list
- Residual heat removal system maintenance rule evaluations
- Control building air conditioning maintenance rule performance evaluations
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
1R13 Maintenance Risk Assessments and Emergent Work Control (71111.13)
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors reviewed two maintenance activities to verify the performance of
assessments of plant risk related to planned and emergent maintenance work activities.
The inspectors verified three items: (1) the adequacy of the risk assessments and the
accuracy and completeness of the information considered, (2) management of the
resultant risk and implementation of work controls and risk management actions, and
(3) effective control of emergent work, including prompt reassessment of resultant plant
risk.
.1 Risk Assessment and Management of Risk
On a routine basis, the inspectors verified performance of risk assessments, in
accordance with administrative Procedure ADM-096, Risk Management Program
Implementation and on-line Maintenance Risk Assessment, Revision 04, for planned
maintenance activities and emergent work involving SSC within the scope of the
maintenance rule. Specific work activities evaluated included planned and emergent
work for the Division I workweek, September 28, 2003.
.2 Emergent Work Controls
During emergent work, the inspectors verified that the licensee took actions to minimize
the probability of initiating events, maintained the functional capability of mitigating
systems, and maintained barrier integrity. The inspectors also reviewed the emergent
work activities to ensure the plant was not placed in an unacceptable configuration. The
emergent work activity evaluated was the repair of residual heat removal system service
water containment flood Valve E12-MOVF094, on November 13, 2003.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
Enclosure
-5-
1R15 Operability Evaluations (71111.15)
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors reviewed three operability determinations selected on the basis of risk
insights. The inspectors assessed: (1) the accuracy of the evaluations, (2) the use and
control of compensatory measures if needed, and (3) compliance with Technical
Specifications, Technical Requirements Manual, USAR, and other associated
design-basis documents. The inspectors review included a verification that the
operability determinations were made as specified by Procedure RBNP-078, Operability
Determinations, Revision 7. The operability evaluations reviewed were associated with:
- CR-RBS-2003-3306, reactor recirculation loop flow control Valve B unexpectedly
going in the closed direction and both hydraulic power units tripping when placing
hydraulic power Unit B in lead, reviewed on October 27 and 28, 2003
- CR-RBS-2003-3451, reactor recirculation loop flow control Valve B slowly drifting
open after being hydraulically locked, reviewed on November 10, 2003
- CR-RBS-2003-3440, motor-driven fire pump not starting while performing fire
hydrant flow test, reviewed on December 18, 2003
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
1R16 Operator Work-Arounds (IP 71111.16)
a. Inspection Scope
An operator work-around is defined as a degraded or nonconforming condition that
complicates the operation of plant equipment and is compensated for by operator
action. During this inspection period, the inspectors reviewed the effect of three
operator work-arounds on: (1) the reliability, availability, and potential for misoperation
of any mitigating system; (2) whether they could increase the frequency of an initiating
event; and (3) their effect on the operation of multiple mitigating systems.
- Manual venting of the service water system every shift, reviewed on November 23,
2003
- Taking temperature readings using installed Riley instrumentation, reviewed on
December, 16, 2003
- Restoration of control room air handling unit with control building air conditioning
chillers out of service, reviewed on December 18, 2003
Enclosure
-6-
The procedures and other documents reviewed by the inspectors during this inspection
were:
- Plant effects report from work management computer, dated November 25, 2003
- Shift Manager Tracking Report, dated November 25, 2003
- Equipment Status Turnover Sheet, dated November 25, 2003
- Operator Burden List, dated November 25, 2003
- Unit Tracking Limiting Conditions for Operation, dated December 16, 2003
- SOP-0066, Control Building Chilled Water System, Revision 29
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
1R19 Postmaintenance Testing (71111.19)
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors reviewed five work order packages (WOP) to assess the adequacy of
testing activities to verify system operability and functional capability. The inspectors
performed the following: (1) identified the safety function(s) for each system by
reviewing applicable licensing basis and/or design-basis documents; (2) reviewed each
maintenance activity to identify which maintenance functions may have been affected;
(3) reviewed each test procedure to verify that the procedure did adequately test the
safety functions that may have been affected by the maintenance activity; (4) reviewed
that the acceptance criteria in the procedure were consistent with information in the
applicable licensing basis and/or design-basis documents; and (5) identified that the
procedure was properly reviewed and approved. The WOPs inspected were:
C WOP 00030857, Electric-driven fire water pump did not start while system
pressure was low during fire hydrant test, conducted on October 15, 2003
C WOP 00030604 01, Reactor recirculation system flow control hydraulic power
Unit B solenoid operated control Valves RCS-SOV83B and RCS-SOV83D
replacement, conducted October 7, 2003
C WOP 00030553 02, Reactor recirculation system flow control hydraulic power
Unit B controller circuit card replacement, conducted October 7, 2003
