ML20087P871

Part 21 Rept Re Two Failed Fuel Oil Filter Differential Pressure Switches.Caused by Pressure Pulsation on Low Pressure Side of Switch.Switch Replaced

ML20087P871
Person / Time
Site:	Hope Creek, 05000000, Shoreham
Issue date:	03/28/1984
From:	Moriarty J COLT INDUSTRIES, INC.
To:	James Keppler NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION III)
References
REF-PT21-84 NUDOCS 8404090454
Download: ML20087P871 (2)

Text

s. i js,n p Colt Industries Fairbanks Morse Engine Division 701 Lawton Avenue

@ Beloit, Wisconsin 53511 608/364-4411 March 28,1984 Office of Inspection & Enforcement U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 799 Roosevelt Road Glen Ellyn, Ill. 60137 Attention: Mr. James G. Keppler, Director, Region III

Subject:

Colt Industries-Fairbanks Morse Engine Division Emergency Diesel Generators Long Island Lighting Co.

Shoreham Nuclear Plant Fuel Oil Filter Differential Pressure Switch Part 21 Report Gentlemen:

During factory tests of the first LILC0 Colt-Pielstick PC-2 Diesel Generator Set, two fuel oil filter differential pressure switches failed, permitting fuel oil to escape through the electrical conduit onto the shop floor. The particulars are as follows:

1. The differential pressure switch is installed in the fuel oil system and senses fuel pressure before and after the fuel filter.

2. The switch is identified as a United Electric Controls Company (Watertown, Mass.) Stock No. J27KB, Model No. 232.

3. On March 17, 1984, while the engine was running, fuel was noted running from electrical conduit fittings. Investigation revealed it to be originating from the electrical enclosure box of the above switch. The switch was then removed and replaced. -

There was a total of 11.8 hours9.259259e-5 days <br />0.00222 hours <br />1.322751e-5 weeks <br />3.044e-6 months <br /> on the engine.

4. Our investigation determined that there was a pin hole in the pressure sensing bellows on the low pressure, or engine side, of the switch. It was considered to be an isolated incident as there were no other failures of this switch known. Therefore, the switch was replaced and no further investigation conducted.

5. On March 25, 1984, with only 12.8 running hours on the new switch, it too failed, allowing fuel to spill from the conduit onto the floor. Examination showed that the low pressure bellows had fail ed.

Because of the two recent failures, Colt concluded that the probable cause is related to; pressure pulsation on the low pressure, or engine, side of this switch. Accordingly, the shop was directed to put pressure pulsation dampers on both the high and low pressure side of this switch.

8404090454 840328 '

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MAR 3 01984

e U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission March 28. -1984 - Page 2 We will evaluate-during further shop testing whether the pulsation dampers eliminate repetitions of the bellows failure.

The onl/ units shipped. using the same device are four (4) .D.G. sets for Public

. Service Electric & Gas Co., Hope Creek Unit No.1, which is not an operating nuclear facility.

. We will keep you advised of our investigation of the effectiveness of the pulsation dampers and our intended course of action.

'A copy of this report is being sent to the utilities involved and to the switch vendor.

Very truly yours, 11 -

. ,,)

MANAGER UTILITY

- JMM:jc cc:- Stone L& Webster Engineering Corp.-

P. 0. Box 2325 1

-Boston, Mass. 02107 Attention: Mr. Mike Mirza Project Engineer Bechtel Power Corp.

P. 0.' Box 3965 San Francisco, CA 94119.

Attention: Hope Creek Project Engineer United. Electric Controls 85 School Street Watertown, Mass. 02172

' Attention: Sales Manager U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission c/o Document Management Branch Washington, D. C. - 20555 1

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