ML20206H721

Part 21 Rept Re Defect in Design of Component Mfg by Cooper Energy Svcs.Initially Reported on 881115.Util Became Aware of Problem on 881103.Div I Emergency Diesel Generator Declared Inoperable & Valve Reclassified

ML20206H721
Person / Time
Site:	Nine Mile Point
Issue date:	11/21/1988
From:	Terry C NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORP.
To:	Russell W NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I)
References
REF-PT21-88, REF-PT21-88-149-000 NMP2L-1181, PT21-88-149, PT21-88-149-000, NUDOCS 8811230288
Download: ML20206H721 (3)

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EE Ny Y vl.wp NIAG ARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATION 301 f tAINFitLD ROAD, SYRACUSE. N Y. 13212/1LLE Pt10NE (315) 4741511 November 21, 1988 NMP2L 1181 Mr. H. . Russell, Regional Ad.ninistrator Region I U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 475 Allendale Road King of Prussia, PA 19406 Re: Nine Mlle Point Unit 2 Docket it. 50-410 NPF- 69 Dear Mr. Russell.

In accordance with the requirements of Part 21 of the Commission's Regulations (10 CFR 21), Niagara Mohawk is submitting the attached report of a defect in the design of a basic component. Initial notification of this defect was made to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Ms. H. Banerjee by telephone on November 15, 1988. The attached report provides the information required by 10 CFR 21.21.

Very truly yours, NIAGARA MOHAWK POWER CORPORATION

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/f 7 A7 C. D. Terry Vice President Nuclear Engineering and Licensing DJH/ bad 6205G Attachment xc: Mr. H. A. Cook Resident Inspector Director, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulations (3 copies)

Mr. J. Johnson, Region I Records Management i

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NIAGARA H0 HAWK POWER CORPORATION Report of Deviation, Defect, or failure to Comply (1) Name and address of the individual or individuals informing the Commtss1on:

P. E. Francisco Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation 301 Plainfield Road Syracuse, NY 13212 (2) Identification of the facility, the activity or the 'Jasic component supplied for such facility or such activity within the United States which falls to comply or contains a defect:

A deficiency has been identified in th( safety classification program utilized by Cooper Energy Services for the Nint 'ille Point Unit 2 Division I and II Emergency Diesel Generators.

(3) Identification of the firm constructing the facility or supplying the basic component which falls to comply or contains a defect:

Cooper Energy Services (4) Nature of the defect or failure to comply and the safety hazard which is created or could be created by such defect or failure to compl'.*:

The defect identified is an improper programmatic assumption in the Cooper Energy Services safety classification program. The inappropriate assumption was that a part could be classified as non-critical due to its fall-safe design.

l A specific instance discovered is rel,ted to the post lube pilot valve for the standby emergency diesel generators (EDGs). The valve was improperly classified as non-critical by Cooper Energy Services and subsequently replaced in the Olvision I EDG without proper quality assurance requirements. Niagara Mohawk had initially performed an audit of Cooper's classification process and believed it satisfactory. It was, however, later discovered that an assumption in their program was unacceptable and a program defect.

During the startup of an EDG, the air pressure on the post tube control valve is vented throtish the post tube pilot valve thereby providing lubricacion to the turbochargers bearing. Should the pilot valve fall, it could prevent lubrication to the turbocharger bearing and subsequently fall turbocharger operation. Failure of the turbocharger will adversely impact the EDG and may prevent the EDG from achieving full rated power.

Previously Cooper assumed that since the fall safe position of the pilot valve is such that lubrication will remain, the pilot valve could be classified as non-safety related. Niagara Mohawk found this unacceptable because a fail-safe position cannot be assumed unless the part classification is safety related. In order to ensure that a component functions properly in going to its fall-safe position, it is our position that the component must be classified as safety related.

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'(5) The date on which the inform;6 ton of such defect or failure to comply was obtained:

Niagara Mohawk in'itially became aware of this problem on November 3, 1988.

(6) In the case of a basic component w'.11ch contains a defect or fails to comply, the number and location o? all such components in use at,  ;

supplied for, or being supplied for one or more facilities or activities subject to the regulations in this part:

The number and location of components with this deficiency is provided in  ;

paragraph (4) above.

We have not yet identified any other components at Nine Mlle Point Unit 2 subject to this programmatic failure. Other facilities potentially affected by ttis defect are as identified on a Cooper Parts List are:

Byron, Braldwo:1, Palo Verde, South Texas Project tnd Susquehanna.

(7) The corrective action which has been, is being, or will be taken; the name of the individual or organization responsible for the action; and the length of time that has been or will be taken to ccaplete the action.

-mediate corrective actions have been completed by Niagara Mohawk invoived leclaring the Olvision ! Emergency Olesel Generator inoperable.

Niagara Hihawk's long-term corrective action is to permanently correct the defic ency by reclassifying the valve and installing a quallfled replacemett. This is scheduled to be completed by the end of the current outage. tdditionally, Niagara Mohawk is conducting a review of Cooper safety c'assifications that are similar to the circumstances identified in paragraph (4) above.

(8) Any advice reluted to h.e defecs or #411ure to comply about the facility, activity, or basic compsnent that i.?s been, is being, or will be given to (

purchasers or licensees. i Not applicable.

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