C WOP 50365418 03, Clean, inspect, insulation test, and lubricate residual heat
removal Pump C suction Valve E12-MOVF105 motor operator, conducted
December 10, 2003
C WOP 00034323 04, Replace leaking Division II diesel generator fuel oil line,
conducted December 11, 2003
Enclosure
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b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
1R22 Surveillance Testing (71111.22)
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors assessed, by witnessing and reviewing test data, whether three
risk-significant system and component surveillance tests met Technical Specification,
USAR, and procedure requirements. The inspectors reviewed whether the surveillance
tests demonstrated operational readiness and whether the systems were capable of
performing their intended safety functions. The inspectors reviewed the following
surveillance test attributes: (1) preconditioning; (2) clarity of acceptance criteria;
(3) range, accuracy, and current calibration of test equipment; and (4) equipment
properly restored at the completion of the testing. The inspectors observed and
reviewed the following surveillance tests and surveillance test procedures (STP):
C STP-251-3203, "Motor Driven Fire Pump Monthly Operability Test," Revision 11,
performed on October 15, 2003
C STP-251-3300, Diesel Fire Pump Battery Quarterly Surveillance, Revision 11,
performed on September 21, 2003
C STP-251-3100, Diesel Fire Pump Battery Weekly Surveillance, Revision 15A,
performed on September 21, 2003
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
1R23 Temporary Plant Modifications (71111.23)
a. Inspection Scope
During the inspection period, the inspectors reviewed two temporary plant modifications
made to plant equipment and procedures listed below. The inspectors conducted the
following: (1) review of the temporary modification and its associated 10 CFR 50.59
screening against the system design-basis documentation, including the USAR and
Technical Specifications; (2) verification that the installation and removal of the
temporary modification were consistent with the modification documents; (3) verification
that plant drawings and procedures were updated; and (4) review of the postinstallation
and removal test results to confirm that the actual impact of the temporary modification
on the affected system had been adequately verified.
Enclosure
-8-
- Temporary modification to power control room instrumentation ac Bus SCM-
PNL01A from reactor protection system alternate power Supply RPS-XRC10A1 in
order to troubleshoot the control room instrument ac power supply, on October 7,
2003
- Procedure change request modifying abnormal operating Procedure, AOP-0031,
Shutdown From Outside the Main Control Room, Revision 17, to ensure the
reactor core isolation cooling system was available if the control room was
evacuated due to a fire, on November 25, 2003
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
4. OTHER ACTIVITIES
4OA1 Performance Indicator Verification (71151)
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors reviewed submissions for the two performance indicators (PI) listed
below spanning the period from September 28, 2002, through September 30, 2003. To
verify the accuracy of the PI data reported during that period, PI definitions and
guidance contained in NEI (Nuclear Energy Institute) 99-02, Regulatory Assessment
Indicator Guideline, Revision 2, were used to verify the basis in reporting for each data
element.
Mitigating Systems Cornerstone
- Safety System Unavailability, High Pressure Injection System
- Safety System Functional Failures
The inspector reviewed the licensees performance indicator technique sheets to
determine whether the licensee satisfactorily identified the required data reporting
elements. This data was compared with the data reported to the NRC since the last
verification inspection was conducted. The inspectors reviewed the information reported
in licensee event reports (LERs) and sampled the maintenance rule database, portions
of operator log entries, and portions of limiting conditions for operation log entries to
verify the accuracy of the data reporting elements, the licensees basis for crediting
system availability, and the calculation of the average system unavailability for the
previous 12 quarters. The inspectors also interviewed licensee personnel associated
with the PI data collection, evaluation, and distribution.
b. Findings
No findings of significance were identified.
Enclosure
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4OA2 Problem Identification and Resolution
Cross-Reference to Problem Identification and Resolution Findings Documented
Elsewhere
Section 4OA3 describes a self-revealing finding related to the failure of a main turbine
control hydraulic line that lead to a manual scram and turbine trip. The licensees root
cause analysis of the February 22, 2003, event determined that the failure mechanism
should have been identified during the fault analysis of a leak in a similar main turbine
control hydraulic line in August 2000.
4OA3 Event Followup (71153)
(Closed) LER 05000458/2003-001-01, Unplanned Reactor Scram Due to Fluid Leak in
Main Turbine Electrohydraulic Control System
a. Inspection Scope
The inspectors reviewed the subject LER and the licensees Condition Report CR-RBS-
2003-0639 to determine that the root cause for the February 22, 2003, turbine control
system hydraulic line failure, which led to a manual reactor scram and turbine trip, was
properly identified and that corrective actions were reasonable. The inspectors
reviewed the operator response to the event to ensure that plant procedures were
properly implemented and that equipment performed as required. This LER is closed.
b. Findings
Introduction. The inspectors identified a Green self-revealing finding for failure to
properly diagnose a similar failure of turbine control hydraulic line failure in August 2000.
