ML20245B870

Deficiency & Part 21 Rept Re Degradation of Nonmetallic Components & Sludge Formation in Lubricating Oil.Initially Reported on 890327.Degradation of Nonmetallic Parts & Fouled Bearings Evaluated

ML20245B870
Person / Time
Site:	Satsop
Issue date:	04/21/1989
From:	Sorensen G WASHINGTON PUBLIC POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM
To:	NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM)
References
REF-PT21-89-068-000 GO3-89-065, GO3-89-65, PT21-89-068-000, PT21-89-68, NUDOCS 8904260334
Download: ML20245B870 (5)

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. .- . b WASHINGTON PUBLIC POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM P.O. Box 1223 e Elma, Washington 98541 e (206l482-4428 i

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April 21, 1989 y l

Docket No.' 50-508 G03-89-065 M

U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Attention: Document Control Desk Mail Station P1-137 Washington, D. C. 20555

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Subject:

NUCLEAR' PROJECT NO. 3 POTENTIAL 10CFR50.55(e) DEFICIENCY DEGRADATION OF NON-METALLIC COMPONENTS AND SLUDGE FORMATION IN LUBRICATING-0IL On March 27,. 1989, the Supply System notified your office of a potential 10CFR50.55(e) deficiency concerning the subject condition. Attached is a Supply - System approved Interim Report. The report provides a description of the deficiency, corrective actions taken/ planned, and current status.

8904260334 890421 gDR ADOCK0500g8 i

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lj. S. ' Nuclear Regulatory Commission Document Control Desk; Page Two To-date, the Supply System does not' have sufficient information to fully-determine deportability. under 10CFR50.55(e). This = written report is being submitted pursuant to earlier oral notification. If our evaluations determine that the subject condition is reportable, the Supply- System .will . submit the appropriate report . to describe the corrective plans. - As our investigation continues - if significant new information is developed, Interim' Reports may be filed before final deportability is. determined.

Should .you: have any questions or desire further information, please contact Mr. C. M. Butros, WNP-3/5 Site Manager at (206) 482-4428, Ext. 5010.

e G.C.So[rensen, Manager

-Regulatory Programs

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Attachment cc: Mr. R. G. Bailey, Puget Sound Power & Light Co.

Mr. W. L. Bryan, Washington Water Power Co.

Mr. C. Goodwin, Portland General Electric Co.

Mr. J. R. Lewis, Bonneville Power Administration Mr. T. A. Lockhart, Pacific Power & Light Co.

Mr. J. B. Martin, Administrator, Region V Mr. <N. S. Reynolds, Bishop, Cook, Purcell & Reynolds Ms. R. M. Taylor, Ebasco - Elma Ebasco - New York l

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. a MASHINGTON PUBLIC POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM NUCLEAR PROJECT N0. 3 (Docket No. 50.508)'

POTENTIAL DEFICIENCY 10CFR50.55(e)

INTERIM REPORT Degradation of Non-Metallic Components and Sludge Formation Deviation / Noncompliance No. 66 Introduction This Interim Report is submitted pursuant to 10CFR50.55(e) and 10CFR21 because of its potentially generic nature. It concerns the discovery of degraded non-metallic components and sludge formation in lubricating oil which had Mobil Vaprotec Concentrate added. Vaprotec is an oil based vapor phased inhibitor that has been added to virtually all WNP-3 equipment with oil lubricated bearings or gears to prevent corrosion on the wetted and non-wetted surfaces.

This deficiency has been designated potentially reportable since the determination of deportability could not be completed within 14 days of QA notification as required by our project procedure. Deportability will be decided when the cause and extent of safety-related equipment degradation, if any, has been confirmed and an engineering assessment of its safety significance has been completed. On March 27, 1989, James Melfi of the Region V Office, was notified of this problem by telecon.

Description of the Problem In September 1988, WNP-3 staff became aware that some oil lubricated rotating equipment being preserved at the Site, was becoming difficult to rotate. We were aware that the WNP-1 site had noticed similar difficulties and their internal inspections revealed the presence of a heavier phase with a syrup-like consistency in the lubricating oil. There was also an apparent oil film hardening and buildup on the bearing surfaces in the air space that prevented normal rotation of the equipment. WNP-3, like WNP-1, was using Mobil Oil .

products with Vaprotec additive for corrosion protection. l The following actions were initiated to obtain detailed information on WNP-1 problems and to determine the extent of rotation and oil contamination problems at WNP-3:

1) WNP-3 staff attended meetings at WNP-1 with Mobil Oil Representatives to learn about the WNP-1 problem and possible corrective actions.

2) A WNP-3 investigation was initiated to determine, if in general, the effort required to rotate shafts was normal or indicative that a problem existed.

3) Selected equipment, which seemed to exhibit difficulty in rotation, was disassembled and inspected.

4) The history of Vaprotec usage at WNP-3 was reviewed, including problems identified with lubricating oil which might have been related to Vaprotec usage.

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. Deviation / Noncompliance No. 66 Page 2-In early March 1989, WNP-3 completed ' the initial investigation . of this concern. We determined the following problems existed in selected equipment having Mobil lubricating oil with Vaprotec additive.

a) A non-metallic pump bearing housing' internal component had deteriorated. WNP-1 found a similar problem during an internal inspection in November 1988. This problem has not yet been discovered-on any safety related equipment.

b) A tacky coating was found on bearing surfaces and sludge was 'found within the bearing cavities. The bearings did not rotate-when turned by hand and evidence was found that preventive maintenance hand rotation may be causing bearing wear.

c) The Vaprotec concentration within the lubricating oil is generally several times grea ter than recommended by Mobil. These higher concentrations are a result of Mobil's instructions to WNP-3 to add Vaprotec Concentrate periodically to lubricating oil to compensate for its dissipation over time. Vaprotec apparently does not dissipate as rapidly as Mobil implied and the periodic additions' have significantly increased Vaprotec concentration in the oil. This high Vaprotec concentration may be contributing to or causing the other problems noted above.

Corrective Action The degradation of non-metallic parts and fouled bearings were evaluated and the Project determined that a 90-day moratorium on Vaprotec usage and rotation of equipment shafts that have lubricating oil spiked with Vaprotec was prudent and warranted.

Further, WNP-3 staff determined that these problems might be significant and therefore potentially reportable under 10CFR50.55(e) and 10CFR21.

During the moratorium, the Preservation Program in this area will be reviewed, corrosion protection measures adjusted and a corrective action plan developed.

The plan will address the following:

1) The inspections, tests and engineering reviews necessary to determine the cause and extent of equipment degradation.

2) The development of rework procedure to restore the degraded equipment to its original design condition including inspection requirements.

3) The issuance of non-conformance reports, where applicable, to document problems and to track corrective action.

4) The determination of safety significance and deportability of this problem under 10CFR50.55(e) and 10CFR21.

, Deviation / Noncompliance No. 66- l Page 3

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Current Status The Project is in the- second month of the above mentioned 90-day Moratorium Period. Currently, we are trying to duplicate, under controlled conditions, the problems we discovered in our investigation. Tests are being performed with various mixtures of lubricating oil, Vaprotec and moisture to determine which mixtures will cause a precipitation of sludge out of the oil. In addition,.

duplicate non-metallic pump parts have been ordered and upon receipt will be exposed to these various mixtures and checked for deterioration. We are also working to develop methods for removing the sludge from the oil cavities and the tacky coatings from the bearing surfaces.

Final Report A Final Report will be submitted when the cause and extent of the effect on safety-related equipment is known and determination of deportability under the requirements of 10CFR50.55(e) has been made. Interim reports may be issued as significant new information is disclosed.

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