ML20205N955

Special Rept 2-SR-87-009:on 870314,smoke Found Issuing from Heater Drain Pump B Motor.Caused by Mechanical Seal Malfunction.Motor Breaker & Space Heater Breaker Racked Out. Fire Extinguished W/Portable Co Extinguisher

ML20205N955
Person / Time
Site:	Palo Verde
Issue date:	03/19/1987
From:	Haynes J ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE CO. (FORMERLY ARIZONA NUCLEAR
To:	Martin J NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION V)
References
192-00172-JGH-T, 192-172-JGH-T, 2-SR-87-009, 2-SR-87-9, NUDOCS 8704030141
Download: ML20205N955 (2)

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h, Arizona Nuclear Power Project P.O. box 52034 e PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85072-2034 ~' %//g //

192-00172-JGH/T C 48 March 19, 1987 Mr. John B. Martin, Regional Administrator Office of Inspection and Enforcement U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region V l 1450 Maria lane, Suite 210 Walnut Creek, CA 94596-5368

Subject:

Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station Unit 2 Docket No. STN 50-529 (License NPF-51)

Special Report 2-SR-87-009 File: 87-020-404

Dear Mr. Martin:

Attached please find a Special Report 2-SR-87-009 prepared and submitted pursuant to herscocy ElaniImplementing. Procedurec,202 This report discusses a NOTIFICATION OF UNUSUAL EVENT due to a heater drain pump motor fire.

If you have any questions, please contact Tom Bradish, Compliance Supervisor at (602) 932-5300, Ext. 6936.

Very trul yours, jD%89----

J. G. Haynes Vice President Nuclear Production JGH/TRB/MJC/c1d Attachment cc: O. M. DeMichele (all w/a)

E. E. Van Brunt, Jr.

R. P. Zimmerman R. C. Sorenson E. A. Licitra A. C. Gehr INFO Records Center h hO S

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e PALO VERDE NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION TNIT 2 4

Heater Drain Pump Motor Fire s, t '

Docket No. 50-529 License No. NPF-51 Special Report No. 2-SR-87-009 At approximately 1256 on March 14, 1987, the USNRC Operations Center was notified via the Emergency Notification System of the declaration of a NOTIFICATION OF UNUSUAL EVENT (NUE) for Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station Unit 2. The NUE was declarea '

pursuant to Emergency Plan Implementing Procedure EPIP-02 which requires the submission of a report for a fire which lasts longer than 10 minutes.

Prior to the event, Unit 2 was in Mode 1 (POWER OPERATION) at 50 percent power with main feedwater pump "A" in service. At approximately 1136, heater drain pump "B" was placed into service to support an increase in power to 80 percent. At 1216 the

" ELECTRICAL PROTECTION TRIP" alarm was received for heater drain pump "B". An auxiliary operator was immediately dispatched to assess the alarm.

At 1221 the auxiliary operator informed the control room that smoke was issuing from the heater drain pump "B" motor. As immediate corrective action the Shift Supervisor directed that the motor breaker and the space heater breaker be racked out. Fire Protection was notified and responded to the scene. Fire Protection personnel extinguished the fire with portable 00 extinguisher at approximately 1253.

In accordance .udth EPIP-02, an NUE was declared at 1231. The NUE was terminated at 1253 when the fire was extinguished. The appropriate notifications were made.

A preliminary investigation indicates that a mechanical seal on the heater drain pump had malfunctioned and resulted in the pump motor being mprayed with a water / steam mixture. The pump motor windings shorted and a fire started. A root cause of failure investigation has been initiated to determine the cause of the mechanical seal malfunction.

There were no personnel injuries involved and the loss of heater drain pump "B" did not pose an actual threat to the safety of the plant. The event did not significantly hamper site personnel in the performance of their duties necessary for the safe operation of the plant.

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