Description. On February 22, 2003, a hydraulic line for the number one turbine control
valve actuator failed due to a through-wall crack. This created a hydraulic oil leak and
required that the operators manually scram the reactor and trip the turbine. All safety
systems responded to the event as designed. The licensees investigation of the event
found that the failure of the hydraulic line in the turbine control system was a repeat of
an August 31, 2000, turbine control system hydraulic line failure. The failure cause
analysis of the August 31, 2000, failure, as documented in Condition Report CR-RBS-
2000-1554, was stress corrosion cracking. Further analysis, after the February 2003
failure, revealed that all the conditions necessary for stress corrosion cracking were not
present for the August 2000 failure.
Following the February 2003 event, the licensees analysis of the failed line indicated
that the root cause was metal fatigue induced by system vibration. The failure occurred
in an area where the heat-affected zones from closely spaced welds overlapped.
Repairs to the affected line were completed with thicker walled tubing prior to plant
Enclosure
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startup. During the subsequent refueling outage, the lines were reconfigured based on
a system stress analysis to eliminate the overstress condition and to increase wall
thickness.
Analysis. The inspectors determined that this problem identification and resolution
finding is more than minor because the misdiagnosis of the August 31, 2000, failure
contributed to the February 22, 2003, failure which resulted in a manual reactor scram
and turbine trip. The finding affected the initiating events cornerstone and was
considered to have very low safety significance (Green) because it did not contribute to
the likelihood of a loss of coolant accident, nor the likelihood of both a reactor scram
and mitigating equipment or functions being unavailable, and because there was no
increased likelihood of a fire or internal/external flood (FIN 05000458/2003006-01).
Enforcement. No violation of regulatory requirements occurred. The inspectors
determined that the finding did not represent a noncompliance because it occurred on
nonsafety-related secondary plant equipment.
4OA4 Crosscutting Aspects of Findings
Section 4OA5 of this report documents a human performance error that caused the air
release valve - high point vent - for the standby normal service water pump to be
isolated contrary to the system valve lineup. The result was that the pump became air
bound and failed to develop discharge pressure when started during a planned swap of
running pumps.
4OA5 Other Activities
1. (Closed) AV 05000458/2003005-05, Normal Service Water (NSW) pump found to be air
bound when called upon to run
Introduction. The inspectors identified a Green finding for failure to control the position
of the isolation valve for the air release valve for NSW Pump C. As a result, NSW
Pump C became air bound and failed to develop discharge pressure during a planned
swap of running NSW pumps on September 1, 2003.
Description. In June 2003, NSW Pump C was removed from service for a planned
overhaul of the pump, including impeller replacement. On June 14, 2003, the pump was
filled, vented, and run successfully for postmaintenance testing. The pump remained in
service for the next 16 days. On August 2, 2003, NSW Pump C was run for less than
one hour to perform postmaintenance testing of work done on discharge Valve
SWP-MOV170C.
On September 1, 2003, while swapping running NSW pumps, NSW Pump B was
secured and NSW Pump C was started. NSW Pump C did not develop its expected
discharge pressure when Valve SWP-MOV170C came completely open. Running NSW
Enclosure
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Pump A indication showed that it was supplying all system flow. NSW Pump C was
secured and NSW Pump B was restarted. System operating parameters returned to
normal for two-pump operation.
On September 2, 2003, engineering, maintenance, and operations personnel examined
NSW Pump C in an effort to determine the reason for its failure to develop normal
discharge pressure. NSW Pump C discharge air release valve isolation Valve
SWP-V3312C was found closed. The air release valve for NSW Pump C served as a
high point vent on the system while the pump was secured. As a result, NSW Pump C
became air bound while in standby and failed to develop discharge pressure when
started the previous day. Later that day, the licensee successfully test ran NSW
Pump C and swapped running pumps to NSW Pumps A and C in service with NSW
Pump B secured. Final NSW system parameters were normal for two-pump operation.
Analysis. The inspectors determined that this human performance error was more than
minor because it was associated with an increase in the likelihood of an initiating event.
The inspectors reviewed this finding using IMC 0609, Appendix A, Significance
Determination of Reactor Inspection Findings for At-Power Situations. The inspectors
determined that the increased likelihood of a loss of normal service water required
further evaluation by the regional senior reactor analyst. The important core damage
sequence was a transient involving a loss of the NSW system, followed by loss of the
standby service water system and failure to recover. Using the standardized plant
analysis risk model, the analyst determined that the degraded condition of NSW
Pump C with its air release valve isolated to be of very low risk significance (Green).
Some of the factors causing the finding to be of very low safety significance were: the
short duration of time that the pump was unavailable, the other NSW pumps were
available, and there was no common cause failure mode which resulted in a relatively
small increase in the likelihood of a loss of normal service water.
Enforcement. The inspectors determined that no violation of regulatory requirements
occurred because normal service water is not a safety-related system nor directly
covered by Technical Specification-required procedures (FIN 05000458/2003006-02).
2. (Closed) AV 05000458/2002007-01 Failure to properly lock open condensate valve
resulted in loss of feedwater flow following reactor scram
As documented in NRC special inspection Report 05000458/2002007, the inspectors
identified a violation of Technical Specifications 5.4.1.a. for failure to properly lock open
condensate prefilter vessel bypass flow control Valve CNM-FCV200. As a result, when
the reactor automatically scrammed on September 18, 2002, the valve closed and
feedwater flow was lost to the reactor. The operators were able to provide makeup
water to the reactor using the reactor core isolation cooling system.
The final significance determination was completed and documented in Final
Significance Determination for a White Finding and Notice of Violation, (EA-03-077)
dated December 29, 2003. The finding was determined to be of low to moderate safety
Enclosure
-12-
significance (White) because the combination of: (1) risk associated with a loss of
feedwater and (2) external events, such as a fire in conjunction with a loss of the
feedwater system, over a period of approximately 126 days. (VIO 05000458/2003006-
03)
4OA6 Management Meetings
Exit Meetings
The inspectors presented the inspection results to Mr. P. Hinnenkamp, Vice President,
Operations, and other members of licensee management on January 7, 2004.
The inspectors asked the licensee whether any materials examined during the
inspection should be considered proprietary. No proprietary information was identified.
ATTACHMENT: SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Enclosure
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
KEY POINTS OF CONTACT
Licensee Personnel
M. Boyle, Superintendent, Radiation Protection
D. Burnett, Superintendent, Chemistry
S. Belcher, Assistant Operations Manager
A. James, Superintendent - Plant Security
T. Gates, Manager, System Engineering
H. Goodman, Manager, Nuclear Engineering
R. Goodwin, Manager - Training and Development
J. Heckenberger, Manager, Planning and Scheduling/Outage
P. Hinnenkamp, Vice President - Operations
R. King, Director - Nuclear Safety Assurance
J. Leavines, Manager, Licensing and Acting Manager, Emergency Planning
T. Lynch, Manager, Operations
J. Malara, Manager, Design Engineering
J. McGhee, Manager, Plant Maintenance
T. Trepanier, General Manager - Plant Operations
W. Trudell, Manager, Corrective Actions and Assessment
LIST OF ITEMS OPENED, CLOSED, AND DISCUSSED
Opened and Closed
05000458/2003006-01 FIN Unplanned reactor scram due to fluid leak in main turbine
electrohydraulic control system (Section 4OA3)05000458/2003006-02 FIN NSW pump found to be air bound when called upon to run
(Section 4OA5)
Opened
05000458/2003006-03 VIO Failure to properly lock open condensate valve resulted in
loss of feedwater flow following reactor scram
(Section 4OA5)
Closed
05000458/2003-001-01 LER Unplanned reactor scram due to fluid leak in main turbine
electrohydraulic control system (Section 4OA3)05000458/2003005-05 AV NSW pump found to be air-bound when called upon to run
(Section 4OA5)
A-1 Attachment
05000458/2002007-01 AV Failure to properly lock open condensate valve resulted in
loss of feedwater flow following reactor scram
(Section 4OA5)
Discussed
None.
LIST OF DOCUMENTS REVIEWED
The following documents were selected and reviewed by the inspectors to accomplish the
objectives and scope of the inspection and to support any findings:
Section 1R04: Equipment Alignment
- SOP-0003, Reactor Recirculation System, Revision 27
- PID-25-1E, Hydraulic Recirculation Flow Control Skid A, Revision 1
- PID-25-1F, Hydraulic Recirculation Flow Control Skid B, Revision 1
- USAR Section 15.3.2, Recirculation Flow Control Valve Failure - Decreasing
- USAR Section 15.4.5, Recirculation Flow Control Valve Failure With Increasing Flow
- USAR Appendix 15B, Accident Analysis for Cycle 12"
- Technical Specifications Section 3.4.2, Flow Control Valves
- Recirculation system performance indicator report
LIST OF ACRONYMS
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
CR-RBS River Bend Station Condition Report
LER licensee event report
NSW normal service water system
NRC U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
PI Performance Indicators
SSC structures, systems, or components
STP surveillance test procedure
USAR Updated Safety Analysis Report
WOP work order packages
A-2 Attachment